This is page numbers 1035 - 1054 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 health.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

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Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions I have are for the Minister of health. Employees continue to find Protect NWT forms to be inconsistent. When Protect NWT is questioned about the forms, they do not always have the answer. The answers provided create additional confusion. NWT employees are trying to follow the process but find it easier to operate from the south due to less paperwork and less issues entering and exiting the NWT. I know of NWT employers who are laying off northern workers and operating out of Alberta. Can the Minister commit to having Protect NWT forms reviewed for consistency and relevance related to travel, isolation, and monitoring for all categories of employees entering the NWT and come up with something that is acceptable to workers and businesses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

Page 1050

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've identified the need for consistent resourcing and training materials for Protect NWT staff, as well as border officers and compliance and enforcement officers. We are aware of some of the issues that we have been having working with our partner agencies and northern companies. We need to improve some of our processes to address the Member's concerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

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Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

In the NWT, our curve is flat. Our neighbour to the south has flattened its curve. At this time, it's important that, as we are relaxing restrictions, we take into consideration the need to support the economic recovery as soon as possible. The departments appear to be working in isolation of the Chief Public Health Officer. I would ask the Minister: what input did the Department of Infrastructure, ITI, education, and housing have in developing the Emerging Wisely plan? If they had none, does it not make sense to include them in planning as we re-establish the economy?

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

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Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Absolutely. That is something that our department needs to do. We sit in Cabinet, and we talk about some of the ways. We have specific COVID-19 discussions around what can our departments do to pull together and to improve some of the programs and resources that we offer.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

Page 1051

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

No further questions.

Question 303-19(2): Protect NWT
Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 196-19(2): Economic Cost and Support for Business." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motion 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, on the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Industry, Tourism and Investment with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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

Page 1051

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2) and, specifically, the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Industry, Tourism and Investment. Marsi cho, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Norn. 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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will proceed with the first item. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, resuming with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Committee, we have previously deferred this matter at consideration of the departmental summary. Members, please turn to page 29 of the tabled document. Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, total department, 2020-2021 Main Estimates, $340,268,000. 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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Members. Committee has indicated they would like to continue with the summary page for Industry, Tourism and Investment, on page 195. Industry, Tourism and Investment, operations expenditures, total department, 2020-2021, $59,585,000. 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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. Do you agree that we have concluded consideration of Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021?

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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Minister Wawzonek.

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

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. A few comments. I meant what I said earlier, some time ago now, in my first budget speech. A budget is a collective effort and a collaborative approach will be the best way to build a financial plan for this fiscal year and beyond. Through this budget session, we have worked with Regular Members to evaluate our priorities with the result that we are committing $1.9 million in additional investments to round out the 2020-2021 Budget. These additional investments include the following:

  1. $600,000 to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages. We will contribute $150,000 within that to our regional Indigenous government partners to increase current efforts to encourage the use of Indigenous languages, and $450,000 for a pilot project to build community capacity by supporting career development for interpreters and translators.
  2. $500,000 to increase childcare spaces through subsidizing the cost of space acquisition, renovations, and repairs. This investment is in line with the supports we believe will be necessary to help the Northwest Territories economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. $150,000 for the sustainable livelihoods program that is currently underway to accelerate actions identified under the program's plan, including increasing country food harvesting and the underlying knowledge, skills, and capacity needed to better harvest, process, and prepare country food. Acceleration of actions under this program will also support our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. To support increasing local food production, $172,000 to increase funding in the Community Harvester Assistance Program to offset capital and operating costs of harvesting activities; $70,000 therein to draft meat inspector regulations that reduces the barriers to developing food production businesses, which in turn will allow for increased local food production without compromising on food safety; and $100,000 to extend the fish sector support position to March 31, 2022.
  5. $615,000 to expand the hours of service of the dialysis unit in Hay River, including increases to staffing, training, and equipment.

Madam Chair, the GNWT also concurs with Members for a phased approach to examining unauthorized and rights-based occupancy of territorial land and, as such, will reduce the number of legal counsel positions proposed for this work from three to one. This will result in a reduction of $339,000 to the Department of Justice's 2020-2021 operations expenditures budget. Despite all that has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global, national, and Northwest Territories economies, the 2020-2021 budget still represents a stable starting point for the future of the 19th Legislative Assembly. We are fortunate that, although we expect our own source revenues will be significantly lower this fiscal year and possibly in 2021-2022, as well, over time, territorial formula financing will respond to partially offset these losses. We intend to continue to maintain a focus on responsible fiscal management so that we can help the economy recover and make investments to make progress on this Assembly's other priorities. Budget 2020-2021 allows departments to move forward with their ongoing business, providing programs and services to residents, supporting the economy, and protecting the environment.

If ever we needed creative problem solving to achieve responsive and effective results it is now. We have demonstrated our ability to collaborate through this, our first budget process, and I am already looking forward to the next round of meaningful engagement through consultations for next year's budget 2021 starting over the next few months. As we emerge from the effects of COVID-19 restrictions, we know that our economy will not be the same. We need the perspectives of this Assembly and our residents to help frame the discussion about future government expenditures that will create a better future for the Northwest Territories economy. Madam Chair, I will follow through with these commitments by including these items in Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.1, 2020-2021, to be considered by the Assembly during this Session. Thank you.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister Wawzonek. Does committee agree that this concludes consideration of Tabled Document 30-19(2)?

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

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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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Mr. Norn.

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Madam Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, is now concluded and that Tabled Document 30-19(2), be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in a formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Marsi cho, Madam Chair.