Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance regarding the public accounts for the fiscal year 2014-2015.
Can the Minister confirm that government spending on infrastructure exceeded the operating surplus, as per page 8 of the non-consolidated public accounts?
What are the consequences for government not adhering to its own Fiscal Responsibility Policy by failing to finance infrastructure from 50 per cent of the operating surplus?
What is the cost of the additional borrowing required for infrastructure funding in that year?
Can the Minister commit to make the reporting on adherence to the Fiscal Responsibility Policy available in plain language within three months of the review of the public account?
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Written questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations. In Return to Written Question 27-17(5), asked on March 10, 2015, information was provided regarding horizontally fractured wells in the Northwest Territories. A portion of the response provided indicated that, “The information requested is currently subject to the privilege provision of Section 91 of the Petroleum Resources Act.” Since the privilege period for this information has expired, can the government now supply information on the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions due to flaring and for how many days flaring occurred and
Information on the total volume of fracking fluid used, fracking fluids recovered and fracking fluids left in the ground.
Information on activities carried out to monitor the condition of well casings including details and results of any plan for the continuous monitoring of well casing integrity and measures to detect leakage.
Any results from the annual surface and ground water monitoring, indicating changes to the ground water and surface water quality, as a result of the ConocoPhillips horizontal fracturing program.
What monitoring and inspection takes place to verify the contents of the surface and ground water monitoring plan reports submitted annually by ConocoPhillips?
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Written questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Finance. On June 17, 2016, the Minister of Finance said, “I can say that we probably have 50 per cent of our small businesses in the Northwest Territories. I believe they don’t pay any tax at all.”
Over a ten-year average, how many small businesses are operating in the Northwest Territories and how many do not pay taxes based on GNWT tax regulations?
Please provide details of the policies, legislation, and any additional regulations that permit small businesses in the Northwest Territories not to pay taxes?
What is the projected impact on government revenue over a ten-year average of a reduction of one per cent to the lower corporate income tax rate?
What is the projected impact on government revenue over a ten-year average of a reduction of two per cent to the lower corporate income tax rate?
What is the projected impact on government revenue over a ten-year average of a reduction of one per cent to the higher corporate income tax rate?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 6-18(2) asked by Ms. Green on June 16, 2016, to the Honourable Bob McLeod, Premier, regarding the cost of the Visual Identity Program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
What factors prompted the decision for and timing of the creation of a new visual identity?
The previous government initiated a review of the GNWT Corporate identity in 2013. This was the first review of the policy since its inception in 1990. It was determined that our logos and word marks did not meet legislated language requirements nor did they allow us to address modern applications such as web and social media.
How much was spent developing a new visual identity program, including contract costs of public and internal consultation, and for preparation, selection of and approval of design alternatives?
In 2013 a contract was established with Tait Communications for $27,263.98 to review the GNWT Corporate Identity. All subsequent work was completed within existing internal allocations and did not require supplementary funds.
How much was spent on the development of visual identity standards guides and design elements and the dissemination of guidelines and design components?
All standards, guides, guidelines, design elements and design components were developed and produced by our own in-house experts. This work was done by corporate communications and two graphic designers employed by ENR and Lands.
How much has been spent replacing pre-existing materials bearing superseded visual identity elements?
In some cases, the materials are being repurposed. For example, stationery was recycled into note pads. Otherwise, materials will be made VIP compliant at the same time they are brought into compliance with legislated language requirements or during normal, planned life-cycle replacement. This is routinely managed through multi-year planning processes. For example, the NWT health care cards were already scheduled to be replaced and thus were made VIP compliant in January; driver’s licences will be made VIP compliant in 2020, in keeping with existing plans.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the extended operating hours for MV Lafferty ferry. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 153 handwritten signatures of Northwest Territories residents and three electronic signatures of Northwest Territories and Canadian residents. Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Department of Transportation extend the operating hours of the MV Lafferty ferry to 6:00 a.m. to midnight daily without creating a service break in the afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Petitions. Member for Frame Lake.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the closure of the Mark de Weerdt Law Library. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 36 electronic signatures of Northwest Territories and Canadian residents, and, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners request that the Department of Justice continue to maintain the core library collection and keep the law library open to all members of the public. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled “Patient Supports (Escorts): Stakeholder Engagement and Program Options Medical Travel Modernization Project, Public Interest Options and Recommendations Report, May 2016” and “The Results Report (2015-2016) 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Action Plan.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Public Works and Services.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Energy Conservation Initiatives Report 2015-2016.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Connecting Us: Four-Year Action Plan.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled “Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000, April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents. Member for Nahendeh.
