This is page numbers 3221 - 3266 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 units.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister responsible for Health and Social -- sorry, Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this super-duper Minister will answer two questions that I just heard. Yes, we are aware of the issue, and the GNWT and the Arctic Energy Alliance were not consulted before the federal program was put in place. We have made the federal government aware of our concerns with this program. While we do not have the ability to change the requirements set under a federal program, we will continue to engage with Natural Resource Canada towards a mutually-acceptable solution to this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I think that was a yes, and good work. I appreciate that, thank you.

So can the Minister tell us, though, whether her department is working with other provincial and territorial jurisdictions to change this unnecessary federal program requirement of pre- and post- energy audits. Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the issue was raised with Natural Resource Canada by various jurisdictions throughout the intergovernmental energy efficient working groups, and we have spoken with the other jurisdictions in Canada about this problem, and there is a common concern, as the Member mentioned. We will continue to engage with Natural Resource Canada to be able to look at a solution to this problem. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. While I'm on a role, I got two, I'm going to keep going. So while the pre- and post-audit requirements are a problem, the other one is a lack of certified auditors to carry out the audits, the energy audits, and the cost of training monitors. What steps is the Minister taking to help increase the number of energy auditors, and is any additional funding being provided to Arctic Energy Alliance to help fix this problem? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a national shortage of energy auditors. We recognize that. We are currently training more energy auditors internally for the Northwest Territories. We now have two certified auditors and two more in training. This should be adequate to meet our needs, but efforts are continuing to build additional capacity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Well, I guess all good streaks have to come to an end, but I appreciate the work that the Minister's doing on this, and Arctic Energy Alliance as well, but they may need some more money to help get this working a little better.

As a result of these energy audits, though, money I think is being left on the table for NWT homeowners and they could be using that to increase energy efficiency, save money, and combat climate change. What Arctic Energy Alliance energy retrofit funds have been lapsed over the last five years as a result of the inability to complete projects under the current energy audit requirements and other limitations? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I heard the Member's asking for what funds have been lapsed through the programs here. And I just want to say that there were no funds lapsed as a result of any energy audit requirements. Only one Arctic Energy program requires an audit, and it's the Deep Home Energy Retrofit program. And we are able to prioritize those clients for audits. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Lands.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I was daydreaming. Yeah, I'm being super-duper; I've got stuff I want to talk about here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board 2020-2021 Annual Report and the Audited Financial Statements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Consolidated Budgets 2021-2022 of the Government of the Northwest Territories; Public Service Annual Report for 2020-2021; and, the Report of Special Warrants issued June to November of 2021. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Ms. Bronwyn Watters be appointed as the Equal Pay Commissioner in accordance with the Public Services Act by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly;

And further, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

. SPEAKER: Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Notices of motion. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021, I will move the following motion:

I move, seconded by the Honourable Member from Frame Lake, Committee Report 22-19(2), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report to Telecommunications received by Committee of the Whole for consideration that same day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by Honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 42, Supplementary Appropriations Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for -- Minister of Finance. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried. Bill 42 has had first reading.

---Carried

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

First reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 43, Supplementary Appropriations Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order. To the motion.