The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is returning to the House this week to move forward on issues hampered by the pandemic. It must also approve a budget that keeps expenses below the debt limit.
In her last budget statement, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek noted that the territory was on a unsustainable tax path».
MPs eagerly waiting to hear whether the numbers have been adjusted or whether further revenue increases or certain cuts have put us back on a sustainable fiscal path. The big question is whether our budget is in line with the mandate “, highlights the former chairman of the caucus, Rylund Johnson.
© Mario De Ciccio / Radio-Canada
When Northwest Territories Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek tabled the government’s 2021-22 budget in the Legislative Assembly, she called the territory’s fiscal situation unsustainable.
During this legislative session, Premier Caroline Cochrane is due to table an updated report on the government’s progress under its mandate.
Mr. Johnson, who is the MP for Yellowknife North, believes the territory is back on track with respect to procurement review and has made the first changes that people want, but adds that some issues are lagging behind.
Delay in health, education and land claims
While the Department of Industry has made progress, including increasing incentive credits for natural resource exploration, the NWT. lagged behind on land claims and education and health care reforms, the MP continues.
© Mario De Ciccio / Radio-Canada
Rylund Johnson, MLA for Yellowknife North, says the Legislative Assembly will have a lot of work to do when it returns.
The territory has not achieved its low goal of resolving two land claims and a self-government agreement, says Rylund Johnson. It has also made no progress in fulfilling its health care mandates to eradicate systemic racism, he says, which requires training staff busy with the pandemic response.
Rylund Johnson also notes that the territory may need to shift its priorities from Education Act reform to responding to the effects of COVID-19 on educational outcomes that were already concerning long before the pandemic.
Not to mention that the NWT. decided to adopt the British Columbia curriculumafter abandoning that of Alberta, following controversy and criticism.
Internal conflicts
The Legislative Assembly will begin its work on Monday with the swearing in by Richard Edjericonthe successor of Steve Norn, as deputy of Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh.
© Mario De Ciccio / Radio-Canada
Former Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MP Steve Norn has been heavily criticized in recent months for breaking his quarantine.
Mr Johnson says recent legislative sessions have been defined by interpersonal conflict, including the sidelining of Katrina Nokleby as Minister of Industry and Infrastructure, the saga surrounding Steve Norn’s quarantine break and the integrity complaints against his political rivalTim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
In December 2021, Caucus Chair and Thebacha MP Freida Martselos called the dispute over the two men as well as the leaked affidavit of secondary show” who interferes with the work of the Legislative Assembly».
The specter of debt
The territory often adopts status quo budgets that try to keep the lights on and not go over the debt limit. In general, we are saved by the launch of a large federal program“, such as the financing of the infrastructure of the great bear river bridgewhere the $10 a day babysitting service launchedexplains Rylund Johnson.
The territory spends $50 million a year on servicing its debt, an amount that Johnson says could end homelessness in the Northwest Territories.
With information from Avery Zingel