Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

This is page numbers 1951 – 2010 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Update On Early Childhood Development Plan: Education, Culture And Employment Milestone Statement

Enbridge Pipeline Erosion Control Measures

Support For Terrax Minerals Inc.

Improving Consumer Protection

Hay River Rental Accommodation Challenges

Benefits Of Public Service Growth In The Sahtu Region

Yellowknife Rental Accommodation Costs

Resident Mental Health Worker For Tsiigehtchic

Sugar Tax Best Practices

Modern Treaty Implementation

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Emergency Situation Communication Protocols

Yellowknife And Peripheral Area Land Use Management Plan

GNWT Land Use Monitoring Capacity

Sugar Tax Best Practices

Improving Consumer Protection

Rental Office Workload Challenges

Rental Accommodation Subsidies

Land Lease Assessments

Residential Mental Health Worker For Tsiigehtchic

Social Housing Policy Adjustments

Written Question 21-18(2): Complaints Of Sexual Assault Classified By RCMP As Unfounded

Tabled Document 302-18(2): Workers’ Safety And Compensation Commission 2015-2017 Strategic Plan

Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 28, 2017

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matter

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Lands, Deferral Of Operations Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Lands, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For Lands

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Justice, Deferral Of Community Justice And Policing Activity

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 65-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Justice, Deferral Of Community Justice And Policing Activity, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matter

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. It's just a very odd fit that OROGO comes under the Social Development Committee. In any event, maybe the Minister can just refresh my memory about the independence of OROGO when it comes to them developing their own budget. Were they asked to meet certain fiscal reduction targets that Cabinet had set? What sort of financial independence does this organization really have? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I really don't -- I don't think there were any significant changes in the budget that were in any way requested by Cabinet because we do see them as independent. I'm not certain how the process works as to when they are submitting their need for funds. Certainly there was no attempt to cut them back.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thank you for that very helpful answer. Can the Minister get back to me in writing then with some kind of response about what the financial independence is of OROGO? Do they submit a budget to a Minister or to Cabinet, and who approves it? Can the Minister get back to the Regular MLAs with a written response? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

February 23rd, 2017

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Of course the funds allocated to them have to be approved here. I understand they submit their own budget. Perhaps Mr. Goldney would like to expand on that a bit. I am not absolutely sure of the process.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I am not Mr. Goldney.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

My apologies. I will use my ear piece from now on. Mr. Goldney.

Goldney

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and yes, OROGO, just like any other division, does have influence on its budgets and as responsible managers will identify their needs and pressures, and we do see those reflected in the budgets that they put forward, but they are tested in the same way any other division or departments would be to make sure that what is being put forward is reasonable and appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is helpful, but I guess I want to know at the end of the day who decides what goes into the mains. Presumably it is the Finance Minister, or FMB, and is the OROGO budget then submitted to FMB for approval to go into the mains or is it completely independent, they get to submit whatever budget they want? Who makes the final decision on the OROGO -- ultimately it comes here, but before who decides what is going to go into the mains for OROGO? Is that an FMB decision? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

It is still a FMB decision, so it would come to FMB. Of course, ultimately it has to be approved here.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. So you know this is very murky again. So what kind of oversight or accountability then is there to the Minister of Justice when it comes to the OROGO budget? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Well, I suppose, like any other department, there is some financial oversight, but I do not want to give anybody the idea that they are not independent in their operations, because that is the whole point. I mean I do not know how it is done in other jurisdictions, but I can assure the Members that OROGO is properly funded and they are independent. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, earlier I had asked if the Minister could just maybe put some of this in writing so we can get some clarity around how the budget for OROGO is put together, who reviews it and approves it at the end of the day, whether it is the Minister of Justice. I have heard it might be the Minister of Justice, it might be FMB. If he wants to take this away and come back in writing, I think that would be more helpful. Can I get a commitment from him to do that? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, I would be prepared to do that. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly, anything further?

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks. Yes, I appreciate the Minister making that commitment and I look forward to the information. Thanks.

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

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