Rylund Johnson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today and speak about transparency in infrastructure budgeting.

Last fall in this House, we passed a confidential amount for the Whati Power Project. We're not allowed to say how much we passed. We also know the total amount of that project but it's confidential information. And when you ask the government why we can't talk about how much a specific project says, they say oh, it'll affect tendering. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I just don't believe that is remotely true.

A comparable project, the Fort Providence Transmission Line, we know costs $60 million. In...

Against.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Information and Privacy Commissioner Committee Report was read into the record on Monday, May 30th, 2022. This is an annual report as both the Health Information Act and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act require that the Information and Privacy Commissioner file an annual report.

I'd like to thank Mr. Andrew Fox, who appeared before committee on February 10th, 2022. He has stepped into that role after a long time Information and Privacy Commissioner, and he has done great work.

Committee has made a number of recommendations, which I will speak to...

In favour.

In favour.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Madam Chair.

For.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide an update on complying with Section 72(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which requires the head of a public body to establish and publish categories of records to be made available to the public without a request for access;

AND FURTHER, the update should include a summary of the progress achieved so far and the timelines for full compliance at each public body. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Speaker, that's approaching about two years since it officially opened. Perhaps the Minister could just provide a bit more of an understanding of what the technical issues are or whether this will cost us more money. Is there a new tender going out. You know, and if this can be provided at a later date, that's fine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide an update on its plan to reduce the use of faxing across the health and social services system, including:

Metrics on reductions in the use of faxing achieved so far;

The targets and associated timelines for future reductions; and

If faxing cannot or will not be eliminated, an explanation on why the use of fax cannot or will not be eliminated, and what measures the department is taking to mitigate the risk of data breaches arising from misaddressed documents.

Thank you, Madam Chair.