This is page numbers 521 - 556 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

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 Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Does committee agree?

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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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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 Lesa Semmler

Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021. Does the Minister of Lands have any opening remarks?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

March 5th, 2020

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I do. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Lands. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $780,000 or 3.5 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the upcoming year.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

  • Forced growth of just over $1 million for increases resulting from the UNW collective bargaining agreement;
  • New funding of $63,000 for the land management parts of boreal caribou range planning which is fully offset by federal funding;
  • Ongoing funding for the Wek'eezhii land use planning committee and planning office with $443,000 in 2020-2021;
  • $105,000 in funding that is sunsetting this year for the agriculture strategy implementation initiative and the equity lease initiative; and
  • Finally, reallocation of funding within the department to fund two strategic planning, reporting and evaluation positions in the Policy, Legislation and Communications division.

These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly, beginning with the development of a process guide for the bulk transfer of vacant Commissioner land within municipal boundaries. This is a mandate commitment under the priority to reduce the municipal funding gap.

We will also begin the development of regulations to bring the Public Land Act into force. This work will give us a more coherent and harmonized land administration system, which is important to investors in all sectors of the economy, as well as for public infrastructure development.

We will be continuing to address the transfer of equity leases to fee simple title, within community boundaries, in a way that is transparent, consistent, and considerate of the views of Indigenous governments. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of Lands. Do you wish to bring any witnesses into the House?

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Yes, I do, Madam 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 Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness into the Chamber. Would you please introduce your witnesses?

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my left is Brenda Hilderman, our director of finance. On my right is my deputy minister, Sylvia Haener, and one of my assistant deputy ministers, Conrad Baetz. At the appropriate time, we will ask for our other deputy minister, Terry Hall, to come in and replace Assistant Deputy Minister Mr. Baetz.

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 Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. I will now open the floor to general comments on the Department of Lands. If there are no further comments, does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Committee, we will defer the departmental summary and review estimates by activity summary, beginning with corporate management, starting on page 300, with information item on page 303. Any questions? Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I understand that the department has a strategic plan in place. I think it was supposed to run from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, which is next year. What are the plans of the Minister or the department to renew or revise or come up with a new strategic plan? Thanks, Madam 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 Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I apologize. My hearing wasn't working.

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 Lesa Semmler

The earpiece is not working?

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Yes, sorry.

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 Lesa Semmler

I'll just reset the time and go back to Member for Frame Lake, if you could re-ask your question. Thank you.

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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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I understand that the department has a strategic plan that finishes in 2020-2021. What are the plans to come up with a new plan in the new year? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Member is correct. We are also working on it, but we are also working through our business plans and that process there. Right now, we realize it is going to be finished, and then we're all working on another one, but our business plans are moving forward first. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 531

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Is a new strategic plan going to be developed during 2020-2021? Thanks, Madam 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 Lesa Semmler

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

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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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Chair. It will depend on what we can contain in the business plan. Thank you, Madam 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 Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.