In the Legislative Assembly on November 3rd, 2020. See this topic in context.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1643

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that $5 million not previously authorized be deleted from the Health and Social Services operations expenditures, COVID secretariat in the Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1643

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Motion is on the floor and is being distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion. MLA for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1643

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll start by saying that I feel kind of silly that this is the second motion to remove what I see as somewhat of a random number from the COVID secretariat. I believe I have to bring this motion to distinguish from the previous one -- I'm not sure if I'm allowed to speak to the previous one. Sorry, Mr. Chair -- In that this is just me doing my job as an MLA. I believe the projections of what we're going to spend on isolation centres and what we will actually spend don't line up.

This is an attempt to give clear direction to Cabinet and to the Chief Public Health Officer that we need to save money in that area. I'm going to express a little frustration with the way that supplementary estimates are brought forward in that there is just one line item here for $31 million, and if I could bring forward a motion that was $5 million against the isolation centres, as my colleagues have said, if you're going to cut something, specify what you are doing. That is what I'm doing. I'm trying to save some money on the isolation centres as I believe this money could be better used for our communities and for vulnerable persons.

Unfortunately, the way that supplementary estimates work, they are just one big $31 million bundle. In general, the $88 million supplementary we have in front of us is the majority federal money. I'm happy to see we're getting that federal money. I'm happy with this Cabinet's response to getting that money. I'm happy with the COVID secretariat and the Chief Public Health Officer keeping us safe. I just believe there will be savings in the isolation centres and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly I don't like approving money that we won't spend. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1643

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. To the motion. Member for Hay River North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1643

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Rules of the Legislative Assembly, Rule 63 states that a formal motion that has been defeated cannot be introduced again in the same session. Essentially, we've just defeated a motion to remove a set amount from the bill. We just introduced another to remove a set amount from the bill. We could go through this dollar by dollar millions of times, so I don't believe that this motion is in order, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

November 3rd, 2020

Page 1643

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Does anybody else want to speak to the point of order? Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1643

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member raises a very valid point in that we can't simply keep bringing motions that reduce an amount by dollar by dollar because that could then be used as a tactic to delay. However, this is $3 million, which is a significant difference. The first motion was to remove all of the GNWT's portion of the COVID secretariat. This is a different amount. I believe that there is some room within the rules to bring a difference of $3 million. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1643

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1644

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. You're going to remember my riding before the end of the Assembly, I'm sure. Look, I want to defend my colleague's right to bring forward another motion for a reduction. I think the rationale for the reductions is quite different than the previous motion. I want to support his ability to bring it forward. That doesn't mean I support the motion itself. I would hope, too, that we're not going to end up in a game of bringing forward further amendments to arbitrarily reduce this line item in the supplementary appropriations. I think Members would lose patience in that. I'm prepared to go with whatever ruling you bring forward, Mr. Chair, but I think it should be considered a valid motion because the rationale is quite different. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. To the point of order. Member for Kam Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1644

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I too, would like to support this. I believe that the intent of this motion is different than the last and the messaging is different than the last. I think that is important. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. To the point of order. At this time, we will take a five-minute break.

---SHORT RECESS

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1644

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

We will call the committee back to order. I have reviewed the relevant section. I am satisfied that the motion is sufficiently different, and I dismiss the point of order. We will resume debate on the motion. To the motion. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1644

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the sentiment of my colleague from Yellowknife North in bringing this forward. I feel that I have got sufficient commitments from the Minister of Finance that there is going to be regular financial variance reporting that is going to allow us to monitor. I will hold their feet to the fire in terms of expenditures of funding for COVID secretariat functions between now and the end of the year. I take the Premier's commitments at face value, again, that a process has been started to look at ways to reduce the self-isolation centre costs and to reduce the mental and social anguish that is associated with self-isolation, as well. I am convinced, with those commitments that have already been secured, that there are going to be very serious efforts towards reducing the cost and that there are also going to be additional efforts found to increase federal funding for these COVID secretariat functions. I appreciate the sentiments of my colleague, but picking an arbitrary figure of $5 million, I think it is quite arbitrary. I say that with all due respect to my colleague. It could have as easily been $6 million or $4 million. I just don't accept picking an arbitrary figure like this and reducing the budget for these important functions in that manner, so I will not be supporting the motion. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. To the motion. Member for Kam Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I said earlier when I was speaking that necessity is the greatest inspiration for change. I think I totally messed up the quote, and it's actually, "necessity is the mother of invention." Same point, that we need to be innovative, and we need to inspire change to happen. We need to be constantly looking for ways to work smarter. One of the reasons that I like this idea is that, although I do believe that there have been some fair and significant commitments made from the other side in order to be constantly looking for ways to work smarter and including us on this side of the House, one of the things I like about this motion is that it forces the government to come back and ask for money when they run out. It allows us to then, at that point, re-evaluate how the COVID secretariat is working and to be able to be reflective of, hopefully, the positive changes that have been made to how the COVID secretariat is running. I would support this motion. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. To the motion. Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1644

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm the first to admit that this is somewhat of an arbitrary number, but that's due to my frustrations in not being able to get what the projected cost savings in isolation centres are. I believe I've got a commitment that the $17 million we will approve tonight is not all going to be spent on isolation centres. We will reduce those costs. I hope I am sitting here on April 1st, and I look at what we spent in the various reporting, and it's $12 million, and we actually went and saved some money as I keep getting promised. I believe my duty as a Member is to approve money when there's a clear plan of how it will be spent.

