Debates of June 1, 2005 (day 6)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My questions this afternoon are for the Minister of Finance and this is in relation to the decision to move the Territorial Treatment Centre to Hay River. Madam Speaker, this Assembly in the last fiscal year, 2004-05, approved an expenditure for the Territorial Treatment Centre here in Yellowknife. I wonder if the Minister could give us a bit of background. What was the amount of money that was approved and what was the status of that project as approved by this Assembly for the last fiscal year? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The money that was approved in 2004-05 for the Territorial Treatment Centre and subsequently brought forward this year would lapse and as we are doing now, the money has now been identified through the supplementary appropriation that is going to come before this House and will be dealt with in that fashion, requesting the Assembly to approve the change in designation of those funds. Those funds were identified for the facility, Territorial Treatment Centre, in Yellowknife. To move that money now to upgrade that facility would require approval of this Assembly. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When a plan is brought before the Assembly and approval is given, there is an expectation that it will happen or that at least an explanation will be provided in a timely manner why it’s not happening. Until a few days ago, Madam Speaker, this House was not aware that the plans to invest that money in the TTC here in Yellowknife had been changed. Can the Minister explain why this Assembly, and certainly at least the Members for Yellowknife, were not made aware of the stoppage of a major program approved by this House? Why didn’t he tell us about it? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Minister Roland.

Further Return To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the project as was outlined in the budget and as the budget is approved, there are expectations from communities and those who have been working on the project of that project moving ahead. There are many projects we can use as examples of a project being on the capital plan and even to the point where you see identified for the next fiscal coming up is then deleted from that program because of other issues that have come up. In this case, the Department of Health and Social Services came forward to FMB and Cabinet to identify changes in plans and had brought forward the material to request the change and a designation. That has been given and now we are following through as required by the process that we have in place of informing the House as well as seeking approval for moving those dollars that were approved. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are about two months into the new fiscal year now. There must have been some months in the past fiscal year that the government had new information and changed its mind about something but didn't tell us. Will the Minister tell this Assembly today what was it, several months ago obviously, that caused Cabinet to change its mind about the investment in the TTC here in Yellowknife? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Minister Roland.

Further Return To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the process that we use as a Cabinet and FMB when Ministers would come forward with plans or changes in plans, they would have to come and address their changes to us and seek our approval. In this case, a facility was being considered for a major retrofit or replacement and the estimates that are put into the document, in the budget we vote on, are class D estimates and are still subject to change.

As another facility had become available in the territory and looking at the decentralization aspect of government as well as how we conduct our business, this was brought forward and approval was sought through FMB and we received it. That is why we find ourselves as we are today with the request coming forward through a supplementary for a change in designation of that money. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Okay. I have the picture on the process here, but I am really looking for the substantiation, Madam Speaker, and the reason that Cabinet accepted the proposal from Health and Social Services, Madam Speaker, without looking for other options or other viable proposals for the use the Dene K'onia facility; obviously a good building, but we have learned requiring substantial new renovations. Was there no thought of looking for other options by which this facility could be utilized? Why was the TTC centre seemingly, Madam Speaker, automatically chosen for this task? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Minister Roland.

Further Return To Question 73-15(4): Status Of 2004-05 Funding Approval For Territorial Treatment Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as the process unfolded and the Minister had come forward with this plan and one other department had declared this space as not being used in the future for government purposes and looking at the plans, at that point the plan had come forward to change communities for the Territorial Treatment Centre. On the basis of the information provided to us, we reviewed it and had approved the plan to proceed. On that basis, we have now come forward with the plan and are asking for approval of this Assembly in moving those dollars. Thank you.