Debates of March 8, 2005 (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Braden. 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, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories take an extremely aggressive and clear defined stance in negotiations on the Northern Strategy with the federal government to ensure that the federal government acknowledges the particular opportunities and needs that result from the Northwest Territories’ strong economy. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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, Mr. Chair. I have a motion. I move that this committee recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment undertake a comprehensive review of the Western Arctic Leadership Program to assess the value of the program;

And further, that the results of the review be presented to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight prior to the committee review of the 2006-2009 Business Plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Western Arctic Leadership Program has been in effect for a while. I believe it has been about 15 years. It is time that this government takes a look at the program to see the usefulness and effectiveness it has had on the communities. For my region alone, there were 20 people who went to this Western Arctic Leadership Program. I have had several calls from the communities of Deline and Fort Good Hope in terms of strong support for this Western Arctic Leadership Program. The government’s contribution to it is greatly appreciated. If the department takes a look at it and sees the value of it, I would like to continue seeing the continued support for this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. To the motion. Mr. Braden.

Mr. Chair, a little bit of administration here. This recommendation, as you would have noted, applies to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and is not on the books here for the Department of Executive, but we wanted to get it on record, so that is why it was brought in at this point. Thank you. That is all, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. 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, Mr. Chair. I have one more motion to read. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends to the Department of Executive to consider different options to use already existing personnel and resources to create a consistent system of coordination in the regions;

And further, that the options be presented to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight prior to the committee review of the 2006-2009 Business Plans. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. 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. Page 2-13.

Agreed.

Program summary, operations expenditure summary, $8.946 million.

Agreed.

Can we now turn to volume two? Page 2-2. Sorry about that. Okay, can we go to page 2-4, volume two? Okay, Commissioner’s offices, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $128,000.

Agreed.

Page 2-3, executive offices, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $128,000.

Agreed.

Page 2-2, department summary, infrastructure investment summary, total net book value and work in progress, $3.386 million.

Agreed.

We will go back to volume one. Page 2-5, department summary, operations expenditure summary, $47.195 million.

Agreed.

Does the committee agree that the consideration of the department estimates is concluded?

Agreed.

Thank you. At this time, I would like to thank Mr. Handley and his witnesses. Thank you very much. What is the wish of the committee? Do you want to take a break? At this time, we will take a short break. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Welcome back committee. I would like to ask Mr. Speaker if he would like to present the opening comments for the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Delorey.

Mr. Chairman, colleagues, I am pleased to present the 2005/2006 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly on behalf of your Board of Management.

The proposed operating expenses for the Legislative Assembly in 2005-06 are $14.477 million. In preparing the estimates for the Legislative Assembly this year, the Board of Management was mindful of the fiscal pressure facing the government as a whole. As such, this year’s operating expenses represent a decrease of just over 4.2 percent from last year’s revised main estimates. Likewise, the infrastructure acquisition plan includes no items for the Legislative Assembly this year. Those of you who have firsthand knowledge of the parking situation will be aware of how hard it was to come to this decision, as there are some things we know need addressing in the very near future.

The proposed reductions in this year’s estimates will have a noticeable impact on the services provided to Members and the public-at-large. Be it the elimination of six full-time employees, the reduction of committee meeting transcription or the capping of the Members’ capital accommodation allowance, these cuts will be felt throughout the organization. However, as you are no doubt aware by now, this year’s budget will result in reductions in the services provided by all government departments to the people of the NWT. Your Board of Management was keenly aware of this fact when it sat down to draft its estimates this year and is proud to propose a budget to Members that leads by example.

On a more positive note, the previous fiscal year was an eventful one not only because it was the first full year for this 15th Legislative Assembly, it was also an historic year in that it witnessed the recruitment and implementation of the NWT’s own Human Rights and Equal Pay commissions. A great deal of effort went into recruiting and appointing Members to the various offices and panels that make up these important arm’s length agencies. This fiscal year will be the first fully funded year for both the Human Rights and Equal Pay commissions.

Last year also saw the implementation of sweeping amendments to the Official Languages Act. These amendments resulted in a significant change to the scope and role of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the resulting transfer of funds from the Assembly to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for the operation of the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board and the Official Languages Board. Again, 2005-06 is the first full fiscal year for the Office of the Languages Commissioner under its new scope.

In all these cases, I am confident that we have provided adequate funds for these arm’s length bodies to carry out their important mandates with the independence they require.

