Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, the Housing Corporation did meet with Arnica Inn, and we did come to a conclusion that Arnica Inn will be meeting with their consultant who completed their application to get clarification as to why the application -- it was not denied; I do not want to elaborate on that, but there were concerns for amendments and for the application to be resubmitted. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is committed to following up with them next week, and we will be working in conjunction together to try to help and support the application going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the answer from the Minister. My question is: who is talking to CMHC? It was ultimately them who turned the application back because of a number of deficiencies. Who is working with CMHC to figure out what those deficiencies are and how they can be addressed in the short term?
The application is a federal application, and we don't administer it at a territorial level. We are subject to a funding source for these applications going forward, and the conversation would have to happen between CMHC and the applicant. To be honest to the Member, we have not seen a copy of the application, and I have requested that Arnica Inn provide that to us and have a conversation going forward. I know that it doesn't sound fair, but honestly, this is CMHC's program. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is not involved in the process, but we do support the applicant and assist them in completing the application.
Yes, this is a difficult process, obviously, and the Yellowknife Women's Society is committed to making this work, because we need the housing. Can the Minister tell us what lessons have been learned from this first of 12 applications to the co-investment fund about how the Housing Corporation could be involved in a different way so that applications go in where everybody is informed about the intent and the potential problems?
The Member is correct. This is a new application and a new funding source that is provided to the Northwest Territories from the federal government. In administering and seeing this application go through to the second phase, we have noticed that we need to make improvements with this application process. I am in conversation with my department to establish a position that would be able to work between the Housing Corporation and CMHC to make sure that the application process is clear and communication is flowing.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that. One of the lessons learned for me is that communication is really poor around this application process. Is there a way for the NWT Housing Corporation to receive the application as a copy, knowing that there is no adjudication by the Housing Corporation; it's up to CMHC, but can you at least receive the same information that they receive so that you understand what's being requested and how you can support it? Thank you.
Thank you to the Member. The application is completed between the client and CMHC, and going forward, it's at the discretion of the applicant if they want to share that final information with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Going forward, this is going to be something that I am going to encourage. We do need a working document, because the applicants and the clients are going to be looking for financial support from the Housing Corporation. We need something to work off of when they come forward with their ask, but going forward, I will be encouraging a copy of the application to be submitted as well to the Housing Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Going back to what I was saying in my Member's statement about allowing small businesses into NWT Housing Corporation units, I have some questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. For some context here, I'm keeping in mind these parents struggling to support their families who are on Income Assistance to get their small businesses up and running. My question to the Minister is: will the Minister commit to having a six-month grace period for individuals with their small businesses to have their Income Assistance not be affected while their business gets up and running? Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is part of a broader discussion that we have been having about how we can better use Income Assistance to get people into the workforce or support self-sufficiency. The Member spoke earlier about a laissez-faire approach to business, and some of the concerns around this are, if Income Assistance is paying for rent as well as income while someone is starting a small business, that puts them at advantage over other people who have other expenses, to pay for office space, and things like that.
That being said, the Member makes a very good point. You can't get back on your feet if, as soon as you're making a bit of money, you're knocked down. People who collect Income Assistance are not automatically disqualified once they start a small business. If they still meet the requirements, they are still eligible for Income Assistance.
That's a long way to say that this is a bigger question than just saying yes right now. The review that we're doing in terms of Income Assistance is a big review. It's looking at what we want this program to accomplish. I can't make this commitment, because it's going to cost money to do what the Member is asking. That has to go through the Financial Management Board, and it has to go through this Assembly. That being said, I am looking at ways to reform the system to make sure that we help people get ahead and don't contribute to keeping them down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the responding Minister. That's encouraging. Again, I'm hoping to see more of our other departments working with each other, because this is a multidepartment issue. I am hoping to hear from the Minister whether he's willing to work with the other departments to get this done and have a policy moving forward that makes sense, that will encourage small business owners to get on their feet.
