Debates of March 24, 2004 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay, I'm just wondering if we can place your question under the capital acquisition plans.

Sure, I'd be happy to restate my comments under the section. Thank you.

Okay. Education and culture, operations expense. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the area here of culture, heritage and languages, the notes in the main estimates refer to the development of a northern arts strategy. This is something that is a carryover from the previous assembly, something that I've been looking forward to and so have dozens of organizations and hundreds of performers and volunteers in the arts area.

This is a joint approach, Mr. Chairman, between this department and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. I wanted to ask the Minister when we might see the actual completion of this strategy and the start of its implementation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe I indicated to standing committee that we expect to have it completed by May.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Braden.

Thank you. In the notes here in the main estimates, Mr. Chairman, there is no reference to any particular budget line that may be devoted to starting the implementation, and I'm wondering if the Minister might be able to speak at least on his department for what budgetary measures are anticipated to help get this strategy going. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There has been no funding identified for the strategy, per se. The strategy is more to cover how the government responds overall. The strategy itself doesn't need funding, but it would guide us in how we would handle contribution programs and so on.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Braden.

Okay. That opens up a number of areas, but they are probably more hypothetical and what I should do is wait until the strategy is brought forward, and then engage in that funding question. So that's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a short question under the culture, heritage and languages aspect of this page. Mr. Chairman, I believe Minister Dent is the only Member unique in this Assembly who has the functional ability to speak French. I think it's a very good thing and I would encourage him to exercise that capacity as often as possible. I think it is a good thing to have as many of the official languages being spoken in this Assembly as possible.

Mr. Chairman, having said that, I wanted to draw to the attention of the Minister that within the guidelines, six of the official languages guidelines manual under the act, I believe, there is a requirement to have government documents and government announcements translated and broadcast in official languages which include French. I'm not sure about the burden of that requirement. I don't believe it's mandatory, but it's certainly encouraged. I understand that there are some departments who do practice that guideline, but not all departments. So I would like to have a commitment from the Minister, perhaps a letter or guideline to all the departments reminding everyone of that requirement and to encourage them to follow that guideline. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can certainly talk with my colleagues and make sure that they're reminded of this requirement.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. After I have complimented on his ability to speak French, I was hoping for a firmer commitment on the part of the Minister. May I ask for the Minister to write a letter to all of the Ministers or employees, or make some sort of a public statement reminding that department? Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, I'll make sure that I remind all Ministers of the guidelines and remind them that they should be paying attention to those guidelines.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Lee.

I would ask for a copy of whatever communication he puts out, please. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

I'll keep that request in mind, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Lee.

That concludes my question on that matter. Thank you.

Further comments? Details? Page 9-17, education and culture, operations expense, total operation expense, $134.837 million.

Agreed.

Page 9-19, education and culture, grants and contributions, grants, total grants, $52,000.

Agreed.

Contributions, carry over to 9-21. Total contributions, $121.761 million. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 9-20, the item at the bottom of the page, the NWTTA professional improvement fund. Noting about a 40 percent increase from the current year to the coming year, I wonder if the Minister could provide some information on the case for this seemingly quite significant jump. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a benefit that is negotiated through the collective agreement, so there was an increase from 2.25 percent to three percent of salaries.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Braden.

I guess if it's a negotiated item as per a collective agreement, there is no discretion in this figure then, is that correct?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Dent.

Mr. Chairman, this is negotiated as part of the contract with the NWTTA, so there is no discretion. This is an agree-to amount that is stipulated in that contract.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under this item on page 9-20, NWT Arts Council, I want to just raise a concern that has been brought to many Members here from the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre for some assistance with their core funding. I just wanted to lay out the situation here where currently the northern arts centre, I think a lot of Members are aware that this facility was set up by community volunteers. They raised a lot of money to set this up and it is a very important institution in our city. I think arts and cultural activities and performances are a very integral part of any civilized society. It is something that is very appreciated and valued by the Yellowknife citizens. It certainly brings lots of cultural performances that people enjoy. But the facility is in under serious deterioration. It does need some assistance. They do raise a lot of money from selling tickets to their performances and through various funding organizations. I think what should be made aware is under the funding structures that the GNWT has, they have to apply for money along with every other society and cultural group. The only burden they have that others don't have is that they have to maintain a facility that does cost money, that does need capital investment, it does need capital replacement and such. When you look at the Yukon Arts Centre, and the Yukon has a larger population than we do and I don't think Whitehorse is much bigger than Yellowknife, yet the Yukon government gives $500,000 for core funding to their Yukon Arts Centre. Whereas, NACC gets a mere $30,000 a year from the GNWT.

What's more, Mr. Chairman, the City of Yellowknife gives $40,000 to this organization, and I think it's a real shame that the GNWT gives less than what the city does. The organization is in a serious financial situation and I just want to know if the Minister would look at his programs and see whether the government's contribution to this important organization could have any chance of improvement. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms, Lee. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I don't disagree with the Member that NACC is an important and useful organization. The facility is quite unique and also important to have. But I think it's important to recognize that the contributions from this government involve the space there. If they had to lease that space it would probably cost $100,000 a year. That's provided by this government as a charity lease. This government does pay for the utilities and maintenance, and that costs about $48,000 a year, on top of the $30,000 grant. We are always prepared to listen to requests from volunteer agencies and try to work with them to do what we can. But as recently as when Sir John was renovated, the facility was re-carpeted and painted. To be honest, there hasn't been an official approach from this agency asking for a change in the contribution either. We would be hard pressed to change what we're doing, and as I have outlined we are doing more than just the $30,000 grant that the Member mentioned. It is a good facility and we hope to see them be successful. But this may be another situation where we're going to have to look for partnerships. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Could I just ask the Minister to consider my statement here as somewhat of a notice of the situation that's going on with NACC? I know the Minister is also well aware of the situation, and I am sure the NACC representatives would be making some sort of formal proposal. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask the Minister to take a look at the proposal and give it good consideration. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, certainly when a proposal comes forward like that, it will be given careful consideration. I would be happy, at that time, to meet with the board and discuss their proposal. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ms. Lee.

Thank you. That concludes my comment on that issue. Thank you.