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

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Finance is continually evaluating this program, and as it's becoming apparent that there is going to be additional funding still within the funding that was approved, then we'll continue, whether or not the program can be approved and extended, much the same way that much of our COVID relief programs are being administered, as quickly as we're able to identify that. In fact, one of the programs that's coming on its end point has the ability, financial ability to continue. We're trying to turn those around quickly. That may arrive with a lack of timely media releases, but that's not for lack of the fact that the more important things, we want to make sure that those programs continue to be available to the people that are applying to them and that the information will go out in due course. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

It is good news that it's been extended now into 2020-2021. I think there is another issue with the program. This is a program that the employer has to apply on. Maybe an employer doesn't really want to apply for it, so is there some way in which an employee can access the funding through the wage top-up program if their employer refuses to enrol?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I am grateful for that question. The information that is posted regarding this program on the website does indicate that any employee whose employer is not a member or not participating in the program can call the Department of Finance. There are numbers and email contacts that are listed on the website as I understand, and the reason being that an employee can apply directly. They can provide their paystub, and the Department of Finance will ensure that they get that top-up.

However, what we have been doing is that, when an employee contacts the department, makes us aware that there is an employer who has not participated or is not participating, it's an opportunity for us to reach out. To date, that has been a way that, in fact, we are able to get more employers involved, which then benefits not only the employee who raises it but all of the employees who may be affected. I am happy to give that information out. We are continuing to try to get that word out.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Again, I would like to thank the Minister for that good news, and I would like to get it out even further. The wage top-up program really, Mr. Speaker, is a clear sign that our minimum wage is way too low. I know we are going to be doing a review of the minimum wage. We have also got evidence about a living wage, conducted by an NGO, that says it needs to be a lot higher. Can the Minister agree to support a permanent increase to the NWT minimum wage to $18 per hour or higher?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

The minimum wage process and the committee does fall under the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, but I just want to speak to the genesis of this program. Where this program came from arose out of a need identified in COVID-19 by the federal government that low-wage earners were at risk of leaving the employment workforce, leaving the labour force, and so this program was really designed to ensure that folks who were often in front-line positions, such as the grocery stores, stayed employed. It was really targeting a very specific concern that arose in the course of COVID-19. To the extent that minimum wage is, in fact, too low in a general sense, that is a question for the committee that has been struck.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Item 8, written questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent for additional time for oral questions.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 7, oral questions. Are there any nays?

Some Hon. Members

Nay.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Sorry, colleague, that was "nayed." Written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: "Northwest Territories Species At Risk Committee 2019-2020 Annual Report" and "Conference of Management Authorities Species At Risk Annual Report 2019-2020." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: "Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2019-2020." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motion for first reading of bills. 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: Bill 11, Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act; Tabled Document 165-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 167-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 3-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 181-19(2), Capital Estimates 2021-2022, with the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to deal with Tabled Document 181-19(2), Capital Estimates 2021-2022, to deal with the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment; Industry, Tourism and Investment; and Finance. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

[Microphone turned off] ...

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Did I make an error? Yes. Madam Chair, can I just have a moment?

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Mr. Norn.

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Chair. I apologize, colleagues, for the error. Committee wishes to consider Bill 11, Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act. Marsi cho, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

We'll call committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Bill 11, Legislative Assembly Officers Standardization Act. I will ask the Member sponsoring the bill to introduce it. Mr. Johnson.