Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Over the years this has been one of the targeted initiatives, and we’re on budget.
Again, committee, page 14, labour development and standards, infrastructure investments, $731,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. If I can get committee to return to page 11 for total infrastructure investments, Education, Culture and Employment, total infrastructure investments, $6.557 million. Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just given the comments the Minister has heard and the fact that this is probably one of our biggest deficits in infrastructure and for years now we’re refusing to acknowledge that and respond despite the Members’ input, what is the Minister’s plans to come forward with a much more responsible capital budget next year, or at least recommendations for the 18th Assembly? Once again here we’re leaving the 18th Assembly with all these deficits because of our failure.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Chair. As part of the process, obviously, it needs a needs assessment and also needs analysis from the communities when it comes to major renovations or retrofits of schools or educational infrastructure. Those are areas that we’ll be focusing and putting that forward as part of the capital planning process. This year we have done that. We’re going to do the same next year, as well, and the following years. What we’re hearing from the Members is focusing on those most needed. I can assure the Members that this will be my push again next year with the peer review, the committee that has been established to deal with all the capital infrastructure. The Minister responsible for Education will definitely push that forward. Mahsi.
It sounds good. No evidence. Will we be talking about this before the 18th Assembly, or are we leaving the budget to the 18th Assembly?
As you know, we go through an annual capital infrastructure review. It usually happens during the summertime and then on to the fall time, as we did this time around. Obviously, next year is an election year, but this is an area that we need to focus on where to best invest in. Obviously, the 18th Assembly, the government, will also decide where to invest. We are also waiting on the federal government as part of the borrowing limit and focusing in those areas as well.
So there are a lot of areas where there’s uncertainty, but at the same time we will be putting a plan in place to deal with those areas that Members referred to today as we move forward on various important topics of discussion when it comes to infrastructure. Mahsi.
Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Committee, we are on page 11, Education, Culture and Employment, total infrastructure investments, $6.557 million. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Does committee agree we have concluded consideration of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment?
Agreed.
Good evening, colleagues. Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, Mr. Dolynny?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016, and would like to report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Do I have a seconder to the motion? Mr. Abernethy.
---Carried
Orders of the day for Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 1:30 p.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
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 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act
Bill 27, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2014
Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act
Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act
Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act
Committee Report 7-17(5), Report on the Development of the Economic Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies
Tabled Document 115-17(5), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2015-2016
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, October 21st, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
