Michael Miltenberger

Thank you, Madam Chair. In regard to the concern about deferred maintenance, what has happened over the years, at least that I’ve been in this Legislature and yourself, Madam Chair, is whenever there were fiscal pressures and reductions in the past, capital was cut, often because it was the least painful. It didn’t require layoffs and you could hit some of the targets and protect programs and services.

In addition, just a general financial condition that we operate in, for example, since 2008 with the recession, money has been a lot tighter. So will we ever get completely out of deferred...

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the witness table we have deputy ministers Mike Aumond, Finance; and Mr. Paul Guy, Public Works and Services.

I’m here to present the 2013-14 Capital Estimates of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The estimates outline appropriations for government and community infrastructure investments of $123 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year. This amount includes $75 million for GNWT capital projects, $12 million for projects funded through the federal government’s Building Canada Plan, $28 million for contributions towards community infrastructure projects, and $8...

I appreciate the Member’s sharp concern and clear eye on the public finances. I would point out that over time, given my time in this House, there was a time when that number was well over $8 million, and some of it seemed to be uncollectable. Now we’re talking about $2.93 million down to $2.39 million from June to currently, and most of it less than 90 days.

I don’t have that specific number that the Member asked me. I gave him the large number, the quantum number of $2.93 million as of June down to $2.39 million. I would have to commit to get the Member that other specific number that he has...

The number provided to the Member in June was $2.93 million. The number I just gave to him now has been whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we last discussed this issue there was about $2.93 million that was owing to us. That number has been now whittled down to $2.39 million.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled NWT Capital Estimates 2013-2014, and further to my Return to Written Question 9-17(3), I wish to table the following document entitled Department Small Capital Projects. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member knows, with his extensive financial background, we go 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 days. What the information I have tells me is that at this point we only have about $2,000 owing that’s older than 90 days, that everything else is less than that, which means we’ve brought the numbers down and they are being paid in a much more timely way, less than 90 days.

I would also offer to the Member, if it would allow us to have a more informed discussion collectively here, that we could provide a detailed aged listing of all the accounts currently.

The information that I have is that currently there’s only $2,000 owing that’s over 90 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the representative of the Aboriginal Head Start for Fort Smith. Aboriginal Head Start is a tremendous program. Both my grandchildren went there. I’d like to recognize Ms. Janine Rommel.

As well, my friend and colleague, a good old Fort Smith boy who moved to Yellowknife, the Honourable Tony Whitford, and my former colleague, as well, who I had coffee with at 7:30 this morning, Mr. Michael McLeod.

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.

This bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.