Debates of Sept. 26th, 2017

This is page numbers 2745 - 2784 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 communities.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Minister’s Statement 210-18(2): Continuing Care Services Action Plan
Federal Funding For Infrastructure
Eulogy For Pat Bobinski
Conclusion Of Land Rights Agreements
Deep Water Port In Nunakput
Renewable Resources Officer Vacancy And Community Safety In Tsiigehtchic
Member's Statement For Centralization Of Long-Term Care Facilities
Ecole St. Joseph School Capacity
Arctic Energy Alliance Programs
Impacts Of Sobering Centre On Yellowknife
Eulogy For Louis Tsetso
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Condition Of Highway 1 And Highway 7
Update On Sobering Centre
Deep Sea Port In Nunakput
Centralization Of Long-Term Care Facilities
Small Community Employment Support Program
Ecole St. Joseph School Capacity Concerns
Land Rights Agreements
Arctic Energy Alliance Programs
Renewable Resources Officer Vacancy And Community Safety In Tsiigehtchic
Small Community Employment Support Program
Federal Funding For Infrastructure
Funding Community Infrastructure Programs
Proposed Hay River Long‑term Care Facility
Bill 27: An Act To Amend The Environmental Protection Act
Tabled Document 454-18(2): 2017-2018 Health And Social Services Authority Budgets
Tabled Document 455-18(2): Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowance Fund Financial Statements For The Year Ended March 31, 2017
Extended Adjournment Of The House To October 3, 2017
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of the Committee of the Whole
Orders of the Day

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I think she was pulling on my heartstrings there, saying a library and a pool. It was like old days, with the recreation side of me coming out.

In regard to keeping these funds and putting them into reserves, I have heard in other years that some people have spent the money on other facilities, like a hotel or a store. Are these kinds of projects for this type of money, or should they be looking at other avenues to fund these types of capital projects? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, our guidelines actually are very explicit on the type of infrastructure that they are allowed to utilize out of the capital funding. If they have used their funding inappropriately against the guidelines, then we work very closely with the communities to try to get them to stay on track. They may have to sometimes pay back from other revenues that they may take in, but we have explicit guidelines on where they are allowed to spend the money, and we do oversee to make sure that that funding is spent appropriately. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. There is nothing further from Mr. Thompson. I believe I will call on Mr. Testart. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

September 25th, 2017

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On page 67 of MACA's capital infrastructure is a list of communities, and it is related to the community government share of capital formula funding, but there are no dollar amounts listed. Can the Minister explain why that is? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For many years now, the funding within the capital estimates process has actually been provided as line items. However, the information is public. It is public through our MACA update, if Regular MLAs are looking to access that information.

We also provide all communities their funding. In September to December, we provide a listing of all community funding to the communities so that they can actually use that to plan for their capital expenditures and, of course, for their operating and maintenance. All of the funding is provided to them during that term. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Testart.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That information is already public. Is there any reason not to print it here, just for greater transparency of these budget documents? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Like I said, that information is public at this point. You can access it through our website. I will carry that recommendation forward into the next year's capital estimates planning process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Do I have anything further for general comments? Seeing none, we will defer consideration of the departmental total until after consideration of the activity summaries, the first of which can be found on page 66. Municipal and Community Affairs, regional operations, infrastructure investments, $27,193,000. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Turning to page 69, with associated information item on page 70, Municipal and Community Affairs, public safety, infrastructure investments, $115,000. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Turning back to page 64, Municipal and Community Affairs, total capital estimates, $27,308,000. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that we have concluded consideration of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Thank you to the witness for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witness from the Chamber. Committee, next we have agreed to consider the Department of Lands, which begins on page 58. I will turn to the Minister responsible for any opening comments he may have. Minister Sebert.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no opening comments.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, I do.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, will you please introduce your witnesses to the Chamber.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right is Willard Hagen, the deputy minister. To my left is Brenda Hilderman, the director of finance and administration. Thank you.