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.

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

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. The $18 million certainly was for everything, for environmental planning, Indigenous engagements, and design. I wasn't sure exactly what the $1.9 there or $2 million specifically was for, but with that explanation, at least, thus far, I suspect we can get some further breakdown probably by tomorrow. Again, if it's the entire $18 million, that might take a bit more time, but just in terms of at least maybe project status, I gather, is probably what the Member is looking are for, and we can probably provide that.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Any further questions?

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

No. Thanks very much.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

You're welcome. I would like to say thank you again to the Minister and the witnesses. Does committee agree that this concludes consideration of Tabled Document 130-19(2)?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

All right. Mr. Norn.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 130-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021, be now concluded, and Tabled Document 130-19(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Marsi cho, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Norn. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Tabled Document 130-19(2) will be reported as ready for consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 137-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 1, 2020-2021. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you. Madam Chair, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 1, 2020-2021. The supplementary estimates document proposes a total increase of $65.1 million, comprised of the following major items:

  • $36.8 million in support of the GNWT's emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is offset by revenues from the federal government.
  • $13.7 million to support advancing the GNWT's mandate priorities.
  • $7.4 million to continue the First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Agreement. These costs are fully offset by funding from the federal government.
  • $1.9 million for additional investments recommended by Members of the Legislative Assembly in their review of the 2020-21 Main Estimates.

That concludes my opening remarks. We would be happy to answer any questions that Members might have.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. For the record, I will just recognize your witnesses.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you. Madam Chair, on the left, we have Terence Courtoreille here, who is director of Management Board Secretariat, and on the right, Jamie Koe, who is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. I now open the floor to general comments. Seeing no general comments, we will review the supplementary estimates by department. The committee has agreed to begin the review with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Committee have agreed to forego general comments on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, so we will proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 1, 2020-2021, Department of Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, culture, heritage, and language, not previously authorized, $150,000. Questions? Comments? Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am really happy to see this increased funding for Indigenous languages. I am just curious, and I believe the Minister spoke to this previously, so I apologize. The difference between the $150,000 line item here for Indigenous language revitalization and the $450,000 line item for Indigenous language revitalization, I see they are in two different units of ECE, but if I could just get a distinction between those? Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Sorry. I see the $150,000 line item that the Member is referencing.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I think he is referring to under "labour development and advanced education." There is a $450,000 line item. Minister.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am looking over at the Minister of ECE, if we could go to him, please.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Minister of ECE.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I know that we are on this number here, but these two numbers are connected. There is $600,000 total in here for Indigenous language revitalization. The $450,000 is being put towards the development of an Indigenous languages immersion pilot program, and the $150,000 is going to Indigenous governments with the idea that that can be used to cover the costs that aren't covered by SFA to have people attend this program. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of ECE. Member for Yellowknife North, did you have any further questions?

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Chair. No, I'm very happy to see that. I just always like to see when Indigenous language funding is coming forward, that its focus is on immersion, because I think that's really how we create new speakers. I am very happy to see that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Yellowknife Centre.