Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we started out on this adventure, looking at the business plans last September, it was about how we could deal with the cuts proposed by the government. We soon realized that we needed to start looking at this process a bit differently, so we focused on strategic investments that would help the NWT.
I would like to thank all Members for all the hard work we put into the 2017-18 budget process, Cabinet and Regular MLAs. I agree with the Finance Minister that Cabinet sort of listened and did listen and then made some of the Regular MLAs' proposed adjustments. These were reflected in his Minister's statement on Friday, March 3, 2017.
I am happy to see such things as:
● Implementation of 911 service;
● Supports to address homelessness and addictions;
● Enhancement to the NWT Housing Corporation's repair programs to support seniors age in place;
● Increased funding for junior kindergarten implementation costs for remaining schools;
● Anti-Poverty funding;
● A boost to the Community Access Program for small community roads;
● A Mining Incentive Program increase;
● Enhancement of the Small Community Employment Support Program;
● Increased homecare; and
● Funding for a youth-in-crisis initiative.
As well, there was something the public was not aware of. We saw nine proposed reductions reversed, for a total of $3,974,500, and this past Friday Cabinet announced that reductions to Aurora College's teacher education and social work programs will be deferred, pending completion of the strategic review, which is now the functional review. Unfortunately, we will see no additional intake for the social work program or the teacher education program while this review is taking place. This deferral amounted to $690,000. All good news, right? Well, unfortunately, I can't say it is.
Mr. Speaker, when somebody offers you something, you need to consider it further and look into it a bit closer.
Working with Public Servants. In my reply to the 2016-17 budget and the 2017-18 budget, I strongly recommended that we ask the public service to come up with money-saving ideas. In my conversations with front-line workers, this has not happened. I firmly believe that, if the public service was given the opportunity to make suggestions on ways to make the government more efficient, we could save millions of dollars and potentially a lot of filled positions.
Unfortunately, for these past two budgets, senior bureaucrats were given a per centage that they needed to cut from their department's budget, and off they went. From my viewpoint, jobs cuts were the easiest approach. They looked at vacant positions, then at positions where the person was close to retirement, and then, finally, in my opinion, positions where they could use the standard answer: "We feel that the other staff can cover the workload," et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Mr. Speaker, don't get me wrong. I understood that there might be a need to reduce positions if the departments followed a logical approach to doing things, such as a true zero-based budgeting exercise. I understand it will take work, but it would bring a better, evidence-based approach to the task.
Job Cuts. Mr. Speaker, this year, we saw a cut of four positions in the Deh Cho region. I realize that it does not compare to the net cut of 38 positions in Yellowknife. However, when those four job positions come from one community with a population of 1,202, to have the same impact in Yellowknife, the government would have to cut 65 positions.
It saddens me when this government cuts positions in the first place, but it is very frustrating when they look first at smaller regional centres to make the cuts. It makes me think that one of the items in our government's mandate, "We will develop and implement a strategy to increase employment in small communities," isn't really a priority.
If this government was sincere about making sure we had a strong NWT, they would seriously look at where cuts would have the least impact on all residents.
Designated authorities. Mr. Speaker, as I have said previously, I represent six communities and four of them are governed by designated authorities. We heard from the Auditor General of Canada about the importance of working with them. How does this government do this by cutting positions in the region that could help build capacity? Then we hear the logic, "Don't worry. We have somebody from Yellowknife or Fort Smith who will help out." That is lip-service, not real capacity-building. A phone call or a video-conference is not going to do this. Regional staff need to be in the communities, working with the people. If we are not doing that, we are going to continue in the same situation we are in now.
Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC) funding. Having a vibrant and competitive small business sector helps our northern economy prosper. Small businesses provide jobs, serve as a vital source of economic renewal, and provide valuable goods and services to our residents and other businesses.
One of BDIC's missions says that by building on the strength of our small businesses vibrancy, optimism and talent, we can ensure they become our path to prosperity.
Mr. Speaker, when I look at the BDIC, I see a Crown corporation that provides a range of programs and services to help northern businesses succeed, including start-up help. Unfortunately, it seems that this government may not agree. BDIC was treated like other departments. They were given an amount to cut and sent on their merry way. They did not ask BDIC how they could become more efficient and effective, they just cut.
