Wendy Bisaro

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement and ask a few questions about the Official Languages Act and our languages boards and the lack of movement on making changes.

In the wake of the report in the 16th Assembly by the Committee on Government Operations into the Official Languages Act, in response to that report, at some point, the Minister promised to table an official languages strategy and I’d like to ask the Minister, first off, was that strategy ever tabled? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that we report progress.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a motion. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories complete the work necessary to bring municipalities under access to information and protection of privacy legislation;

And further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories renew its commitment to produce and table a full and final report on this issue no later than August 2015, identifying the steps and resources necessary to complete this work in a timely manner;

And furthermore, that a proposal be included for phasing in this work such that tax-based...

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thanks to the Minister. I think I understand.

I just have one last comment. I was somewhat dismayed to hear the Minister say that in the next bundle it’s going to be mostly bridges. It’s already decided what’s going in the next bundle and it hasn’t even been brought before any Members on this side of the House to have any kind of an input. We didn’t have much input into this bundle and where this money was going, and it sounds like it’s already decided where the next several bundles are going, so I have to express my dismay. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that consideration of Tabled Document 205-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 5, 2014-2015, be now concluded and that Tabled Document 205-17(5) be reported and recommended as ready for further consideration in formal session through the form of an appropriation bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to the Minister. So, the total cost of these projects is not $28.5 million is my guess. The total cost is 25 percent more than this. Is that correct? Thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We wish to continue with Tabled Document 188-17(5), NWT Main Estimates 2015-2016, with the Department of Public Works and then the Legislative Assembly. We would then like to consider Tabled Document 205-17(5), Tabled Document 206-17(5) and then Tabled Document 207-17(5). Thank you.

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I have a question here with regards to the total amount of money. The budget indicates that the net impact on government operations is nil because this says $28.5 million is totally offset by federal funding. There is a cost sharing between the federal and territorial governments, is my understanding with this Build Canada Fund. What is the percentage of cost share, please? Thank you.

To the Minister: yes, nice indeed, but I think we need to get beyond nice and we need to say yes, this is something that we’re going to do. I’ve spoken about this before. Both the Status of Women Council and the Native Women’s Association have a very minimal budget and in order for us to effect any real change we’re going to have to provide more resources. I would like to see an annual campaign school, not one every four years, because there are women in elected positions at other orders of government as well as the territorial that need this assistance.

I know there’s no funding in the ’15-16...

Thanks, Mr. Aumond, for the clarification. I guess the term that throws me off is “investment.” It suggests that we’re putting it somewhere and allowing it to grow, so I would maybe suggest to the Minister that the term should be amended for the next time around. Thank you.