Caroline Wawzonek
Deputy Premier
Statements in Debates
Madam Chair, this is exactly why Mr. Wind is here. I will turn it over to him, please.
Yes, please, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The item in purchased services is with respect to telecommunications services. There have been some updates to phone systems over the last couple of years, and as such, there have been some cost savings. That is an item that has not yet seen itself reflected in budgets. I certainly could commit to confirming whether or not that cost savings is one that will need to be reflected over time. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I anticipate we certainly could get some further information. It really is reflective of the capital plan of the NTPC so, to the extent that that capital plan is being approved and has been approved and is available publicly, then that would demonstrate what projects are under way and planned for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. By utilizing the GNWT to support the issuance of bonds and their borrowing, they are saving I believe upwards of several million dollars because of the ability of the Government of the Northwest Territories to have a better rate, so...
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we can certainly get the information that has been completed to date on this. Lucky Department of Finance, we are up first to go through a government renewal process this spring, so it may well be that more comes out of that process. Of course, we will be continuing to bring all committee members, all members of the committee, up to speed as that process unfolds. Yes, in the meantime, we will get together what we can that has been put together. Just to make a comment, I agree with the Member's point some time ago that we need to improve the culture evaluation...
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: "Public Accounts 2019-2020, Sections I, II, III and IV." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I have actually spoken to the department about the fact that there is a live discussion happening right now with Members of the Legislative Assembly about where does money go when it does not get utilized in a budget, so I am alive that that's an issue. It is rightfully an issue, and so I will certainly commit that we have to come back and do a better job of that. I am hesitant in saying that. There are times where there may be a small amount that gets moved from if there is an unfunded position and then -- I am trying to think of a good example right now, off the...
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am not as versed in the operations of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, obviously, not being the Minister responsible, but certainly, I wouldn't say that there is any particular precedent per se at this point. Although, again, I am hesitant to speak on behalf of the Minister responsible for NTPC. The legal costs, there certainly have been legal costs borne by the Northwest Territories Power Corporation at this point, so they are the ones who have paid their own legal fees. Thanks, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This was a joint item, so there are also items that, when you have an opportunity to look at ECE tomorrow I believe, you will see there are going to be items reflected there, as well, for the safe reopening of schools. It was the tech component, the technology component that fell within the chief information officer's area, so as I say, again, a joint item between the two departments, this portion, the technology portion, being with us. Other elements fell within ECE. Thank you.
The 10-year review, in fact, it is the Legislative Assembly or a committee of the Legislative Assembly that is responsible for conducting the 10-year review. I can certainly assure the Member, assure this House, that myself and the Department of Finance are more than happy and very much prepared to be of assistance as that process goes forward through this Assembly.