This is page numbers 2383 - 2438 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 work.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. 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.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: "Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 11-19(2): Creation of a Northwest Territories Elders' Strategy." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 589-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport;" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 606-19(2): Access to Internet for Students." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, March 11, 2021, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Friday, March 12, 2021, it shall be adjourned until Monday, March 29, 2021; and further, that, any time prior to March 29, 2021, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motion for the 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: Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act; Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Act; Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Securities Act; Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Committee Report 8-19(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Motion 5-19(2), Referral of Point of Privilege Raised by Member for Monfwi on March 10, 2020; Committee Report 9-19(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election; Committee Report 10-19(2), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act; Minister's Statement 77-19(2), National Housing Co-Investment Fund; Tabled Document 165-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2) Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 167-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 3-19(2), Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 286-19(2) Main Estimates 2021-2022. 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 the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022, for the Legislative Assembly and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Marsi cho.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. 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 resume with Legislative Assembly.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I will now call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 286-19(2), Main Estimates 2021-2022. Does the Speaker have any opening remarks?

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Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2021-2022 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. Overall, the Legislative Assembly's estimates propose an increase of $1,723,000 or 7.6 percent over the 2020-2021 Main Estimates.

These estimates represent the important work we will undertake during the upcoming fiscal year and focus on the following four overarching priorities:

  • addressing the need for additional office space within the Office of the Clerk as a result of an increase in staff;
  • being responsive to our statutory obligations with the establishment of the independent commission to review Members' compensation and benefits and the electoral boundaries commission;
  • continuing to expand our language and interpreter services within the Legislative Assembly; and
  • supporting the developing needs of our statutory offices.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to answering any questions the Members may have.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Do you wish to bring witnesses into this House?

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Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, I do, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Mr. Speaker, would you please introduce your witnesses?

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Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Directly behind me, we have Ms. Kim Wickens, director of corporate services, and also Acting Clerk Glen Rutland. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Committee has agreed to forgo general comments. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Okay. Committee, we will defer the departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with expenditures on behalf of Members, starting on page 8. Questions? Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I would like an explanation of the increase for the Members' pension expenses between the current financial year and what is being requested for 2021-2022. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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Frederick Blake Jr.

I will turn that to Ms. Wickens.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Ms. Wickens.