Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my earlier questions on the crusher for Aklavik, it's quite clear there's a lack of representation of small communities on the Cabinet side. Otherwise, they would know the challenges we have in our small communities. Just to say, “Oh, just go to the private sector.” It's not that easy for these communities. From what I understand these crushers are in the department for communities such as this, so I'd like to ask the Minister: Will the Minister be willing to work with the community, which is trying to come up with a training plan for opportunities that will arise out of this and build capacity? Will the Minister work with the community to set up a time that this will be available? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department is willing to work with all communities, big or small, for the needs of the citizens of the Northwest Territories. I'd be glad to sit down with the Member and discuss what their possible needs are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That sounds promising. My last question for today is: Will the Minister be willing to come to Aklavik to see first-hand the challenges, and also to meet with the community?
Yes, I would be willing to go to Aklavik and discuss this.
---Applause
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I have a question for the Minister of Transportation. As the Minister has heard numerous times in this House, in the small communities, not the big centres like Hay River, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, it is very important to have projects done with local contractors where possible, or with a joint venture, so the money can stay in the community. Therefore, can the Minister please explain the process used to set up negotiated capital projects with his department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Transportation applies the Negotiated Contracts Policy to all requests received from communities interested in pursuing a negotiated contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for his short but sweet answer. Can the Minister please explain how the department works with small communities so they can address their desire to go into negotiated contracts?
The department considers contracting methodology based upon the scope of work; safety requirements of the scope in the construction industry. When a community expresses an interest in a project and in contrast, the methodology affords itself to a negotiated contract, the department will assist by advising on policy requirements. On the other hand, when contracting methodology does not suit a negotiated contract, the department will advise communities to partner with contractors having those specialized trades and equipment. We also encourage communities to take part in training offered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs School of Community Government.
I thank the Minister for a better answer, and a longer answer I should say.
---Laughter
Can the Minister please explain to me how the Somba K’e Runway internal project was dealt with, since the runway was done by a negotiated contract with the First Nation and a regional company, and the air terminal wasn't?
As mentioned, these decisions are made based on the scope of the contract, safety requirements of the scope, and the construction industry. The work associated with construction of a runway is primarily gravel hauling and moving and compaction. It was completed through a variety of approaches, including construction management initially, and then through a negotiated contract with Rowe's Construction in the community. The ATP was a smaller contract that required bonding and specialized skills that could not be learned and transferred based on the duration of that contract. During the tendering period, the community was encouraged to partner with the general contractor who has the necessary trades and equipment and bonding capabilities to finance this project during construction.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minster for his answer. I did ask this question to the Minister in an email, if the terminal is going to modular built or stick-built. The response I received it was going to be stick-built, but it was going to be done outside the community and will be trucked in. The reason for doing this was they needed special tools. Can the Minister please explain what special tools were needed that could not be brought into the community to do the stick-built project for Somba K’e? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The air terminal project was delivered through a public tender. Determining the methodology is a responsibility of the contractor delivering the project. In this case it is speculated that the contractor use an off-site construction because of the proximity of specialized trades and building materials in Hay River. This keeps the cost of construction down and avoids unnecessary delays. I'll add that the new air terminal building for the Trout Lake Airport is designed as a stick-built structure that will be transported by truck and arriving in Trout Lake soon as one item. The building is expected to arrive on site during the first week of March, and the Department of Transportation encourages the community to contact Rowe’s Construction to identify local job opportunities for the final delivery and set-up of the building.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Public Utilities Board of the Northwest Territories Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2015.”
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled “Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program 2014-2015 Annual Report.”
Masi. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to section 21 of the Human Rights Act, I wish to table the following: 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. I'd like to draw your attention again, Members, to the presence in the gallery today of Mr. Yacub Adam, deputy chairperson of the Northwest Territories' Human Rights Commission. Masi.
---Applause
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and my apologies. I'm still learning the ropes here. I'd like to move the following motion: WHEREAS the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has expressed its support for greater participation in the democratic process, thereby increasing opportunities for public engagement with respect to the work of the Standing Committees established under the Rules of the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS this government has also recognized the importance of accessibility and transparency and has named the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency;
AND WHEREAS it would be beneficial for this Assembly to have a process established to guide its committees as they work to increase public engagement, becoming more accessible and transparent;
AND WHEREAS the Standing Committee recognizes the process conventions currently established and adopted by this Assembly to assist all Members, within their respective roles, to work for the collective good of the people of the Northwest Territories;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that this Assembly refers the issue of standing committee public engagement and transparency to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures to recommend a process that may be adopted by all Standing Committees of the 18th Legislative Assembly;
AND FURTHER, that the research and analysis include consultation with a public and a jurisdictional review;
AND FURTHERMORE, that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures report back to the House with its recommendations during the fall 2016 sitting.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Motion is on the floor. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.
---Carried
Motions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to present a motion: WHEREAS Section 48(1) of the Human Rights Act provides for the establishment of an adjudication panel composed of at least three persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;
AND WHEREAS Section 48(4) of the Human Rights Act provides that members of the panel hold office, during good behaviour, for a term of four years, with the exception of the first members appointed;
AND WHEREAS there are currently two vacancies of the adjudication panel;
AND WHEREAS the Board of Management is tasked with recommending individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Mr. Adrian Wright of Salt Spring Island, BC, be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as a member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel, effective immediately for a term of four years.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Motion is on the floor. Motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.
---Carried
Motions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that notwithstanding Rule 4 when this House adjourns on February 25, 2016, it shall be adjourned until Monday, February 29, 2016;
AND FURTHER, that at any time prior to February 29, 2016, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Motion is on the floor. Motion is not debatable. All those in favour. All those opposed. Motion carried.
---Carried
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act be read for the first time.
I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the Committee? Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, committee wishes to review Tabled Document 3-18(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016; and Tabled Document 4-18(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2015-2016.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does the committee agree?
Agreed.
We'll take a short recess and resume with the first item.
---SHORT RECESS
I call Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 3-18(2), Supplementary Estimates, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016. Does the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair, I do. I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2015-2016. This document provides for an increase of $4.6 million to the capital budget. This document provides for an increase of $4.6 million to the capital budget. The most significant item is the $4.5 million related to the purchase of mineral claims and leases on the Mactung property pursuant to the North American Tungsten Corporation Limited's insolvency process. This is required in the infrastructure supplementary appropriation due to the principal purchase of the tangible asset requiring a capital appropriation. That concludes my opening remarks.
