Debates of March 10th, 2017

This is page numbers 2329 - 2354 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 program.

Topics

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

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. I will open up the floor to general comments. Do we have general comments on the committee report? Seeing none, I will just let everyone know at home and in the Assembly that we are, as Mr. Testart said, going to have seven motions. The first would pertain to the recommendation on page 9. Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

March 10th, 2017

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs take the steps necessary to ensure that the 13 recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General in Tabled Document 173-18(2) are implemented in a timely manner. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate we want to move on. All I will say is that the government has tabled a comprehensive plan to address these concerns. The committee is going to keep an eye on that and ensure they are done in a timely manner. Thank you.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 97-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Implementation Of Recommendations O
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that, in future, any GNWT department being audited provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its actions or implementation plan at the earliest possible opportunity and no later than three business days prior to the public review on the Auditor General's report, consistent with the process convention on communications between Cabinet Ministers, standing committees, and Regular Members. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we were reviewing this business plan in particular, the government was very late in getting their action plan to us. In fact, probably about three hours was actually afforded in business days. We want to avoid that problem in the future. We certainly do appreciate the hard work that the department did in working with the Auditor General's office in developing their action plan. For us to play our part in this process, as the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Public Accounts Committee for this Assembly, we need to be given that information in a timely manner so we can properly assess it. It doesn't do the public any favours if we are rushed in that analysis and assessment.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 98-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Provision Of Plans To Address Audit
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, committee.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Committee Motion 99-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Standing Committee Review Of Draft
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that any GNWT department selected in the future for an audit provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its action or implementation plan in draft format; and further that this document not be finalized until the department has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations made as a result of the standing committee's review. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 99-18(2): Committee Report 9-18(2), Standing Committee On Government Operations Report On The Review Of The Auditor General Of Canada On Support To Communities For Municipal Services In The Northwest Territories – Municipal And Community Affairs – Standing Committee Review Of Draft
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.