Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Beaulieu?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we wish to continue on with the consideration of Tabled Document 5018(2), Main Estimates, 20162017. Mr. Chairman, we would like to continue our deliberations on the Environment and Natural Resources, and time permitting, get into Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree? We will continue consideration of the document after a short break. Thank you.
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I will now call the Committee of the Whole back to order. We will continue with our consideration of Tabled Document 5018(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Main Estimates, 20162017, with the Department of ENR. Minister Schumann, would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber? SergeantatArms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister Schumann, would you please introduce your witnesses.
Thank you. To my left is Susan Craig, director of finance. To my right, immediate right, is Ernie Campbell, deputy minister, and to my far right is Erin Kelly, assistant deputy minister.
Thank you, Minister Schumann. Welcome back, witnesses. Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I have a few remaining comments on the corporate management activity that we agreed to yesterday. Therefore, I seek unanimous consent to return to page 87 in the ENR estimates. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Green. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to page 87.
Unanimous consent granted
You may continue, Ms. Green.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, today there are or have been, since it's late in the day, 300 children in the Somba K’e Park here, in Yellowknife, for World Oceans Day, and the reason that they're there is because ENR has a public education program that is aimed at teaching children and people of all ages about the different aspects of the ENR mandate, such as wildlife, water, environmental protection, and so on. To that end, I'm very dismayed by the proposed loss of the parttime public education specialist in the department's field support unit, which we spoke about yesterday when we were going through the corporate management section of the plan. The loss of this position goes to principles that we do not want to see front line positions cut, especially a cut in headquarters which has repercussions for the whole of the NWT, and so, to that end, I am wondering if the Minister will consider reinstatement of that position. Therefore I have a motion that this committee strongly recommends that the government take immediate action to reinstate funding in the amount of $21,000 for the proposed elimination of the public Education coordinator position in the field support unit under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under the corporate management activity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, Ms. Green. A motion is on the floor and is being distributed now. The motion is in order. To the motion. Ms. Green.
