Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister if he knows of any other facilities that are proposed to be closed down.
I can only speak to my department. Basically, what we have proposed is for Arctic Tern for now. We are working on the options for the community as well. Mahsi.
The Arctic Tern brings a lot to the economy of Inuvik, and they have a concern with it being closed down. It also affects a lot of the staff. I met with the staff at Arctic Tern. One thing I found was that they were very passionate about what they do. They are very protective of the girls who are in there. They were asked to take training to work in that position. They believed in that, and they went and took training. I’d like to ask the Minister: what’s going to happen to the clients of Arctic Tern?
Mr. Speaker, I believe, yesterday, there were ten or two inmates. We’re certainly working with the Yellowknife Correction Centre as well, and young offenders. We’ve been working on that for quite some time now — to look at options — and that’s one of the options we are seriously looking at. The inmates will be looked after. Also having those correctional workers at that correction facility will certainly look after them. Mahsi.
Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you one thing about Inuvik: we’re a very resilient community. You can hit us high; you can hit us low. We always seem to bounce back, but we’ve had to bounce back too many times. Enough is enough. I know this facility was built by the government when there was the Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada. They were full, and now they’re proposing to close it. They’ve been looking for a reason, for the last few years, to justify closing this facility. That’s not going to be accepted, especially with the girls we put through training. I will say right now, for the record, that I’m going to fight this tooth and nail for the next four and half weeks.
I’d like to ask the Minister: is he aware of any other correctional facilities proposed to be built within the Northwest Territories?
I appreciate the Member’s statement on this particular issue. It is a concern for our community. It wasn’t an easy decision going through the process.
With regard to other new buildings that the Member is alluding to, we are in the process of retrofitting. We’re not focusing on new buildings. Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to highlight that there are nine individuals we’re working with in the facility of Arctic Tern. We are making progress, and we’ll do what we can to assess the remainder of the workers at the facility.
Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 2-16(2) asked by Mr. Bromley on February 7, 2008, regarding GNWT expenditures on energy.
For the three fiscal years 2004–2005, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 the GNWT and its major boards and agencies spent approximately $108 million on fuel oil, gasoline and electricity; $15 million on tank farms and other infrastructure related to fossil fuels; and $4.3 million on the transportation of fuel products.
I have a Return to Written Question 3-16(2) asked by Mr. Robert C. McLeod on February 8, 2008, regarding client access to housing programs.
Under the four Housing Choices programs, a total of 28 clients had been approved as of February 12, 2008. For privacy reasons, client’s names have not been included.
Under the program entitled Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership (PATH), assistance is provided to eligible applicants in the form of a forgivable loan. The forgiveness period is dependent on the amount of assistance provided. Financial assistance is provided in increments based on the applicant’s income, family size and the community Core Need Income Threshold (CNIT). CNIT means the financial test utilized for the purpose of determining targeted households. These reflect the minimum income required for a household to afford appropriate accommodation without spending more than 30 per cent of its gross income for shelter. Additional assistance is available for improving the accessibility of dwellings for persons with disabilities.
Under the PATH program, one client was approved to receive funding of $170,000. Of that amount, $80,000 was approved to assist in the purchase of an existing home, and an additional $90,000 was approved under Disabled PATH, so that the client could complete renovations to the home to make it accessible for wheelchair mobility.
The Homeownership Entry Level Program (HELP) assists eligible applicants who are not able to secure mortgage financing or are unsure about homeownership responsibilities. It allows them to experience homeownership commitments before purchasing a home. Assistance is provided through lease on a Northwest Territories Housing Corporation home, and the tenant pays 20 per cent of their gross income toward the lease (rent) payment. The tenant is responsible for shelter costs such as power and water delivery, and the services are to be in the tenant’s name. After successfully completing a two-year lease (rental) period, the tenant is eligible to receive a $10,000 contribution, which must be used to lower the price of a home the tenant intends to purchase. One client was approved for assistance under the HELP program.
