Caroline Wawzonek

Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, the ability to provide bonuses to senior employees is really one of the only opportunities to provide some ongoing increase or benefits to those senior employees who are not anymore on the same step grade as other GNWT employees. Certainly, I would dispute the idea that this is an opportunity to find cuts. Every department's variance reports are available and can be looked at by the Members, including the Ministers, and I would think, if there were ongoing cuts being used inappropriately, that should come to light through a variety of other routes and tools and...

Madam Chair, they are not. Thank you.

Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Finance. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $21.3 million or 8.1 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our government's objective to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the coming year.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

$7.8 million in forced growth, which includes $4.5 million in short-term debt servicing requirements and $3.3 million in UNW collective bargaining...

Madam Chair, I think all I can say to the Member at this point is that that question has already been asked, and I will commit to get back when we have a more fulsome response. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, thank you. I have been writing down the list, as I'm sure others are, in listening to what is being said. As far as what we are going to put in there, the point of bringing this up and creating a plan for examining revenues, and taking it to committee, and then taking it out to the public, is to ensure that we examine all of the options and to try to be creative about it, which is something that we committed to in the course of the budget speech. I don't want to limit myself, and I don't intend to limit myself. Perhaps a much longer conversation is going to have to be had to...

No. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, it is Indigenous governments who are a party to the devolution agreement. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I certainly will commit to do that. I don't want this to sound like I am suggesting that the Member hasn't read all the materials that I have provided over the last week, but I do believe in the Tuesday budget documents that the financial, the economic outlook, and the fiscal documents do include some breakdown of how our debt is structured. If I am wrong about that, then I will make sure to include it going forward and to make sure that the Member gets exactly what he needs to understand, to be assured that our debt is actually a fiscally responsible one. Thank...

I think the Member has perhaps answered her own question ultimately on this particular matter. I understand that that is maybe rhetorical and directed at me for other reasons. I acknowledge that we are continuing to face challenges to have a workforce that is truly representative of the people of the Northwest Territories. That remains the goal of human resources. That remains my goal as Minister, and I believe it's reflected in the mandates that we were given here to increase employment opportunities across the Northwest Territories.

I would note that the Affirmative Action Policy is only one...

Madam Chair, challenges have been expressed. The hiring process that we have is meant to be one that is objective, that includes opportunities for objectivity in terms evaluating qualifications. The race to ensure that objectivity can make the process seem arduous, so I understand that there are some frustrations. I'm alive to it. I appreciate getting the comments from the Member. Thank you, Madam Chair.