At this time I’d like to ask Mr. Roland if he will be bringing in witnesses.
No, I will not need witnesses at this point.
With that, Mr. Premier, I understand that you wish to make a statement at this time.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Over the past few weeks a number of motions have been passed during Committee of the Whole review of the 2008–2009 Main Estimates. In response to these motions and after discussions with the Members of this House, I would like to state that the government is prepared to make the following adjustments.
With respect to the Department of Justice:
the closure and of the Arctic Tern Young Offenders Facility in Inuvik will be deferred;
a reduced staff model will be implemented, incorporating 14.5 positions, plus relief workers when required;
$613,000 will be added to the budget;
$91,000 and four positions will be added to the budget for court worker positions in Tuktoyaktuk, Fort McPherson, Yellowknife and Fort Smith;
$161,000 and one position will be added back to the budget for the legal counsel position in Yellowknife to support devolution negotiations;
$742,000 and eight positions will be added back to the budget for court officer positions — two in Hay River, two in Inuvik and four in Yellowknife; and
$250,000 will be added to the capital expenditures budget to complete a program and facility review of women’s correctional programming prior to further decisions on the Arctic Tern Young Offenders Facility in Inuvik.
With respect to the NWT Housing Corporation:
a commitment has already been provided to reallocate $1.292 million from the Infrastructure Acquisition Plan to the Homeownership Repair Program to bring expenditures up to the 2007–2008 levels.
With respect to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment:
$100,000 will be added to the budget for contribution funding to the Diavik Community Advisory Board.
With respect to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources:
$108,000 will be reallocated from within the Wildlife activity for the two part-time renewable resource officer positions in Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour;
the Bear Fence program — one position will be added to the budget; and
the proposed move of staff to the Shell Lake facility will proceed, but the department will ensure that a storefront operation is maintained in Inuvik to ensure that residents have access to services; there are no changes to funding or positions associated with this issue.
With respect to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs:
$250,000 from the Community Initiatives Program will be re-profiled to retain the youth programs officer position in the Deh Cho region and a similar position in the North to work with the Sport and Recreation Council on youth-related activities;
$150,000 from the Community Initiatives Program will be re-profiled to retain youth contribution funding; and
$50,000 will be reallocated from existing resources for a volunteer forum.
With respect to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment:
$200,000 will be added to the budget to increase the income threshold to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy Program by $10,000.
Also, Mr. Chairman, the Oral Health Surgery Program that was discussed by the Minister of Health and Social Services will be re-established at the Hay River Health Authority to deal with the backlog of youth dental surgery.
Mr. Chairman, I propose to follow through with these commitments in the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2008–2009, which will be introduced into this House within the next day or two. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. With that, can I get your attention to consider those departments that have been previously deferred. Should we proceed?
Agreed.