Absolutely. This government is all about collaboration and breaking down silos. I have to work with the Housing Corporation, as I've stated before. When we're talking about small businesses, I have to work with ITI. I am absolutely going to do that, and I am going to have to work with the committees of this Assembly, as some of the changes that are being discussed would require legislative changes that would have to go through the committee stage.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation not available]
I have a couple of written questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Can the Minister of Infrastructure please provide a breakdown or detail of all the contracts and subcontractors at the Tlicho all-season road construction, and please provide addresses for these contracts and the length of their contracts. In addition, provide some details of O and M contracts and subcontracts after the construction is completed in 2022. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 2-19(2) asked by the Member for Yellowknife Centre on February 6, 2020, related to the president of Aurora College and associate deputy minister of post-secondary education renewal.
I would like to advise you that the executive search firm hired to assist in finding qualified applicants for this position was paid a total of $80,224.08 for their services.
Deputy Head salary ranges are publicly available on the GNWT website and range from $182,805 to $279,289 per annum effective April 1, 2019. I can confirm that the salary offered and accepted was within this pay range.
Provisions for relocation expenses are outlined in the Senior and Manager's Handbook, page 16, and can include transportation, accommodations, meals, and incidentals, excess baggage, packing, storage of effects, real estate, and legal fees. It should be noted that deputy heads may negotiate further provisions as part of their individual contracts. The average cost in 2019-2020 to move a senior manager to Yellowknife from all locations Canada wide was $21,600.
Although the question posed was not for the direct severance provisions included in a specific individual's contract, the standard provisions would too closely reflect Dr. Weegar's conditions of employment. This type of disclosure is prohibited under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Additionally, as the privacy protections of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act do not allow the release of specific compensation information in relation to an identifiable individual, we believe disclosure of the standard compensation formula provided for in the severance provisions included in a deputy ministers employment contract and the standard severance cost of ending a deputy ministers employment contract at the one year mark would be releasing information that is protected under the act. Although the Member's request is made from a standard perspective, the requested information is clearly tied to Dr. Weegar's employment given the reference to Dr. Weegar's title and when he was hired. In this context, we believe we would be publicly disclosing information that is protected under the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 3-19(2) asked by Member for Monfwi on February 6, 2020, regarding the Indigenization of prison populations.
In the past 10 years, what programs and initiatives has the territorial government launched to keep Indigenous people out of jail, and what do the evaluations of those various programs and initiatives conclude about effectiveness of each?
The GNWT has supported diversion for youth and adults since 1994, including the implementation of the NWT Youth Justice Act, solidifying our commitment to diversion as a fundamental part of providing an alternative to custody for NWT residents who have committed certain types of offenses. The Department of Justice Community Justice Program provides funding for restorative justice programming at the community level, as well as the facilitation of formal diversion of matters from the traditional justice system.
Community justice coordinators and volunteer committees work together in communities to provide these services from their unique local perspective. Committees consist of volunteers who represent the community and assist the Coordinators with formal diversions, community service, and local crime prevention initiatives. The Community Justice Program is focused on collaboration and inclusivity, culturally relevant and responsive to specific communities as the programs are delivered by sponsoring agencies in those communities. These efforts were included in a 2011 review of the Community Justice Initiative. NWT Community Justice Review: Together We're Better "Looking Ahead" was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on May 19, 2011.
For eligible offenders whose cases do go to court and who take responsibility for their actions by pleading guilty, the NWT Wellness Court and the Domestic Violence Treatment Options or DVTO Court provide alternatives to conventional court that focus on the offender rather than the offence. Wellness Court applies a model that seeks to address underlying issues of drug and alcohol addiction, mental health and cognitive challenges. Social program departments and agencies support the Wellness Court and are participating as necessary to implement the case plans of Wellness Court clients. The DVTO Court is an option for low to medium risk offenders who agree to attend an eight-module program. Successful completion of either court program is a mitigating factor in sentencing. The Department of Justice is preparing to complete an evaluation of specialized court programs in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
What proportion of territorial prison staff are Indigenous, broken down by employment category, especially management, program delivery, and guards?
Across all NWT correctional facilities, 58 percent of Corrections managers consisting of all levels of wardens and supervisors are Indigenous Aboriginal. Similarly, Indigenous Aboriginal employees also constitute the majority of all employees at both the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre, where 20 out of 34 or 59 percent of employees are Indigenous Aboriginal and the Fort Smith Correctional Complex where 19 out of 37 or 51 percent of employees are Indigenous Aboriginal.
