Debates of May 29th, 2020

This is page numbers 887 - 916 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going.

Topics

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Capital Delivery 2020-2021
COVID-19 Health and Social Services System Response
Taltson Dam
Transportation Safety
Addictions Counselling Services
Supports for Northwest Territories Businesses
Nursing Shortage
Digital Service
Mural by Walt Humphries
Internet Connectivity
Northwest Territories Commercial Fishery
Eulogy for Mrs. Adele Hardisty
Transportation Safety
Taltson Project
Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation
Health Care Professionals Collective Agreement
Support for Small Businesses
Responsibility and Preservation of Government Artwork
Create Minister Responsible for Transparency
Delivery of Improved Internet Services
Tabled Document 118-19(2): Report of the Northwest Territories Judicial Remuneration Commission 2020
Tabled Document 119-19(2): Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly Under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act 2019
Tabled Document 120-19(2): Office of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2018-2019
Revocation of Appointment of the Honourable Member for Great Slave to the Executive Council
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 Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, committee. We will now turn to the information items that begin on page 185. We'll start with funding allocated to health and social services authorities on page 185. Are there any questions on this page? Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Madam Chair. What I'm looking at is: can the Minister tell me, for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services, the $295 million, is that all salaries? Or what is the breakdown of that number? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to turn this one over to Ms. Mathison to provide the details as I shuffle through papers. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Director of finance.

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Mathison

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is for salaries and operational expenses. It's pretty much an accumulation of all the expenditures throughout the document that we've looked at under grants and contributions that are going to the authorities for all the various programs. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Madam Chair. The $295 million is what operations and staffing for our hospitals, health centres, and that all fall under the NTHSSA throughout the Northwest Territories, just to be clear? Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that is correct.

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

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. Just looking at the allocation on the information items kind of attached to the active position summary, I'm just trying to figure out, with the position summary and the salaries, is overtime included in that number, or does that come later? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister.

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

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that is correct.

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

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

There is a line item in that $295 million for estimated overtime? Or is that something that is going to come later? Thank you. Just clarifying, Madam Chair.

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

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister, can you clarify, please.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, that is correct.

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

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. I just never knew that we budgeted overtime. Can you tell me, in the previous year, was there a change in the main estimates? What was the increase from the main estimate to the end of the year that we needed to increase, if there was anything, for overtime, in the cost to the health authorities? Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister.

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to turn to Ms. Mathison to help me with the question. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Julie Green

Thank you, Minister. Director of finance.

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Mathison

Thank you, Madam Chair. Throughout the document, we talked about areas of increase in the budget related to the collective agreement that was negotiated for the term of the last agreement, and there is a percentage or some factor of that increase associated with budgeted overtime, as well. Overtime is hard to forecast, so sometimes, we don't necessarily have a budget that matches our needs in overtime. Yes, there is an increase throughout the document reflective of overtime increases. Thank you, Madam Chair.