This is page numbers 3441 - 3480 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.

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

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

I now call the committee back to order.

---Laughter

That was my gavel. That was my gavel there.

---Laughter

It's just like being in the communities. You know, the most important person in the community? Is the bingo caller.

---Laughter

Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 561-19(2), Main Estimates 2022-2023. Does the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources have any opening remarks.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Yes, I do, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

You may proceed with your opening remarks. Mahsi.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2022-2023 Main Estimates for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Overall, the department estimates propose an increase of $849,000 over the 2021-2022 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources while continuing to meet the GNWT's fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

  • Increases for collective agreement of 1.42 -- or 35 million and for the Bathurst and Bluenose-East Caribou of $1.03 million offsetted by reductions of 850 for the Barren-land caribou calving survey for a total of 180,000;
  • New initiative funding of $260,000 for the hunters and trappers disasters compensation program; forced growth of $251,000 for increases in air tanker contract and insurance costs;
  • Sunsets of 968,000 in funding for complete initiatives related to the agriculture strategy, Inuvik to Tuk Highway environmental assessment biologies requirements and obligations, a climate change information management position, and activities under the Nature Fund agreements with Environment and Climate Change Canada; and
  • A reduction in funding for travel of $495,000.

Through sound fiscal management and strategic investment, we continue to support this Assembly's mandate commitment by:

  • Implementing the 2019-2023 Climate Change Action Plan, including estimating the NWT Climate Change Council and ensuring climate change factors are integrated into government decision-making;
  • Supporting initiatives that promote economic diversification and jobs in the communities through territorial protected areas implementation, supporting a sustainable forestry industry, and expanding waste diversion programs;
  • Supporting the GNWT's work to improve food security through country food, land-based programming, and effective management of harvest species and their habitat; and.
  • Contributing to GNWT-wide efforts to implement UNDRIP; and support regional decision-making through the established co-management system for water, wildlife, forestry, and through ENR's work on sustainable livelihoods.

This concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Minister. Does the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources wish to bring witnesses into the house?

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Yes, I do, sir.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the chambers. Mahsi.

Will the Minister please introduce the witnesses.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Will the Minister please introduce the witnesses.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my far right is deputy minister Erin Kelly. And closest to me is director of finance Jessica St. Arnaud. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi. The committee has agreed to forego general comments. Does the 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 Ronald Bonnetrouge

Committee, we will defer the departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary beginning with corporate management starting on page 72 with information items on page 75. And we'll entertain questions from the Members. Mr. O'Reilly.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. On corporate management, this is where the policy, legislation and communications function of the department's located. And there was quite a bit of work done in the last Assembly on the Forest Act. So I'm just wondering if the Minister can tell us if it's the intention of the department to bring forward a Forest Act bill in this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you. Yes, we are.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mr. O'Reilly.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's good to hear. And we now have a legislative development protocol with the intergovernmental council, and there's provision for other Indigenous governments who didn't sign on to the devo agreement to be part of that process. So there's a lot of work that has to be done and perhaps some new funding that's provided to the Indigenous governments. There's some public engagement that needs to be carried out, some policy work. Can the Minister tell me if there's any additional resources found in this year's budget to assist with that work? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. For that detail, I'll go to the deputy minister. And with your permission, I'll ask her to provide a little more bit more detail as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Proceed, deputy minister.

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Kelly

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are prepared to do all of the pieces that were just mentioned, the public engagement with the work with the 99GC IGOs and all of the elements to get this piece of legislation completed with funding that we found from within the department. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mr. O'Reilly.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yeah, I'm a bit worried about that. I know other departments went to the Financial Management Board to secure additional resources, and I guess the other pieces of legislation, the Waters Act, the Environmental Protection Act, that's not going to happen in this Assembly. So can I get an explanation from the Minister as to why no additional resources were secured from the Financial Management Board for the Forest Act work. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you. So when we were looking at the Forest Act, we looked at our resources that were available, the work that was done in the 18th Assembly, and the work that we need to do to get this legislated proposal forwarded and passed in this Assembly, and we feel that the resources we have presently we will be able to meet that need. But for further detail, I'll turn to the deputy minister to see if there's anything else that would be helpful. Thank you.