Debates of Nov. 3rd, 2020

This is page numbers 1593 - 1652 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was money .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

The Benefits and Importance of the Mineral Resource Sector

Training, Skills Development, and Partnerships across the Northwest Territories

Non-Renewable Resource

Land Leases

Indigenous Language Interpreters

Paulatuk Sewage Lagoon Project

Women in Skilled Trades (STEM)

Seniors

Oral Health

Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Dental Services in Small Communities

Retirement of Mark Gerlock

Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Motion to Receive Committee Report 6-19(2) and Move into Committee of the Whole

Committee Report 7-19(2): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Annual Reports of the Official Languages Commissioner

Land Leases

Interpreters

Seniors and Elders Strategy

Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Dental Practice in Small Communities

Extension of Water and Sewer Project in Paulatuk

Non-Renewable Resources Sector Support

Change Dental Auxiliaries Act

Isolation Centres

Tabled Document 218-19(2): 2019 Socio-Economic Agreement Report for Mines Operating in the NWT Tabled Document 219-19(2): Economic Context of Ekati Diamond Mine Closing Tabled Document 220-19(2): 2019 Survey of Mining Employees: NWT Bureau of Statistics Tabled Document 221-19(2): 2019 Ekati Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Agreement Report

Tabled Document 222-19(2): Aurora College Corporate Plan, 2020-2021

Tabled Document 223-19(2): Economic Context of Ekati Diamond Mine Closing Tabled Document 224-19(2): Government Revenues as Reported in the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act Annual Reports from Dominion Diamond (Ekati) Tabled Document 225-19(2): 2019 Ekati Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Agreement Report

Appointment of Law Clerk

Appointment of Sole Adjudicators

Changes to Committees Membership

Extended Adjournment of the House to February 3, 2020

Bill 20:

An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act

Bill 17:

An Act to Amend the Corrections Act

Bill 18:

An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act

Bill 19:

An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $8,277,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat

Recorded Vote

Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2020-2021 - Deletion of $5,000,000 from Department of Health and Social Services COVID Secretariat

Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 217-19(2): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 15: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020

Recorded Vote

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Hon. Diane Archie , Mr. Bonnetrouge , Hon. Paulie Chinna , Ms. Cleveland , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Hon. Julie Green , Mr. Jacobson , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Martselos , Ms. Nokleby , Mr. Norn , Mr. O'Reilly , Ms. Semmler , Hon. R.J. Simpson , Mr. Rocky Simpson , Hon. Shane Thompson , Hon. Caroline Wawzonek

The House met at 1:31 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 1593

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Minister's Statement 90-19(2): The Benefits and Importance of the Mineral Resource Sector

Ministers' Statements

Page 1593

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Members of the 19 th Legislative Assembly committed to "increase resource exploration and development" in the territory. This priority reflects the importance of the mineral resource sector to our economy both today and into the foreseeable future. Our efforts to support the mineral resource sector are further reflected in our commitments to develop regulations for the new Mineral Resource Act; to develop and implement regional mineral development strategies; and review our Mining Incentive Program, socio-economic agreements, and our territory's fiscal regime around mining.

Later today, I will table the annual Socio-Economic Agreement Report for Mines Operating in the Northwest Territories. It will outline and confirm again the benefits of mining to our territory.

With a total impact of 27 percent of GDP, diamond mining was the largest private-sector industry in the Northwest Territories and the primary foundation of our economy in 2019. Our diamond mines employed 1,334 Northwest Territories residents last year, more than half of them Indigenous. Over and above the direct benefits of wages, skills training, and capacity building, the Northwest Territories mining industry contributed $1.1 billion to related sectors like construction, transportation, retail, and real estate.

The GNWT also realized revenue from the mining industry in the form of corporate income tax, fuel tax, property tax, payroll tax, and personal income tax. In total, $370 million was spent with Indigenous companies in our territory. Royalties to Indigenous governments totalled over $3 million in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, in addition to benefits paid out under impact benefit agreements signed directly with Indigenous governments.

Madam Speaker, big companies can also make big differences in the communities that they are part of. From scholarships to donations to sponsorships, their contributions to our communities are evident well beyond their mine sites. Even through this COVID pandemic, where profits are often non-existent, the diamond mines have continued to be strong corporate citizens.

I want to acknowledge that our support of the mineral resource sector comes within the context of a regulatory regime that works to ensure that resource development occurs in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. We are confident that our system strives to achieve a balance between economic opportunity and the protection of our environment. We will keep that balance as we continue the work of developing a truly northern-centered and modern regulatory system.

In recent weeks, we have had to consider the very real possibility that the Ekati Diamond Mine will continue in a state of care and maintenance for an extended period of time. Madam Speaker, we want the Ekati Mine to return to full operations. It remains a valuable natural resource, and recent events do not change that fact. We also want to restore our mineral development sector, not just our mines, but also advanced projects and exploration companies, to a position of growth and prosperity.

These are trying times, and a difficult road of economic recovery lies ahead. There are several things the GNWT will do to help us advance down that road:

Continue to recognize the value of mine workers to the territory, including the many benefits that flow through them into our communities;

Highlight the competitiveness of our jurisdiction to investors;

Complete the work required to implement the Mineral Resources Act, including developing new regulations;

Develop and implement regional mineral strategies;

Increase collaboration and investment with Indigenous governments; and

Promote the Northwest Territories as a source of critical and strategic minerals and metals.