Throughout my travels and talking with small business owners, I have seen and heard about the benefit of BDIC assisting communities in capturing economic development opportunities, and helping to develop a diverse and viable northern economy. Our small northern companies are very much the backbone of the NWT.
If the BDIC was able to identify funds that could be cut from administration, fine, but those savings need to be placed back into programs, not just be cut.
We need to promote and maintain economic development and employment. This is being done by the BDIC. I realize there is a need for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, but we need a strong, arm's-length corporation removed from the political environment that is able to:
● Encourage the creation and development of businesses; and
● Provide information and financial assistance to businesses.
Multi-Sport Games. Mr. Speaker, people know that I am very passionate about the sport, recreation, youth, and volunteer world. I know it may not sound like a lot, but by cutting multi-sport games funding by $150,000, this is the start to the government eliminating this line item. It is like the old saying, "Don't let the fox into the hen house." Well, we have. By allowing the GNWT to start reducing this program and using lotteries after $5.1 million is given to the five sport and recreation NGOs, 80 per cent of any surplus will go to the games instead of the programs that help grassroots development.
The multi-sport funding is for games that are national or international competitions, and the government needs to take responsibility for running these games. Unfortunately, now the government is looking to the lottery system to cover these costs. This is wrong. The government needs to fund these games and stop taking funds primarily earmarked for grassroots development. It is very sad to see us now going down this road.
Social Work and the Teacher Education Program.
As I stated previously, it was great to see the deferral of reductions to these programs. However, by not allowing new students into the programs this September, we have put another nail in the coffin, so to speak.
In the very beginning the college was given direction to make large cuts and these two programs were identified because they appear to be not as efficient and effective in their present form. Even with the strategic planning process being folded into the new "foundational review," I can see the writing on the wall. I hope I am wrong, but I could see these two programs being eliminated.
I have witnessed this type of approach before. Stopping the intake of students while the foundational review is being done or the strategic plan is done or a study is being done causing students to lose interest in the program.
It means that students wishing to be educated in these professions must go down South, leaving behind their support system, or not go at all. Cutting the Teacher Education and Social Work programs will result in fewer northern teachers and social workers, simple as that. My estimate is that we will lose at least one-third of our entry-level students, maybe more.
Mr. Speaker, there will be lots of jobs for northern teachers if we can train them. Last year the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment tabled a labour market forecast from 2015 to the year 2030. It lists the top 50 occupations by job openings that will be available. Number 2 on the list? We will need to hire 777 elementary and kindergarten teachers, and that is the base-case estimate.
Number 7 on the list is secondary school teachers. Our territory will need to fill at least 577 positions.
Number 8 on the list of top occupations is social workers and community service workers. The estimated demand is 479 of them.
Coming in at Number 9: early childhood educators and assistants. We will need to fill at least 448 positions between now and 2030.
Just to drive my point home, the 13th occupation is college and vocational instructors. We will need to hire for 382 positions if we don't eliminate their jobs and send our students south.
The demand for teachers at various levels tops the list of occupations in high demand. For comparison, our territory will only need to fill 285 financial manager positions and 386 for heavy equipment operators.
I would like the economic planners in Cabinet to add up those numbers as they cut Aurora College's budget to train teachers and social workers. I hope further study of the numbers will inform the functional review of Aurora College.
When you look at the TRC, these two programs were some of the ways the GNWT was addressing the recommendations. The TRC called on federal, provincial, and territorial governments to "provide the necessary funding to post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms." By undermining these two programs, our government has done just the opposite.
I am also concerned that reductions to the core academic programs at Aurora College will have an impact on other programs. A college is a forum for students and a place to be inspired to learn new things. If we cripple our academic programs at Aurora College we take away opportunities for students who are upgrading as well. We have to recognize that academic programs lead to jobs too, and have produced many of our leaders over the years.
Mr. Speaker, we heard in this House that the teacher education and social work programs cost a lot more money to run than down South, with our smaller classes and lots of face-to-face time with instructors. Well, this is the reality of doing business in the North. Things cost more up North. However, it creates opportunities for students who wish to stay up North and be educated.
