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

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, if the Minister is committing to hear from all my constituents who have concerns, I will make those appointments. Again, I think it is fairer not to do this on a one-off, but to have a broad conversation involving procurement experts, perhaps experts who do not reside in the Northwest Territories, and bring them together to discuss this. We have energy charrettes. We hire consultants to look at Aurora College. Why is the Minister so confident that our procurement system doesn't require any reform or any improvements? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that we didn't need any type of improvements or any type of advice moving forward. I came from the private sector. I spent my whole life in the private sector. I have used the procurement system within the Government of the Northwest Territories. There are rules and policies in place that make it beneficial to northern businesses and individuals who want to participate in procurement with the Government of the Northwest Territories. We will continue to look at those, how we will make it better moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was asking some questions of the Minister of Human Resources today about his Minister's statement. I understand the government does a great job trying to offer positions to affected employers. However, my question to the Minister previously may not have been asked properly, so I am going to ask it again: if the affected employee is offered a job and accepts it because it is the only position available at that time, and during the time he is in this position another position becomes available, is he able to apply for this position? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, anyone seeking employment within the Government of the Northwest Territories is free to apply to any job competition at any time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for his answer. I, too, am looking for mental health days here at some point in time. I thank him for that. My next question: what is the criteria that is being used to offer positions to affected employees besides them just being affected employees?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Our department is in contact with the employees. They won't be offered a job just because they are an affected employee. They have to actually be qualified for that particular job that they apply for. Our staff is working with those who are affected.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I again thank the Minister for that answer. It’s good to hear. However, I’ve been in contact with some of these affected employees or even contacted myself and other honourable Members here. What happens if a non-reasonable offer is being offered to these individuals or on an unacceptable timeline? Like you’ve got three days to make a decision on this position; what can the employee do to make sure that this is addressed?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

If the Member has any particular cases that he wants to discuss with me, I would be happy to hear those and bring them forward to the department. As far as timeline goes, we try work with the employees to try and get them into situations that would work to their best.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve been up here for six weeks in Yellowknife and asking questions for six weeks. The only thing I’ve gotten is a couple of signs put up by the Minister in his own riding. I just ask the Minister of Justice for his details of the program that has been one of the major issues of this Assembly that nearly every Regular Member has spoken in defense of. The Minister just told me, if I want those details or if anyone wants those details, they can go to a meeting on Tuesday. Clearly, the info was public. Clearly, there’s an appetite from the public for these details. Will the Minister respond to us for openness and transparency? Make these details public so we can see what this program is all about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, a very extensive report was done about the A New Day healing program which was filed and tabled in this House. I think all of the details about the program are contained within this report. I’m not certain what additional information the Member is requesting. Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

I’ll give a copy of my statements from the last two days to the Minister because I know about A New Day program as it stands now. We’re talking about a RFP that is for A New Day program that looks like a substantially different program. That’s the details I’m looking for. If the Minister heard my statement today, the new program isn’t based on the report. I’ve pointed out various aspects of it that doesn’t fly in the face of the report. Why can’t the Minister release these details that are going to be released at the meeting on Tuesday?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

The RFP, of course, is based on the findings in the A New Day healing program evaluation report. The suggestions in these report, many of them or perhaps most of them, were incorporated into the RFP. The RFP is available to possible bidders. Additional information can be obtained on Tuesday. I don’t have that additional information in front of me because I’m not certain what questions might possibly be asked.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Other than what is in the RFP, then, is there an actual program designed? Because I’m starting to think that they don’t have a program to release publicly.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

The new program is building on the old program, of course; incorporating in the RFP the suggestions contained within the evaluation report. Information that bidders are requesting is in the RFP. On that basis, they can make bids. If they wish to have additional information, they can attend the meeting on Tuesday, which will assist them in making their bids should they wish to bid on aspects of the program.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll try this: can I get the Minister to commit to either reading the old and new RFP or getting a briefing on the new and old RFP so I can have an educated discussion with him about this at some point in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I understand that a briefing will be provided to the Member opposite should he wish to avail himself of that on Monday.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Finance has no plans to lower the tax on small business any time soon, but I’d like to ask him today if he will commit to implementing a small investment tax credit by next budget which would give a 25 per cent non-refundable personal income tax credit up to a maximum of $25,000 a year. This would reduce financial risk to investors and encourage investment in our economy. Will the Minister commit to introducing a small business investment tax credit by next budget? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Finance.