This is page numbers 3165 - 3220 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 indigenous.

Topics

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I certainly am sympathetic to what the Member is saying. I do run up against the fact that anything that's an entitlement specific or in this nature, a benefit, does come within the collective agreement. So always mindful of the role of the Department of Finance and myself as Minister to abide by the collective agreement, not -- never to be seen to be bargaining outside of the collective agreement process, but then wanting to ensure that we are applying access to those benefits equitably and consistently and with that whole-of-government approach. So I do see room for us to improve here, and I see room for this to be a tool within the toolbox of Human Resources that will help all employees. So where that's going to get to, Mr. Speaker, I am sure I will continue to get questions from the Member to see that I am achieving those goals. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question -- actually, I'm just going to have one question for the Minister of ITI, who is also responsible for the procurement review.

One of the recommendations was to review the schedule of grandfathered businesses in the BIP registered businesses. So my question for the Minister is will the Minister remove Walmart as a BIP business? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think it was the Member from Yellowknife North who at one time told me we should be looking at the number of employees that a business has before we move too quickly on who to remove or who not to remove. But, Mr. Speaker, I am not in the habit, Mr. Speaker, of making commitments that singles out one particular business or one particular contract or one particular individual. This very much has been part of the review, very much will be part of where this goes next, is to define what is a northern business, who should be a northern business. That's a huge part of making sure that we are keeping the most benefits in all ways possible in the Northwest Territories. And I'll certainly commit to doing that as I have been throughout this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to commission's address. Petitions. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Conference of Management Authorities Species at Risk Annual Report 2020-2021; Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee Annual Report 2020-2021; and, NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program 2020/21 Annual Report.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Nunakput.

tabled document 509-19(2):
An Economic Analysis of the GNWT's Approach to the Mining Regime Fiscal Review

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment document entitled, An Economic Analysis of the GNWT's Approach to Mining Regime Fiscal Review.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Tabling of documents.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

In accordance with section 265(1) of the Elections and Plebiscites Act, I wish to table the Territorial By-Election 2021 Monfwi Official Results Reports.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Justice.

Bill 41, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act
Notices Of Motion For The First Reading Of Bills

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021, I will move that Bill 41, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 41, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act
Notices Of Motion For The First Reading Of Bills

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Bill 23, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, Committee Report 17-19(2), Committee Report 18-19(2), Committee Report 19-19(2), Tabled Document 437-19(2), Tabled Document 438-19(2), Tabled Document 439-19(2), and Tabled Document 466-19(2).

Colleagues, 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 with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call to order Committee of the Whole. What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 438-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022; Tabled Document 439-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022; Tabled Document 466-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 4, 2020-2021; Bill 31, an Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act; Bill 32, an Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefit Services Pension Plan Act; Bill 33, National Indigenous People's Day Act; Committee Report 17-19(2) Report on the Review of Bill 23, an Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act.

Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Does committee agree?

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

Agreed.

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

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will have a recess and start with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 438-19(2) Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022. These Supplementary Estimates propose a total decrease of $109.8 million comprised of the following items:

  • Firstly, a decrease of $113.5 million to adjust infrastructure project cash flows to realign the appropriations with the anticipated project schedules. This amount is fully offset by appropriations in future cash flows;
  • Secondly, $2.8 million is required for surfaces overlay costs at the Fort Smith airport and $761,000 is required for airfield electrical replacement costs at the Fort Simpson airport. Both these projects are fully offset by revenues from the federal government; and,
  • Finally, $203,000 is required for the acquisition of three portables to support the renovation of the Colville Lake school.

That concludes my opening remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions that the Members may have.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes.

CHAIRPERSON (Ms. Semmler) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses.

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. On the right, Madam Chair, is Bill MacKay, deputy minister of Finance. And on the left, I have Terence Courtoreille, deputy secretary to the Financial Management Board.