This is page numbers 1111 - 1152 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

Page 1131

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance.

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

Page 1131

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Certainly, my information is that there have been steps that are underway, steps that are being taken. The work is proceeding both in terms of the, as I mentioned, engagements with local Indigenous communities and also ongoing work with the boards. Madam Chair, I think that may be something that I can certainly direct this over to the Minister of Infrastructure, but as far as the carry-overs go, the carry-over from my perspective wouldn't be allowed if the contracts weren't in place and if the work wasn't progressing. They certainly have come forward and met that standard and met that requirement in order to be sort of put forward as a request for the carry-over supplementary appropriation. That is why we've put it forward here. Again, I'm fairly confident that those details will have to be available when this comes forward in the capital planning process. We're certainly going to be facing those questions again in that stage, as well. 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 1131

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of Finance. 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 1131

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Yes. This environmental assessment has been going on since, I think, 2013. I've raised this with Members of this Cabinet before. You don't go for an environmental assessment until you actually have a proper project defined. Otherwise, you're wasting a lot of different people's times. If we haven't been back to the board since November of 2018, this amount is actually a carry-over, and we haven't communicated timelines to the review board but carrying money over. I'm not sure this is a great way to communicate and try to expedite getting some of the money out the door. I guess that's more of a comment, Madam Chair, than anything else. I'm disappointed that we haven't communicated with the board in a year and a half to provide timelines and update what's going on, even the public. I know that there are some consultations apparently underway, but if you don't communicate what you're doing, you're carrying over money, this is not good on what's supposed to be a major flagship infrastructure project again. 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 1131

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Did you have any further questions, comments on this section? No? Okay. Back to corporate management, not previously authorized, $12,365,000. 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

Page 1131

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 1131

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Again, under the Department of Infrastructure, capital investment and expenditures, activity programs and services, not previously authorized, $1,121,000. What's the term I want to use? Sorry. It's reduction. Thank you.

---Laughter

Reduction in this budget. Questions? Comments? Seeing none. Programs and services, not previously authorized, a reduction of $1,121,000. 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

Page 1131

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 1131

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Total department, not previously authorized, $47,642,000. 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

Page 1131

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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

All right. Now, we will be turning to page 17, Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, Department of Justice, capital investment expenditures, activity, corrections, not previously authorized, $2,354,000. Questions? Comments? Seeing none. Corrections, not previously authorized, $2,354,000. 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

Page 1132

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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

On to the next activity, court services, not previously authorized, $282,000. Questions? Comments? Court services, not previously authorized, $282,000. Does committee agree? Member for Yellowknife North.

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

Page 1132

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm looking for a general update. This is $282,000 into the Yellowknife Courthouse, a building that we don't actually own. I know there has been a number of upgrades, and we keep putting money into someone else's building. Can I just get an update from the Minister? Are there plans to build a new courthouse? How long are we in this lease for, and are we going to continue to put money into Northview's building? 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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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

Page 1132

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, there are no plans for a new courthouse. The cost of a new courthouse would still far and exceed the ability right now to undertake that kind of a project. I can say I believe the lease is 2026. I will correct myself later if I am wrong about that. At this point, it does have a lot of money invested in it, so hopefully, it is more than up to the task over the next short-term coming future. 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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Yellowknife North.

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

Page 1132

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess I will ask this question at a later time. I caution that we are sinking millions of dollars into a building that we don't own, and the lease is coming due in 2026. It doesn't seem like the best bargaining position to be in with your landlord. I am sure that the Minister is well aware of that. Can I just get an update of what the Legal Aid Information System project is, the $100,000? 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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

We'll call this activity item first, and then we'll go to the next one. Okay? Thank you. Do you have any more questions on court services? I will call this activity, then. Court services, not previously authorized, $282,000. 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

Page 1132

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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Legal Aid services, $100,000. Member for Yellowknife North.

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

Page 1132

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. Can I just have an explanation of what this $100,000 for the Legal Aid Information System project is? Is this essentially the project that we use to replace the law library? Can I just have an explanation of what that is and what this money goes to? 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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance.

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

Page 1132

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. No, Madam Chair, this is entirely within the Legal Aid facility's instructors in terms of case management and case files. It's a technology-based project. 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 1132

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Yellowknife North.