Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 95, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 20232024, be read for the second time.
This bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 20232024fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried. Bill 95 has had second reading and is ready for third reading.
Carried
Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 95, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 20232024, be read for a third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I know I'm the only thing that stands between the Members and their lunch but I do owe it to my constituents and the public to explain how I'm going to vote on this bill.
This bill, what it does or what happened, of course, is that about 50 percent of the capital spending for 20222023 was not spent. The authorized capital was not spent. So what this does would increase capital spending by about $125 million pushing it to levels higher than five of the last six years and so the over budgeting that's happening here for capital, I can't support this. What it does is requires us to run a larger operational surplus than we probably need to be doing and thus less spending on programs and services that directly benefit our residents in areas like health care and education.
Mr. Speaker, I'd also observe that it's probably not good practice where sups are tabled in the House and voted on the same day. We managed to avoid it this time but I would not recommend that that happen in the future because I think the public deserves to know what's in a sup before we actually vote on it.
I was disappointed at the lack of clear answers from the Minister and staff that required a lengthy statement in Committee of the Whole yesterday with no notice or copies provided in advance to Members. For all these reasons, I will not be voting in favour of this supplementary appropriation and fully expect that the next Assembly will be asked to approve massive carryovers again about a year from now. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion?
Question.
