Debates of October 18, 2004 (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the technology services centre, also referred to as the TSC, and their current voluntary compliance with that centre.

Mr. Speaker, since I was elected in the 15th Assembly last year, I have been quite vocal about my support for the TSC. I believe that this position is shared by many of my colleagues here in the House. Today, in this day and age, IT services are absolutely vital in running a government bureaucracy. As everyone knows, it takes up a big piece of our budget.

In the 2004-05 Main Estimates, Mr. Speaker, we spent about $5 million in IT service chargebacks. During times of fiscal restraint, it is absolutely essential that we spend our IT dollars wisely and we get optimum value for those dollars. We need to pool our resources using departments, boards, agencies and even corporations. To be more efficient, we have to do that. Mr. Speaker, it is all about a consistent and coordinated system and approach. That’s why the GNWT has created a centralized IT section called the TSC.

Mr. Speaker, during main estimates review in Committee of the Whole, the Minister responsible for FMBS advised committee that the 14th Assembly planned and created the TSC, but they created a system where people could voluntarily comply. Basically, boards and agencies, corporations and commissions either had the option to participate or they could opt out, so it was strictly based on their choice.

As most of us here know, most departments and agencies have opted in. I would like to point out the fact that this has created a centralized-wide process where we are able to share services where appropriate, and I have to stress it has to be where appropriate because not in all cases will it be an appropriate measure to consolidate.

Mr. Speaker, this brings me to my point. The NWT Housing Corporation has not opted in. In other words, they are being kept separate. It is my opinion, Mr. Speaker, that utilizing a centralized IT service should not be an option. Mr. Speaker, two other GNWT corporations, the WCB and the Power Corporation, are in this program. So I really see no reason why we should be treating the NWT Housing Corporation any differently.

Mr. Speaker, during the 14th Assembly, it was considered an option, but the 14th Assembly does not rule over the 15th Assembly, so it’s time to make this voluntary…

Mr. Hawkins, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues, especially the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we move from a voluntary compliance to a mandatory policy. I would like to see the Minister responsible for FMBS work with the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to create a mandatory policy where we bring the Housing Corporation into the fold with the rest of the government. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will have questions for the appropriate Minister later during oral question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.