Debates of Feb. 26th, 2018

This is page numbers 3443 – 3488 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
Prayer
Minister’s Statement 37-18(3): Launch Of Municipal Elections Website
Truth And Reconciliation Commission Calls To Action
Wood Pellet Production In The NWT
Inuvik Hospital Privacy Breach
Emergency Planning In The Mackenzie Delta
Climate Change Strategic Framework
Basic Income Project
Land Tenure Engagement Sessions
Impact Of Alcohol On Our Communities
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Inuvik Hospital Privacy Breach
Wood Pellet Production In The Northwest Territories
Climate Change Strategic Framework
Emergency Planning Resources
Land Tenure Engagement Sessions
Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Project
Mental Health And Addictions Programs And Services
Truth And Reconciliation Commission Calls To Action
Wood Pellet Production In The Northwest Territories
Privacy Breaches In Health Care Facilities
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabled Document 97-18(3): 2015-2016 Traditional Knowledge Annual Report
Tabled Document 98-18(3): 2017 Annual Report Public Utilities Board Of The Northwest Territories
Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization And Regulation Implementation Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of Committee of the Whole
Orders of the Day

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that commitment from the Minister. I have expressed some concerns in the past about how representative and accountable the board is who administers this fund. It consists of government representatives and industry representatives. I think there is supposed to be one public representative. Is all of that going to be up for reconsideration when the Petroleum Resources Act comes up for review? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I believe that will be part of the PRA review. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the commitment of the Minister on that one, and I think that is all I have for this portion of the budget. Sorry, one other, on 227, is BDIC. The accumulated surplus is shown on the bottom of the page there. Is this the amount that the Minister is talking about changing or allowing the corporation to use as part of its program dollars that they are not authorized to do right now? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Yes, that is correct. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. That is all that I have.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. There are no further comments from committee on pages 227 to 231, the information items? Seeing none, we can move back to the activity, the departmental total on page 207. The departmental total along with associated information, including revenues and positions, is found on pages 204 to 209. Do we have comments, questions? Mr. O'Reilly.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. My questions are on 208, the revenues. Minerals, oil and gas royalties, are there any oil and gas royalties predicted for 2018-2019? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you. Minister Schumann.

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will have to check with the department and get back to the Member on that one. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, that would be helpful to know. The "Licenses, rental and other fees," can someone just tell me what those are comprised of? Can someone just explain a little bit more about what that is? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That line item includes revenue from the mining recorder's office of rentals, prospecting licence permit fees, claim fees, and other administrative fees related to the registry documents. Thank you.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. It has declined precipitously, from over $20 million in 2016-2017 to $2.3 million. Does this just reflect a lot less activity that is going on? Are these reduced fees or something here? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That was the bid deposit stuff from the Sahtu that was forfeited. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think the Minister is referring to the large total for 2016-2017. That was, I don’t know, MGM or something that decided not to proceed with exploration, so they forfeited a large amount of money. Is that what that is? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

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