A lot of the money that is used to fund summer students is through vacant positions that might be in the department, and the summer students would be on for, well, obviously, the summer. A lot of money for that is funded through vacant positions.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to thank the Minister again for that. I am wondering, though, if we can come up with some kind of incentive for departments to hire summer students. To just wait for vacant positions or see if they can scrape some money from various programs doesn't seem to me to be a very systematic or comprehensive way to fund these positions. Can the Minister commit to looking at perhaps a government-wide policy on summer student funding and setting targets and so on?
Mr. Speaker, no, I would rather not set a specific target because that might be limiting us. Again, I will work with the departments to try to get as many summer students on as possible. We don't wait for vacant positions, but, if there is an opportunity, we use the funding for those vacant positions to bring on summer students, and it is kind of progressive employment. We get a lot of these summer students coming back year after year. I will confirm, but I would assume that some of these summer students actually turn out to be interns within the government system. I did commit to sharing some information with the Member on the number of interns. I will get that information put together, and I will share it with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier on today, the honourable Member from the Deh Cho was asking the Minister of Lands some questions in regard to support for elders, and I would like to follow up on some of those questions. In some of the communities, the tax fees, elders don't have to pay taxes; their taxes are waived. Has the department looked at something similar for elders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Lands.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member opposite is quite correct. In certain communities, homeowners who have reached 65 do have their taxes or a portion of their taxes waived, but that is taxation, and I think it is a program that is just about unique in Canada. No, we haven't been contemplating something similar for land lease fees, but we have of course contemplated lowering those fees and also giving our seniors a 50 per cent break on them.
I thank the Minister for your answer. I know we are unique, with the high cost of living here in the Northwest Territories. I know the Minister and the lands department is looking at reducing to 5 per cent. Will the Minister look at 3 per cent, which then, if they give 50 per cent, it is only 1.5 per cent for an elder?
Of course, lease fees are fees for the exclusive use of the land, and they are based on the assessed value of the land. Of course, there are certain costs that are borne by the department. This is not a cash grab in any way. We think the reduction from 10 to 5 per cent is quite reasonable.
I appreciate the Minister's viewpoint, but I don't agree with it. I think it seems to me we are taking money the residents, especially our elders, who are our foundation. Even if he is not going go to 3 per cent for across the Territories for land leases, will he get the department to look to see what the cost will be if we waive the land fees for our elders?
The fees, in my view, when the contemplated reduction from 10 to 5 per cent goes through, are very reasonable. Again, they are fees that are assessed on the land value. If your property had a value of $40,000, which would be a very large lot, the 5 per cent of that would be $2,000. If you are a senior, it would be reduced to $1,000. I think those fees are reasonable. The government does have to collect revenue from some sources to fund all of our programs.
Masi. Oral Question. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answering that. Previously on this floor here, he said 10 per cent was reasonable in his opinion. Now we are going to 5 per cent. We are getting closer. Can the Minister get the department to look to see what it is going to cost the Government of the Northwest Territories if we waive the fee? That, to me, is reasonable for our elders, who have done a lot for us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ten per cent was, on reflection, thought to be a little on the high side. Therefore, we are contemplating reducing it to 5 per cent, which I think is really very reasonable, as I say. In the example of the property that had the value of $40,000, 5 per cent of that would be $2,000. The seniors, in addition, could apply for a rebate. As I also mentioned earlier in response to another question, there is possible support through the Income Assistance Policy Manual. I don't think we are contemplating lowering it below 5 per cent, which is a reduction of 50 per cent from what it was. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question 5-18(3) asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on February 15, 2018, to the Minister of Infrastructure regarding sole-source contract details.
Mr. Speaker, last year, when the GNWT tendered out its bulk fuel requirements for delivery by barge for community and industrial customer resupply, the only bid received came from Imperial Oil Ltd. No other companies bid because they did not have access to Imperial Oil's proprietary infrastructure. Given that Imperial Oil is the only company with the infrastructure required to safely unload rail cars and reload barges in Hay River, the Department of Infrastructure decided to award sole source contracts 2865 and 2922 to Imperial Oil rather than issue a public tender for this work. Imperial Oil was able to provide even better pricing for the 2017 sailing season than it did for the previous year, resulting in over $600,000 in savings for the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, with regards to sole-source contract 2949 with the Inuvialuit Development Corporation for "as and when financial advisory services," the decision to sole source this contact was prompted by the urgency of the required services to support Marine Transportation Services' 2017 shipping season. These services included setting up an accounting system, preparing monthly financial statements, and providing financial information for the development of a business plan for Marine Transportation Services. The reason for not sourcing these services in-house from GNWT advisors was that the person that provided services under the contract was a former Northern Transportation Company Ltd. senior manager who had in-depth knowledge of the management support systems designed for this marine operation and experience that was not available in-house.