Under the Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements (CARE) program, assistance is provided to eligible applicants in the form of a forgivable loan to subsidize the cost of preventative maintenance checks, repairs and renovations for their existing home. The forgiveness period is dependent on the amount of assistance being provided. The financial assistance is provided in increments based on the applicant’s income, family size and the community CNIT. Additional assistance is available for improving the accessibility of dwellings for persons with disabilities. Twenty-six clients have been approved under CARE, and each was provided with assistance in the amount of $475 for preventative maintenance on their homes, totalling $12,350 of assistance having been provided under this program.
Under the Solutions to Educate People (STEP) program, assistance is provided to eligible applicants in the form of four courses (no fee), which are each 6.5 hours in length and delivered in each community. Some of the courses are prerequisites for access to the other three programs. The number of Inuvik participants in the four courses was 29, broken down as follows:
nine people attended the Financial Skills I: Budgeting Course;
nine people attended the Financial Skills II: Banking & Credit Course;
nine people attended the Home Purchase Course; and
two people attended the Home Maintenance & Repair Course, which provided one-on-one instruction.
Under the Emergency Repair Program (ERP), which is a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation program delivered by the Housing Corporation, financial help is provided to persons undertaking emergency repairs required for safe occupancy of their houses. The nature of the repairs is limited to repairs that are urgently required to make the house fit for human habitation, rather than to restore the house to the minimum property standards. Financial assistance is received in the form of a contribution to a maximum assistance of $11,000. Two clients were assisted under this program; each received $850 for a total expenditure of $1,700 under the program.
Under the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program (EDAP), a program in place prior to the implementation of Housing Choices, the funding for one of the Housing Corporation’s client’s was completed in April 2007 after the housing choice programs were implemented. A total of $114,500 was received by that client under the EDAP program toward purchasing an existing home. The program provided clients in core housing need with subsidies in the form of a forgivable loan to purchase and repair a home, to construct a new home or to repair an existing home.
I have a Return to Written Question 4-16(2) asked by Mr. David Ramsay on February 8, 2008, regarding the Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement.
Did the Government of the Northwest Territories have the updated cost-benefit analysis prior to signing the concession agreement on the Deh Cho Bridge Project on September 28, 2007?
The GNWT did not have the updated cost-benefit analysis prior to signing the concession agreement in September 2007. The 2007 updated analysis was not submitted to the GNWT until December 15, 2007. Though preliminary drafts of the 2007 update were provided in October and November 2007, no draft of the update was available prior to the signing of the concession agreement.
What economic analysis did the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Department of Transportation have at their disposal to make the decision to proceed with signing the concession agreement on the Deh Cho Bridge Project?
Who did the economic analysis?
At the time of the signing, the GNWT had the 2002 benefit-cost analysis of the Deh Cho Bridge report and a 2003 update of the same, both of which were prepared by Nichols Applied Management.
I have a Return to Written Question 5-16(2) asked by Mr. Bromley on February 8, 2008, regarding contracts and services from southern vendors.
What contracted services does GNWT have with southern vendors?
At any given time the GNWT has a number of contracted services with southern vendors. Most often these include specialty services not available in the North or services provided by vendors who have won publicly tendered contracts or proposal calls.
PWS does not contract services for the government as a whole but only for services for which we are responsible. Services may include consulting, construction, IT-related consulting and hardware supply, petroleum products, maintenance services and building leases.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a listing of PWS’ contracted services with southern vendors for 2007–2008.
What are the costs of these GNWT contracted services with southern vendors?
The number and value of southern contracts PWS has managed for the past three years are presented in the following tables.
April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006:
Total all PWS contracts: 545
Total value: $73,734,356.62
Total all southern PWS contracts: 66
Total value: $6,991,391.71
April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007:
Total all PWS contracts: 527
Total value: $104,325,192.65
Total all southern PWS contracts: 57
Total value: $15,187,064.74
April 1, 2007 to date
Total all PWS contracts: 373
Total value: $106,339,130.30
Total all southern PWS contracts: 51
Total value: $34,870,577.60
Note that this includes one large tendered bulk fuel supply contract to Bluewave Energy for $27,673,116.
