Debates of May 28th, 2020

This is page numbers 845 - 886 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 services.

Topics

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
Tourism in NWT Post-COVID
Tourism
Interpretation Services in Hospitals
Alcohol Prohibition
Corrections Rehabilitation
Tourism Businesses
Relationship Between Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous Governments
Continuance of Work from Home and Four-day Work Week
Northwest Territories Power Corporation Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Economic Recovery
Border Security During COVID-19 Pandemic
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Four-Day Work Week
Medical Interpretation
Alcohol Prohibition
Indigenous Programs in Corrections
Question 248-19(2) Removal of Power Limiters Post COVID-19
Small Business Grants
Liquor Regulations
Border Security
Remediation of Mining Sites
SEED Funding During COVID-19 Pandemic
Written Question 13-19(2): Northwest Territories COVID-19 Testing and Contact Tracing Capacity
Tabled Document 105-19(2): Accreditation Report: Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Tabled Document 106-19(2): Accreditation Report: Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Tabled Document 107-19(2): Accreditation Report: Tlicho Community Services Agency
Tabled Document 108-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 40-19(2): Provision of RCMP Housing Tabled Document 109-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 44-19(2): Provision of RCMP Housing Tabled Document 110-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 46-19(2): Housing Program Delivery in Communities Tabled Document 111-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 50-19(2), 136-19(2), 162-19(2) and 167-19(2): Proof of Income for Public Housing Clients and Rent Scale Policy Review Tabled Document 112-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 80-19(2): Arnica Inn Transitional Housing Project Tabled Document 113-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 89-19(2): Housing and Homelessness in Inuvik Tabled Document 114-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 129-19(2): Housing for Seniors Aging in Place Tabled Document 115-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 189-19(2): Contractor Suspension List Tabled Document 116-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 192-19(2): Housing W...
Tabled Document 117-19(2): Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election
Bill 6: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Deputy Minister.

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Cooper

Thank you, Madam Chair. We contracted with a consulting company, MNP, and they undertook the review, overseen by staff advisory group.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I know we're supposed to be dealing with the budget, but can someone tell me how much it cost? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Madam Chair. I'll let you turn to Deputy Minister Cooper. If we have the number on hand, it's not in our budget. It was an operational expense that we had previously.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Minister. Deputy Minister.

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Cooper

Thank you, Madam Chair. Approximately $200,000.

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

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks for that. Can someone tell me when the report was finished? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. It was September 26, 2019.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Can someone explain to me what, if any, role the review had in terms of the funding in this budget? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll leave it to Deputy Minister Cooper to answer.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Deputy Minister.

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Cooper

Thank you, Madam Chair. We do have plans to respond to the findings of the home support review, but there is an item that will be coming forward as part of how we're using our federal agreement that will see some new funding as part of the supplemental process. I believe you'll be seeing that. In this one, this is a status quo home support budget.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

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

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Now, I'm really interested. As Regular MLAs, we have been waiting for this review for a long, long time. People have been talking about this. Homecare is very important because we a want our elders and our seniors to be able to stay in their own homes. If we can do that, we actually save money and we provide a better quality of life to our elders. I don't have to tell you guys this. That's why this is important, and I'm trying to understand when it was done and whether it has influenced this budget in any way. I'm still trying to understand. Did this have to go to Cabinet first before it's been released to the MLAs? I'm just trying to understand this. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. The review, after I had a look at it with the staff at the department, then I brought it to Cabinet to review as part of the process. Next step, we don't want it to be out public; we need to go to AOC. So those are parts of the process that we decided to follow. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Can the Minister tell us when she expects to provide this document to AOC? A precise date would be really helpful. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister.