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

Goldney

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am happy to report that we have staffed that position with a hire with considerable experience. The plan moving forward is to use this as an opportunity for mentoring and building capacities locally. We do have somebody filling that position right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Is the position filled permanently right now? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Goldney.

Goldney

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe the hire was for a term period, but it is a permanent position filled with the term hire for a certain term.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Goldney. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The person who is in that position now is there on a term. Is the plan to make that term indefinite, or is that person there to fill the position temporarily? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I understand that it is a casual hire. This person is a very experienced warden. I am quite sure he is not intending to spend the rest of his career, or what might be left of it, in the Northwest Territories. It is a question of bringing in someone to mentor people who might be considered for that position. Also, I believe he will be assisting with the Fort Smith jail. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

February 23rd, 2017

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess my concern is that someone, I believe, from out of the province or out of the territory was brought in to fill a position that local people have been acting in with considerable experience themselves. It is kind of demoralizing to a workplace when something like that happens. My concern is that this is a permanent position that we are again bringing in people from the South to fill positions that Northerners can fill themselves. Is this the case, Minister Sebert?

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Chair, it was really a question of bringing in a very experienced warden who had experience, as I understand, it in both the Yukon and in British Columbia with the full understanding that this person would only be there temporarily to assist and mentor staff in both Fort Smith and Hay River. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Simpson.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Minister. That was the answer I was looking for, intention to be there only temporarily to mentor staff. No further questions right now. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In regards to the wilderness programming, I notice a reduction of $281,000. Could the Minister explain what that reduction was. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

That was an accounting issue. It was a transfer to community justice. Thank you.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am just trying to figure this out. There was $281,000 transferred to community justice, but when you look at the community justice page, it is only $249,000. We are $32,000 short. Where did that money go? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Sebert.

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you. I understand that this is really an issue of accounting. That money was transferred to another location. Perhaps I should have Ms. Bolstad respond, because I think she has a better answer.

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister Sebert. Ms. Bolstad.

Bolstad

In the community justice and policing expenditure category comparison on the expenditure summary page, my apologies, on page 257, you will see a growth in contract services. That transfer is there along with some additional funding received from the victim federal services agreement.

Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2017

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