Debates of December 7, 2011 (day 3)

Date
December
7
2011
Session
17th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
3
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Glen Abernethy, Hon. Tom Beaulieu, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Dolynny, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Jackie Jacobson, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Moses, Mr. Nadli, Hon. David Ramsay, Mr. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements
Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Abernethy.

TABLED DOCUMENT 5-17(1): annual report on the activities of the rental office 2010-2011

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled “Annual Report on the Activities of the Rental Office 2010-2011.”

Notices of Motion

MOTION 8-17(1): APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONS OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Daryl Dolynny, and the honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Wendy Bisaro, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole.

At the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Bisaro.

MOTION 9-17(1): RULES AMENDMENTS FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85 and substituting the following:

85.

(1)

At its first sitting after a general election, the Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of five Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the following standing committees of the Assembly:

on Economic Development and Infrastructure;

on Government Operations;

on Priorities and Planning;

on Rules and Procedures;

on Social Programs;

and any other standing and special committees as directed by the Assembly.

(2)

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and Investment, Municipal and Community Affairs, Public Works and Services, and Transportation:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation and the Public Utilities Board;

(b) review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(3) The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, the Executive, Finance and Human Resources:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies;

(b) review departmental performance and official language issues, including that of boards and agencies;

(c) review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Languages Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission;

(d) examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and Report of the Auditor General.

(i) In the event that the Assembly is not in session, the Speaker may provide the Auditor General’s report and the Minister of Finance may provide the public accounts to the committee for review, which may include public hearings, in advance of tabling; and

(e) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(4) The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning shall:

(a) review issues which have government-wide implications, including all devolution-related issues and the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;

(b) review Government of the Northwest Territories reports on financial and performance results and program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;

(c) coordinate sessional business scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate ministerial representatives;

(d) coordinate committee public consultation efforts with respect to budget and fiscal matters;

(e) coordinate committee strategic planning efforts;

(f) monitor and evaluate ministerial performance issues;

(g) consider the budgets and financial management of any boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee; and

(h) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(5) The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures shall:

(a) review the reports of the Chief Electoral Officer on the conduct of elections, plebiscites, or votes conducted in the Northwest Territories in accordance with statute;

(b) review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

(c) review and make recommendations on the implications and impacts that the implementation of self-government agreements will have on the powers, structures and procedures of the Legislative Assembly; and

(d) inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker or the Board of Management.

(6) The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;

(b) review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c) consider any other matter referred by the House.

At the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

MOTION 10-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STRIKING COMMITTEE

I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Moses, and Mr. Nadli be appointed to the Striking Committee of this Assembly.

At the appointed time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Robert C. McLeod.

MOTION 11-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure:

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Robert Bouchard, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh;

Mr. Michael Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure as alternate Members:

Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; and

Mr. Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Beaulieu.

MOTION 12-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Daryl Dolynny, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake; and

Mr. Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu;

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate Members:

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Robert Bouchard, the Member for Hay River North; and

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Abernethy.

MOTION 13-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL PROGRAMS

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs:

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Daryl Dolynny, the Member for Range Lake;

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; and

Mr. Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu;

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as alternative Members:

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Blake.

MOTION 14-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON RULES AND PROCEDURES

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures:

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and

the Honourable Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures as alternate Members:

Mr. Daryl Dolynny, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Albert Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake; and

the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion today. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Yakeleya.

MOTION 15-17(1): CONSENT TO INTERRUPT PROCEEDINGS TO RECEIVE AN ADDRESS FROM THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that notwithstanding any rules or usual practice of this Legislative Assembly, that on Thursday, December 8, 2011, this House shall interrupt its regular business at the appropriate hour in order to receive an address from the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable David Johnston, together will all the introductory and related remarks, and upon completion of such address the House shall continue with the business before it;

And further, that this House shall welcome representatives of the Aboriginal governments of the Northwest Territories to enter the Chamber at the appropriate time to bear witness of the address from His Excellency the Governor General.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bromley.

Motion 16-17(1): BILL C-10, SAFE STREETS AND COMMUNITIES ACT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, December 9, 2011, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislative Assembly urges the Government of Canada to recognize the special implications that Bill C-10 will have for the Northwest Territories;

And further, that this Legislative Assembly urges the Government of Canada to put in place measures to mitigate the costs of Bill C-10 to the Government of the Northwest Territories for additional court time, legal aid services, incarcerations and corrections infrastructure, and to provide funding for measures to address the root causes of crime;

And furthermore, that the Government of the Northwest Territories acts promptly to design, fund and implement comprehensive programs integrated across relative departments to prevent and divert offenders that might enter the justice system in order to avoid many of the justice and other costs government and people must bear resulting from the impacts of Bill C-10. Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Mr. Beaulieu.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Motions

MOTION 8-17(1): APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONS OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, CARRIED

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS it is a requirement for the naming of two Members to hold the position of deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to appoint two Members;

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that the honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Daryl Dolynny, and the honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Wendy Bisaro, be appointed as deputy chairpersons of Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the rules amendments motion I gave notice of earlier today.

---Unanimous consent granted

MOTION 9-17(1): RULES AMENDMENTS FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE, CARRIED

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 44 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act states that the Legislative Assembly may establish such standing and special committees to aid and advise it as it considers necessary;

AND WHEREAS the standing and special committees of the Legislative Assembly are established in the rules of the Legislative Assembly;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly has chosen to make revisions to the standing committees;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85 and substituting the following:

85.

(1)

At its first sitting after a general election, the Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of five Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the following standing committees of the Assembly:

on Economic Development and Infrastructure;

on Government Operations;

on Priorities and Planning;

on Rules and Procedures;

on Social Programs;

and any other standing and special committees as directed by the Assembly.

(2)

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and Investment, Municipal and Community Affairs, Public Works and Services, and Transportation:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation and the Public Utilities Board;

(b) review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(3) The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, the Executive, Finance and Human Resources:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies;

(b) review departmental performance and official language issues, including that of boards and agencies;

(c) review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Languages Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission;

(d) examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and Report of the Auditor General.

(i) In the event that the Assembly is not in session, the Speaker may provide the Auditor General’s report and the Minister of Finance may provide the public accounts to the committee for review, which may include public hearings, in advance of tabling; and

(e) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(4) The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning shall:

(a) review issues which have government-wide implications, including all devolution-related issues and the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;

(b) review Government of the Northwest Territories reports on financial and performance results and program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;

(c) coordinate sessional business scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate ministerial representatives;

(d) coordinate committee public consultation efforts with respect to budget and fiscal matters;

(e) coordinate committee strategic planning efforts;

(f) monitor and evaluate ministerial performance issues;

(g) consider the budgets and financial management of any boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee; and

(h) consider any other matter referred by the House.

(5) The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures shall:

(a) review the reports of the Chief Electoral Officer on the conduct of elections, plebiscites, or votes conducted in the Northwest Territories in accordance with statute;

(b) review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

(c) review and make recommendations on the implications and impacts that the implementation of self-government agreements will have on the powers, structures and procedures of the Legislative Assembly; and

(d) inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker or the Board of Management.

(6) The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;

(b) review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c) consider any other matter referred by the House.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the Government Operations committee appointments motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

MOTION 12-17(1): APPOINTMENTS TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, CARRIED

I move, seconded by the Member for Monfwi:

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires the Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Michael M. Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Daryl Dolynny, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake; and

Mr. Norman Yakeleya, the Member for Sahtu;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate Members:

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Robert Bouchard, the Member for Hay River North; and

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Bisaro.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the Striking committee motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted