Debates of March 27, 2023 (day 150)

Date
March
27
2023
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
150
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O’Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon Armstrong
Topics
Statements

Committee Motion 386-19(2): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 882-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2022-2023, Carried

Merci, Monsieur le President. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 88219(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 20222023, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 88219(2) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Mahsi, Madam Chair.

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Question.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those opposed? Motion is carried. Tabled Document 88219(2) will be reported as ready for consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill.

Carried

We will just continue along.

Committee, we've agreed to consider Tabled Document 88319(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024. Did the Minister of Finance have any opening remarks?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I am here to present Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2023 2024. These supplementary estimates propose an increase of $45.196 million comprised of the following items:

$2.297 million in previously approved projects as a result of transferring the 20232024 capital budgets from the Departments of Lands and Environment and Natural Resources to the newly formed Department of Environment and Climate Change; and,

An increase of $4.886 million to adjust infrastructure project cash flows to realign appropriations with the anticipated project schedules.

In addition, this amount also includes the following items which are supported by federally funded appropriations:

$3.45 million for COVID19 ventilation projects; and,

$36.86 million to provide funding for community government infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan and the Small Communities Fund.

That concludes my opening remarks, and I'd be happy to answer questions, Madam Chair.

Thank you. I'll now open the floor to general comments. Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks, Madam Chair. I'm going to sound like a broken record. Where so what did we start off with as a supplementary reserve and what impact will this how much of that is offset by or sorry, the new money, how much is offset by feds, and what's the net effect on the supplementary reserve? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So this is where on infrastructure supplementary appropriations there isn't a supplementary reserve for infrastructure. And as I said, I think there's some information that we do provide to committee that could stand a bit of a look at the terminology that's used to make that more clear because it wouldn't show there wouldn't be a net impact because there's nothing to be impacting upon. That said, Madam Chair, there is I mean, again well, I'll leave it at that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Yeah, I guess I lost my mind, but okay, is any of this offset by federal money, and how much? Thanks, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. So there is $40,310,000 in federal or other revenue offsets. And just on the same vein, Madam Chair, in terms of money that is being offset to either prior or future fiscal years, there's $4.886 million. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Thanks. So the net effect really is zero, is that correct? Thanks, Madam Chair.

That is correct, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Seeing no further general comments, we will review the supplementary estimates by department. Does committee agree to proceed to the detail contained in the tabled document?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Committee, we will begin on page 5. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, operations expenditures, community operations, not previously authorized, $36,860,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs operation expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $36,860,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Please turn to page 6. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Environment and Climate Change, capital investment expenditures, environmental management and monitoring and climate change, not previously authorized, $80,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024 Department of Environment and Climate Change, capital investment expenditures, regional operations, not previously authorized, $225,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Environment and Climate Change, capital investment expenditures, wildlife and forest management, not previously authorized, $1,992,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Environment and Climate Change, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $2,297,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Please turn to page 7. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, environmental protection and waste management not previously authorized, negative $80,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, forest management, not previously authorized, negative $1,592,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024 Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, wildlife, not previously authorized, negative $400,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024 Department of Environment and Natural Resources, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, negative $2,072,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Please turn to page 8. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, Office to the Chief Information Officer, not previously authorized, $3,169,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Finance, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $3,169,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Please turn to page 9. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, capital investments expenditures, mineral and petroleum resources, not previously authorized, $1,717,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, capital investment expenditures, total department, not previously authorized, $1,717,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.

Please turn to page 10. Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 20232024, Department of Infrastructure, capital investment expenditures, asset management, not previously authorized, $3,450,000. Does committee agree?

Speaker: SOME HON. MEMBERS

Agreed.