Debates of Feb. 7th, 2025

This is page numbers 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

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
NWT Personal Support Worker Bilateral Agreement (HSS
Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Northwest Territories Nominee Program
Insurance Rates
Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closure
Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closure
Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closure
Substance Abuse Counselling Services
Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closure
Condition of Housing in Inuvik
Deton'cho Renewable Energy Project
Support for Funeral Costs
Celebration of Life of Marie Lou Pineda Leguerrier
Immigration Programs in the Northwest Territories
Renaming of the Northwest Territories
Impacts of Illicit Drug Activity on Housing Units and Tenants in Inuvik
Home Insurance Costs
Aurora College Management and Oversight
Closure of Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Addictions Support and Resources for Residents in Small Communities
Cultural Sensitivity and Costs Related to Funeral Preparation
Closure of Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Role of the Public Administrator of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Immigration Programs in the Northwest Territories
Improving Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Service Delivery
Cultural Sensitivity and Costs Related to Funeral Preparation
Closure of Aurora College Community Learning Centres
Improving Income Support and Housing Support Programming
Fiscal Sustainability Framework
Tabled Document 278-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, (2024-2025) Tabled Document 279-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025
Tabled Document 280-20(1): Northwest Territories State of the Conservation Network 2024
Tabled Document 281-20(1): Report of the Northwest Territories Integrity Commissioner Dismissing the Complaint by Deneze Nakhek'o (Daniel Richards) about Disclosure of Identifying Information about Him by the Honourable Shane Thompson, MLA for Nahendeh
Bill 17: Municipal and Community Affairs Statutes Amendments Act
Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 278-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025
Deferral Motion - Tabled Document 279-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025 - Deferral of Directorate, Department of Finance
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Partnership and Business Names Act
First Reading Of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Shane Thompson

Thank you, Minister for Justice. Pursuant to rule 8.2(3), Bill 18 is deemed to have first reading and is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Tabled Document 275-20(1), Tabled Document 278, and Tabled Document 279, with the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh in the chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

I'd like to call committee to order. I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Denny Rodgers

Denny Rodgers Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee would like to review the Supplemental Appropriation (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025. And Supplemental Appropriation (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025. Mr. Chair, I believe they're Tabled Documents 278 and 279. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Does the committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. We're going to take a short break and then we'll resume.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Order. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Tabled Document 278-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, February 7, 2025.

Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 278-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Briefly, Mr. Chair. Briefly, Mr. Chair, I am here to present Tabled Document 278-20(1), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025. This document proposes a total increase of $3.064 million comprised of the following items:

  • $2.551 million of funding to complete Phase 1 of the Prohibition Creek Access Road. This funding is partially offset by revenues received from the Government of Canada;
  • $1.17 million in transfers from the 2024-2025 operations appropriation to this infrastructure appropriation for the purchase of vehicles across multiple departments;
  • A decrease of $832,000 to reflect the changes in project timelines for the NWT courts modernization project;
  • A $250,000 transfer from Finance to Heath and Social Services to undertake the MediPatient project; and,
  • $175,000 funding for the professional licensing project with the National Registry of Physicians. This funding is fully offset by revenues received from the Government of Canada.

That concludes opening remarks. I would be happy to answer questions, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you, Minister. Does the Minister of Finance wish to bring in witnesses forward?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, please, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Does the committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

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

Thank you. Would the Minister please introduce her witnesses.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, on my left, deputy minister of finance Bill MacKay; and on my right, Mandi Bolstad, the deputy secretary to the financial management board.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I will now open the floor for general comments. Is there any general comments? Seeing no further general comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in tabled documents?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we will begin on page 5 with the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Environment and Climate Change, operations expenditures, policies and strategic planning, not previously authorized, $83,000. Are there any questions?

Seeing no further questions. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Environment and Climate Change, operations expenditures, policy and strategic planning, not previously authorized, $83,000. Does the committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Environment and Climate Change, operations expenditures, total department not previously authorized, $83,000. Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we will now consider the Department of Finance on page 6. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, Office of the Chief Information Officer, not previously authorized, negative $1,082,000. Are there any questions? Seeing no further questions.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, Office of the Chief Information Officer, not previously authorized, negative $1,082,000. Does the committee agree.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, total department not previously authorized, negative $1,082,000. Does the committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
First Reading Of Bills

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Committee, we will now consider the Department of Health and Social Services on page 7.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Health and Social Services, capital investment expenditures, administrative and support services, not previously authorized, $250,000. Are there any questions? Seeing no further questions.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2024-2025, Department of Health and Social Services, capital investment expenditures, administrative and support services, not previously authorized, $250,000. Does the committee agree?