At the North Slave Correctional Complex or NSCC in Yellowknife, the proportion of Indigenous Aboriginal employees is lower at 18 percent, but equal to that of Indigenous non-Aboriginal employees. NSCC is the largest correctional facility and the higher numbers of staff there affects the overall proportions of Indigenous Aboriginal corrections officers at 23 percent and program delivery staff, at 37 percent, which includes case managers, instructors, traditional counsellors, and psychologists across NWT corrections.
All NWT correctional facilities integrate Indigenous culture and traditions with input from elders, traditional liaison officers and the participation of other Indigenous staff.
What proportion of territorial prison staff is dedicated full time to counselling, vocational training, and educational upgrading for inmates, and what share of the total correctional system appropriation is allocated for those purposes?
It is difficult to quantify the proportion of staff in NWT correctional facilities that are dedicated full time to counselling, vocational training, and educational upgrading for inmates because such duties are inherent in the work of all frontline corrections staff through the practice of direct supervision of inmates in a living unit. Direct supervision ensures staff visibility and constructively interact with offenders toward a safe working and living environment for all. It involves consideration of factors that affect an offender's behaviour and interactions, including mental health concerns, and the recording and sharing of such factors with specialized staff. Direct supervision by corrections staff supports offenders to engage in pro-social and responsible behaviour.
All correctional officers and staff receive mental health first aid and conflict resolution training by certified instructors. Case managers support offenders in their learning journey in the correctional facility, helping to select appropriate programming and to build a supportive network toward rehabilitation and community reintegration.
The breakdown of specific positions by facility is as follows:
At the North Slave Correctional Complex
dedicated positions are two psychologists, four case managers, one traditional counsellor, two institutional teachers in the adult unit, and one institutional teacher in the youth unit;
At the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre or SMCC dedicated positions are: one psychologist, five traditional counsellor positions of whom one is focussed on addictions counselling, and one case manager. Services of a literacy teacher are provided on contract. The SMCC is transitioning to a therapeutic community to offer even more holistic supports to eligible offenders; and
At the Fort Smith Correctional Complex dedicated positions are one counsellor and one institutional teacher.
In addition, several dedicated program delivery officers in correctional facilities and in community corrections deliver programming to address the needs of offenders such as violence prevention and building healthy relationships.
What has our correctional system done to enhance access to screening, diagnosis and treatment of offenders suffering fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and similarly, what non-traditional approaches have our courts adopted for dealing with such offenders?
The Department of Justice is well aware that many people who come into contact with the criminal justice system suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD or cognitive disabilities brought about through adverse life experiences. These individuals require supports appropriate to their needs and circumstances.
The Department of Justice has taken an approach beyond just FASD to look at the needs of people who may live with FASD and other cognitive challenges affecting daily functioning. This removes the burden of having to secure a diagnosis under the fetal alcohol spectrum or another medically identified condition. In 2011, Justice established a functional assessment committee tasked with identifying tools that determine the level of functioning of offenders related to social skills, daily living skills, and basic indicators for mental capacity. This led to the piloting and implementation of mental health screening tools for men and women that are now used in all NWT correctional facilities.
In corrections, the specific needs of each inmate are identified on admission to custody or community corrections. These needs are reviewed throughout the period during which the individual is under the supervision of NWT Corrections. This includes the option to refer inmates to the new territorial adult FASD diagnosis and support program established in January 2020 by the Department of Health and Social Services.
However, an FASD or other medical diagnosis is not required for an offender with complex needs to access adapted services and supports in NWT Corrections.
NWT Corrections uses an inclusive approach and provides services and supports to offenders and inmates with cognitive difficulties and other complex needs on a case-by-case basis. Individuals with suspected FASD, but not necessarily diagnosed, would fall into this group. Inmates in NWT correctional facilities who are unable to participate in criminogenic programming due to cognitive limitations may be considered for an alternative individual program on a case-by-case basis.
As mentioned in response to the first question, the Department of Justice community justice program provides funding for restorative justice programming at the community level, as well as the facilitation of formal diversion of matters from the traditional justice system. Within the court system, the NWT Wellness Court provides an alternative to conventional court for eligible offenders not yet sentenced and who take responsibility for their actions by pleading guilty.
