Debates of Feb. 9th, 2021

This is page numbers 1843 - 1902 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.

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in the NWT

NWT Climate Change Council

Midwifery Program

Minimum Wage and Top-Up Program

Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Diabetes Programs in Small Communities

Social Problems within Nunakput

Replacement of Chief Jimmy Bruneau School

Integrated Case Management

Access to Lands

Medical Detoxification

Eulogy for Susan Deneyoua

Eulogy for Maurice Edward Mendo

Committee Report 8-19(2): Report on Motion 5-19(2): Referral of Point of Privilege Raised By Member For Monfwi on March 10, 2020

Motion to Receive Committee Report 8-19(2) and Move into Committee of the Whole

Midwifery

Stimulus Funding for Small Remote Communities

Replacement of Chief Bruneau School

Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Diabetes Programs in Small Communities

Medical Detoxification Services

Point of Order

Minimum Wage and Top-Up Program

Integrated Case Management

Access to Lands

Point of Order

Tabled Document 299-19(2): Northwest Territories Energy Initiatives Report: Reporting on Actions under the 2030 Energy Strategy 2019/20

Tabled Document 300-19(2): NWT Climate Change Action Plan: Annual Report 2019/20 Tabled Document 301-19(2): Responding to Climate Change in the NWT: Plain Language Overview Report 2019/20

Tabled Document 302-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 481-19(2): Elders Housing Tabled Document 303-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 482-19(2): Hiring Local

Extended Adjournment of the House to February 23, 2021

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Tabled Document 286-19(2): Main Estimates 2021-2022 - Finance - Deferral of Department (page 137)

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 75-19(2): Tabled Document 286-19(2): Main Estimates 2021-2022 - Finance - Deferral of Department (page 137), Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 1859

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Madam Chair, probably just more of a clarification. I'm on page 33, fees and payments. It went up slightly. What consists of fees and payment? Madam Chair, masi.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1859

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. I would like to ask Mr. Shannon to take that.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Shannon.

Page 1859

Shannon

Thank you, Madam Chair. That would include payments under our planning, research, and evaluation for any third-party evaluations and things of that nature that we need to conduct. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Shannon. Member for Monfwi.

Page 1859

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Madam Chair. Just going down further, to travel. I thought for sure that travel would be reduced, but it has gone up again. What is the rationale for travel going up from last year to this year? Masi.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1859

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, and I can hand it over to perhaps Mr. Shannon to take it, but I will note that this is just part of the department's overall travel budget. Of course, it is spread across the various divisions, and there was a significant reduction, I believe, between 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, and so we have trimmed the fat from the budget. I can ask Mr. Shannon for some more information on this particular item. Thank you.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Shannon.

Page 1859

Shannon

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Minister. The travel budget for this was developed with a great deal of uncertainty on how things would look going into the next fiscal year, but it was anticipated travel to support the Education Act modernization; planning, research, and evaluation; and also deputy minister and senior management travel for things such as FPT meetings, and things of that nature. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Shannon. Are there any further questions under the corporate management? Member for Frame Lake.

Page 1859

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I see, I guess this is page 78, that there is a line that says finance and capital planning. Is this the area of the budget where money could or should be found for the work that needs to be done to renovate or maybe even build a new museum here in Yellowknife? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Just to clarify, we are on page 33 and you are on page 78?

Page 1859

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I'm looking at the electronic version that was provided to us when we reviewed the main estimates. Sorry. Yes, it is page 33 of the hard copy. There is a line there that says finance and capital planning, and I am just wondering if that's the line item where money could and should be found for helping to fix up the museum, and maybe even expanding it or building a new facility for the archives, that kind of work. Is that where the money would be found? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1859

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. Perhaps I could hand this to the deputy minister for an update on that work because, regardless of where it's found, I can provide the committee with some information. Thank you.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Deputy minister Mueller.

Page 1859

Mueller

Thank you, Madam Chair. Specific to the work that needs to be done at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, that would fall under the culture, heritage and languages section. We have had a recent study done to look at that whole infrastructure and what the potential costs would be to do all of the work, and it is quite high, so now, we're in the midst of doing a study to look at how we could bring in other revenue to try to offset the costs of that work that would need to be done. Right now, here on page 33 under finance and capital planning, I would have to turn to Mr. Shannon, but I don't think this is the section at all that we would use for that work.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, deputy minister. Mr. Shannon.

Page 1859

Shannon

Thank you, Madam Chair. Any funding for the redevelopment or any new building or construction or anything to do with the Prince of Wales would be in our capital estimates. However, finance and capital planning is our division in headquarters that includes our capital planning section in positions that work with, as Ms. Mueller mentioned, staff in the culture and heritage division to develop the plans to do that construction, ultimately. This is more of the planning function as opposed to the capital budget for the construction project. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Shannon. Member for Frame Lake.

Page 1859

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I am not asking, at this point, where is the money for the capital. Where is the money for planning this? This facility has lived way past its planned life. There was a flood in the basement when water lines were replaced recently. I have been over. I have looked at it. There are jury-rigged humidity systems and dehumidifiers and stuff all over the place. This building is way beyond its normal life. Is there any money in the budget, in this section, for planning for replacing the building? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Page 1859

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Page 1859

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. There was money for planning. A plan was done. I believe it was shared with committee. I have discussed it in this House. It is quite a visionary retrofit and expansion of the facility. Given where we are with our finances, I'm not sure if that is something that is doable. That being said, the Member points out that there are significant deficiencies with the current structure that need to be addressed. We have money, and we are doing planning on how we can address those deficiencies and, as part of that, what we can do to perhaps raise revenues to offset it, as well. Yes, to the Member's point, there is money. It is being spent, and it is being spent with the intention of ensuring that the Prince of Wales heritage centre, the life of it can be extended and that we can fulfill our obligation, our statutory obligation to maintain the archives of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Debates of Feb. 9th, 2021

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