Debates of Oct. 19th, 2017

This is page numbers 83 – 126 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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 electoral.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Northwest Territories 911 Program

Supporting Families And Seniors Across The North

Climate Change Framework Next Steps

Implementation Of The NWT Agriculture Strategy

Minister Absent From The House

Giant Mine Remediation

Disparity Between Employees Of Local Housing Organizations And The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation

Highway Pedestrian Crossings

Clean-Up Of Sacred Vent Hole Of Tthenaago

Government Strategies And Action Plans

Northern Manufacturing Of Modular Homes

Consensus Government

Climate Change Audit

Eulogy For Joseph Maurice Norn

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Moose Harvesting Concerns

Modular Public Housing Units

Hay River Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade

Climate Change Audit And Strategic Framework

Differences In Employment Terms Between Northwest Territories Housing Corporation And Local Housing Organizations

Opportunities From Giant Mine Remediation Project

Manufacturing Strategy In The Northwest Territories

Governance Of The Northwest Territories Power Corporation

History Of Social Housing In The Northwest Territories

Modular Public Housing Units

Energy Requirements For Giant Mine Remediation Project

Modular Public Housing Units

Written Question 1-18(3): Maintenance Of Highway No. 3

Committee Report 3-18(3): Report On Motion 32-18(2), Referral Of Petition 6-18(2), Elimination Of Time Change In The Northwest Territories To The Standing Committee On Social Development

Motion To Receive Committee Report 3-18(3) And Move Into Committee Of The Whole

Tabled Document 30-18(3): Grants And Contributions Results Reports 2016-2017

Setting Of Sitting Hours By The Speaker

Appointment Of Conflict Of Interest Commissioner

Appointment Of The Equal Pay Commissioner

Setting Of Sitting Hours By The Speaker

Extended Adjournment Of The House To February 7, 2018

Bill 1: Western Canada Lottery Act

Bill 2: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Concurrence Of Tabled Document 2-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018

Concurrence Of Tabled Document 3-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019

Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Establish An Elector Residency Requirement

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Setting Of Polling Days

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Chief Electoral Officer Consultation With Municipal And Community Affairs, NWT Association Of Communities And Community Governments

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Accord With Recommendations 2, 10, 13, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, And 38 In The Chief Electoral Officer Administration Report

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Section 257.1(1) Of The Elections And Plebiscites Act – Increasing Penalty For Non-Compliance

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories – Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories – Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Chief Electoral Officer Reporting To The Legislative Assembly

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories – Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Investigation Of Complaints

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories – Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Develop And Make Material Available To Schools

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories – Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Enable The Chief Electoral Officer To Direct Use Of Voting Equipment During The By-Election

Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer’s Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Entering Agreements With Any Person Or Government Departments

Report of Committee of the Whole

Bill 2: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018

Recorded Vote

Orders of the Day

Committee Motion 2-18(3): Concurrence Of Tabled Document 2-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2017-2018, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to ask the Minister about the $400,000 decrease for the Syncrolift project. This is something we discussed in our review of the capital budget estimates. I would like to know if the Minister could just explain how this $400,000 project appeared in the capital when it was supposed to be paid out of the revolving fund just for our clarification. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Can we wait until we are at that section? Would that be acceptable?

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Yes, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. If I have no further general comments on this, we can begin consideration at page 6. Education, Culture and Employment. Comments or questions? Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is, as I understand it, well, let's start with this: can the Minister explain what this additional appropriation is and what will it accomplish for junior kindergarten? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This money was initially appropriated to go over three years. I am working with and getting feedback from committee. It was decided that we would make this money available to all the schools for their junior kindergarten in one year. ECE is currently working with the divisional occasion authorities in the Department of Infrastructure on an updated schedule to undertake required capital projects in 2018-2019. As far as the individual items of what the Member is referring to, we don't have that detail of information right away, but as soon as they come out with a plan, we will share it with the Members. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the efforts of my Cabinet friends to move this up and try to get the work done within one year. That is something that I raise concerns about and I am really glad to see that they were able to respond positively and try to move this work up. I understand that there might be some capacity issues in terms of getting the work contracted and out the door and following up appropriately and so on. I take it, then, from what the Minister said that they are developing a bit of a plan to try to speed up that work. Any idea when they might be able to share some of the details of that with Regular MLAs on this side?

The reason why I ask that is I understand there are a number of projects and much of the work is to be done in smaller communities, which is good; it will help create jobs there, but also make sure that our new junior kindergarten students have access to safe playgrounds and school facilities and so on. Can the Minister keep us updated on this plan that they're developing to speed up the work? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I will work with my Cabinet colleague from Education and soon as we have a concrete plan as to where the investments are going to be and what it's going to consist of, we'd be glad to share that with committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Just in the eventuality that the work can't all be done this year, it could be carried over into the next year?

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. I will just remind everyone to make sure your light is on before you begin speaking. Minister McLeod.

October 18th, 2017

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, that is correct. It can be carried over. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I do sincerely appreciate the efforts of my Cabinet friends to speed up that work. I just want to go on the record, because I don't often do that, thanking them for their hard work on that one. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Seeing nothing further, I will call this section. 2018-2019 Supplementary Estimate No. 1 (Infrastructure Expenditures), Education, Culture and Employment, capital investment expenditures, early childhood and schools not previously authorized, $1,255,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. 2018-2019 Supplementary Estimate No. 1, (Infrastructure Expenditures), Education, Culture and Employment, capital investment expenditures, total department not previously authorized, $1,255,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Moving on to page 7. Mr. Testart had comments on this section. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to ask the Minister to respond to my previous comment. Thank you.

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Minister, do you remember Mr. Testart's previous comment?

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

We never forget. Mr. Chair, the reason that it's coming forward, and a negative supp, it was a timing issue. My understanding is the revolving fund wasn't quite set up in time. The capital budget had been approved by FMB, and then so once the revolving fund was set up, it would determine that we would put a negative supp in and have this $400,000 paid out of the revolving fund. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Debates of Oct. 19th, 2017

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