What progress has the Minister's department made in response to the 18 separate "calls to action" contained in the federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission report relating to justice and correctional matters?
"Meeting the Challenge of Reconciliation: The Government of the Northwest Territories Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action" highlights the many steps that the GNWT has already taken to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal peoples, help restore and heal Indigenous communities, and ensure that Indigenous cultures and traditions are recognized and valued. This GNWT initial response was tabled on October 5, 2015. An update on the GNWT response to the calls to action was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 8, 2017.
The Department of Justice continues to move forward with related work, including working with other provinces and territories in federal, provincial, and territorial justice forums, to ensure action is taken. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Norn.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee would like to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2) Main Estimates 2020-2021, starting with the Department of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Norn. We will proceed with that item after a short break.
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Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021. Does the Department of Finance have any opening remarks?
Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Finance. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $21.3 million or 8.1 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our government's objective to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the coming year.
Highlights of these proposed estimates include:
$7.8 million in forced growth, which includes $4.5 million in short-term debt servicing requirements and $3.3 million in UNW collective bargaining increases;
$10.6 million for the delivery of rebates created to offset the cost related to the implementation of the Northwest Territories Carbon Tax; and
$3.6 million in restatements, which includes $1.4 million to support the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority's conversion to the System for Accountability and Management and the transfer of those functions to Financial and Employee Shared Services, and $2.2 million for the transfer of amortization expenses for technology assets that were transferred to the Department of Finance as a result of the creation of the new Information System Shared Services Branch.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly by:
Streamlining the financial processing for all GNWT departments and the newly integrated Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authorities;
Supporting and managing the GNWT's information security and technology resources through the Information Systems Shared Services branch; and
Ensuring that GNWT departments have the support they need to manage both human and financial resources appropriately.
That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Finance. Does the Minister of Finance wish to bring witnesses into the House?
Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you.
Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce her witness.
Madam Chair, thank you. To my left, I have Sandy Kalgutkar, the deputy minister of the Department of Finance.
Thank you. We will proceed to review the departments for the budget, starting with the Department of Finance. I will now open the floor to general comments on this particular department. Thank you. If there are no opening comments, does the committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?
Agreed.
Committee, we will defer the departmental summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with the directorate, which starts on page 137 of your main estimates item. Members, we will now turn to page 138, where we will have one round of questions per activity area for 10 minutes of questions per Member. In the Finance Department, directorate, operations expenditure summary, program detail, $77,681,000, do Members have any questions? Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Beginning with a general question: can the Minister of Finance provide the total cost of our debt servicing in these main estimates? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Minister of Finance.
Madam Chair, I certainly can provide that number. I'm not sure that I can point it to the Member right this moment on this particular page. I can provide some other general statistics in terms of knowing that it is within the financial responsibilities policy and that we are compliant with that. In fact, we're very low; we're under 2 percent for the coming year, but the actual number, Madam Chair, I will have to get back to the Member.
Thank you, Minister of Finance. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I recognize, perhaps, that was in the summary part that we passed by, so I will just take it as a commitment from the Minister to provide a breakdown of the total cost we are paying to service our debt as projected in these main estimates. That's my only question, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks, Madam Chair. Yes, I do have a few questions around this section. On page 138, the contribution to the NWT Housing Corporation, if you compare 2020-2021 to the actuals or revised estimates from previous years, it actually shows a reduction. Can someone explain to me why we would be reducing our contribution to the NWT Housing Corporation, given the increasing need for more housing and better housing? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The higher value in 2018-2019 was as a result, as I understand, of the contribution made to RCMP housing, and that program then sunsetted and is not currently included in the 2020-2021 Main Estimates. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks. Can the Minister provide me some assurance, then, that this is not a declining contribution from our government to the NWT Housing Corporation? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Finance. If you could use your loud voice, that would be great. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am more than happy to do that. Madam Chair, no, there is no intention to have any sort of ongoing reduction to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. This was simply a reflection of a particular one-time program, and of course, it remains the commitment of this government to continue to seek out opportunities for more programs of that nature to hopefully bring in similar opportunities. There is a continuing intention to maintain funding to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Thank you, Madam Chair.
