Debates of March 7th, 2018

This is page numbers 3681 – 3720 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 housing.

Topics

Oral Questions
Prayer
Improving Supports For Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder And Autism
Indigenous Languages In Schools And Communities
Northwest Territories Asset Management Strategy
Federal Infrastructure Funding
Partnerships On Suicide Prevention
Recognition Of Ruby Jumbo, Recipient Of Senior Administrative Officer Of The Year 2017 Award By The Local Government Association Of The Northwest Territories
Homelessness In The Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Power Corporation Challenges
Fraser Institute Annual Survey Of Mining Companies 2017
Personal Information Disclosure For Public Housing Tenants
Rental Office Application Processing Time
Post-Secondary Education In The Northwest Territories
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Child And Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan
Improving Rental Office Performance
Mining Investment Climate
Addressing Homelessness In The Northwest Territories
Costs Related To Delay In Delivery Of Generators
Stroke Management Services And Support
Disclosure Of Income Information To Northwest Territories Housing Corporation
Aurora College Foundational Review And Post-Secondary Education
Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Applications To The Rental Office
Tabled Document 111-18(3): Letter To Minister Bennett From Gary Vivian, President NWT & Nunavut Chamber Of Mines Regarding Northern Minerals Industry Submission On The Arctic Policy Framework, Dated February 28, 2018
Tabled Document 112-18(3): Follow-Up Letter For Oral Question 119-18(3): Medical Travel Coverage
Tabled Document 113-18(3): Follow-Up Letter For Oral Question 139-18(3): Waste Water Resource Management Strategy
Tabled Document 116-18(3): Follow-Up Letter For Oral Question 186-18(3): Perimeter Fence Repair At The North Slave Correctional Complex
Tabled Document 117-18(3): Fraser Institute Annual Survey Of Mining Companies 2017
Tabled Document 118-18(3): Joint Letter From Downstream Indigenous Communities Regarding The Site C Dam
Tabled Document 120-18(3): Site C Project Not In Keeping With Aboriginal Treaty Rights Or Un Declaration: Bellegarde', Vancouver Sun, September 11, 2016
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. Vanthuyne.

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

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, and the decision was made at that time, but how in fact were the adjustments determined? Can the Speaker let us know that? 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. Speaker.

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Chair, that particular area is laid out in the legislation. The current system was put in place, obviously, following the recommendation of an independent commission that was established in 2005; so, based on that, it is part of legislation, though. Masi.

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. Vanthuyne.

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

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the Speaker for that reply. I guess maybe one last question would be: has there been any other thought given to different ways in which to adjust MLAs' salaries? 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. Speaker.

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the current system was put in place, again, based on the recommendation of an independent compensation commission. There is another independent commission that is currently reviewing the MLAs' compensation as we speak, and I understand that they are considering this particular matter before them. I do hope and expect a report by this summer, and the plan will be to table that in the fall session. Mr. Chair, masi.

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. Speaker. Anything further, Mr. Vanthuyne?

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

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Nothing further at this time. 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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Next, I have Mr. Blake.

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

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just under the Members' pension expenses, when is the last time the Legislative Assembly made a contribution to the MLA pension plan? 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. Speaker.

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it has been quite some time. It has been over 20 years, since the late 1990s; approximately 20-plus years. Masi.

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. Blake.

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

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My understanding is that defined benefit pension plans like these are funded through a combination of employee and employer contributions. Have MLAs been contributing to these plans since the 1990s? 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. Blake. Mr. Speaker.

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the answer would be yes. MLAs over the years, even continuing until this day, contributed 9 per cent of their salaries to the plan. Masi.

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. Blake.

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

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, how has the plan been able to survive without any employer or public contributions? 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. Mercer.

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

Mercer

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The plan, since the late 1990s, developed a surplus position, largely as a result of returns on investments in the capital markets during the late 1990s, early 2000s, and when that surplus got to such a size, the board of management of the time made the decision to stop any employer or public contributions to the plan.

For over 20 years now, the plan has basically been living off that surplus and drawing it down in a planned fashion. It was always known that the surplus would be drawn down. The financial crisis of 2008 expedited the drawdown of that surplus probably by two or three years, but for the last 20 or 25 years, the plan has essentially been living off its surplus and drawing that down. Mr. Chair, 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 R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Blake.

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

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I would like to ask: do you know of any other MLA pension plans or any defined benefit plan at all that has been able to live off its surplus like this for so long? 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. Speaker.