Ms. Nokleby, was that it?
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. Yeah, no, I just wanted to know what the retrofit was. And I just want to say I think that's super cool, and I hope that we'll see more solar sort of arrays in our parks. Thanks.
CHAIRPERSON (Mr. Bonnetrouge): Mahsi. Ms. WeyallonArmstrong.
Thank you. I see in North Arm campground kitchen shelter. I know it's been you know, they've been working on it for quite some time. So I just want to ask the Minister, are we on time to complete this project?
Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So right now, Mr. Chair, this current fiscal, there was, of course I shouldn't say of course. There was a design process underway. I believe that is on schedule in terms of the kitchen shelter and the cultural building. The next stage of it for the current capital plan would be actual construction. That's an amount that is proposed for $450,000. So obviously that one will be subject to whether or not there is a passing of this budget, whether or not that kitchen shelter is built or not in the coming here. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. WeyallonArmstrong.
Thank you. Another one, too, is that I know that they mentioned quite a few times that tourism is, you know, is important and that's what we need. So I'm just wondering if ITI, you know, wants to promote tourism, especially in the North, and in Tlicho region we don't have anything. So I know and they're building you know, I know there's visitors centres quite a few places, especially in the larger centres. And Tlicho region, Behchoko is the largest Dene community in the Northwest Territories. What we need in the Tlicho region is a visitors centre. But I know that in the past a while ago, Tlicho government asked this Minister for an outhouse to be built on Highway 3, or possibly on Tlicho Highway, and they said, no, it was you know, and even Tlicho asked that if they can partner up with them and they can build them an outhouse. That was not possible too. So I am just wondering, like visitors centre, we can have all those things. We can have a gas station. We can have arts and crafts that's locally made. And we can also have a washroom since they can't build us an outhouse on Highway 3 because that Highway 3 is the busiest highway in the Northwest Territories. And with the new Tlicho Highway, I know there's so there was a concern from the government itself so they asked. So I'm just wondering, will the Minister partner because I think this is a good opportunity because they are always talking about partnering with the Indigenous government. So can they so I think this is a good chance, this is a good opportunity for them to, you know, to form this partnership and build a visitors centre in Tlicho region. Can they commit to partner with the Tlicho government to build a visitors centre or outhouse on Highway 3 or on Tlicho Highway? Thank you.
Mahsi for that. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Mr. Chair, there's been no ask to me with respect to any visitors centre. What we do have, as I've said in the last response, was that the North Arm Park, there's a significant amount of capital proposed to build a kitchen shelter and campground, so would very much like to pass this capital project first to get that project underway and complete this campground which has been built under the Tlicho infrastructure cooperation agreement. So it has gone through that very unique process of working with the Tlicho government with that agreement for the procurement of the various parks facilities and would similarly this kitchen shelter would be much the same.
With respect to partnering and working with Tlicho government on, you know, tourism and tourism capacity, Mr. Chair, we are very much hoping that it would be the region who would be the potential operators of the park facility at North Arm Park. I would note in an effort to run a pilot or in a training program this summer, there was no interest and no uptake. We're trying again this winter. So very much hoping that perhaps I'll connect with the MLA. We can get that information out to the region, again wanting the region to be responsible for this park. And, you know, also working with the Tlicho government right now in terms of what may or may not be happening at Whati falls based on their government's direction.
So there is quite a lot of partnered work happening with the region, with the local government. You know, the idea of doing an extra outhouse somewhere on the highway when you are either half an hour to Behchoko at most or half an hour to Yellowknife at most, that hasn't been identified as a priority at this point. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi for that. Ms. WeyallonArmstrong.
Yes, yes, thank you. I would like to sit down with her and, you know, talk about this, and then possibly with the Tlicho government to promote tourism industry and regarding the visitors centre as well, because now that there's the allseason road going to Whati, you know, visitors centre is necessary in Tlicho region. It doesn't matter where it goes, either in Behchoko or in Whati, but there is a road there. So I really support that. And then I would like this government to continue working with the Tlicho government to support this initiative. So, yeah, so that is good. It's a good sign, I think it's a start, you got to start somewhere.
