This is page numbers 279 - 340 of the Hansard for the 20th Assembly, 1st 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

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

February 27th

Page 302

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I want to go to the Minister of Finance.

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

February 27th

Page 302

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the appropriation of the federal dollars. So any time the federal government signs an agreement or provides funding to the Government of the Northwest Territories, we still have to come forward even if we are, you know, open to signing the agreement, we still have to come forward to the Legislative Assembly to actually appropriate that money so that it can then go to the department. I mean, it goes back to the earlier conversation about short-term debt. Until the money gets appropriated in, you know, we have to come here formally and make an adjustment to the main estimates to say the federal government has come forward with funding, it needs to be formally appropriated on the floor. That's what this process is. So this is federal dollars that came from CanNor to supplement the SEED directive. This is an attempt to have the House approve that funding so that it can go to the SEED directive that was specifically stood up in support of businesses after the wildfires. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 302

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from YK Centre.

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

February 27th, 2024

Page 302

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

So just a -- and I understand that. I just -- it sounds like at one way that there's money already committed to this initiative and this is just backfilling it in some way. And so that's why I'm curious on how the process is working specifically to this because if people are interested in -- sorry, I wouldn't use interest. I'd say if people still need support and if the program is still open or not open, if it's receiving money or it's spent or they're backfilling or overspent, that's the type of clarification I'm trying to (audio). So if there's still room for applications, I think I sort of heard that, and I also think I sort of heard that one needs to apply through SEED. If I'm incorrect, the Minister's certainly welcome to fix that. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 302

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Minister of Finance.

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

February 27th

Page 302

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

There we go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I've lost my train of thought with all the physical activity there. But so it is a SEED program. There's a SEED directive that was issued back in the summer. The SEED directive provides details on eligibility and application process. I believe the application form is online if I'm not mistaken. And that application and that SEED directive is effective until March 31st of this year. This is the first chance given the election for us to come forward and seek a supplementary appropriation for funding that would have been received from CanNor. The Department of ITI went to CanNor during the wildfire evacuations to seek their support to enhance the funding that would be available under this envelope. They were successful. This is where that brings us to today. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 302

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'm going to the Member from YK Centre.

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

February 27th

Page 302

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

No, I'm okay, Mr. Chairman. I just was just trying to follow the money. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 302

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Is there any further questions from Members? I don't see none, I'm going to -- Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, economic diversification and business support, not previously authorized $1,308,000. Does the committee agree?

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

February 27th

Page 302

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Supplementary estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, mineral and petroleum resources, not previously authorized $127,000. Is there any questions? None. Does the committee agree?

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

February 27th

Page 303

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, total department, not previously authorized $1,435,000. Is there any questions? Don't see any, does the committee agree?

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

February 27th

Page 303

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we will now consider the Department of Infrastructure on page 11.

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024, Department of Infrastructure, assets management, not previously authorized $6,128,000. Is there any questions? So I'm going to go to the Member from Great Slave.

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

February 27th

Page 303

Kate Reid

Kate Reid Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Can the Minister please tell committee how much is partially offset by CIRNAC? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister of Finance.

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

February 27th

Page 303

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this stage, there's $3 million that's coming from CIRNAC to support phase one of this work. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Go to the Member of Great Slave.

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

February 27th

Page 303

Kate Reid

Kate Reid Great Slave

Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Any further questions? None. I'll read it out again.

Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024, Department of Infrastructure, assets and management, not previously authorized $6,128,000. I didn't see you. Member from YK North.

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

February 27th

Page 303

Shauna Morgan

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this is the harbour restoration. My understanding is that this work has been the first phase of harbour restoration, which implies more phases to come in the future. Is there an estimate of what upcoming costs will be for future phases of this project? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Go to Minister of Finance.

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

February 27th

Page 303

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So phase one is opening up really what was a bit of an emergency level or emergency sized channel for first year. That would help get the barge traffic moving again. So it's been many years that there has not been an adequate level of support for the harbour. Back in 2012, Public Works and Services of Canada was actually providing a lot more support so that their own kibscar facility vessels could actually maneuver as well as Department of Fisheries and Oceans. That stopped, and then as a result, the harbour built back up. So it became a bit of an emergency, and that was what was phase one. But phase two is to remove remaining build-up materials over four years in order to support the longevity of the harbour. The total project estimate at this time that I have is just other $13 million with some additional supports anticipated by CIRNAC. But, you know, again, at this point, for 2024-2025, we'll see what -- where that may land us. Thank you.

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

February 27th

Page 303

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from YK North.