Debates of June 1, 2005 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 76-15(4): Accuracy of Information Provided by the NWTHC

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think because the information that the Member is talking about showed up in the hands of the press, I felt that it wasn’t for me to release any more information until I was sure that I was following aboveboard that this information was not going to be released publicly and that we also realize whether we’re breaching ATIPP legislation. So I had to ensure the protection of the clients were first ensured, that their information did not fall into the wrong envelope that would have ended up somewhere else. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services with respect to the proceedings between the NWT and B.C. health authorities interjurisdictional agreement that I requested back in the fall. I’m just wondering if there’s any progress or if there’s anything being done in this regard to help the residents of Fort Liard and their needs of accessing health in B.C. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 77-15(4): BC-NWT Health Authorities Interjurisdictional Agreement

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I have talked about the issue with the deputy minister, as well as the CEO of the Deh Cho health authority and she’s confirmed that in the past there was an arrangement, and I’ve indicated to her that we should look at trying to revise our current arrangement where things are done through Stanton to make them aware of that particular circumstance and recognize the unique situation the Member has talked about in this House between Fort Liard and Fort Nelson. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 77-15(4): BC-NWT Health Authorities Interjurisdictional Agreement

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Here is another example of where we’re supposed to be getting something moving on this so I tell the residents of Fort Liard that we’re going to be looking at this and addressing those needs, that it doesn’t make financial sense to drive two hours and then fly all the way to Yellowknife to get their needs met. Recently I was back in Fort Liard and people with medical conditions were telling me I have to go all the way to Yellowknife to say yes, I have knee problems. If they can do that, if they can get this agreement off the ground or at least discussions going as soon as possible, I’m sure we can get better service for the needs of the residents of Fort Liard, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 77-15(4): BC-NWT Health Authorities Interjurisdictional Agreement

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I’ll commit -- and I appreciate the time delay and frustration -- to having the issue resolved by the end of June and I’ll keep the Member informed. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Time for question period has lapsed. Mr. Yakeleya.

Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to go to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the Sahtu powerhouse negotiating team for self-government. I’d like to recognize Danny Gaudet, chief negotiator for Deline self-government.

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I’d like to recognize O'khi Leon Modeste, elder.

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A former chief and constituent of mine and a good worker, Andrew John Kenny, the young elder.

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Elder Alfred Taniton from Deline.

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Learning to be an elder, Morris Neyelle.

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And a young elder, Fredrick Kenny.

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Madam Speaker, I’d like to table the following document entitled Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program Policy. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Fair Practices Office Annual Report, January 1 to June 30, 2004. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I also wish to table the following document entitled Annual Report on the Activities of the Rental Office, 2004. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

--Carried

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006, be read for the first time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Question.

All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006, be read for the second time.

Madam Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2005-06 fiscal year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Roland. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Question.

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you. We have one item before Committee of the Whole: Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee wishes to consider Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006.

Thank you. Is that agreed by committee?

Agreed.

At this time, can we take a short recess?

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---SHORT RECESS

We are now in Committee of the Whole to deal with Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister if he has any opening comments.

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I am here to introduce Bill 1, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006. This bill requests authority for additional appropriations of $21.342 million for operations expenditures and $32.002 million for capital investment expenditures in the 2005-06 fiscal year.

Major items included in this request for operations expenditures are as follows:

$16.1 million for the Department of Executive, Financial Management Board Secretariat, for the resources associated with the human resource amalgamation. Of this amount, $14.8 million was transferred from other departments;

$3.2 million for the Department of Health and Social Services for the additional costs incurred for the provision of hospital services for NWT residents in hospitals outside of the NWT;

$2.2 million for initiatives to prepare for the Mackenzie gas project, as follows:

$1.3 million for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to provide contribution funding to assist communities to prepare for the project and participate in the review process;

$440,000 for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for three community benefits agreements specialist positions and a community benefits coordinator position to help communities identify issues, anticipated impacts and strategies;

$378,000 for the Department of Health and Social Services for three regional workshops to examine anticipated social impacts and initiate collaborative planning to monitor and mitigate these impacts; and,

$110,000 for the Department of Health and Social Services for a social impacts coordinator position for a two-year term to coordinate the community monitoring and mitigation of the social impacts.

The operational funding request also includes $2.8 million for contribution funding for the continuation of infrastructure projects not completed in the 2004-05 fiscal period. Funding for these projects was approved and lapsed in 2004-05.

The operations funding requests are within the 2005-06 supplementary reserve.

The major request for capital investment expenditures is $29.5 million in capital carryovers from the 2004-05 fiscal year.

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

Thank you, Mr. Minister. At this time, I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to bring in any witnesses.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Does committee agree?