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

Louis Sebert Thebacha

That is our hope, Mr. Chair, but no guarantees can be given.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am not sure I have a lot of confidence, but maybe I can ask, then: has this been communicated to and how is it going with the Law Society and the Law Foundation? Are they involved in these discussions? Do they know about this resource centre? Are they being asked to contribute? What is going on? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

February 23rd, 2017

Goldney

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can report that there have been discussions with the Law Society and the Law Foundation. In fact, the report that the Member referenced was shared with both the Law Society and the Law Foundation with the intent of getting feedback. The report really was meant to not just describe what resources we are disposing of, but it was really meant to inform what resources need to continue to be held in a resource centre and would best serve the needs of the profession.

We do recognize and value the engagement of the Law Society and the Law Foundation in those discussions. We have also, of course, signalled an openness to have contributions from the Law Society and the Law Foundation as they have in the past supported the law library's collection. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am glad. Thank you for the answer from the deputy minister. So, since the massive disposition report, if I can call it that, has been sent to the Law Society and the Law Foundation, has there actually been a face-to-face meeting with these organizations to talk about how to move forward with the disposition of the materials and this new resource centre? So, a face-to-face meeting, has that actually happened? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Goldney

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can report that I have had a face-to-face meeting with members of the relevant committee of the Law Society, looking at this issue, and have had discussions and was pleased that they were very appreciative and thankful for the work that went into that report to inform decisions of what would be retained. We certainly welcome those discussions, and we have been sharing with them the plans for the resource centre. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am glad to hear that there has been a face-to-face meeting. Can the Minister make a commitment to share that kind of information with the standing committee so that we know what is going on? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, we can make that commitment.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am glad to get that cooperative answer from the Minister. I don't have anything further. Thanks.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I notice that contract services has decreased from a high of $1 million in 2015-16 down to $365,000. Could the Minister explain that variance? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I am told that this is merely a budgeting change, but perhaps Ms. Bolstad could expand on that not-terribly-helpful answer.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Ms. Bolstad.

Bolstad

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have had some accounting adjustments to more accurately reflect our expenditures, which the budget line item may not as accurately reflect.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Ms. Bolstad. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. I will chalk that up to an accounting practice, Mr. Chairman. Under court reporters, there has been a slight decrease. My understanding of this program is that the court reporters' function heavily relies on contract services with court reporters from Alberta, I believe, is where they are based, from Edmonton. Does this budget line item reflect the cost of hiring the contract services for those reporters, or is it in-house staff? Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

There is a contract with a provider in Edmonton. Our delivery of this service really is dependent both on staff and the contractors from Edmonton.

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

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