This is page numbers 6353 - 6412 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 assembly.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Committee Report 39-18(3): Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning Report on Transition Matters be received and adopted by the Assembly. 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

Committee Report 39-18(3) is now received and adopted by the Assembly. Reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The Honourable Premier.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following nine documents entitled "Final Report on Implementation of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2016-2019"; "Consolidated Report of the Implementation Committee - Tlicho Agreement 2015/16 to 2018/19"; "Consolidated Report of the Implementation Committee - Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018"; "Consolidated Report of the Implementation Committee - Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement 2009/10 to 2014/15"; "Report of the Implementation Coordinating Committee - Inuvialuit Final Agreement 2016-2017 and 2017-2018"; "Annual Report of the Implementation Committee - Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2017"; "Annual Report of the Implementation Committee - Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018"; "Annual Report of the Implementation Committee - Deline Final Self-Government Agreement, April 1, 2016 - March 31, 2018"; and "Annual Report of the Implementation Committee - Deline Final Self-Government Agreement April 1, 2017 - March 31, 2018." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 24-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act"; "Doing Our Part: Initial Response to 'Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls', August 2019"; "2018-2019 Annual Report - Status of Women Council of the N.W.T."; and "Annual Report: 2017-2018 Canada-NWT Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Bilateral Agreement and Action Plan." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents entitled "Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 65th Annual Report 2018-2019"; "Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 65th Annual Report"; "Annual Report 2018-19 of the Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation & Northwest Territories Power Corporation," and "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1 to June 30, 2019) Pursuant to Section 74 of the Financial Administration Act." 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 two documents entitled "Energy Initiatives Report 2018-19"; and "2030 Energy Strategy / Energy Action Plan Report, August 2019." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Two document to table: excerpts from "Wha Ti Community Energy Plan - Options for Energy Supply and Management for Wha Ti, Northwest Territories"; and excerpts from "Northwest Territories Energy Report, May 2011." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table three documents: "The Gordon Foundation - Policy Memo: Ways forward in addiction programming in Fort Simpson, NT. Dene Gogondie, Voices of the People" by Kristen Tanche, Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship; "The Gordon Foundation: Creating Ethical Spaces for On-the-Land Learning" by Chloe Dragon Smith of the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship; and the last one "The Gordon Foundation: Negotiating the Dehcho: Protecting Dene Ahthit'e through Modern Treaty-Making" by Don Couturier, Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship. 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. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Minister's Statement 151-18(3): New Federal Infrastructure Agreement; Minister's Statement 158-18(3): Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services; Minister's Statement 211-18(3): Addressing the Caribou Crisis; Tabled Document 442-18(3): 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework 2019-2023 Action Plan; Tabled Document 511-18(3): Capital Estimates 2020-2021. By the authority given to me as Speaker by Motion 7-18(3), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the House, with the Member for Sahtu 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 Daniel McNeely

I call committee to order. What is the wishes 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 511-18(3): Capital Estimates 2020-2021. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Testart. We will resume after a short break. Thank you, Committee.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

I call committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 511-18(3): Capital Estimates 2020-2021. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm here to present the GNWT's 2020-2021 Capital Estimates. These capital estimates total $398.6 million, and continue to support the infrastructure priorities of this Assembly, as well as continued infrastructure investment in our communities. Major highlights of the plan include:

  • $134 million for highways, winter roads, bridges, and culverts. This includes funding of $84 million towards the Tlicho All-season Road project and $10 million for the Mackenzie Valley All-season Road;
  • $52 million for health facility replacements, renovations, and equipment, including $20 million for long-term care facilities and $2 million for a vulnerable persons shelter;
  • $45 million for various energy projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan;
  • $33.4 million for new education facilities and renovations to existing schools;
  • $29 million in continued funding to support community governments with their infrastructure needs;
  • $15.5 million for one airport replacement and improvements to other airports;
  • $8.8 million for deferred maintenance and energy upgrades to existing GNWT assets; and
  • $6.5 million for new and enhanced information technology upgrades.

As in previous years, the 2020-2021 Capital Estimates do not include appropriations for housing infrastructure proposed by the NWT Housing Corporation. The corporation's 2020-2021 capital plan is proposed to be $11.7 million and is included in these capital estimates as an information item.

Including this amount, total infrastructure spending in the NWT for 2020-2021 is estimated to be approximately $410 million. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister. We have agreed to begin with general comments. Does the Minister of Finance wish to bring witnesses into the House?

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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes.

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The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce his witnesses.

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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my right, I have Mr. David Stewart, who is the deputy minister of Finance. To my left, I have Mr. Terence Courtoreille, who is director of MBS, the Management Board Secretariat. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Minister. Before we commence or start with general comments, I wish to remind Members that we have reserved another event coming later. I will now open the floor to general comments. Mr. Beaulieu.