Mr. Speaker, further to the petition I delivered to this House earlier this afternoon, I wish to table correspondence from the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce regarding extended hours of service for the MV Lafferty Ferry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on June 29, 2016, it shall be adjourned until Thursday October 13, 2016;
AND FURTHER, that at any time prior to October 13, 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 should meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Motion is in order. To the motion.
Question
Question has been called. Motion is carried.
Motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Item 21, report of Committee of the Whole. Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Deputy Commissioner of Northwest Territories, the Honourable Gerald W. Kisoun, is prepared to enter the Chamber and assent to the bills?
Please be seated. Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. Quyanainni, qaiqqafi, and shiik kut hai cho. First, I would like to offer my congratulations to George Tuccaro for his six years of dedicated service to the Northwest Territories as our Commissioner. Mr. Tuccaro filled the role beautifully, and he conducted himself with dignity, respect, compassion, and sometimes with a bit of humour and music, too. I also want to congratulate the four recipients of the Order of the NWT, who received this honour and their medals here this morning: Nellie Cournoyea, Tony Whitford, Jan Stirling, and Marie Wilson. As we enjoy the summer months, we have waited so long for them; I would like to wish each of you a safe, healthy and happy summer as you take your break and enjoy quality time with your families. Please travel safely on the land, on our waters, in the air, and on our highways even as you continue working for the betterment of all Northerners. Please encourage and remind your families, friends, and people in your communities to be safe out on the land, and to wear personal floatation devices, PFDs, when travelling by boat on our waterways. As this sitting comes to a close, I wish the Members of this House good health and happiness as you enjoy the coming summer and continued work in your constituencies. Now, as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
Bill 9, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2016-2017
Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2016-2017
Thank you. Hai cho. Quyanainni. Merci beaucoup. Mahsi cho. Koana.
---SHORT RECESS
Please be seated. Colleagues, I would like to extend the appreciation of the House to the Deputy Commissioner, Gerald W. Kisoun. It was a pleasure having you in the House here today. On behalf of all Members, I would also like to thank all the Pages who have contributed to this sitting. Having young people in our Chamber is a wonderful reminder of the reasons why we are here today, and, colleagues, I would also like to say thank you to the interpreters we have had working with us during these last five weeks. As our words go out to our communities, it is very satisfying to know that parts of our proceedings are being heard in our own languages. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of our interpreters. I extend the thanks of this House to:
Mary Rose Sundberg (Tlicho)
Sarah Cleary (North Slavey)
David Black (French services)
Tom Unka (Chipewyan)
Eleanor Bran (South Slavey)
Annie Goose (Inuinnaqtun)
Lillian Elias (Inuvialuqtun)
In addition, I would like to thank the elders Francis Williah and also Moise Rabesca for offering prayers during our sitting. Members, colleagues, I would also like to recognize the work that you have all undertaken during these past weeks. Together, you have debated and adopted the first budget of the 18th Legislative Assembly. I commend Members for the attention you have shown and the judgment you have exercised as you carried out your work. Colleagues, earlier today in this Chamber we inducted four prominent Northerners into the Order of NWT. Nellie Cournoyea, Jan Stirling, Tony Whitford, and Marie Wilson are individuals who have, through their public and private lives, made an outstanding contribution to our territory. They inspire us all and remind us that we are part of the shared community in the North, a community that we must all work to preserve, protect, and promote. I’d like to congratulate on behalf of the Assembly here to this year’s inductees. As we leave the Chamber today, many of you will be travelling; travelling back to your homes, to your communities, your families and your constituents. I hope you all take the time to enjoy this brief and beautiful summer season. This Friday, Northerners will join all Canadians to celebrate our great country. I know that Canada Day celebrations will be taking place across the North, and I hope that Members will have an opportunity to take part. We are truly fortunate to live in such a great country as Canada. June is also graduation season and I would also like to extend congratulations all the northern graduates in the Northwest Territories. We wish each and every one of you the very best as you begin this new chapter in your lives. We are very proud of you. Colleagues, enjoy the summer recess and travel safely until we all meet again.
Colleagues, today is the last day in this Chamber for one of our table officers, Gail Bennett. Gail has served this institution, our Legislative Assembly, its Members and committees, faithfully and with great professionalism for more than ten years. Tomorrow is the first day of the next exciting stage in her life: retirement. Please join me in thanking Gail for her fine service to the Legislative Assembly and wishing her well in her well-earned retirement. Congratulations, Gail. We will miss you.
---Applause
Orders of the day for Thursday, October 13, 2016, 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 Commissioner’s 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
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Masi, Madam Clerk. This House adjourns until Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 3:11 p.m.
