Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the supplementary appropriation will add two new positions in addition to the three that were identified in the main budget document. I believe, in the main budget document, the three that were identified were actually going to go to Fort Smith, but after having some discussions with committee, we determined that we will add two new positions, recognizing that there are a number of leases that need to be taken care of. That would have brought the total to five, and we decided that two would go in Fort Smith, one would go in Inuvik, one in Fort Simpson, and one in Yellowknife; so two new positions as a result of this supplementary appropriation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Some information was provided to committee in terms of where the outstanding equity leases were located. The most equity leases are actually found in Fort Providence at 58. There are only six in Fort Smith. Has there been any consideration given to having one of these positions located in Fort Providence where most of the equity leases are located? Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, there are a couple of factors. I mean, I take the Member's point. I have seen the numbers. We would have to look at the availability of office space and being able to set up in the community.
I don't know if the final decision has been made yet. I suppose the Department of Lands would have to look at all of the information that is provided and then make a final decision as to whether it's going to be in Fort Simpson or Fort Providence. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Minister. The Minister of Lands has indicated that he would like to speak to this. Minister Sebert.
Yes. After the initial discussions, Mr. Chair, with respect to this matter, we went from three to five positions, as there was an interest to resolve this matter faster. We will have to make the allocation of positions dependent, of course, on office space and some other considerations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for that, Minister. Mr. O'Reilly.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I think that one way to get this done faster is to actually probably move one of those positions from Fort Smith and put it in Fort Providence, where most of the equity leases are located.
I will just make that recommendation to my friend, the Minister of Lands, and to my colleague, the Minister of Finance. If they would like to respond, I would be happy to hear it, but that would be my recommendation. If you want to deal with this faster, put the bodies where the problems are. Not that there are problems with Fort Providence, but there is an outstanding number of equity leases there that is the highest number of any of the communities. Put the person there so that they can resolve it faster. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. Do you wish to respond, any Minister? Minister McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and recommendation noted.
Thank you. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures) No. 1, 2018-2019. Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to speak on this matter here. The idea, I am trying to create two positions to address the equity of these issues, and just to try and move forward on the matter. There has been at least an assessment of whether indeed the position could be realized for the community of Fort Providence. I understand that there had been an indication of just the current office space that houses the current employees, GNWT employees at Sun Centre, and I understand there is available office space that could be quickly mobilized to at least create a position in the community. I am just seeking whether a decision has been formalized and this is a go forward, or would a small community, once again, maybe realize some benefits at least from most of the government positions being in headquarters or else regional centres, but at least for a small community to be considered to receive positions such as this so that you have actually feet on the ground to at least get an understanding of the issue and to try and move forward? Mahsi.
Thank you. Minister McLeod.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, again, I am not sure if the decision has been finalized. What I do know is we brought forward a supplementary appropriation after discussions and the committee recognizing the need to get more bodies on the ground to deal with equity leases. As far as the actual physical location, I am not sure if that has been finalized. I will have a discussion again with my colleague, the Minister of Lands. If there are opportunities, again, we said before, and I think the Minister said it as well, that there are a number of factors they look at. Of course, this government wants to see a lot of positions go to small communities, but there has to be a fit there as well. We will explore that, and we will have a discussion with committee.
Thank you, Minister. Would anyone else like to chime in? Mr. Nadli. Nothing further from Mr. Nadli.
Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019, Lands, operations expenditures, operations not previously authorized, $578,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Lands, operations expenditures, total department not previously authorized $578,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Do you agree that we have concluded our consideration of Tabled Document 140-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. Thank you to the Minister and your witness for appearing before us. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness from the Chamber. Mr. Testart.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 140-18(3) Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019 now be concluded, and that Tabled Document 140-18(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session to the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
What is the wish of Committee? Mr. Testart.
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that the Chairman of Committee of the Whole leave the chair to report progress. Thank you.
There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
I will rise and report progress.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 140-18(3), Supplementary Estimates, (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2018-2019, and would like to report progress with one motion carried; and that consideration of Tabled Document 140-18(3) has been concluded, and that the House concur in those estimates, and that an appropriation bill to be based thereon be introduced without delay. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report to the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Masi. Do we have a seconder? Member for Kam Lake. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2017-2018, be read for the third time. Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Member has requested for a recorded vote. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Frame Lake, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, the Member for Great Slave.
Masi. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. Masi. The results of the recorded vote: 11 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions.
---Carried
Bill 10 has had its third reading. Third reading of bills. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2017-2018, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to request a recorded vote.
Masi. The Member has requested for a recorded vote. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Frame Lake, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, and the Member for Great Slave.
All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.
The results of the recorded vote: 11 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions.
---Carried
Bill 11 has had its third reading.
Orders of the day for Thursday, March 15, 2018, 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 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
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Motion 14-18(3), Extended Adjournment of the House to May 24, 2018
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
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Bill 8, Emergency Management Act
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
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Minister's Statement 1-18(3), North Slave Correctional Complex Inmate Concerns
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Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