The year 2004-05 was witness to a second historic event when the leaders of aboriginal, territorial and community governments met for the first time under one roof on the Hay River Reserve in April. Perhaps as an indicator of the success of this first leaders' meeting, the interim president of the Aboriginal Summit proposed that a similar meeting of northern leaders take place on an annual basis. I am pleased to announce that this year’s estimates includes funding to host the second meeting in what I hope to be a long-standing tradition of northern leaders working together to build a shared vision of the NWT. This year’s meeting will take place in Inuvik from April 18th to 20th and will focus on the development of the Northern Strategy.

Mr. Chair, in follow-up to the fine work performed by the previous Board of Management, this year’s estimates include a modest amount of funding to begin the cultural enhancement of this great and symbolic institution as it enters its second decade of service. A fabulous group of individuals from all corners of our territory were recently appointed to serve on the first Cultural Enhancement Advisory Commission which will be ably chaired by the deputy speaker, Mrs. Groenewegen. I have high hopes for the work that this commission will do on behalf of the people of the NWT and look forward to seeing the results.

Finally Mr. Chair, this year’s estimates includes funding to begin the work of two important independent commissions: the Electoral Boundaries Commission and the Independent Commission to Review Members’ Compensation and Benefits. Both these commissions have a great deal of work to perform in order to submit their recommendations in time for consideration prior to the election of the 16th Legislative Assembly. You can rest assured that these commissions will receive full support from the Legislative Assembly, both financial and otherwise, in fulfilling their important mandates.

In terms of forced growth expenditures, the Legislative Assembly is subject to the same inflationary pressures as other government departments. There is $193,000 in additional funding required this year to cover negotiated increases to compensation and benefits. In addition, the increasing cost of utilities and heating fuel continue to put the same pressure on the Legislative Assembly budget as they do to the budgets of individual northerners and businesses.

Mr. Chairman, I wish to take this opportunity to once again thank the Members of the Board of Management for their hard work on behalf of all Members in proposing this year’s estimates for the Legislative Assembly. The estimates before you today provide the financial and human resources necessary to meet the needs of the Legislative Assembly and allow it to carry out its essential mandate within a climate of fiscal restraint.

I look forward to responding to any comments or questions you may have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would you like to bring in any witnesses?

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the committee in agreement that we allow witnesses?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Sergeant-at-Arms, can you escort the witnesses to the table?

For the record, could you please introduce your witnesses.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my left is Mr. Myles Moreside, director of corporate services; and to my right is Mr. Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome, gentlemen. General comments. I have Mr. Menicoche first.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am happy to speak on this topic. It’s regarding the parking facility. Perhaps I can ask the Speaker what the long-term plans are for the improvement of parking. There seems to be some solution in the long term for that. As well, I have been using the facilities after hours and it’s always a pain for security to come and unlock the door. I believe, at one point, the previous Assembly was looking at a magnetic door opener. I just want to bring it up again and see if that is still in the plans or if that’s something that’s doable.

Actually, I think it is doable, because I heard some remarks that they are concerned about security, but in some buildings that have far more employees than us and are managing okay and seem to get in and out of their buildings after ours, so I don’t see what the big problem for ours would be to institute a system such as that. I would find that it would just make my job a little bit easier when I’m in Yellowknife. In fact, some of the considerations is you can use a common one downstairs, and when you are getting up to the offices…Well, I'm not too sure, but I think it is doable and workable, especially with the technology we have nowadays. Those are just a couple of things that I would like to bring up for now, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Menicoche for your comments. I know that the parking issue that he speaks about is one that has been brought up to the board and to me on a number of occasions and it is one that we know has to be dealt with. Because this year was a year of fiscal restraints, we didn’t look at putting any money into that area or anywhere else actually, within the Legislative Assembly budget.

We do have plans going down the road. Right now we are looking at different areas where we could increase the parking around the building and doing some work on getting some cost figures. Down the road, in a couple of years, in the 2006-07 budget, we have earmarked $675,000 to improve roadways in here, which would include some more parking areas. Keeping in mind that there may be some other developments within the area in Justice. That would give us a great ability to work in partnership with them in improving the roadway and the parking in this area. We are looking at that area going down the road; however, we do know that it is an area that has to be addressed in the very near future.

On the other issue that Mr. Menicoche brings up, with security in the building. That was also an issue that was looked at. I think it was somewhere in the year 2000, during the last Assembly; there were different issues that were looked at, at the same time as security was looked at in the building, and extra lighting, and that was one of the issues that was taken out of the plan to take any action on, mostly because of costs. There are a number of issues that come into play with it.

To secure this building properly where you would get into you office with just a pass key, once you are inside this building, the whole building is accessible, so there was a considerable cost -- I can’t remember exactly what the cost was -- to have that building secured where you would get in with just a swipe card, but I know there was a considerable cost to it. It was an issue that was looked at before, not to say that we couldn’t be looking at it again. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Menicoche.