To me, there's a projection issue here in what we are actually going to spend. I'm not happy that we're bringing multiple motions on the floor in the Committee of the Whole. I'm not happy that people are calling points of orders. I think this reflects a bit of a failure on the COVID secretariat rollout and to get support and to explain all the facts to the public and to Members. I think this fight, which is a supplementary full of federal money, really, it came down to not being rolled out properly. At the end of the day, I'm not in favour of passing $17 million for isolation centres when I have gotten pretty clear direction that we are going to go find ways to save that money. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour of the motion? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion defeated.

---Defeated

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Health and Social Services, COVID secretariat, not previously authorized, $31,677. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Health and Social Services, health and social programs, not previously authorized, $22,094,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Health and Social Services, long term care and continuing care, not previously authorized, $600,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Health and Social Services, total department, not previously authorized, $54,860,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Committee, we will now consider the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment on page 10. I will now open the floor to general comments of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. If there are no further comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detailed contained in the tabled document?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, corporate management, not previously authorized, $58,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, economic diversification and business support, not previously authorized, $3,933,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, tourism and parks, not previously authorized, $1,500,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment -- sorry. Member?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1645

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I did have my hand waving up in terms of the tourism and parks supplementary appropriation for $1.5 million. It's for growth and recovery by investing in tourism fund. I have heard from at least one representative from the retail sector about this funding really being aimed at marketing, trying to find new ways to market products and so on, rather than really being aimed at trying to help businesses through the pandemic. I'm just wondering if I can get some details from the Minister about how this funding is going to be used and whether it's split in any way between trying to find new markets versus survival of small businesses during the pandemic? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1645

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1646

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is growth and recovery by investing in tourism. The Member makes a good point. It's not necessarily meant at the relief stage. It's not targeting the relief stage that is, obviously, needed by a lot of businesses. There're a number of programs both within the GNWT but also from the federal government that are much more directly targeted at relief. The growth and recovery by investing in tourism has three different streams, if you will, under which individual businesses can apply. The first one is for new product development or innovation meant to be for, again, development of a new tourism product or, also, the enhancement of an existing product which is meant to be forward looking and to provide an opportunity for recovery for growth and to be ready to move forward when the time comes.

Another schedule under which individuals or businesses can apply would be for marketing and promotion, consistent with a new strategy under NWT Tourism with respect to the Emerging Wisely plan. Trying to support businesses and assist businesses in changing their marketing for the interim period until a time when COVID may not be creating quite the same level of disruption to the industry as it is now. A third one, though, Mr. Chair, does provide funding towards operations and maintenance costs to a maximum of $5,000, so that does give some opportunity to provide some immediate relief, even before such time as the industry might be back on its feet again. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1646

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1646

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I want to thank the Minister for that detail. There's three streams. Can the Minister provide some detail as to how much is within each of those streams and if there's flexibility to move money within the streams should demand warrant? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1646

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1646

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the first one that I mentioned, the product development, that has a maximum of $75,000. The second one comes to a maximum contribution of $10,000. I believe I did indicate previously that there was $5,000 under the third stream of providing some supports for operations and maintenance. As for whether or not there would be movement from within, and I wanted to note, Mr. Chair, that what I believe is before committee right now is the $1.5 million that is coming fully federally funded from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, or CanNor, but that is being matched by ITI from internal budgets. A large portion of that is from ITI's travel budget.

Obviously, there is a lot less travel happening in the current fiscal year, so a significant amount of funding coming from there is being redirected to support the industry. Another large portion is coming from what was the large-scale marketing campaign initiative, so normally that would be money that would be directed through to the Northwest Territories tourism strategy and particularly targeting the international market. Obviously, that, too, right now, there is not much sense in spending a significant amount of money there and similarly with regional marketing plans. Taking that and then redirecting all of that, Department of ITI has been able to actually internally match the $1.5 million, creating a total of $3 million available under these three streams.

