Statements in Debates
Merci, Madam la Presidente. The Member for Yellowknife North has set a high standard for the replies to the budget address, so I want to recognize his passion and insights. I'm not sure I can come anywhere close to that performance, but I do wish to encourage all my fellow regular MLAs to use this opportunity to set forth their views on the budget, our fiscal situation, and how to translate our priorities and mandate into action through this first budget of the 19th Assembly.
I will use my reply to the budget address to set out some thoughts on the following:
A quick summary of the 2020-2021...
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Does this budget go to the Financial Management Board? Who signs off on the budget? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Yes. I have had this issue brought to my attention by some constituents, as well. When someone is not successful in a GNWT competition, are they actually informed of whatever appeal rights they may have? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. So, we've contracted out the management of the Heritage Fund. What kind of management fees are involved in management of our Heritage Fund now? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. One of the things that we have heard about in terms of human resources that has caused some concerns are the number of direct appointments. Can the Minister commit to provide a table showing the number of direct appointments by year and by department, say, for the last couple years, and if there is some overall rationale as to why direct appointments are done? That would be very helpful to get. Can the Minister commit to provide that and table it in the House? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Look, I just don't know. How close are the Yukon and Nunavut to their borrowing limits, and are they part of these discussions, as well? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Maybe I can start with there is a mandated 10-year review required of the Heritage Fund Act that is going to take place during the life of this Assembly. Can the Minister tell us what her department is doing to get ready for that review? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. The Minister is great because she has actually anticipated my next question. If we haven't done an evaluation on Shared Corporate Services, what kind of assurance can the Minister give me that the ISSS, or whatever we want to call it, is actually working as it has been touted? I want to know whether the evaluation was done on the Shared Corporate Services unit and if that can be shared with us. The next question, which she has anticipated, is: what is the evaluation framework for the ISSS, or whatever it is called? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. I am not sure I should say if I am less or more optimistic than the Minister, but she's got her hands on the numbers. Have we actually written to or formally requested an increase in the borrowing limit? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Yes, so this is part of the problem. I tried to get this fixed in the last Assembly, and it's not. This is basically money that is at the complete discretion of Cabinet and doesn't even have to be used for energy investments. It can be used for whatever Cabinet wants to use it for, I guess, as approved by this Assembly. Do we actually have any rules yet set out for how the grants are going to be accessed? I know I asked the Minister in the House back in December about this issue. Are those rules or guidelines in place yet for accessing the grant money that is available...