This is page numbers 5135 - 5160 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.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

---Carried

Bill 41 has had a second reading. It is now referred to standing committee. 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; Committee Report 12-18(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Northwest Territories Child and Family Services; Committee Report 13-18(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of 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; Minister's Statement 158-18(3), Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services; and Tabled Document 322-18(3), Main Estimates, 2019-2020, 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 will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Testart.

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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 Executive and Indigenous Affairs as the item under consideration for Committee of the Whole today. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Welcome back, committee. We have agreed to consider the main estimates for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. I will turn to the Minister responsible for opening comments. Premier McLeod.

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Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2019-2020 Main Estimates for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs. These estimates total $22.1 million, which represents an overall proposed increase of $715,000, or 3 percent over the 2018-2019 Main Estimates.

The departments' proposed increase relates to forced growth initiatives and transfers partially offset by sunsets. Highlights of the proposed estimates include:

$250,000 in funding to assist in self-government implementation;

$50,000 in additional funding to match contributions to the Arctic Inspiration Prize; and

$38,000 in additional funding to support the delivery of campaign schools to further encourage women's participation in politics.

These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly by improving residents of smaller communities' awareness and ability to access government programs and services through government service officers and Single Window Service Centres. Currently there are 22 communities across the Northwest Territories with Single Window Service Centres, providing residents with a single point of access to information on government programs and services. Of these 22 Single Window Service Centres, 15 have now expanded their services to seamlessly deliver Government of Canada programs and services directly to residents in some of our most remote communities.

These estimates also include $250,000 in additional resources for the continuation of advancing, finalizing, and implementing lands, resources, and self-government agreements. With the possibility of up to 42 self-governments, self-government financing agreements, and implementations plans in the Northwest Territories, this funding supports the Government of the Northwest Territories' mandate and legal commitments and obligations arising from self-government agreements.

The additional funding for the Arctic Inspiration Prize shows the Government of the Northwest Territories' continued commitment to a strong and sustainable Arctic in the areas of education, human health, socio-cultural issues, environment, and economy.

Finally, these main estimates continue to support initiatives designed to increase the number of women running for elected office in the Northwest Territories in support of our mandate commitments in this area.

That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Premier. Do you have witnesses you wish to bring into the House?

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Yes, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Please introduce your witnesses for the record.

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Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left, I have Michael Aumond, the deputy minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, and to my right, I have Chervahun Emilien, director of Shared Services. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Committee, the department begins on page 103 of the document. There are five activities, and there are three additional information items at the end, which we will treat as one. We will defer consideration of the total department until after consider of the activities. The first activity is on page 110, Cabinet support. Comments or questions from committee? Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Cabinet support, operations expenditure summary, $2,523,000. Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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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. Moving on to activity 2, corporate communications. It begins on page 113. Comments or questions? Executive and Indigenous Affairs, corporate communications, operations expenditure summary, $1,399,000. Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Please turn to the next activity, directorate, which begins on page 116. Comments or questions? Mr. Nakimayak, getting things started.

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Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just looking at the fourth line on page 117, I notice that they are giving $100,000 to the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation Strategic Direction and Action Plan. My question is just: is that sunset? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.

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Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, that was for a two-year period, and that will sunset this year.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Nakimayak.

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Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That was just for the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, if I'm correct. Right? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Premier.