In the Legislative Assembly on March 7th, 2023. See this topic in context.

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

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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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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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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.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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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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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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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?

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

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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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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, I do.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Committee, we will defer the departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with expenditures on behalf of Members on page 9. Questions. Member for Frame Lake.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. So on page 9, the compensation and benefits is increasing by about, it looks like almost $600,000. Can I have someone explain to me what that increase consists of? Thanks.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for the question there, Mr. O'Reilly. Just to break it down a bit here, under Member's base salary, it's $137,000. Capital allowances for expenses is $13,000, CPI increase of $120,000. CWEA prorated at $139,000. Transition allowance, which makes up the most part, at $474,000.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. And thanks for that information. So how much of this is this, say the 6.8 percent increase in CPI for indemnity office holders and allowances? That total, I think -- can someone tell me what that total is? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The one-time forced growth funding at 6.3 percent would be $305,000 to fund for the Consumer Price Index. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

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

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Okay, thanks. And so if this was reduced to the 3.02 percent, it would be, I don't know, probably $150,000; is that a correct ballpark figure? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It'll actually be $154,029. Thank you.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

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

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

No, thanks for that, the accuracy of those numbers, much appreciated. I don't have anything further. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Are there any further questions from Members from the expenditures on behalf of Members?

Seeing none, Legislative Assembly, expenditures on behalf of Members, operations expenditure summary, 2023-2024 Main Estimates, $10,930,000. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

March 7th

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. We will now go to Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, beginning on page 11 with information items on page 12. Questions?

Seeing no questions, Legislative Assembly, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, operations expenditure summary, 2023-2024 Main Estimates, $1,973,000. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Next is Office of the Clerk, beginning on page 14 with information items on page 15. Questions.

Seeing no questions, please turn to page 14. Legislative Assembly, Office of the Clerk, operations expenditure summary, 2023-2024 Main Estimates, $10,081,000. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Office of the Speaker, beginning on page 17 with information item on page 18. Question. Member for Frame Lake.

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

March 7th, 2023

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Yeah, on page 17, I guess there was quite a -- anyway, back in 2021-2022, actuals were about $1.4 million and 2023-2024, it's around -- well, 545. What happened in 2021-2022? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

March 7th

Page 5709

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Mr. Speaker.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll hand it over to Ms. Wickens for more detail.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Ms. Wickens.

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

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Wickens

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, in 2021-2022 we had a sole inquiry, and those costs were used to cover that.

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

March 7th

Page 5709

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

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

March 7th

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Oh yes, no further questions. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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

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Page 5709

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Are there any further questions to Office of the Speaker from Members?

Seeing none, please turn to page 17. Legislative Assembly, Office of the Speaker, operations expenditure summary, Main Estimates 2023-2024, $545,000. Does committee agree?

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

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Page 5709

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

March 7th

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Statutory offices beginning on page 20 with information items on page 21 and 22. Questions.

Seeing no questions. Thank you. There's an additional information item on page 23. Are there any questions? If there are no questions, please turn to page 20.

Legislative Assembly, statutory offices, operations expenditure, Main Estimates 2023-2024, $4,926,000. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Members. Please return now to the departmental summary found on page 5. Revenue summary information item on page 6. Questions. No further questions, committee, I will now call the department summary.

Legislative Assembly, operations expenditure, total department, 2023-2024 Main Estimates, $27,655,000. Mr. O'Reilly.