Debates of Feb. 28th, 2017

This is page numbers 1991 - 2054 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 community.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 145-18(2): Progress In Negotiating Land, Resources And Self-Government Agreements

Western Canada Lottery And Sutcliffe Report

Department Of Justice Progress Report On Governance Access And Privacy

New Behchoko Sports And Recreation Complex

Fortieth Anniversary Of Northern United Place

Unified Vision And Strategy For The Northern Territories

Small Business Incentives

Hockey Tournaments In Nahendeh

Supports For Priority Hiring Candidates Under The Affirmative Action Policy

Benefits Of Sport And Traditional Games For Indigenous Athletes

Aklavik Road Repairs

Federal Review Of Laws And Policies Related To Indigenous Peoples

Strategy For Revitalization Of The Great Slave Lake Fishery

Committee Report 7-18(2): You Are Standing For Your People: Report On The Review Of The Members’ Conduct Guidelines

Motion To Receive Committee Report 7-18(2) And Move Into Committee Of The Whole

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Federal Review Of Laws And Policies Related To Indigenous People

Unified Vision And Strategy For The Northern Territories

Critical Incident Investigation Recommendations

Process For Filling Unfunded Positions

Supports For Priority Hiring Candidates Under The Affirmative Action Policy

Arsenic Levels In Kam Lake

Earnscliffe Strategy Group Contract

Western Canada Lottery And The Sutcliffe Report

Aklavik Road Repairs

Housing Engagement Survey

Lobbyist Registry Proposal

Junior Kindergarten Funding And Implementation

Tabled Document 303-18(2): Government Of The Northwest Territories Response To Committee Report 3-18(2): Report On The Review Of The 2014-2015 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report

Tabled Document 304-18(2): Follow-Up Letter For Oral Question 477-18(2): Housing Engagement Strategy

Tabled Document 305-18(2): Federal Lobbyist Registration For Earnscliffe Strategy Group

Tabled Document 306-18(2): White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

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

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs, Deferral Of Regional Operations Activity

Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Municipal And Community Affairs, Deferral Of Sport, Recreation And Youth Activity

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

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 66-18(2): Tabled Document 261-18(2): Main Estimates 2017-2018, Department Of Justice, Deferral Of Further Consideration Of The Estimates For Justice, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that commitment from the Minister. It still seems rather counterintuitive to me that we are asking communities to do more land use planning for themselves, yet we are cutting the capacity within the department to approve the land use plans, the zoning bylaw changes, and so on, that they come up with. It just does not make much sense to me. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

February 28th, 2017

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, as stated, we are not anticipating that it will cause any delays. We will be conscious of it, though, and watching for it in the future. The planning for the communities isn't done all the time. It is not a constant thing. It is usually done annually. Therefore, we don't see it as being a huge issue, and not all communities are doing it at exactly the same time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I don't want to prolong a debate here. I don't think this is a good idea, but I look forward to getting the evidence from the Minister that this is not going to result in delays. I think this is actually being driven by the fiscal reduction targets again. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. I would like to clarify with the Minister. There are two typos in the main estimates here. I would just like to clarify that the activity total remains $2,036,000. Minister.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

That is correct, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Anything further? Seeing nothing further, I will call this activity. Municipal and Community Affairs, community governance, operations expenditure summary, activity total, $2,036,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. We will continue on to the next activity, located on pages 317 to 320, community operations. Do we have comments or questions on this? When you do have comments or questions, please indicate which page you are speaking to. Pages 317 to 320, community operations. Seeing none, I will call this activity. Municipal and Community Affairs, community operations, operations expenditure summary, activity total, $2,043,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Continuing on to the next activity, directorate, found on pages 321 to 324. Comments or questions on this activity, directorate, page 321 to 324? Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I mentioned in the opening comments, and the Minister is well aware that honourable Members have a concern with the pace of legislation that MACA is responsible for, or that she is responsible for as Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Is the policy and planning unit encapsulated by this activity adequately staffed to accommodate that lengthy legislative agenda? Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we are adequately staffed to complete the legislation as provided by the deputy minister within the time frames. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

How many policy analysts or positions are with the department? I will start with that. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So we have a manager of policy, we have a senior policy adviser, we have a junior policy adviser, and we have a legislative adviser position. We also have been provided access to Justice if we need it at any time, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the Minister. Again, I will make the same comment, that, if the Minister feels that this is adequate, then the burden of meeting this objective falls squarely on her shoulders. I look forward to an expedient delivery of these priorities rolling out over the next two years. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Do we have further comments or questions? Seeing none, I will call this activity. Municipal and Community Affairs, directorate, operations expenditure summary, activity total, $3,837,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Continuing on to the next activity. Public safety, found on pages 325 to 328. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am aware that there are a number of aspects of legislation that the department is working on that are going to stem from this division. One thing, as a representative of Yellowknife North, the Highway No. 4 Ingraham Trail is in my riding. We have had, obviously, some considerable concern over the last couple of years with regard to forest fire seasons and lost assets, but most importantly, there are residents who live out on Ingraham Trail, a significant number of residents who live out there.

I am just wondering if the department has been engaged by residents on the trail as it relates to a communication strategy, and if that is the case, or even if not, is there a communication strategy in case there is an emergency of some nature out on Ingraham Trail that either is going to block people from getting from the city out to their homes, or vice versa, block people getting from their homes into the city where they might find safety in an unsafe incident or emergency situation? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Feb. 28th, 2017

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