Debates of October 19, 2007 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the loan guarantee is what we would be liable for if things did not proceed at this point. That’s it. That’s the number there, but I believe it’s not $5 million, it’s a bit more than that, but that was shared with Members and I believe they’re aware of that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the last government, devolution seemed to be the end all and be all of a focus that they have. I certainly think that we have many more issues before this Assembly to make devolution the only issue we talk about. I’d like to make sure we talk about housing and education and a whole lot of other things. But, Mr. Speaker, if a devolution deal is before us, there’s not a single Member on this side of the House who wants it to be at any cost. As we all know, it’s always about the numbers; and money certainly is a big issue. So my question to the Premier is, when we finally get a deal inked, if that ever happens in this Assembly’s lifetime, will the Premier bring the deal before the House for a vote by all Members to ensure we’re getting the best deal acceptable for the people of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 9-16(1): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we get up to speed of where this is at, I’m prepared to sit down with Members on this and update them as to where we are. As for coming to a vote for this House, that is something that I will take under review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Premier if he and his new Cabinet would consider cancelling the whole Deh Cho Bridge project, diverting the money to starting a road down the Mackenzie Valley that would benefit more people down the valley and Yellowknife? Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 10-16(1): Cancellation Of Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley highway is something that has been discussed as one of the lists we’ve raised with the federal government as the new roads and highways are still under their mandate and would look at that. Ultimately, I believe it is more a thing of, first and foremost, because there are some commitments out there made by government that, you know, we’re taking over and we have to honour, at least at this point until conditions are met or not met; the area of is it one versus the other? I think we have to sit down and highlight what are the key projects we want to see in the Northwest Territories and take that with us to Ottawa, and the Mackenzie Valley highway is one of those that we seriously have to consider. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to highlight my Member’s statement with regard to my housing issues and I’d like a commitment from my Premier regarding the black mould issues in my riding, to making sure the local housing authorities will deal with the problem, and the safety of my elders in their units, as well.

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Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 11-16(1): Health And Safety Issues In Seniors’ Housing

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member will do well for his seniors and the people in his constituency. Those are normal business activities and we’ll ensure that the proper authorities that are in place are making sure that they meet the safety requirements of individuals in your communities. So we’ll get that message sent down and sent down quick. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a question for the Premier, and I think it’s important that the Regular Members and the public know, I’d just like to ask the Premier if he has a time estimate on when portfolio assignments will be given out to the new Cabinet? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve asked all Cabinet Ministers to provide me with a letter today on their priorities, where they think they would fit best. I will then review that, take into consideration the running of departments, where the fit would work, and hopefully I can make some decisions early next week. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last government, for all intents and purposes, really didn’t have an even distribution of workload and I’m wondering if the Premier can state today that he’s going to do everything in his power to ensure that there’s an even distribution of workload amongst Cabinet Ministers? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all Members on this side of the House will have a large workload. I have to take into consideration the skill level, the interest in particular areas and how they can work together to ensure we are delivering it and doing it in an efficient way. So that’s going to be taken into the equation. As well, I will look at the seniority of Members, their experience and what they can bring to the table. But every Member on this side of the House will have some heavy lifting to do over the next four years. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering, is it the Premier’s prerogative to let Members of the House know the portfolio assignments before it’s actually released publicly? If there are concerns from the Regular Members, do we have any opportunity for input on those portfolio assignments, Mr. Speaker, before it goes public? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ultimately, it is the Premier’s decision to assign those portfolios. Of course, one of the things I will take into consideration is Ministers say they’d like areas in order of importance or priority, they won’t get everything they want in that sense. As well, I intend to hear from Members if there are concerns out there but, at the same time, I have to look at the workload, how it’s distributed and working with Members. We need to work cooperatively in this environment, but ultimately not everybody from either this side of the House or that side of the House may be happy on certain appointments, but we’re going to do the best we can in balancing the workload out. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up a little bit on the Deh Cho Bridge, if I could. As everybody knows, climate change is going to affect our food, it’s going to affect our caribou, our fish; many of these are already declining or changing their patterns of behaviour. It’s going to affect our waterways, our water quality. It’s affecting our infrastructure and, of course, our budgets and so on. Transportation causes over half of our greenhouse gas emissions. What consideration -- and I don’t know whether this is legitimate to look at the past here or what -- has been given to climate change impacts in the design of the bridge, and has there been consideration or will you give consideration to making sure that there’s a train trestle as part of the design of the bridge as an important way of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in the Northwest Territories? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. A couple of questions there. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 13-16(1): Environmental Impact Of Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in any design we move forward on, looking at the development of the Northwest Territories and environmental impact and footprint is considered as we proceed. Right now, the bridge design that’s been put in place does not have a train trestle as part of it. That would definitely increase the cost and bring back the question of affordability of the project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 13-16(1): Environmental Impact Of Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Premier. I think one of the methodologies I would like to see this House adopt is full cost accounting. When we look at the cost of climate change and the cost of allowing our greenhouse gas emissions to continue to climb -- I think we’ve doubled, almost tripled them in the last decade -- we need to recognize the costs that go along with those. For example, the increasing cost of infrastructure, school roofs caving in and so. Will the Premier commit to full cost accounting in all government processes involving the expenditure of funds from now on? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 13-16(1): Environmental Impact Of Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess I go back to the fact that it’s the beauty of the system we’re in, consensus government, the fact that as we begin our business plan process review, how that’s structured, the number of years that that is reviewed under that, this is one of the considerations that can be put into place as we proceed. So I’d be happy to sit down with Members as we begin that process to see if that is one of the things that I can do and how it affects the business planning as is prepared now by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Supplementary To Question 13-16(1): Environmental Impact Of Deh Cho Bridge Project

