The maximum available for any individual business under regular SEED programming in a given year is $25,000 and up to $30,000 with a Ministerial waiver. Applicants can apply for any type of support. The limit is on the total quantum. The one exception is for strategic initiatives, with up to $75,000 allowed. This was introduced as a pilot program two years ago, and the intention was to support larger projects that could have a real impact in terms of investments in local employment and communities. We had previously targeted two strategic investments per region at $75,000 apiece. This year, we are currently targeting one strategic investment per region in order to make as much funding available as possible to as many NWT businesses. However, as reflected in the guidelines released on May 11th, our approach is one of flexibility. I would encourage anyone who has been rejected under the SEED funding to follow up with my office and we will look at their application on a case-by-case basis.
As I alluded to in my Member's statement today, one of the most difficult parts about this policy is the market-disruption clause. Is the Minister willing to suspend or remove the market-disruption provision in the SEED policy so that existing NWT businesses can be assured of access to this funding? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
The SEED Program contains a market disruption provision in order to refrain from providing businesses with funding for investments when their competitors have funded similar improvements on their own. As with any government program, the objective is fairness. However, in light of COVID, we may want to review this approach in order to support businesses that need to pivot. The challenge will be funding business improvements or COVID pivots when their competitor across the street funded such improvements on their own. That said, again, I'll note our flexible approach, given the current circumstances.
I do want to thank the Member for bringing this to my attention. I will ask my department to consider how we can support Northwest Territories businesses as they prepare to operate in this new COVID reality and do so in a way that is fair. I will keep the Member apprised on what this department is able to recommend within the policy before the end of next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. We have been fortunate to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the territory during the first wave of this pandemic. We were told a second wave is inevitable and likely to emerge at the end of the summer. In order to be ready for the second wave, we need to ensure that we have the capacity to conduct rapid testing and contact tracing on a large scale in the event that we have community spread of the virus.
1. Please provide an overview of how many tests, both rapid and standard, are on hand as of the end of May, and how many additional tests are available on short notice to meet our additional needs, and how quickly they can be delivered to Yellowknife?
2. How quickly are rapid test results available, and how long does it take to have the test results verified by the lab in Alberta?
3. How many staff are trained to perform contact tracing, and how quickly can this capacity be scaled up if the need arises?
4. Are the contact tracing staff able to provide services in all of the official languages of the Northwest Territories?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents: the accreditation report for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority; the accreditation report for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority; and the accreditation report for the Tlicho Community Services Authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following nine documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 40-19(2), Provision of RCMP Housing;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 44-19(2), Provision of RCMP Housing;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 46-19(2), Housing Program Delivery in Communities;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Questions 50-19(2), 136-19(2), 162-19(2) and 167-19(2), Proof of Income for Public Housing Clients and Rent Scale Policy Review;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 80-19(2), Arnica Inn Transitional Housing Project;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 89-19(2), Housing and Homelessness in Inuvik;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 129-19(2), Housing for Seniors Aging in Place;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 189-19(2), Contractor Suspension List;" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 192-19(2), Housing Wait List." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents.
Pursuant to section 266(2) of the Elections and Plebiscites Act, I wish to table the "Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election." Thank you.
One brief moment, Mr. Speaker. Apologies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. A motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. O'Reilly.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, with Health and Social Services. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and resume with the first item.
---SHORT RECESS
We are going to call committee back to order. All right. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2): Main Estimates 2020-2021. We are doing Health and Social Services. Does the Minister of Health and Social Services have any opening remarks?
Yes, Madam Chair. I am here to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $26.7 million or 5.4 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the coming year.
Highlights of these proposed estimates include $15.2 million to address forced growth and $12 million for programs we have partnered on with federal counterparts, through funding agreements. These estimates support the priorities of the 19th Assembly. We will focus on activities that are already underway to support our mandate and our priorities as a government. Some highlights include:
our focus on quality and increasing the efficiency and sustainability of health and social services;
better coordination of services for children and families;
supports for targeted recruitment plans across the system that address critical nursing shortages;
increased supports for mental wellness and addictions recovery;
a focus on helping seniors stay in their homes and communities; and supports for vulnerable populations.
That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Do you wish to bring witnesses into the House?
[Microphone turned off].
Sergeant of Arms will escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Would the Minister please introduce her witnesses?
Madam Chair, with me, Deputy Minister Bruce Cooper and Director of Finance Jeannie Mathison.
All right. Thank you. Committee, we have agreed to forego the general comments. We will proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document. We will defer the departmental summary review, the estimates, and the review of the estimates by activity summary, beginning with administrative and support services, starting on page 166, with information items up to 169. Questions? Comments? Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess just a general question if the Minister could update me of how and any progress we have made on telehealth and kind of what we can see to continue out of the progress we have made due to COVID-19 and if that is expected to be found in this budget or whether there is a supplemental appropriation for a more digital healthcare system coming. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Madam Chair, the federal government announced some money for virtual care. The department is now looking into accessing. If and where possible it's our best interest to utilize federal funding versus using money out of our budget. Yet, we do recognize the importance of virtual care. We have been practicing it for the last two months. It's important that we continue to do so.
Thank you, Minister. Are there any further comments or questions to this section? Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks, Madam Chair. I notice on page 168, on contributions, that there was some funding provided to the nurses association of the NWT and Nunavut a few years back. I seem to recall that there was going to be some effort towards having one regulatory framework for nursing professionals. Can I just get a bit of an update as to where that work is at? Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Member. Minister.
I am going to bring this over to my deputy minister, Mr. Cooper, to answer. Thank you.
