This is page numbers 4183 - 4214 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 work.

Topics

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, who has responsibility for the socio-economic benefits of mining. The potential layoffs by Dominion Diamond of 150 unionized workers at the Ekati Mine raises serious issues regarding the costs and lost revenues to the GNWT and economic impacts of such layoffs. Can the Minister describe the steps taken by GNWT to deal with the mass layoffs of workers, and:

  1. Does the GNWT have information about worker absenteeism at the Ekati Mine and its impact on the operations of the Ekati Mine?
  2. What costs will be incurred for re-training, unemployment, and income assistance supports that may be required?
  3. Provide an estimate of the loss of tax revenue (including personal income tax, payroll tax, and transfer payment) and any other GNWT revenue as a result of the loss of 150 jobs.
  4. Provide an estimate of the economic impact from the loss of 150 jobs in local gross domestic product expenditures, including purchases of regional transportation and expediting services.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. 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 Health and Social Services.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 4-18(3): Report on Adult Residential Addiction Treatment Facilities Tour 2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Inter-activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018)" and the "2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of infrastructure.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "2030 Energy Strategy: Energy Action Plan 2018-2021." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "2018-2019 Consolidated Operating Budget - Northwest Territories Housing Corporation." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Pursuant to Section 5 of the Indemnities, Allowances and Expense Regulations of the Legislative Assemble and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the "Summary of Members' Absences for the Period February 7, 2018 to May 23, 2018.

Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 1, 2018, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, October 11, 2018;

AND FURTHER, that, at any point prior to October 11, 2018 if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.

I would like to wish you and all my other colleagues a relaxing and safe summer break. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Masi. Motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Minister of Justice.

Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act
Second Reading Of Bills

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Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 20, Ombudsperson Act, be read for the second time.

This bill provides for the appointment of an Ombudsperson as an officer of the Legislature. This bill establishes the mandate of the Ombudsperson, which will be to investigate complaints about the administrative fairness of government practices to promote fair, reasonable, and equitable government administration.

Some of the key matters addressed by this Bill include the following:

  • requiring that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, appoint an Ombudsperson;
  • conferring powers and duties on the Ombudsperson for the purpose of fulfilling the Ombudsperson's mandate;
  • setting out how complaints can be made by a person to the Ombudsperson;
  • setting out how investigations are to be conducted by the Ombudsperson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 4183

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 4183

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 4183

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

Bill 20 has had a second reading and is now referred to standing committee. Second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns; Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process; Committee Report 8-18(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2016-2017 Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories, with the Member for Hay River North in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to consider Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns, and Committee Report 8-18(3), Report on the Review of the 2016-2017 Public Accounts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 4183

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. We have agreed to consider Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns. I will open up to committee for comments or questions. Seeing none from committee, does committee concur that this concludes our consideration of Minister's Statement 1-18(3)?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 4183

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.