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Premier for that response. I understand that I was straying a little bit, covering a couple of different topics and I want to apologize for that. That’s all I had wanted to say, to express my appreciation for that and I look forward to further discussion.

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of illegal activity in public housing in Hay River. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 111 signatures of Hay River residents. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request as follows: that the Government of the Northwest Territories do something about the lack of action on the part of the Hay River Housing Authority regarding illegal activity in public housing units. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that this Legislative Assembly formally adopts the "Members’ Conduct Guidelines," as appended and which forms part of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management for this Assembly: the Hon. Paul Delorey, Member for Hay River North; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, Member for Tu Nedhe; Mr. Robert McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. David Ramsay, Member for Kam Lake; the Hon. Norman Yakeleya, Member for Sahtu; and further, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management as alternate Members: Ms. Wendy Bisaro, Member for Frame Lake; Mr. Jackie Jacobson, Member for Nunakput; the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Member for Monfwi. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate at this time that I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended by rescinding Rule 85 and substituting the following:

Standing and Special Committees

85 (1)

At its first sitting after a general election, the Assembly shall appoint a Striking Committee of five Members to report and recommend, with all convenient speed, Members to comprise the following standing committees of the Assembly:

on Economic Development and Infrastructure;

on Government Operations;

on Priorities and Planning;

on Rules and Procedures;

on Social Programs;

and any other standing and special committees as directed by the Assembly.

(2)

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Environment and Natural Resources, Industry, Tourism and investment, Municipal and Community Affairs, Public Works and Services, Transportation and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:

(a) review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Workers' Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation and the Public Utilities Board;

(b)

review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c)

consider any other matter referred by the House.

(3)

The Standing Committee on Government Operations shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of the Executive, Finance, Human Resources and the Financial Management Board Secretariat:

(a)

review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies;

(b)

review departmental performance and official language issues, including that of boards sand agencies;

(c)

review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Languages Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission;

(d)

examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the report of the Auditor General

(i)

in the event that the Assembly is not in session, the Speaker may provide the Auditor General's report and the Minister of Finance may provide the public accounts to the committee for review, which may include public hearings, in advance of tabling; and

(e)

consider any other matter referred by the House.

(4)

The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning shall:

(a)

review issues which have government-wide implications, including the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;

(b)

review Government of the Northwest Territories reports on financial and performance results and program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;

(c)

coordinate sessional business scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate ministerial representatives;

(d)

coordinate committee public consultation efforts with respect to budget and fiscal matters;

(e)

coordinate committee strategic planning efforts;

(f)

monitor and evaluate ministerial performance issues;

(g)

consider the budgets and financial management of any boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee; and

(h)

consider any other matter referred by the House.

(5)

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures shall:

(a)

review the reports of the Chief Electoral Officer on the conduct of elections, plebiscites or votes conducted in the Northwest Territories in accordance with statute;

(b)

review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

(c)

review and make recommendations on the implications and impacts that the implementation of self-government agreements will have on the powers, structures and procedures of the Legislative Assembly; and

(d)

inquire into such matters as may be referred to it by the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker or the Board of Management.

(6)

The Standing Committee on Social Programs shall consider the following matters with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment and Justice:

(a)

review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;

(b)

review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and

(c)

consider any other matter referred by the House.

And further, that Rules 87(1) and 87(2) be amended by striking out "Accountability and Oversight" after "Standing Committee on" and substituting "Priorities and Planning".

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Robert C. McLeod, Mr. Menicoche and Mr. Ramsay be appointed to the Striking Committee for this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that the appointments of the following Members to the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight be revoked and that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning: Mr. Glen Abernethy, Member for Great Slave; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, Member for Tu Nedhe; Ms. Wendy Bisaro, Member for Frame Lake; Mr. Bob Bromley, Member for Weledeh; Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, Member for Hay River South; Mr. Robert Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre; Mr. Jackie Jacobson, Member for Nunakput; Mr. David Krutko, Member for Mackenzie Delta; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, Member for Nahendeh; and Mr. David Ramsay, Member for Kam Lake. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. David Krutko, be appointed as Deputy Speaker. As well, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

---Applause