With respect to sole-source contract 3559, "offshore recruiting services" refers to hiring qualified marine personnel for GNWT Marine Transportation Services, including marine officers and engineers, deckhands, engine room assistants, catering crew, navigational pilots, supervisors, and operational personnel. This contract was awarded to Offshore Recruiting Services Inc., a company with specialized expertise in this area, to ensure such a provider was in place well before the start of the 2017 sailing season to minimize risk, secure marine crews, and guarantee that GNWT Marine Transportation Services was able to operate in 2017. For the 2018 sailing season, these services were procured through a public procurement process and a contract is in the process of being awarded.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the start of the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal project, the Department of Infrastructure identified a requirement to procure project management services, instead of providing these services in-house. The department succeeded in awarding a contract for these services to Buffalo Canada Inc. through the public procurement process. However, as the project transitioned from procurement to construction, the principal of Buffalo Canada Inc. left the project due to personal reasons. At this time, the GNWT decided to terminate the contract with Buffalo Canada Inc. and award sole-source 2811 to the previously subcontracted project manager under the name Fireside Project Management Inc. to continue providing the same project management services and avoid delaying the project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2016-2017." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table to following document entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 68-18(3): Infrastructure Projects in the Mackenzie Delta." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table to following two documents entitled "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 84-18(3): Historical Case Unit within the RCMP" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 96-18(3): Gangs in Correctional Centres in the NWT." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, March 8, 2018, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Mr. Paul Parker of Yellowknife be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel, effective immediately, for a term of four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, March 8, 2018, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Ms. Gail Cyr of Yellowknife be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as a member of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission, effective immediately, for a term of four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, March 8, 2018, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the Legislative Assembly supports the goal of increasing women's representation in the Legislative Assembly to 20 per cent by 2023 and 30 per cent by 2027; and, further, that Members of this Legislative Assembly work together and individually to identify and implement a wide range of strategies, including positive action, public debate, and training and mentoring for women as leaders to achieve these goals. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the committee would like to consider Tabled Document 63-18(3), Main Estimates 2018-2019 with the Department of Justice as the department under consideration. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. We will consider the document after a brief recess.
---SHORT RECESS
I will now Committee of the Whole back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 63-18 (3), Main Estimates 2018-2019, and look at the Department of Justice, which begins on page 269. I will turn to the Minister of Justice for any opening statements. Minister Sebert.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2018-2019 Main Estimates for the Department of Justice. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $2.7 million or 2.2 per cent over the 2017-2018 Main Estimates.
In our mandate, our government defines commitments to support the RCMP. We recognize the integral part they play to keep our families safe, including the reduction of violence in family homes and supporting community priorities. We will continue to work collaboratively with the RCMP to find innovative ways to address operational and financial pressures in providing police services throughout our territory. This continues to be a priority of the department.
On this front, these estimates include just over $2.1 million in increases to support the Territorial Police Services Agreement. This includes $304,000 of initiatives funding to establish a Historical Case Unit to focus on unsolved murdered and missing person cases, and $289,000 in forced growth to add two RCMP officers for the Hay River detachment to meet public safety requirements and the needs of the communities they serve. An additional $1.744 million in forced growth for the RCMP will support compensation increases; the vehicle management program; the accommodation program charge, which is funding for maintaining buildings and living quarters and replacing detachments; and funding for national programs rate increases.
In addition, these estimates include $224,000 of initiatives funding, along with a $213,000 transfer from the RCMP to support the sheriff's office, which will be assuming the responsibility for prisoner security in the courthouse in Yellowknife. This initiative will establish four new sheriff's officer positions and alleviate pressures on RCMP resources.
Other highlights of the proposed estimates include reductions of $584,000, $478,000 of which result from restructuring the court reporter program, and a $616,000 increase arising from federal funding for the Access to Justice Services and the Indigenous Justice programs.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly and will support the department in making progress on a range of initiatives such as continuing to implement innovative ways to prevent and reduce crime; bringing forward a bill to replace the Corrections Act that will strengthen the requirement for culturally appropriate programming and foster an environment that responds to offenders' needs for rehabilitation; and working with GNWT departments to ensure that the necessary policy, program, and legislative regimes are in place to support the legalization of cannabis in the Northwest Territories.
That concludes my opening remarks. I welcome questions from Members. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister Sebert. I understand you have witnesses you wish to bring into the Chamber. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, you may join them at the witness table. Minister, will you please introduce your witnesses for the record?
Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left is Mandi Bolstad, director of Corporate Services, and to my right is Martin Goldney, deputy minister. Thank you.
Thank you. Committee, we previously agreed to forgo opening comments. Does committee agree we again forego opening comments?
Agreed.
