Debates of May 29, 2018 (day 31)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, until that, can we expect no further appropriations for the current courtroom renovations until that planning study is done, notwithstanding the work that's already been undertaken, so no new work apart from what is already going on until we can see that business case and potentially approve a new facility? Thank you.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it is my understanding that there is no new work being done, and we will have a look at it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Any final words, Mr. Testart?

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Not to say that, if there is a security deficiency or something like that that needs to get done, it should not get done. All I am saying is that, if we are going to commit to a new planning study, we should be considering a new building before we throw money, more money, into the rented building. That just quite frankly is not good value for money when you look at it over time, and studies have been done on this. So I am content with that, and I am content that the Minister is not spending any more money than he has to on this project. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Justice, capital investment expenditures, corrections, not previously authorized, $17,602,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Justice, capital investment expenditures, court services, not previously authorized, $835,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Justice, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $18,437,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. The final department of the infrastructure expenditures, Lands, is on page 17, $69,000. Comments or questions? Seeing none, Lands, capital investment expenditures, corporate management, $69,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Lands, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $69,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that we have concluded consideration of Tabled Document 193-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 2, 2018-2019?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Thank you to the Minister, and thank you to your witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that consideration of Tabled Document 193-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 2, 2018-2019, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 193-18(3) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in the formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, committee. That brings us to the halfway point of our agenda for the evening. Committee, we have next agreed to consider Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019. I will turn to the Minister of Finance for any opening comments. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am here to present Tabled Document 194-18(3), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2018-2019. This document provides for an increase of $12.6 million to the operations budget.

The major items included in these supplementary estimates include:

$6.5 million to fund activities associated with the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund Funding Agreement with the Government of Canada. These expenditures will be partially offset by funding from the federal government.

$3.1 million to continue delivering existing programs under the Canada-NWT Workforce Development Agreement. These expenditures are fully offset by revenues from the federal government.

$1.3 million for the additional expenditures associated with providing a 1 per cent wage increase for non-unionized employees, effective April 1, 2018.

$723,000 for expenditures associated with initiatives started in 2017-2018 under the Canada-NWT Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This amount was offset by an equivalent lapse of funding in 2017-2018.

$694,000 for the additional expenditures associated with the collective agreement between the GNWT and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association.

That concludes my opening remarks, Mr. Chair. I am prepared to respond to the committee's questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Sergeant-at-Arms, will you please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, you may take your seat at the witness table. Minister McLeod, will you please introduce your witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, to my right I have Mr. David Stewart, who is the deputy minister of Finance. To my left, I have Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar, who is the deputy secretary to the FMB. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Welcome back to the witnesses. Committee, do you agree to forgo opening comments?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. We will proceed directly into the detail, which begins on page 4 of the supplementary estimates for the operations expenditures. Legislative Assembly is the first department that we hit. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The line here is $59,000 for a 1 per cent compensation increase for nonunionized employees, effective April 1, 2018. This is consistent throughout this document. I think on every page there is the same adjustment, the nonunionized employee adjustment. With your indulgence, I will just ask a general question around it before we approve this appropriation.

Obviously, nonunionized employees are separate from the collective bargaining process, which, for all intents, is stalled. Does the Minister have any concerns that moving ahead with this 1 per cent compensation increase might impact the collective bargaining process if it is approved in this supplementary appropriation? Thank you.

Cagey use of procedure by the Member. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I don't think it will impact it. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

I might disagree with the Minister, but we will have to wait to see what occurs should the appropriation move forward.

Now, if there is a change in the collective agreement, my understanding is that nonunionized employees' compensation is typically matched to what is set out in the collective agreement. If a collective agreement comes into effect with a more generous compensation rate than the 1 per cent increase contemplated here, will the Minister move to increase the compensation for nonunionized employees? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my understanding is that, if there was an agreement reached and the compensation was a bit higher than this, then we have the opportunity to adjust this particular number in the future. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

That is good to hear. I think it would be unfortunate if we had kind of a one-and-done approach to this issue, and fairness to employees of the public service is always first and foremost on my mind. Nothing further. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 20182019, Legislative Assembly, operations expenditures, office of the Clerk, not previously authorized, $59,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Thank you. Legislative Assembly, operations expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $59,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Thank you, committee. Please turn to page 5, Education, Culture and Employment. Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, corporate management, not previously authorized, $71,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, culture, heritage and languages, not previously authorized, negative $150,000. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Education, Culture and Employment, operations expenditures, early childhood and school services, not previously authorized, $1,455,000. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, there is a line item here to provide funding for compensation increases under the NWT Teachers' Association Collective Agreement for $694,000. Can the Minister tell me what the percentage change in the salary or compensation is for 20182019 that this is covering? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it was a fouryear agreement. The first year was zero. The second year was zero. This year is 1 per cent, and that is reflective, I believe, in this supplemental request for $694,000, and the fourth year is 1 per cent as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I believe in collective bargaining, as I have said before. I support an increase, whether it is for our nonunionized employees, as well as our unionized employees, and I really urge the Minister to get on with negotiations with our main union, the Union of Northern Workers. I have already been on record as supporting a CPI increase on an annual basis, and I think that is an appropriate offer that we should be making to our main union. Now is not the time to, perhaps, discuss that, but I support regular increases to our employees. Thanks, Mr. Chair.