Debates of June 2, 2005 (day 7)

June
2
2005
Day
7
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 1: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2005-2006
Committee Report 1-15(4): Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight Report On Progress On Committee Priorities And Objectives
Further Return To Question 86-15(4): Support For YWCA Rockhill Apartment Lease
Member's Statement On Clear And Consistent Guidelines For Recognizing Persons With Disabilities
Member's Statement On Relocation Of The Territorial Treatment Centre
Member's Statement On Supporting True Northern Businesses In NWT Communities
Member’s Statement On Consultation And Business Planning Process Of The GNWT
Member’s Statement On High School In Tuktoyaktuk
Member’s Statement On Information On The EDAP Program
Member’s Statement On List Of Priorities That The GNWT Must Address
Member’s Statement On Recognition Of Graduates Of Samuel Hearne Secondary School
Member’s Statement On Recognition Of The Hay River Track And Field Championships
Member’s Statement On Tribute to Linda Corkal And Sue Bennie Of The Parents Advisory Group, Range Lake North School
Minister's Statement 19-15(4): National Aboriginal Day
Minister's Statement 20-15(4): Track And Field Championships
Minister's Statement 21-15(4): New Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Collective Agreement
Minister’s Statement 18-15(4): Protection Against Family Violence Act
Minister’s Statement 22-15(4): Framework For Action
Minister’s Statement 23-15(4): NWT Gold Medal Win In World Skills Competition
Motion 2-15(4): Extended Adjournment Of The House To October 12, 2005, Carried
Motion 3-15(4): Amendment To Rule 85: Committee Terms Of Reference
Motion 3-15(4): Amendment To Rule 85: Committee Terms Of Reference, Carried
Petition 1-15(4): Infrastructure Poll
Point Of Order
Question 78-15(4): Payroll Issues For Seasonal Workers
Question 79-15(4): Level Playing Field For Businesses In NWT Communities
Question 80-15(4): Commitment To Provide List Of Capital Projects That Lapsed Or Were Held Over To Subsequent Years
Question 81-15(4): Greater Transparency On EDAP Program Details
Question 82-15(4): Consultation And Business Planning Process Of GNWT
Question 83-15(4): Delivery Of Programs Under Protection Of Family Violence Legislation
Question 84-15(4): Criteria For Identifying Disabled Persons In The NWT
Question 85-15(4): All-Weather Road To Link Mackenzie Delta Communities
Question 86-15(4): Support For YWCA Rockhill Apartment Lease
Question 87-15(4): Administration Of The GNWT Income Support Program
Question 88-15(4): Provision Of Lifeguard Services At Long Lake Beach
Return To Written Question 2-15(4): Alcohol Sales And Revenue
Tabled Document 19-15(4): Northwest Territories Law Foundation Twenty-Second Annual Report For Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2004
Tabled Document 20-15(4): Northwest Territories Mental Disorder Review Board Report To The Minister of Justice, February 2005
Tabled Document 21-15(4): Department Of Environment And Natural Resources: Framework For Action 2005-2008
Tabled Document 22-15(4): Workers’ Compensation Board 2004 Annual Report
Tabled Document 23-15(4): Public Accounts Of The Government Of The NWT, Interim Report For The Year Ended March 31, 2005
Written Question 3-15(4): Details Of The EDAP Program In The Past Two Fiscal Years
Written Question 4-15(4): Coordinating Initiatives To Strengthen The NWT
Written Question 5-15(4): Coordinating Initiatives To Strengthen The NWT
Statements

Question 82-15(4): Consultation And Business Planning Process Of GNWT

Madam Speaker, my questions this afternoon are for the Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat related to the process of consultation and changes in business plans and projects. Madam Speaker, it’s bewildering that Members were put through a cycle in the last few days of hearing again and again and again from one Minister that a project was a done deal, the money was in place, it was gone, it was over, and then for the Minister of Finance or FMBS to come before this Assembly and ask permission for what the Minister said is already a done deal. This is the dilemma that we’re in.

Madam Speaker, a few minutes ago the Minister did say, in response to a question from my colleague, that they do want to go back and revisit this guideline, strengthen it up, firm it up and I welcome that very much, but what I didn’t hear -- we’re talking about consultation -- is that the Minister is going to ask for our input into how we believe that process would come about. Is this going to be another one-sided, arbitrary process, or is the Minister going to invite our input into what we believe to be a satisfactory level of consultation? Thanks, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister responsible for the FMBS, Mr. Roland.

Consultation And Business Planning Process Of GNWT

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I think over a number of years the department has made changes in its process of how it does things as a result of concerns being raised in the House. We have made a number of changes and as I’d committed to this process I’m hearing the concerns here and looking at the document and seeing already where we can strengthen that. Again, I’ll provide that to the Members and see what input they want on it. Some Members would probably like to sit beside me at the FMB table and say yes or no to certain projects. Unfortunately, we won’t get to that level, but I will forward the revised draft of that section to the committee and Members of this Assembly for their input to see if that in fact it doesn’t meet their satisfaction. Thank you.