This is page numbers 5695 - 5762 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

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. To the principle of bill? Member for Range Lake.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to do some clarifications here. The intent of this bill is not around collective bargaining and it is not Cabinet directed or Cabinet did any presentations so I can't speak for the previous Cabinet, but I can speak for this one. At no time has Cabinet talked to the Regular Members in trying to say that this should be -- the sky is falling and that this needs to happen. This is an initiative by the Legislative Assembly, and I do support this initiative. The supply chain issues since COVID hit have been horrible for all of us. Our cost of living has gone up. Inflation is impacting residents, businesses, employers right across the board. I think that all of us at this time of what's happening, not only in the NWT but across Canada, have to be conscious of what we're doing to stop the rising inflation. And in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, this is part of that, that we would try to curb the inflation rates that are going to be unacceptable and unlivable for many people and residents of the Northwest Territories. So I do support this bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. To the principle of the bill. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although I understand the intent of this bill, as a politician for me it's never been about the money. It's about doing what's right for the people. And also, you know, we have to understand that, you know -- or to understand what people are going through, we almost have to live that as well. And there's a lot of people out there that I know that are struggling that I -- you know, I provided money to and I provided other supports as well. And, you know, I still kind of, you know, make ends meet. So I guess what I'm trying to -- what I'm going to do is introduce a revision to the motion as well and that's to freeze this year's increase and then go to a rolling average starting in a year from now. So, you know, at the end of the day, like I say, it's -- there's a lot of people out there struggling, and I think it's important that, you know, we do our part as well. And, you know, probably a lot of people here, maybe they made more money, you know, in other jobs, and that's their choice. If they want to go back to that, that's fine. The other thing is -- and we talk about, you know, recruiting people by, you know, having, you know, a higher remuneration for politicians but I don't think that's true. I think at the end of the day, we probably attract more people who really want to do this job. We get people from the communities. The North is small. And sometimes it's about, you know, picking the person who believes in what's happening on the ground, believes in people. And if we don't do that, we may as well not be here. Because for me, it's doing the right thing for the people. And right now, you know, when it comes to unions well, you know, they got -- they have to do what they have to do and at the end of the day, you know, I look at where I'm at and the decisions I have to make and it's got nothing to do with the union and their negotiations as well. So, yeah, so what I'm going to be doing is to ask for a -- is asking for a zero percent for a year and then go to rolling average after that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. To the principle of the bill? Member for Monfwi.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not about us. This is about the people that we serve in our region. And MLAs, the way that I look at them is that we are public servants. So we are here serving the people in the Northwest Territories just like under the people that are working for the GNWT under -- that are under the UNW collective agreement. For whatever UNW gets, I think -- I strongly believe that MLAs should be getting the same. Mr. Speaker, if this is good enough for the UNW who are representing the staff in the region, it should be good enough for us. So the way that this is presented at 6 percent increase, I do not support but maybe I will support with the amendments made. Like, zero percent and with some amendments made that's reflective of the UNW collective agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. To the principle of the bill. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 8.2(7) and have Bill 73 referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

We'll still have to have the vote. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried. Bill 73 has had second reading.

---Carried

Second reading of bills. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 8.2(7) and have Bill 73 referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to move Bill 73 into Committee of the Whole later today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Member for Thebacha. Oh sorry, the motion is in order. To the motion?

Okay, we already got unanimous consent. Okay, Bill 73 will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration later today. Thank you.

---Carried

Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 29, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67, and 68, Committee Report 40, 43, 44, 45-19(2), Minister's Statement 264-19(2), Tabled Document 681-19(2), Tabled Document 694-19(2), Tabled Document 813-19(2).

By the authority given to me as Speaker, I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the reasonable hours of adjournment, with 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? Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Committee wishes to deal with Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates, with Legislative Assembly and Department of Environment and Climate Change. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

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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 the first activity.

---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've agreed to consider Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates. We will now consider the Legislative Assembly. Does Mr. Speaker have any opening remarks?

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, I do, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. Overall, the Legislative Assembly's estimate proposes an increase of $2,165,000, or 8.5 percent, over the 2023-2024 Main Estimates.

Madam Chair, this year's estimates will focus on three overarching priorities, the majority of which will sunset at the end of 2023-2024:

  1. Adoption of the independent commission and compensation benefits recommendations, which is estimated at $135,000.
  2. The 2023 general election is anticipated to cost $1,323,000.
  3. Transition out from the 19th Assembly into the 20th Assembly is estimated to cost $777,000.

I look forward to answering any questions Members may have.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, do you wish to bring witnesses into the House?

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, I do.

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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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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my right, I have deputy clerk, members and precinct services, Ms. Kim Wickens. And to my left, I have deputy clerk, House procedures and committees, Mr. Glen Rutland.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?