The Department of Industry Tourism and Investment (ITI) are responsible for maintaining the central contract registry for all GNWT contract reporting. A comprehensive list of all GNWT contracts over $5,000 for the past three fiscal years can be found at:
http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/contract_registry/
contract_report.htm
Hard copies of these reports can be provided, if required.
How many jobs are associated with the GNWT contracted services from southern vendors?
We are assuming that you are asking for the number of contracts PWS has in place with southern vendors.
April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006:
Total all southern PWS contracts: 66
April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007:
Total all southern PWS contracts: 57
April 1, 2007 to date:
Total all southern PWS contracts: 51
Although these contracts are with southern vendors, some of them may subcontract portions of the work to northern companies and individuals. This information, however, is not tracked in the GNWT contract information system.
In addition, some contracts listed as southern are to companies that reside in the North. If companies located in the North are not registered with the Business Incentive Policy (BIP) monitoring office, they are considered non-northern (southern) businesses. An example of these contracts includes Inuvik Commercial Properties and Gwich’in Development Corporation. Both are partially or wholly northern owned and operated but are listed as non-northern on the registry.
I have a Return to Written Question 6-16(2) asked by Mr. Hawkins on February 11, 2008, regarding foreign worker employment assistance.
It is the responsibility of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to manage the permanent residence path of foreign skilled workers, as well as the entry of temporary foreign workers.
For employers wishing to hire temporary foreign workers, the federal government has a Temporary Foreign Worker Program that allows eligible foreign workers to work in Canada for an authorized period of time. Service Canada manages this program. More information can be obtained by contacting Service Canada in Yellowknife at (867) 766-8305.
Although the Department of Education, Culture and Employment does not have a dedicated foreign-worker assistance program to facilitate the selection of immigrants for employment in small business operations, there are several departmental activities pertaining to immigration. These include the provision of settlement and integration supports to newcomers through language instruction at Aurora College, employment-assistance services and career counselling.
The priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories remains the training and employment of NWT residents. However, the GNWT does recognize that the successful integration of newcomers forms part of an overall labour-force-development strategy toward a sustainable NWT economy.
I have a Return to Written Question 7-16(2) asked by Mr. Beaulieu on February 15, 2008, regarding sport and youth funding from the Mackenzie Recreational Association. Specifically, the Member asked for information on the amount and purpose of funding received by Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution over the last five years from the association; the amount and purpose of funding that communities accessible by road receive from the association; and whether the association recognizes and addresses the difficulties fly-in-only communities face to participate in sport and youth programs and if travel assistance exists for those communities.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table information detailing the amount and purpose of funding distributed to each community by the association over the period of April 2003 to February 2008.
The association encourages applications from all its member communities and provides semi-annual information sessions to assist communities with the application process. Communities are urged to attend information sessions, and travel costs are covered. Since January 2004 no eligible applications from fly-in-only communities have been denied. The association provides a maximum of $3,000 per event for travel, regardless of community location.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I have a Return to Written Question 9-16(2) asked by Ms. Bisaro on February 19, 2008, regarding Yellowknife school enrolments.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table statistical information on Yellowknife School Enrolments 2003–04 to 2007–08.
The student enrolment numbers provided are for full-time-equivalent students (FTEs) based on student attendance during the month of September for each school year. Prior to fall 2006, student enrolment numbers were calculated based on the number of students with a 40 per cent attendance rate during the month. From 2006 onwards full-time students counted as FTEs are those with a 60 per cent attendance as of September 30th each year.
I have a Return to Written Question 10-16(2) asked by Ms. Bisaro on February 19, 2008, regarding GNWT Arctic Winter Games expenditures. Specifically, the Member asked for details on the costs of the regional and territorial trials, the cost of participants’ clothing, the cost of the two NWT representatives on the Arctic Winter Games International Committee, the cost of staff time and the total GNWT funding contributions to host societies.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table information on the costs of the Arctic Winter Games’ regional trials and territorial trials and information regarding the cost of clothing for Arctic Winter Games’ participants.
