Statements in Debates
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to my colleagues. Cabinet seems to be able to find money for its priorities, but when we will get serious about our social infrastructure deficit? Later today I'll have questions for the Minister of Health. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have some questions on page 202 on grants and contributions. I see the film industry rebate program; last year, the main estimates were $206,000. Again, the same was totally used in revised estimates. Why is it dropping down to $100,000 this year? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think that is all the questions I have for corporate management. I just am scrolling through. Once again, I want to go on record in saying that I find it difficult to understand how the department is going to continue with a very ambitious legislative agenda while it is cutting its policy legislation and communications budget at the same time. We have already seen delays, and I am afraid we are going to see more delays from this department, and I think evidence, the request for qualifications for the Mineral Resources Act, we may not see that until 2018 now.
Once again, I...
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the answer, thank you. Can the Minister or his staff explain the decrease in purchased services from 2016-17 to what is in the current estimates for 2017-18? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm on page 198, Corporate Management. Under policy, legislation and communications, I see that last year the department was not able to spend the amount that was put into the main estimates. This year there is a further reduction. I mentioned in my opening remarks how this department has a number of important legislative initiatives that it keeps saying it's going to bring forward. Can the Minister explain to me how these legislative initiatives are going to come forward on time when the department is making reductions? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I appreciate that detail from the deputy minister. I think I heard her say that the department is prepared to look within, internally, for the money to actually implement the program. Is another option to actually bring forward a supplementary appropriation? Is that something the Minister is considering? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. When I tried to raise this earlier, in the main estimates, I was told to come back here. I want to ask the Minister and his staff about midwifery services. I think the last time I asked about this he said that they had hired some consultants. I am not sure exactly what they were doing, but can the Minister give us an update of where we are with the territorial midwifery service and particularly with regard to service here, in Yellowknife? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. So I think I heard the Minister say that he is personally interested in trying to push a national pharmacare program. Is that the position of the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I could bank some quips there, but I won't. The only reason is because we are having some greater efficiencies in purchasing drugs, no other reductions or efficiencies being found there? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Human Resources.
Can the Minister provide the latest available information on the status of public services staffing, specifically the number of full-time indeterminate positions vacant each month to date in the 2016-17 fiscal year by department or agency, and:
The number of active staffing actions to fill vacant indeterminate positions in each of these months;
The total number of hours and costs of overtime paid during each of these months;
The total number of hours and costs of overtime paid during each of these months in positions where...