Debates of March 7, 2005 (day 50)

Agreed.

Page 7-44, information item, services to the public, active positions.

Agreed.

Page 7-45, information item, services to the public, active positions.

Agreed.

Information item, work performed on behalf of others, page 7-47.

Agreed.

Information item, work performed on behalf of others, pages 7-48 and 7-49.

Agreed.

Information item, 7-49, working on behalf of others, $1.833 million.

Agreed.

Now turn to page 7-7, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $79.803 million.

Agreed.

Now turn to volume two. Mr. Ramsay.

Have Members returned to their volume two? Activity summary, services to government, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $513,000.

Agreed.

Thank you. On page 6-5, infrastructure acquisition plan, services to government, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $55,000. Total activity, $55,000.

Agreed.

Page 6-6, activity summary, legal aid services, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $656,000.

Agreed.

Thank you. Page 6-7, activity summary, courts, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $2.306 million.

Agreed.

Thank you. Page 6-8, infrastructure acquisition plan, courts, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $1.542 million, total activity, $1.542 million. Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Just with regard to NWT law courts, territorial, for $1.092 million, at this time, for the record, Madam Chair, I would just like to say that I will not support the expenditure for that amount. I gave the reasons why before during the general comments, so just for the record, I would like to let you know that I will not support a $1.092 million expenditure for the new courthouse. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Also regarding earlier comments and for the record, I will not be supporting the $1.092 million for the NWT law courts.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Total activity $1.542 million.

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Page 6-9, activity summary, community justice and corrections, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $55.079 million.

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Page 6-10, infrastructure acquisition plan, community justice and corrections, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $90,000, total activity, $90,000.

Agreed.

Agreed. Activity summary, services to the public, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $814,000.

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Page 6-12, infrastructure acquisition plan, services to the public, tangible capital assets, total tangible capital assets, $93,000, total activity, $93,000, total department, $1.780 million.

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Back to the start. Department summary, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $59.368 million.

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Does the committee agree that that concludes the review of the main estimates for the 2005-06 fiscal year for the Department of Justice?

Agreed.

Agreed. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dent. Thank you, Mr. Cooper. Thank you, Ms. Schofield.

What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. If the Minister of DPW is ready with his opening remarks, I would be prepared to receive them.

The Member is indicating that we will proceed with the opening comments for the Department of Public Works and Services. Is the committee agreed?

Agreed.

The committee is agreed. Thank you. We'll give Mr. Dent a couple of minutes here, and then we'll ask Mr. Roland if he will please proceed with his opening comments on the Department of Public Works and Services. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the Department of Public Works and Services' main estimates for the fiscal year 2005-06.

The main estimates propose a department operations and maintenance budget for 2005-06 of $44.3 million and an infrastructure investment plan of $7.8 million. This is a .08 percent decrease over the 2004-2005 Main Estimates.

Public Works and Services provides necessary technical and professional support to other departments as they work to achieve government objectives by delivering direct services to our residents. The resources of Public Works and Services are used to provide support services to departments and communities including:

management of capital construction projects;

renovation and construction of territorial and community infrastructure;

operation and maintenance of infrastructure;

technical support in the provision of community drinking water;

computer and data communication services for government offices throughout the territory;

leasing of government offices; and,

records management services.

The department also manages an additional $80 million on behalf of its clients through a number of revolving funds, chargebacks and capital transfers.

In providing services to other departments, Public Works and Services works to achieve an appropriate balance between:

the expectations of our residents for high quality services;

the practical constraints of operating in our difficult northern environment; and,

the limitations of our current budgets.

I would like to take a moment to mention a few recent building and infrastructure projects:

the new community office building in Trout Lake;

the new academic building for Aurora College in Inuvik;

renovation of the health centre in Sachs Harbour;

the new water treatment systems in Tsiigehtchic and Sachs Harbour; and,

the new wetlands sewage treatment system for Wha Ti.

All of these are important community, regional and territorial facilities that will contribute in a positive way to achieving the government's long-term objectives. Public Works and Services is part of the team responsible for delivering these projects.

Another important role for this department is to be a part of the GNWT team responsible for ensuring the quality of community drinking water, working closely with the departments of Health and Social Services, Municipal and Community Affairs, and Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

Public Works and Services provides technical support for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of community water systems.

Finally, I would like to mention the provision of essential fuel services. Through the petroleum products revolving fund, Public Works and Services funds the provision of heating fuel and gasoline in communities where a commercial operation does not exist. This includes providing safe tank farms in these remote locations as well as contracting with and training local fuel delivery agents to provide the services. These agents have an important function in their communities, and Public Works and Services works with them to carry out this important service.

Public Works and Services continues to strive to be responsive to its many clients and to provide a high level of support to departments and the people of the Northwest Territories. The budget that we are reviewing today will contribute to achieving this objective.

That concludes my opening remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Now can I ask the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development to make their report? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development met with the Minister of Public Works and Services, PWS, and his staff on January 17, 2005, to review the department’s draft main estimates for 2005-2006.

The mandate of PWS is to design, construct, acquire, operate and maintain, buildings, works and equipment. Its mandate also includes implementing energy-efficient projects in Government of the Northwest Territories’ buildings and works required for the Government of the Northwest Territories to deliver its programs and services. PWS also provides a system of specialist services intended to enhance efficiency of government departments, and makes essential petroleum products available for the sale to the public where these are not provided by the private sector.

In their review of the 2005-2008 Business Plans, the committee observed that it is not unusual for there to be several problems with the development and execution of capital projects in communities. When projects are delayed or other problems occur, communities are often not informed of the problem or with who they can appeal to about their issues.

Often this is because there is lack of coordination and a communication strategy between PWS, their client departments and the communities.

The committee suggested that if the regions managed their own repairs and maintenance, this more straightforward approach would help communities to identify whom to contact when problems arise.

The committee would like to further suggest that PWS explore the Deloitte and Touche report recommendation to realign infrastructure and maintenance responsibilities. MACA’s responsibility for maintenance of municipal roads, community facilities and community water services could be amalgamated with those of PWS. Not only would this approach conserve resources but would also be a one-stop streamlined approach for communities to address their concerns when projects are delayed or cancelled.

The committee recommends that the Department of Public Works and Services seek further efficiencies and streamlining of services provided to the communities.

Although TSC and systems and communications have been amalgamated, there are still department specific applications and positions that remain to be decentralized. The committee asked if there was a way to further amalgamate these applications in order to realize further efficiencies and savings.

PWS replied there are a number of departments that have a large number of complex applications in-house. PWS, for instance, has the Amanda system, used to manage electrical and mechanical permits. The volume this system handles justifies the personnel required to maintain it. However, there are also a number of smaller departments with smaller requirements that struggle to maintain department specific systems within current resources. The Informatics Policy Committee, a part of the Knowledge Management Strategy, is trying to come up with the best balance between resources that are dedicated to the departments and resources that are pooled corporately. This committee hopes to have some results for the next budget year.

The committee is supportive of this work and looks forward to seeing the results from the Informatics Policy Committee.

That concludes the standing committee’s remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. At this time, we will take a 15-minute break.

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Thank you, Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr. Minister, if you could please introduce your witnesses for the record.