So, yeah, so that's and another one but I think that's on the next page and it's not on this page as well. But it's the next one. But I just wanted to make note I talked to I know she's the Finance Minister but it's not on here, but Tlicho north Tlicho region is still identified part of the North Slave region. So I just wanted to know and there's 20 percent. It says that there's 20 percent of infrastructure being spent in North Slave region. How much of those are being spent in Tlicho region itself? Tlicho region is not part of North Slave.
Minister, we're on the and to the Member, we're on Industry, Tourism and Investment, we're not on the Finance department, we went through that. But if you would like to address it, you may. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think that is a question that's looking at the entire capital budget that is being proposed. So let me take that back and when the Department of Finance is here, that might be the time to attempt a more fulsome response. Thank you.
Mahsi for that. Ms. WeyallonArmstrong.
No, thank you.
Any further questions on tourism and parks from anybody? Mr. Edjericon.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's more a question but I was just thinking about these projects that you already have on the books here and after we looked at the whole budget for this year and realistically this is what you're putting forward and what guys work on. I guess what I'm thinking is that we don't know what's going to happen but in case one of these projects don't get off the ground or delayed for any reason or might be carried over to next fiscal year, is there any way that we could probably try to move some of this money around so that we could probably top off housing so that we are able to, you know, continue to address the needs of our people in our communities and housing? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mahsi for that. We're on tourism and parks and we're stealing money from other regions, but I'll allow the Minister to answer if she would like. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, it's probably a response that I'll want to have at some length outside of the House but, yes, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has a set amount that it goes towards small capital particularly so for us it would be parks. If that is last, and I don't or carried over, which you know, sometimes there are projects that get carried over but, if anything, it just winds up going to other ITI projects that are then themselves underfunded. I don't know that we tend to carry over a whole lot within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, or lapse a lot within Industry, Tourism and Investment, that is not restricted funding. So there won't be much real opportunity to say that there would be excess money sitting in ITI. Even if there were, Mr. Chair, it's not an obvious or it's not a seamless transition to then take it from this department, which has been approved here by the Legislative Assembly, and simply transfer it over to a different department without coming back through the Assembly. So I do appreciate the effort to find, you know, savings in order to add elsewhere, certainly as the Minister of Finance. But I certainly don't think ITI's going to be the source of any significant excess. Thank you.
Mahsi for that. Mr. Edjericon.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm just thinking in I know there is a process already in place and people's in this budget here that's been worked on for years, and the community of Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e and Dettah and N'dilo, we already have, you know, roads that are going into Dettah and N'dilo that are in really good shape and going into Fort Resolution except for the last kilometre, which probably needs to be relooked at and rechip sealed. But I'm hearing a little bit more about the roads in Fort Resolution that, you know, some residents are concerned that maybe it's something we should take a look at, at chip sealing those roads in the community. Also the community of Lutselk'e. They also talked about the problems with the dust in that community, and it's impacting everybody in the community healthwise as we breathe in the dust and etcetera in that community. So I just want to see if there's a way we could probably work with your department to trying to get some of these issues on the drawing board.
Also one more thing I was going to say is that at the Pine Point junction, when you go to Behchoko and you go to Hay River or fort up north, there's usually a place where there's a junction with proper lighting. But in Pine Point, when you go to the junction there onto onto the main highway there, there's no lighting. And I'm just hoping that maybe it's something that we could take a look at as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'd just like to remind Mr. Edjericon that we're on page 50 and 51, Industry, Tourism and Investment, tourism and parks. Your questions are more in line for the Department of Infrastructure dealing with highways and roads and lighting at junctions. I'm not sure if the Minister would entertain that question. I'll leave it up to her. Mahsi.
Mr. Chair, only to acknowledge that with respect to the Department of Finance more generally, I am aware that this is an issue that's come up. And I will, you know, speak with Minister Archie so that between the two of us, and then we'll be prepared to answer those questions in the course of the review of the capital plans in COW. Thank you.
Mahsi for that. Mr. Edjericon, we got Infrastructure next week anyway, on the docket anyways. So we'll just stick to this section here so we can we have something else to appeal to review too, I'll allow you. You've got four more minutes of questions.
