Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm not necessarily the best place to answer this. There is expected to be some movement over the course of this summer. This is definitely another area of multi-department collaboration, and while Rick Wind's team may be responsible for the physical or, you know, intangible in some ways, computer structures, there's the -- the policy is led under EIA. But as I say, from what I understand of this -- of the substantial side here is that it's expected to see some progress over the summer. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Debates of March 10th, 2022
This is page numbers 3947 - 4016 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 know.
Topics
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3975
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Chair. I think -- well, so there's about $15 million here for information shared services, and then over in Infrastructure through the chargeback, there's another 30 something million. There's close to $50 million -- or $30 million for the TSC. And admittedly I'm rather ignorant about the difference between what ISSS does and what TSC does. In the broadest possible terms, I just wrote them up to be IT.
I'm just wondering if the Minister -- and I guess I find there's a bit of a problem here, and when you're spending $50 million on, you know, a lot of it on software and on IT and you have a bunch of MLAs who have no idea of whether that is an appropriate amount or whether that's -- we need more of it, it just kind of seems to be a black hole that we're throwing money into. I'm wondering there is a review -- you know, we're a few years into the creation of ISSS, whether there's a review underway? And I guess I would prioritize a bit of a spending review perhaps, you know, a third party IT audit, of whether this $50 million is doing what it's supposed to be doing. I'm just wondering if this is being looked at in any of that detail, because I'm not capable of that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. So yeah, I mean TSC really is the -- is our network. It's our hardware. It's sort of the functionality across, again, 6,000 strong public servants and multiple departments, divisions, corporations, etcetera, and including schools, right. So that's -- that's the TSC's function whereas, yeah, ISSS is, you know -- for example, the geomatic centre that's on there, I mean, the kind of data mapping and layering that they do is incredible. It's world class. This is, you know, similarly the kind of -- you know, to be able to deliver the amount of data that's stored within the government, to make an open data portal of it, I've had the opportunity to speak at some length asking not dissimilar questions. And as it starts to get laid out for me, all the steps that are needed to create a system that brings data in effectively and functionally and quickly -- you know, for example, Madam Chair -- I am mindful of time, but Madam Chair, when we first brought the -- or proof of vaccination system online, enter your name and your birthday, and it's popping up. That's the kind of stuff that's going through the ISSS to do that.
I might suggest, Madam Chair, we could offer a briefing. I don't know that we've ever offered a general briefing on what ISSS does and if we haven't, I think that would be a good solution. Thank you.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. You know, I think I might really enjoy that briefing, but I -- there may -- the excitement I share with Minister for ISSS may not be shared with a committee priority.
I guess I just -- one more question is is there, like, some sort of formal review? I know that this is a few years now that it's been created, and you know, whether it's working as planned? I believe there was a bit of a cost sharing kind of goal in centralizing this at one point. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I don't know that I have the -- enough of the history myself on this. So I might suggest directing that to the deputy minister, please. Thank you.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Mackay
Thank you, Madam Chair. So, yeah, the ISS was brought in to Finance in the last five years or so, and it -- we have been trying to work out what the role is with -- with respect to its relationship with TSC. So we are looking at ways that we can coordinate those functions a little better, including -- you know, we're looking at all the different options that we might put in place so and -- the CIO reminded me it's three years, not five years since ISS came to Finance. So -- and two were with COVID, so. We still are working out how best to deliver those services to the GNWT, ensure we have the network capability that we need to perform our functions and deliver services. But part of that review is to look at what the role of TSC might be with respect to ISS. Thank you.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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The Chair Lesa Semmler
Thank you. Are there any further questions under the office of the chief information officer? Member for Frame Lake.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. I'm just trying to contain myself from drooling at the prospect of an ISSS briefing. But more seriously, the government information -- government chief information officer seems to have taken a huge pay cut here from 2021 to 2022-2023, and I'm just wondering if somebody could explain that to me. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe, Madam Chair, that that is in relation to monies that were expended in the first year of the pandemic where significant costs were incurred in order to help, you know, shift over to Inninick to having the devices and hardware needed for schools and students to shift to online learning. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks. Is that, like, more than one person doing that, or -- it's just kind of an odd title to the program detail. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. So there is a chief information officer, and that's Rick Wind, but I think this particular line item is referencing something other than -- than his actual role. If I might just suggest taking that -- directing that over to Mr. Courtoreille, please.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Courtoreille
Thanks, Madam Chair. So the purchase of this hardware involved the chrome books, the turbo sticks, all the software and licensing related to online learning for students. The expenditure category where Members will see that expenditure take place is under computer hardware and software. But it rolls up under the -- the government chief information officer activity. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
Page 3976
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Okay, thanks for that. I'd like to go over to page 155. There's a four person increase in the active positions here in this one part of Finance. It seems to be a pretty big jump. Can someone tell me what those positions are? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
March 10th
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Committee Motion 201-19(2): Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Industry, Tourism and Investment - Deferral of Department, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I certainly can. I don't have it at my tip -- fingertips. Let me direct that to Mr. Courtoreille, I think, please.