Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I’d just note that we’ve done the calculations as we’re sitting here. The 2014 budget that we’ve just approved is a 9 percent increase, roughly, over last year. It’s the largest growth department, as it is just about every government of the land.

There have been some efficiencies with the changes we’ve made to personnel, how it’s managed, the navigator we put in place, the back office work were with various regions, but there are some significant cost-drivers here, the scheduled air travel, the tickets, ticket prices that have increased, reduced flight schedules...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have with me Mr. Mike Aumond, deputy minister of Finance; Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, deputy secretary to the FMB. Thank you.

There are a number of possibilities which we’re checking into. I can’t definitely give him a clear answer on that as the matter is still being checked into. I have gone back to the officials after our discussion in the House yesterday, as well, so I will, once again, have that information, when it’s ready, provided to the Member. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, the Legislature and the Government of the Northwest Territories have learned over the decades that what seems to be the best way to manage the money is putting a base budget, and if you are over, come back when you can justify the expense as opposed to anticipating at the beginning of the year a number, however big it would be, and then hoping it’s enough and that the things don’t expand, just spend the money available in the budget. Hard practice has shown and I know, if I can use fire fighting for example, they used to have a very rich budget. It ended up, when there was a...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is an annual event, but I will ask Mr. Kalgutkar if he would provide further detail as to the particulars of the process. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Across the country, the health costs are going up on an annual basis. In some cases, it’s a modest amount, a few percent. In many cases it is 6 to 9 percent. Yes, as this supp indicates, these costs pressures are consistent and inexorable. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2012-13. This document outlines an increase of $3.794 million in operations expenditures for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

The supplementary estimates consist of one item of $3.794 million for the Department of Health and Social Services for operating costs that exceeded the department’s appropriation authority as reflected in the 2012-13 Public Accounts.

I am prepared to review the details of the supplementary estimates document. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have asked the deputy to provide the information to why it came forward as a supp this year but, yes, next year it will be built in and won’t come forward as a supp, but with your indulgence, Mr. Chairman.

I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2014-2015. This document provides for a decrease of $542,000 to the capital budget.

The more significant items in this supplementary estimates include:

$1.418 million for the Department of Public Works and Services to facilitate tenant improvements required with the transfer of federal office space and 259 positions being devolved to the GNWT related to devolution implementation. The net impact on government operations is nil as these costs will be offset by funding received from the federal government.

A...

If there are improvements in the process that are needed, then we would, of course, look for those. But standard practice is the Department of Finance brings forward the request and it’s the Legislature that disposes and it’s the Speaker that requests, all we do is incorporate it into the budget. We don’t question it, we don’t defend it, we just process and bring the request to this House. So, we will get the information that was requested. Thank you.