Just looking at your 20232024 GNWT Capital Estimates, and just to my colleague as well talking about the North Slave region. Right now in the South Slave region, Fort Resolution is rolled into the South Slave region but this here when I look at the communities here, it's highlighted mostly in outside the South Slave region. So can you just confirm as well to me the communities of 15 percent for the South Slave region, so that we're clear. Thank you.
Mahsi. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think where we're going with this, Mr. Chair, is with respect to communities within Tu NedheWiilideh, and there are no parks capital projects for 20232024 planned in the community of Lutselk'e or Fort Resolution if that is ultimately where this is going. And if not, I apologize. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi. Mr. Edjericon. Questions there? Okay. No further questions? ITI, infrastructure investments, $2,978,000. Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you, Members. Please turn to page 46. The department summary, capital estimates, $3,078,000. Does the committee agree? Member for Frame Lake.
Thanks, Mr. Chair, nice try. I move that this committee defer further consideration of the estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi for that. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? It's a resounding. All those opposed? Abstentions? Motion is carried.
Carried
Thank you, committee. And thank you, Minister. Thank you, Minister, for your appearance and for your witnesses. Sergeantatarms, please escort the witnesses from the Chamber.
We've got one bill to look after. All right, committee, we have agreed to consider Committee Report 3319(2), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environmental Report on Bill 52: Elevators and Lifts Act. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for any opening comments.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The committee's report was read into the record on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. At this time, I do not have any additional comments to add to this at this time. Individual Members may have comments on the report. And I would like to thank the committee for their work on this report. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi for that. I will now open the floor to general comments on Committee Report 3319(2), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environmental Report on Bill 52: Elevators and Lifts Act. Mr. O'Reilly.
Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair. I never thought that a bill about elevators and lifts could get this exciting but, you know, when I actually did read the bill and, you know, there's going to be a registry set up in there and an annual report. It looked like during the drafting of the bill that somebody had just kind of taken somebody else's legislation kind of off the shelf and we had kind of redrafted it. And there wasn't anything in there about any of this kind of being public. And so I want to urge my Cabinet colleagues before you bring forward even something as mundane as an Elevators and Lifts Act, that you actually look at this stuff with you know, you say we have an open government here. I don't think it was applied to the drafting of this bill. So, you know, you've got an open government policy and you didn't I don't think it was applied to this bill. So I want to urge you folks to, even when you're drafting the most mundane stuff, to bring that lens to the legislation that you're bringing forward in the House. Where we have registries set up, make sure that it says that in here in the bill that it's actually going to be a public registry; annual reports that are going to get filed, make sure that they're going to get tabled or placed somewhere in a public fashion. So it's all about proactive disclosure, it's about open government but you need to apply that. Thanks. That's my lecture for today. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi for that, Mr. O'Reilly. Anyone, committee? No, we're good. Seeing no further comments, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories make the report as described in section 68 of the act publicly available. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been excuse me, Mr. O'Reilly.
Yeah, thanks, Mr. Chair. There's a few things in the recommendation from the committee report that weren't necessarily captured in the committee motion. But the sorts of things that I would expect to see in an annual report that could be made publicly available include things like, you know, the number of permits that have been issued for elevators and lifts, the number of approvals, orders issued, whether there was actually any prosecutions or fines levied, inspections carried out; those kind of things.
The Minister did give us some assurance in the public hearing, the clausebyclause review, that the details of the annual report would be specified prescribed in the regulations themselves. So that's a heads up to the Minister. And she actually committed to share the draft regulations with the committee ahead of time. So, once again, that's the kind of lens that I bring to these things, about making sure that the public has access to information. So that's the kind of information I think that people might be reasonably interested in knowing. If they have an elevator in their apartment building or something, is it actually in good working order, has it been inspected, they'll be able to go online and get reports and check to see if that kind of stuff is publicly available. So thanks, Mr. Chair.
Mahsi for your comments, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories proactively disclose the information contained in the registry of the act, described in section 13 of the act, making it publicly available. Thank you
did we vote on the first one? We didn't vote on the first one.
I think we forgot to vote.
Oh shoot. All in favour? Any against? Any abstentions? We're good. Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories proactively disclose information contained in the registry of the Act, described in section 13 of the Act, by making it publicly available. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
