Debates of March 13th, 2018

This is page numbers 3815 - 3846 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 going.

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Update on the Revitalization of the Great Slave Lake Fishery

2018 Arctic Winter Games

Minister Late for the House

Recognizing Monique Sabourin in Honour of International Women's Day

Recognition of Jonah Sanguez, Youth Trapper of the Year

Reflections on Introduction of Junior Kindergarten

Extended Opening of Aklavik Ice Road

Amnesty in Cannabis Legislation

Ecole Allain St-Cyr Expansion

Costs of Climate Change

Carbon Tax

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Cassidy Point

Carbon Tax Plan

Junior Kindergarten Evaluation

Apology and Compensation for Giant Mine

Amnesty for Past Drug Offences in Cannabis Legislation

Ice Road Operations

Cassidy Point Consultation

Renewal of Territorial Formula Funding

Nuclear Energy

Norman Wells Fire Department

Tabled Document 139-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 181-18(3): Midwifery Programs and Policies

Extended Adjournment of the House to May 24, 2018

Bill 9: Appropriation Act (Operational Expenditures), 2018-2019

Bill 7: Chartered Professional Accountants Act

Bill 9: Appropriation Act (Operational Expenditures), 2018-2019

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Concurrence of Tabled Document 135-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2017-2018

Concurrence of Tabled Document 136-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2017-2018, CARRIED

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 9: Appropriation Act (Operational Expenditures), 2018-2019

Recorded Vote

Assent To Bills

Committee Motion 35-18(3): Concurrence of Tabled Document 135-18(3): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2017-2018
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Mr. O'Reilly.

Page 3841

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I am not sure I am convinced on that, but only time will tell. There's $959,000 in here for a top up for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authorities pension plan. I know that there has been some discussion in the House about bringing the workers there into the public service. Does anyone at the table know the status of those discussions? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Stewart.

Page 3841

Stewart

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think this is an issue that has been looked at in the past. I know we have started another project with the Department of Health and Social Services to look at those costs again and see what the requirement would be, and then see whether within our fiscal environment we are operating, whether it makes sense to do that or not, but we have started to do that detailed work again, just to update those figures and have that for a fully informed discussion on that topic. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Mr. O'Reilly.

Page 3841

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Until that happens, we will just continue to have to top up the pension fund. For 2017-2018, it is almost $1 million. Does anybody from the department know how much we have spent to top up the pension fund period over a number of years? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister McLeod.

Page 3841

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, 2007-2008, $739,000; 2008-2009, $587,000; 2009-2010, $406,000; 2011-2012, $227,000; 2012-2013, $611,000; 2013-2014, $1,009,000; 2015-2016, $1,266,000; 2016-2017, $872,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. O'Reilly.

Page 3841

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate those numbers, and it is all good evidence as to why these folks should be brought into the public service. Thanks. I don't have anything further.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Comments? Next, we have Mr. Testart.

Page 3841

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the discussion around the Education and Culture supplementary appropriation, there was a discussion around this early learning and childcare agreement. Our detail here is from 2017 to 2020, but I believe I heard a witness quote this as a 10-year deal, or a 10-year funding arrangement. Obviously, this program is four years. Can we get some clarification whether or not this is a 10-year funding arrangement or a four-year funding arrangement? Thank you.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister McLeod.

Page 3841

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework with the Government of Canada is a 10-year. The framework is 10 years. The funding agreement is for three years.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. Testart.

Page 3841

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. Can the Minister just quickly explain the difference between the two, the 10-year framework and the three-year funding plan? Thank you.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Mr. Stewart.

Page 3841

Stewart

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think the 10-year agreement that was signed, the framework lays out broad goals to improve early childhood programming in Canada. I think the three-year agreement is related to specific actions that were included in that three-year. I think it is safe to say that there will probably be further discussions on activities that may take place after the first three-year period. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Stewart. Mr. Testart.

Page 3841

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. Just to confirm that the 10-year framework does not have dollars attached to it. Thank you.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister McLeod.

Page 3841

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The Member is correct. Just the first three years are funded. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Page 3841

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister McLeod. Mr. Testart.

Page 3842

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Maybe something further. Are these positions solely contingent on this funding? Is this something we are looking to maintain after three years? Thank you.

Page 3842

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Minister McLeod.

Debates of March 13th, 2018

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