This is page numbers 5413 - 5452 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.

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Committee, we have agreed to next consider Tabled Document 382-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2018-2019. I will turn to the Minister of Finance for opening remarks. Minister McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2018-2019. This document provides for an increase of $16.7 million to the 2018-2019 operating budget.

The major items included in these supplementary estimates are:

  • $4.5 million for increased costs related to the Income Assistance Program;
  • $3.3 million for costs associated with operationalizing the new Stanton Territorial Hospital;
  • $2 million for insured hospital services provided to individuals who are not residents of the Northwest Territories. These expenditures will be fully offset by recoveries from other jurisdictions;
  • $1.4 million for repairs required to the runway at the Inuvik Airport;
  • $1.1 million for Grant-in-Lieu of Property Taxes Program payments to municipal taxation authorities as per the Grants-in-Lieu of Property Taxes Policy;
  • $1 million to support the combined day shelter and sobering program in Yellowknife;
  • $745,000 for demolition and site cleanup resulting from the October 2, 2018 fire that destroyed the Rockhill Apartments;
  • $705,000 to support the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project. This expenditure will be fully offset by revenue from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada;
  • $646,000 for increased payments required for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Pension Plan; and
  • $501,000 for supplementary health programs for a projected budget shortfall for Extended Health Benefits and Metis Health Benefits.

That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I would be happy to answer questions that the Members might have. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Committee, the first voteable item is found on page 4, Department of Education, Culture and Employment. However, if there are general comments, I will open the floor to general comments. Seeing none, we will proceed to the detail on page 4. Comments or questions? Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is about a 5-percent increase in the funding allocated to income security. I am wondering if this is money because there are more clients or if this is money because of the change in the benefits. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The increase is due to there being more clients, plus I believe that there were some inflationary rates that were applied to this as well. The number of income support clients has gone up, as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Given the fact that the number of income assistance cases has been going up steadily, I am wondering if the budget will now take into account a certain amount of forced growth, or maybe it already does, for income support. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. Forced growth, I believe, is taken into account, and the number that I have is $1.7 million in forced growth in 2019-2020. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Nothing further from Ms. Green. Anything further? Seeing nothing, I will call this page. Supplementary estimates (operations expenditures), No. 4, 2018-2019, Education, Culture and Employment, income security, not previously authorized, $4,455,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Education, Culture and Employment, total department, not previously authorized, $4,455,000. Does committee agree?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Page 5, Health and Social Services. Comments or questions? Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. The first item here is about operationalizing the new Stanton Territorial Hospital. Can someone explain to me what that is all about? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Kalgutkar.

Kalgutkar

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Because of the larger size of the new hospital and the loss in resources that were allowed to be shared in the smaller facility, moving to a bigger facility, the new hospital does need additional resources to operate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Can someone tell me what the current staff level is, then, for the old hospital, and how many new employees are required to operate the new hospital? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Through you, I would like to go to Minister Abernethy to respond to that. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Would Minister Abernethy care to respond? Minister.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I actually don't remember off the top of my head what the total staff complement of Stanton existing is, but I can say that we are adding $2.667 million to operationalize Stanton, which is basically 42.5 new positions. The budget increase, as Mr. Kalgutkar said, is based on the projected cost of delivering existing services in the new space. There will be increased costs due to the increased size and the physical layout of the building, upgraded technology and equipment, changing work processes, and the delivery of facility management services through the PC.

This isn't unusual. When we moved forward with opening the regional health centre in Fort Smith, we had to add some additional positions due to size and change in facility. The same is true if you go back in time to Inuvik, and even in Norman Wells, when we added the new facility with new functions there, we had to come for some additional positions. These are necessary in order to ensure delivery in a safe, effective manner within the new facility. I can provide the Members with a list of the positions at any time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.