This is page numbers 5085 - 5134 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. View the webstream of the day's session.

Topics

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

We have been working with our partners within the NWTAC. Since I have taken this role on, I have sat down with them, the executive, and have had these discussions. We continue to lobby the federal government. We are creating a strategy, a strategy that we have been working on for a number of years. As I mentioned, you know, I will be open. This government is not going to be able to, probably, close that funding gap. The next government might not be able to close the funding gap, or the government after that. I mean this is something that we've got to address, and some of these are long-term lives of our assets, so we need to address the priorities of our communities on working with other elected officials to move forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. Look, I have to compliment the Minister's honesty. It is hard for politicians to break promises on the floor of the House like that. This is our responsibility. This is something we must accomplish. Will the Minister commit to rebalancing this formula so it is a realistic formula, in partnership with the NWTAC? Will he commit to either doing that or fully funding this? There are only two options.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

First of all, Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, we are creating a strategy. I don't know where I broke a promise. You know, I have only taken this position on for about a year, so I think some Members need to be walking a fine line in how they make statements, first of all. We are going to continue to work with our municipal leaders, our federal partners. As I mentioned, for the record, I did not break any promises on this strategy, and we are going to continue to work on that strategy, and we will table it by the end of this government. As I mentioned, I am being honest. I don't think this government is going to be able to close that gap. We have met with mayors and officials. I have met with the NWTAC executive to address the funding gap, and I think there is a good understanding of everybody involved at the table. We will continue to do that, and we can't tie the next government into funding dollars that are going to be tying their hands together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The time for oral questions has expired. 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. Members for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 29, an Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Bill 29 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on October 30, 2018 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.

To permit time for the legislative drafters to complete the proposed amendments, I would like to advise the House of the committee's wish to extend our review of the bill, with the intention of reporting back to the House on or before March 11, 2019. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, in accordance with rule 75(1)(c) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the review period for Bill 29 be extended to March 11, 2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Masi. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Early Development Instrument: Measuring Children's Developmental Health, NWT Change Over Time 2012-2017." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Follow-up for Oral Question 517-18(3), New Mine Potential Resource Revenues Forecasting Analysis;" "Follow-up for Oral Question 541-18(3), Tsiigehtchic Ice Bridge;" "Follow-up for Oral Question 553-18(3), Speeding on the Deh Cho Bridge;" and pursuant to section 6-2(2) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, I wish to table "Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly for 2018 under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act
First Reading Of Bills

Page 5096

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 40, Smoking Control and Reduction Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act
First Reading Of Bills

Page 5096

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 40 has had its first reading. First reading of bills. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 41, Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

Bill 41 has had its first reading. First reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 31, Northwest Territories 9-1-1 Act; Minister's Statement 131-18(3), Sessional Statement; Minister's Statement 151-18(3), New Federal Infrastructure Agreement; Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates, 2019-2020; Minister's Statement 158-18(3), Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services, 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

February 27th, 2019

Page 5096

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

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

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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Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates, 2019-2020, with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. Thank you.

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. Testart. 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

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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 will consider the document after a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

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 will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates 2019-2020, beginning with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. I will turn to the Minister for opening remarks. Minister Moses.

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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Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2019-2020 Main Estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Overall, the department's main estimates propose an increase of $3,236,000 from the 2018-2019 Main Estimates, which is a 3 percent increase.

The 2019-2020 Main Estimates reflect:

  • an increase of $111,000 to support the need for increased grants in lieu of property taxes payments to community governments; and
  • an increase of $1,400,000 for community governments to support their operational needs and the delivery of water and sewer services, which continues our support to community governments, which has seen an increased investment of more than $6.7 million during the life of the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to work with key stakeholders such as the NWT Association of Communities on the development of a plan that will help to address the municipal funding gap. As part of this plan, we are reminded that this Assembly has also previously approved an annual increase to Community Public Infrastructure Funding of $1.8 million to provide enhanced support for community infrastructure priorities.

Additionally, the 2019-2020 Main Estimates also reflect:

  • an increase of $350,000 to support non-government organizations to stabilize operations or develop their capacity to manage programs and services;
  • an increase of $1,348,000 to implement the NWT's 911 Service;
  • an increase of $334,000 to ensure efficient delivery of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan; and
  • an increase of $389,000 to support the Deline Self-Government Agreement.

The department's proposed spending in 2019-2020 continues to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Under the community wellness and safety priority, Municipal and Community Affairs has refined its implementation plan for a territorial 911 service. Our investment in this budget will result in this service coming online by the summer of 2019.

Through an increase in funding for community governments, we are continuing to provide support for municipal core needs. This funding advances the governance priority by helping to build a stronger relationship with community governments.

In support of the cost of living priority area, we will continue to support community governments as they apply for and take advantage of the suite of federal infrastructure funding programs available to them.

That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I would be happy to answer Members' questions. Thank you.

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, Minister Moses. I understand that you have witnesses to bring into the Chamber. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, you may take your seat at the witness table. Minister, please introduce your witnesses for the record.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left, I have Eleanor Young, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, and on my immediate right is Gary Schauerte, who is the director of corporate affairs. Thank you.

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, Minister. Municipal and Community Affairs begins on page 323 of the budget document. The departmental total is on page 327, but, as is our usual practice, we will defer consideration of the total until after we consider each activity. There are seven activities, followed by two information items. The first activity, community governance, begins on page 330. Does committee have comments or questions on page 330? Mr. Thompson.