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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources. I’d like to ask the Minister along the lines of the questions from the honourable Member for Nahendeh: what is the motivation behind making unreasonable offers to affected employees under the staff retention policy? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know where the Member got the unreasonable offer. There are no unreasonable offers that are made to the employees. Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I have letters from the deputy ministers that indicate, right on there, that this is considered an unreasonable offer. My question is: why? What is the motivation behind that type of offer to individuals? Individuals are affected. During the Staff Retention Policy, the Government of Northwest Territories tries to retain staff, good staff, long-term staff. What would the motivation of offering those members of the public service an unreasonable offer?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I’m not aware of any unreasonable offers. I would be pleased if the Member would share his letters with me.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I would be pleased to do that, to share the letter, and I’m satisfied with that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement yesterday, they were getting into the season of winter road closure and looking forward to the barging season. Our session will start at the end of May and, just weeks prior to that or after that, we’ll get into the sailing season. My question is to the Minister of Public Works on the sailing and preparation steps here for the barging season: what sailing schedules, if any, have been done so far for the Sahtu communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Public Works and Services.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For Members of this House and those listening, if you look on the Public Works website, there is a tentative sailing season already posted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

That would mean that the operational schedule has taken into account and is monitoring the water levels, in particular, between Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope? It could be challenging with the two sets of rapids in that area, and the fuel quantum going to Fort Good Hope and Tulita. Is that part of the first sailing season in June?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

We cannot control the levels of the river. We are hoping that this year has a good sailing season. As far as what deliveries are going to be scheduled out initially for fuel delivery to the Members' ridings, I would have to get that information and get back to him.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Seeing that the public owns these assets here, are there any additional benefits such as subsidized freight rates that the customers could realize by this government owning the property, subsidy benefits?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

We have no plans to have subsidized freight rates. I believe that the purchase of us buying these assets has helped lock down uncertainty that would have been brought to this industry and supplies to the northern regions of the Northwest Territories. I cannot tell you exactly what the rates are, but I believe, I think, we are following the rates from the previous sailing season.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: if there is going to be any reductions in our operating from the previous owner in the costs of doing so, and if there is room for reduced benefits seeing and the rate price per freight, would that information be provided to me, please? Thank you.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we move forward, how we are going to operate the marine division, we will be definitely updating committee on revenues versus expenses, and we will have a look at all that stuff moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and Special Committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Tourism Marketing Plan 2017/18." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister of Finance.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000, April 1 to December 31, 2016."

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Northwest Territories Power Corporation Capital Spending Budget 2016-2017," "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 670-18(2): New Generators for Yellowknife Power Plant," and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 590-18(2): Land Use Plans." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.