Instead of cutting the programs, we should be seeing how we can improve them while we continue student intake. Does this government want to get rid of the Business Incentive Program for northern businesses because it costs money? I hope not, but if you use the logic of the Minister and this government, we could see this happening sooner rather than later.
Increase in Homecare. What I found very interesting about the $2.5 million increase in homecare funding was that $1 million is to replace funding from Canada as a result of modifying the federal formula on how those dollars are distributed throughout the Northwest Territories. That could have resulted in some of our regions receiving less money for homecare than they currently get.
So some if not all of the million dollars is intended to make sure that some of the regions do not have reduced homecare services due to the potential change in the federal formula.This is a great idea, but the remaining $1.5 million won't be ready to roll out on April 1st.
The Health Minister made it very clear in the House that they have a significant amount of work to still do. The department is working on the NWT Care Services Action Plan, scheduled to be done by March 31st. The action plan includes homecare services, but this is only the first step.
The department needs to understand what services are necessary to residents and communities in the Northwest Territories. They need to assess the gaps, comparing what is out there against where the department needs to be. Only then will the department know what resources are needed to fill the gaps. This was the nub of the discussion.
As well, the department is not sure what the guidelines are for the new federal money. Unfortunately, all this work will take time and from what I heard in Committee of the Whole, money is not likely to roll out until sometime later this year.
I appreciate that we are working on a plan and that the Minister made a commitment to move that work along as quickly as he can. However, if it does not get done and all dollars are not fully spent, that money will remain in the government's general consolidated fund.
Mr. Speaker, this is where they lose me. Some of these funds will not be used, but we still have homecare issues. The lapsed money will then be used to help address our debt, not the strategic spending we are looking for. This is what I cannot support.
Youth-in-Crisis Initiative. Similar to homecare, the development of Youth-in-Crisis Program is very important to me. However, as we heard in Committee of the Whole, the department is working on the development of action plans. This will help quantify physical needs as we prioritize these initiatives in the 2018-19 fiscal year. This is more work on top of the NWT Care Service Action Plan that needs to be done.
We heard the first action plan will be done this summer which will give the department time to discuss things with the Social Development Committee during business planning sessions.
The problem with this is that the money is not out there helping the youth as needed. Again, like homecare, if the funds are not used for the youth, they will be needed instead to reduce debt.
Land Lease Increases. Mr. Speaker, increases to land lease rates will have a serious impact on people across the Northwest Territories. It is especially unfair where people are already paying very high rates and will never have the opportunity to acquire tenure.
Mr. Speaker, I understand the government is trying to bring lease rates for Commissioner's land and territorial lands more in line with each other, but we need to look at issues around affordability; maybe a phased in approach, and expanding land tenure opportunities. We need a solution for people paying unreasonably high taxes on lands in areas with unsettled claims.
Enhancement of the Small Community Employment Support Program. Mr. Speaker, I was happy to see the government add $3 million to the Small Community Employment Support Program. However, I was not happy it was still going to be a subsidy I partnership and not a job creation program.
Like the other two areas I spoke about previously, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment plans to spend the next several months looking at how to ensure that additional money is fully utilized.
However, if the funds are to be used for subsidies and partnerships only, it will not actually be used for that purpose at all. Again, Mr. Speaker, the biggest problem is that if communities do not have their share of the money, they cannot access this program. If they cannot access this program, people cannot go to work.
If people cannot go in to work, they must go on income support. Not a good solution. When asked in the House if the program rules could be changed, the response was that ECE will look at a more comprehensive approach and strategy for small community employment by the fall.
With this limited approach, I wonder when -- and if -- we will see the job creation that is needed in the small communities.
To sum it all up, Regular Members have done a lot of work and negotiated hard with Cabinet to improve this budget, and it is definitely improved since the business plans we saw last fall. In the end, this budget fails because it was so focused on cuts to spending without thinking enough about the impacts. Cutting jobs in communities and deep reductions to Aurora College will not bring savings in the long run. This approach does not serve my region well, and I do not think it serves the Northwest Territories well either.
Mr. Speaker, these are the reasons I will not support the 2017-18 budget. Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker.