Debates of October 18, 2004 (day 22)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement today I spoke in favour of the centralized IT service referred to as the TSC. I stated earlier that I think it’s time for the government to implement not an opt-in participation policy, but a mandatory policy for a centralized technical service centre. Pooling our common resources just makes sense. Mr. Speaker, my question for the Minister of FMBS is will the Minister work with the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation to ensure that the Housing Corporation’s transition into the TSC happens this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Honourable Minister responsible for FMBS, Mr. Roland.

Integration Of The Technology Service Centre And NWT Housing Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the decision made on forming the TSC was done with consideration of what departments and capacity we had within government, pulling the resources together and ensuring we created an environment where things would move along in a positive way. We have determined that this move was the right move, and to go back now to look at making it mandatory is something that we can look at doing. So I could go back to my Cabinet colleagues for further discussion on this that, in fact, we make it mandatory on other groups. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 234-15(3): Integration Of The Technology Service Centre And NWT Housing Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Minister. The words positive, standards, centralized and even sometimes the words harmonization of standards of how we implement things and how we run things and coordinate things come to mind when I think of this, but, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister give me an indication as to when he will bring that discussion to Cabinet in regard to the folding in of the NWT Housing Corporation into the greater picture, the greater good of the TSC? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 234-15(3): Integration Of The Technology Service Centre And NWT Housing Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the Member for his positive comments about the TSC. In coming together, in bringing this together, it has had its difficulties, but we’ve been working through them and looking at the next phase of bringing the service together to be more efficient as a government. So I don’t have a timeline as of yet. I’ll speak to my departments that are involved in this and look at what timing we can put in place for this discussion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 234-15(3): Integration Of The Technology Service Centre And NWT Housing Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize persuasion is always a lot nicer than forcing people and I’m not suggesting that the Minister become a leg breaker, but I think this policy needs to be a mandatory policy so we don’t deal with this in the future. I’d like to hear the Minister say today that he will look towards making this a mandatory policy where all departments, boards and agencies get involved. I should say where applicable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 234-15(3): Integration Of The Technology Service Centre And NWT Housing Corporation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Where applicable we will look at coming forward with some options to my Cabinet colleagues. Once we’ve had that discussion, we can share it with Members of this Assembly. Thank you.