As to whether or not we will be in a position to redirect any of that funding, Mr. Chair, I was actually trying to, as I was speaking, pull up the binder I happen to have for ITI, but I am not able to read and speak at the same time. What I will do, Mr. Chair, is take that question away. If, indeed, there is more demand in one stream or the other, I will find out an answer as to how flexible we are able to be with that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Page 1646

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

[Microphone turned off] ...Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes. I appreciate that detail. What I was really asking was how much money is allocated for each of the three streams out of the $3 million the Minister just spoke of. I understand she does not have the information at her fingertips. If she could provide that to me, I would appreciate it and the flexibility to move money within the streams.

The other point I would like to make is that I appreciate that our staff go out and do this work to try to get funding to support small businesses, but sometimes, you need to talk to small businesses before you go out and try to get the money, to find out what their needs are. I suppose that is one of the reasons why the Business Advisory Council was set up, but I am not convinced that small business is actually adequately represented on the council, itself. I would like to urge the Minister. I will try to be diplomatic here. This was something that was done before the Minister took over the portfolio, so I just would like to ensure that the Minister talks to businesses, small businesses in particular, before designing support and recovery programs, to make sure that it really meets their needs because I am not convinced that that happened in this particular case. I take the Minister's commitment, and I look forward to getting that information and hope that we can get better-designed programs in the long run. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1646

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. I am happy to continue to follow up on that. Actually, I do not think I mentioned it in this context. Mr. Chair, there have been quite a number of opportunities already for me to have a direct connection with the tourism association and the tourism industry. In fact, I am up in front of them tomorrow with a bit of a Q and A, so there may well be some very direct opportunity within the next 14 or so hours to have that Q and A with representatives from industry and from businesses in the industry. I take the Member's point.

I do want to defend the program a little bit, that it was one that was developed with NWT tourism's input around how to redirect some of the funding that was otherwise, again, in these pots for marketing and for our own travel budgets and trying to find a way to make that more useful for the industry. There certainly was that engagement there. Nevertheless, I certainly acknowledge that this is an industry that has a lot of different-sized players in it, so ensuring that we are, in fact, adequately representing and assisting all of those players is something I will take away and make sure we are doing. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, tourism and parks not previously authorized, $1,500,000.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, total department not previously authorized, $5,491,000. Does the committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Committee, we will now consider the Department of Infrastructure on page 11. I will now open the floor to general comments on the Department of Infrastructure. If there are no further comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Infrastructure, programs and services not previously authorized, $1,027,000. Does committee agree? Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am happy to see all of the money we can get under the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. I believe that some of this money is a carry-over, meaning we did not get it out the door. Can I just confirm that is the case? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, Mr. Chair. That is the case.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can I just get some assurance from the Minister that the Department of Infrastructure has a communications plan and has outreach and is going to make sure that we do not fail to get Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund money out the door? It seems to me a representation of the GNWT, that we would fail to get our Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund money spent. I recognize COVID-19 happened. I recognize getting people to apply to funds can be difficult. I am just looking for some assurance that we have a plan to make sure we spend this money. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. The Member actually identified a couple of the reasons why the money was not spent, quite outside necessarily the control or exclusive control of the government. With respect to the commitment that he is seeking, I would suggest that we turn this to the Minister of Infrastructure, please.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Minister of Infrastructure.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund agreement, it's $4.5 million from the federal government. It's as per some of their parameters, and we respect that. However, we want to get this in the books so that we could start going through some of the spending. I hear the Member's concern. You look at some of the different initiatives, and I do want to say that three of the initiatives from above are administered by the Department of Infrastructure. However, the other three are administered by either the Arctic Energy Alliance or the NWT Housing Corporation or the Department of ENR, so there are other departments involved in this, too. However, I hear the Member's concern that, yes, we should have a plan to get something in place so that we can get this spent on time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Infrastructure, programs and services not previously authorized, $1,027,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1647

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Infrastructure, total department not previously authorized, $1,027,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Committee, we will now consider the Department of Justice on page 12. I will now open the floor to general comments on the Department of Justice. If there are no further comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Justice, court services not previously authorized, $233,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Justice, policing services, not previously authorized, $450,000. Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am very happy to see $450,000 for five additional RCMP positions under the First Nations Policing Program. I hope to see more of these positions. This is long overdue, getting these positions. I also note that it saves the RCMP money because they are funded more than other positions. Can I get an answer of where these RCMP officers will be placed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

