This is page numbers 957 - 1010 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.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As it's been a very busy day, I have not yet had a chance to follow up on my commitment in the Committee of the Whole yesterday, but I do commit to having the department provide me with a better briefing and understanding of the double-hulled barges and their abilities to work on the Mackenzie. I commit to coming back to the Member with the results of that discussion.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

If it is found that these barges are not suitable for the Mackenzie River, can you check with your department about if we have another use for them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I'm going to be very concerned if those barges do not operate on the Mackenzie, but, as that was prior to my time in this role, I don't have that knowledge on hand right now. Of course, I commit that, if we purchased barges that cannot be used for what is their originally intended purpose, we would be looking for other places in which we could utilize those barges, perhaps in the ocean. I'm not familiar with their specifications of whether or not they are all just freshwater or if they can go to marine, as well. I'm assuming there would be multiple uses for the barges, and I commit to that.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

I know the Minister will like this question. Can the Minister provide me with the engineering process that was used to decide on the double-hulled 3500 series barges?

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

If that process does exist, I will provide you with it. If that process hasn't been used in the past, I commit to you that it's going to be used in the future under my ministerialship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also commit to have her department review the processes used when purchasing any such assets for MTS? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

One of the first discussions I had with my department was to ask for a review of MTS, so I will commit to that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Item 10, written questions. Item 11, returns to written questions. Item 12, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 13, petitions. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 106-19(2), Healthcare Services in Deh Cho Communities." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to table a letter from the NWT Tourism to the Premier's Office supporting Frontier Lodge and the LKDFN. Marsi cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motions for first reading of bills. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main estimates 2020-2021, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, with the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair. By the authority given to me as Speaker by Motion 1-19(2), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hours of adjournment to consider the business before the House. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. Mr. Norn, what is the wish of committee?

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, Department of ITI.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and will resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I call committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020, and we are doing the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Does the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment have any opening remarks?

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair, I do.

I am here today to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Overall, the department's estimates propose a decrease of $317,000 or 0.5 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 coming year.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

  • forced growth of $2.2 million, which includes $1.7 million in funding for UNW collective bargaining increases; $250,000 in support of the management of socio-economic agreements, to ensure maximization of benefits to the NWT and Indigenous residents and businesses; and $176,000 for a seasonal position and a contribution increase to Tuktoyaktuk to assist in the growing demand of tourism from the opening of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway;
  • other adjustments include $240,000 to support the implementation of the Northwest Territories petroleum resources strategy to attract oil and gas development and a position to support the implementation of the strategy for revitalizing the Great Slave Lake commercial fishery; and last,
  • we see a sunset of about $1.5 million which primarily consists of an initiative to complete a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey and surficial mapping program in the Slave Geological Province.

To support our ambition of building a strong, diverse economy across the Northwest Territories, ITI's proposed budget allocates approximately 60 percent or $34.3 million of spending to economic development and business services, tourism, and parks. This will be dedicated to programs designed to develop small businesses in all communities and across a variety of sectors. This government takes diversification seriously, and we will continue to be allies to entrepreneurs and the business community.

At the same time, this government recognizes the importance of the resource sectors to our continued prosperity. To that end, these estimates allocate nearly $16.1 million to deliver programs and services to benefit mining, mineral exploration, and the oil and gas sector, as well as Indigenous governments participation in the sector.

These estimates offer the resources necessary to support Industry, Tourism and Investment program delivery, and begin implementing our government's mandate in support of the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.

That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Will the Minister please introduce her witnesses?

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair. On our left, looking at the back of the room, we have Assistant Deputy Minister Tracy St-Denis, ADM of economic development; and on our right, we have Ms. Pamela Strand, my deputy minister for ITI. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Committee, we have agreed to forgo the general comments and move into detail. I will proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document. We will defer the departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with corporate management, starting on page 198, with information items up to 200. Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.