The Member asked for information regarding the cost of staff time and person hours from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the total GNWT funding distributed to the host societies. During an average Games cycle, it is estimated that MACA contributes an average of 1,750 person hours per Games cycle. In a typical two-year period, more staff time is utilized in the fiscal year in which a Games is held than in the off years.
The GNWT contributed a total of $1.2 million in funding to the 2008 Arctic Winter Game Host Society. The host society also raised over $3.4 million in funding beyond the contributions made by the various levels of government to run the 2008 Games. The GNWT did not contribute funding to the 2000, 2002, 2004 or 2006 host societies, as those Games were hosted in other jurisdictions.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
And, Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 11-16(2) asked by Mr. Ramsay on Thursday, February 21, 2008, regarding direct appointments to the Government of the Northwest Territories. Direct appointments are made to enhance the public service and are made in accordance with the Public Service Act and direct appointment guidelines established by the Executive Council. Direct appointments are generally made to support the appointment of northern graduates through the Northern Graduate Employment Program (Nurses, Social Workers, Teachers, Interns) for career development of long-term employees and for ministerial staff.
Information on direct appointments is published each year in the Public Service Annual Report.
Cabinet approval is required prior to any direct appointment. The rationale for each direct appointment is confidential to Cabinet under Section 13(1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Tables detailing direct appointments by department and affirmative action priority will be tabled in the House later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 12, replies to the opening address. Item 13, replies to the Budget Address, day 1 of 7. Item 14, petitions. Item 15, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 4, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008 and Bill 7, the Securities Act, and wishes to report that Bills 4 and 7 are now ready for Committee of the Whole, as amended and reprinted. Further, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bills 4 and 7 be moved into Committee of the Whole today.
Motion carried. Bill 4 and Bill 7 referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration today.
Motion carried: Bill 4 and Bill 7 referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration today.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2.
Document 37-16(2), Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2, tabled.
On behalf of the Hon. Michael McLeod, I wish to table the following three documents: the first document, Arctic Winter Games Expenditures; the second document, entitled Mackenzie Recreation Association — Summary of Community Contributions 2003–2008; and the third document, entitled Contracts and Services from Southern Vendors.
Document 38-16(2), Arctic Winter Games Expenditures, tabled.
Document 39-16(2), Mackenzie Recreation Association — Summary of Community Contributions 2003–2008, tabled.
Document 40-16(2), Contracts and Services from Southern Vendors, tabled.
Mr. Speaker, further to my Return to Written Question 9-16(2), I wish to table the following document, entitled Yellowknife School Enrolments, 2003–2004 to 2007–2008. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Document 41-16(2), Yellowknife School Enrolments, 2003–2004 to 2007–2008, tabled.
Mr. Speaker, further to my Return to Written Question 11-16(2), I wish to table the following document, entitled Direct Appointments — Calendar Year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Document 42-16(2), Direct Appointments — Calendar Year, tabled.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a response to Petition 1-16(2), tabled by the Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Kevin Menicoche, on February 7, 2008, regarding the buffalo problem in Fort Liard.
Document 43-16(2), Response to Petition 1-16(2): The Buffalo Problem in Fort Liard, tabled.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, I will move the following motion.
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Tabled Document 37-16(2), Main Estimates 2008–2009, Volumes 1 and 2, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Item 18, notices of motion for first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.
I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, I will move that Bill 8, Appropriation Act, 2008–2009, be read for the first time.
I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, I will move that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008, be read for the first time.
Orders of the Day for Friday, May 23, 2008, 10 a.m.:
Prayer
Ministers’ Statements
Members’ Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Replies to Budget Address
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Bill 4: Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
Bill 7: Securities Act
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Friday, May 23, 2008, at 10 a.m.
The House adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