[Microphone turned off] ...Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. They are being allotted a regional way in order to try to help cover off some of the communities that are in need. Right now, to my knowledge, it is the North Slave, Tlicho region, the Deh Cho, and Sahtu that are likely to receive these positions. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Perhaps, can I just speak to how we go and get more RCMP officers under the First Nations Policing Program. Is that a request that Justice has made? Is there a possibility of further federal funding in this area? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This was not an easy negotiation. If I may, I happen to be aware of some of the history on this was and back in February of 2019 was the first round of an attempt. The Department of Justice sought, I believe, nine positions under this program, but they managed to get five, which was, I believe, one of the first increases under the First Nations Policing Program that we've seen in quite some time. I think that's probably all I can say at the moment, Mr. Chair. I have no doubt that the Department of Justice would vastly prefer to see their funding come under this arrangement than having to pay for it under the usual seventy-thirty that otherwise exists. I can't promise what the federal government may or may not do. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. MLA for Thebacha.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think we had a briefing on this whole item at one of our meetings. My concern is that there is no enforcement on reserve at the Salt River First Nation reserve. We have to follow all these rules, like the Wildlife Act and some of these other things, and we do not have any way of enforcing but they want us to follow the act. I want to make sure that the Minister knows about this issue. I think I mentioned it to you during the business plans, and then we put these positions in other places. It's a major issue for both reserves. Enforcement on reserve is not -- the Government of the Northwest Territories wants us to follow all the rules, but they say we're a reserve so we're under federal jurisdiction. There is a major issue and gaps there, and those have got to be addressed. I know they're trying to address it in the trilateral in negotiation, but that's not enough for the members of Salt River. I was sitting at that table many times arguing this whole point, even with the Wildlife Act. There were some issues in the Wildlife Act, it was still pushed down our throats as Aboriginal people. I have a real problem when you have to follow the rules, but they won't enforce poachers. They won't enforce anything on reserve. That's a major issue. I think that the Justice Minister and the Minister of Finance have to address this problem and same with the Premier under the executive. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1648

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Member actually has foreshadowed my response, which is that it is an ongoing issue. It's not a new problem, but it's one that certainly does involve EIA and the Premier as well as the Minister of Justice. To some degree, there may well be a role for the Department of Finance. Certainly, there are funding considerations here. Mr. Chair, perhaps what I'll do is ensure that we take that away and provide a written response to the Member that better reflects the conversation that needs to be had by all the departments. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

I have no other comment.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Justice, policing services, not previously authorized, $450,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Justice, total department, not previously authorized, $683,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Committee, we will now consider Department of Municipal and Community Affairs on page 13. I will now open the floor to general comments on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. If there are no comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Municipal and Community Affairs, regional operations not previously authorized, $5,728,000. Member for Yellowknife North.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Happy to see this money. Happy to see that we can spend some of the safe restart money on our municipalities. Municipalities have a fiscal year end that ends in a calendar year, not in April, such that they are all doing their budgets right now. It's November, they need to know whether they can put this money into their budgets. They're not allowed to run deficits. My question is: I'm glad, and I will happily approve this money. How quickly can we get the cheque to the municipalities and confirmation such that they can put it in their current budget, and we won't see any tax increases for money they know they're getting but can't include? Have we agreed on how it's going to be distributed to those communities? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs can speak to the distribution of it. I suggest it go to her, please. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Minister of MACA.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The funding that was allocated, we did get kind of a last-minute response from the federal government to say that this money had to be spent by September 30th, so the money has been distributed to all communities throughout the territory. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I received a letter from the mayor saying that is not the case and that they have not included this money in their current budgets. Is that just perhaps because it actually has to be passed by the Legislature, or can I just confirm that our municipalities have this money and I am mistaken, then? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Chair, I think the money that had to be spent by September 30th might be the next line item under MACA, which is funding for sports and community associations. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs was successful in getting us some flexibility on that one. As such, that's the money that had to go out. I apologize. The money that's going to municipalities, if, in fact, the supplementary does move forward then, at that point, we'd be able to formalize the allocation. I know the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs has been engaged with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and working with them to determine allocation of the funding. If, in fact, this does go through in the next couple of days that should provide the Minister with the ability to formalize that division. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1649

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm confident this supplementary will pass. I will hope for it, get a written response a later date that we are confident that we can get this money to our municipalities to include it in their calendar year budget such that they are not making cuts that they will then just get the money for and they're moving things around unnecessarily. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and Municipal and Community Affairs have had a discussion. There shouldn't be any secrets around what amounts are going to which communities, that division has been agreed to between those parties, so this was a very engaged process, one where, again, the association of municipalities and the Municipal and Community Affairs have, indeed, figured out what an equitable distribution will be between all the different communities. Indeed, if this does go through, as we are certainly hopeful that it will, there should be no delay in getting this to the municipalities as allocated, as agreed to. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

No. I am glad to hear that, Mr. Chair. Let's hope Finance can cut that cheque as soon as possible. Thank you.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, regional operations, not previously authorized, $5,728,000. Does the committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, sport, recreation and youth, not previously authorized, $1,584,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, total department not previously authorized, $7,312,000. Does committee agree?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, committee. Do you agree that you have concluded consideration of Tabled Document 217-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021?

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Committee Motion 56-19(2): Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat, Defeated
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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Member for Frame Lake.