Debates of Oct. 21st, 2020

This is page numbers 1347 - 1388 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 going.

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Update on COVID-19 Cases

Supporting Community Employment and Economic Development in Small Communities

Child and Family Services Update

Pivoting to Support NWT Businesses through COVID

Supports for Small and Medium Businesses

Northwest Territories Mining Fiscal Regime

Economic Diversification

Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project

Mining as the Economic Foundation of the Northwest Territories

Introductory Trades Programs

Immigration to the Northwest Territories

COVID-19 and Economic Recovery

Aboriginal and Northern Procurement in the Northwest Territories

COVID-19 Secretariat

Eulogy for Ralph Isaiah

Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations regarding Residential Addictions Treatment

COVID-19 Secretariat Hiring Process

Allowing Minors in Class A Establishments

Introductory Trades Programs in Inuvik

COVID-19 Border and Travel Restrictions

Immigration Nominee Program

Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway and Dempster Highway Maintenance and Upgrades

Northwest Territories Wage Top-Up Program

Tabled Document 192-19(2): Northwest Territories Species At Risk Committee 2019-2020 Annual Report Tabled Document 193-19(2): Conference of Management Authorities Species At Risk Annual Report 2019-2020

Tabled Document 194-19(2): Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2019-2020

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Bill 11: Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act - Deletion of subclause 1(4) and (5)

Bill 11: Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act - Deletion of subclause 7(4) and (5)

Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Education, Culture and Employment - Deferral of Department (page 10)

Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department (page 34)

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 39-19(2): Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Education, Culture and Employment - Deferral of Department (page 10), Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1377

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1377

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. That is the intention, is that it will be designed in a way that it can be approved by the CFIA. I do not control that approval process, but that is the intention, is that it will be designed in a way that it can meet that level of inspection. Thank you.

Page 1377

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Page 1377

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to go back to the size of the plant. It was indicated it was going to be reduced by, I think, 32 percent, and I am just wondering: was this actually based on efficiency, or was this based on reducing the cost, because I know, when the original tenders went out, they came in over budget. I'm just wondering if it was a combination of both or one or the other. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1377

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1378

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will ultimately turn this back over to the ADM. I think just to start, in case I miss anything, there certainly was a process that delayed this because the receipts that we had back on the tender were significantly over budget, but that gave the opportunity to go out and make this a more efficient plant. I'm not going to go so far as to say it's a combination. I think one fact led to another, and it ultimately turned out to be a better product. If I could just check and see if there is anything further the ADM wants to add.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. ADM St-Denis.

Page 1378

St-Denis

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would agree with the Member and the Minister that it was both efficient use of process as well as the savings on space and trying to be a bit more efficient in using that space. Thank you.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. St-Denis. Member for Hay River South.

Page 1378

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. The equipment that's going into this building, my understand that it was purchased before any design was done or in place. I'm just wondering if this equipment was new equipment that is going in there or is it used. The equipment that was purchased, will it fit into that building? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1378

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. There is some pre-purchased equipment, but as to the specifics of it, I'll turn that over to the ADM, please.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. ADM St-Denis.

Page 1378

St-Denis

Thank you, Madam Chair. All of the equipment that was purchased is new. The equipment is being used in the new proposed plant. There were two forklifts that were propane-based that were recommended by the consultant at the time. They will be repurposed but used outside of the facility, but they'll still be used. Yes, new equipment, and they will be used in the new plant. Thank you.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. St-Denis. Member for Hay River South.

Page 1378

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to talk about the operation of the facility. Will the GNWT be operating it, or will another entity be operating that facility? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1378

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Ultimately, it is intended that the Tu Cho Fishers Cooperative are expected to be the operators of the facility, and an MOU was recently signed with them just over the past summer. Thank you.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

Page 1378

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Talking about the reduced size, what impact did that have on the fishermen? The fish coming off the lake is not a lot. It's probably a million pounds or less. My understanding is: there is quite a bit of that catch coming out of Yellowknife, as well. What is the chance of that facility running at 100 percent during the first year? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1378

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I will turn over to the ADM in a moment, to see if she has any specific numbers. I do want to just note that, although the size of the catch may not be large, we want to put this position, this project being within that of regional economic development strategies that for those groups, and those communities who are impacted by this opportunity, that it does still have a significant impact on their local economic strategies and local economic opportunities. As to the specific numbers about what this might get to in the first year or the anticipated numbers in the first year, again, I'll ask Ms. St-Denis to take that, please.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ms. St-Denis.

Page 1378

St-Denis

Thank you, Madam Chair. We're actually working on a program this winter with the fishers to look at a winter fishery. The intention is to spend this time while we're planning and building the plant to get production up. The plant will be able to produce the current catch volumes, and if needed, we'd look at working with the Tu Cho to have additional ships and have the plant operate with exceeded hours as we actually have them work with them to actually get that catch volume up. The intention is to get ready for that plant when it's open and look at utilizing the winter fishery, as well.

Page 1378

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Ms. St-Denis. Member for Hay River South.

Debates of Oct. 21st, 2020

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