Madam Speaker, our government is committed to growing the Northwest Territories mining sector and, accordingly, its contributions to investment, employment, and Indigenous participation in the Northwest Territories' economy. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 90-19(2): The Benefits and Importance of the Mineral Resource Sector

Ministers' Statements

Page 1594

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment .

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Minister's Statement 91-19(2): Training, Skills Development, and Partnerships across the Northwest Territories

Ministers' Statements

Page 1594

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Increasing employment in small communities is an important mandate of our government. This week, across Canada, National Skilled Trades and Technology Week will be celebrated as we raise awareness of the many career opportunities in the skilled trades and technology sectors in the Northwest Territories and across Canada. This week, we also honour the 31 Apprenticeship High Mark award recipients and the 36 individuals who have obtained journeyperson certification this year in the Northwest Territories. I want to offer my congratulations to all the award recipients on their achievements.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment supports the development of a skilled northern workforce on many levels, including through the delivery of designated trades and occupation certification programs. This year, Madam Speaker, I am pleased to advise that we have five new members on the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupation Certification Board to provide advice and link between the department and industry to lead and are finalizing a promotional campaign to reach out to apprentices and inform them of the many opportunities they can access in our territory.

We are also working towards issuing a Blue Seal qualification, which will assist journeypersons in a designated trade or occupation to have their business skills recognized. To further support the apprenticeship program, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is also moving forward with the Women in Trades Program and Journeyperson Mentorship Program, both of which will be implemented in 2021.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment works in collaboration with many partners to seek out and develop opportunities for residents and organizations in small communities. We have established regional training committees to collaborate on joint training and employment initiatives. These typically include regional Indigenous organizations and economic and labour market stakeholders, as well as the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Aurora College. There are currently three dynamic committees in the South Slave, Dehcho, and Beaufort-Delta, and we are working to establish training committees in any other region that express interest.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment actively seeks out opportunities with communities, businesses, and government departments and agencies to offer increased opportunities to NWT residents. One of our key partnerships is with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, through which we are seeking to maximize the use of journeypersons in local housing organizations to target training opportunities for apprenticeships. Currently, there are more than 30 journeypersons working in communities.

One of the programs we offer is the Small Community Employment Support Program providing designated community authorities access to annual funding to help address local labour market needs and priorities. From 2018 to April 2020, more than 1,400 jobs have been supported in small communities by this program.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to advise you and this House that, to support small communities in addressing the impacts of the pandemic until 2022, designated community authorities can use their funding under the Small Community Employment Support Program to hire local residents to assist in addressing any pandemic-related challenge or need.

Madam Speaker, over the past number of years the department's approach to supporting the labour market and training opportunities in communities across the Northwest Territories has been strategic and collaborative. When the pandemic hit, we mobilized and responded quickly to ensure clients, employers, organizations, and community projects were not penalized or impacted financially as a result of changes in the delivery of education or training programs.

Training, skills development, and education are crucial to the Northwest Territories' economic recovery, and our partners and ourselves have demonstrated we are ready to respond quickly with innovation, consideration, and collaboration. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 91-19(2): Training, Skills Development, and Partnerships across the Northwest Territories

Ministers' Statements

Page 1595

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South .

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Non-Renewable Resource

Members' Statements

Page 1595

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The NWT's non-renewable resource economy has experienced many changes over that last several decades. The NWT has witnessed the development and closure of gold mines around Yellowknife, an oil and gas boom that we eventually saw slowly fade away and give way to diamond exploration and production which appears to also be moving in the same direction.

Madam Speaker, all these non-renewable industry activities provide the residents of this great territory with hope: hope of moving away from reliance on government as the economic driver; hope for well-paying jobs; hope for better education; hope of owning their own home as an option over public housing; and hope of providing one's family with a chance at a successful and wholesome future.

Madam Speaker, it was the oil and gas industry that allowed me to realize the dream of bettering my life, and I expect that many others have been provided the same benefits from our non-renewable resource sector, whether it be gold or diamond mines.

Madam Speaker, let us be clear here, the Northwest Territories is rich in renewable and non-renewable resources. I am talking about our forests; I am talking about wildlife; I am talking about an abundance of water; I am talking about the richness of minerals such as gold, diamonds, and rare earth minerals that lie beneath our feet; and I am talking about the untapped oil and gas trapped below us.

Madam Speaker, with the variety and abundance of non-renewable resources present in the NWT, we continue to be a have not territory. We as a government must promote and support the exploration and development of our non-renewable resource sector through clear and reasonable legislation and with timely decisions so projects can advance.

As government, we must be willing to support our constituents, and that support is to provide them with an opportunity for employment and business opportunities beyond government. Those companies that undertake non-renewable resource development provide jobs, whether directly or indirectly, through use of northern contractors. The non-renewable resource sector provides our northern businesses with the opportunity to build capacity and provide us with well-trained individuals.

Madam Speaker, with the loss or slow-down in the non-renewable resource sector, we will experience a decline in our GDP. We will experience a loss in resource royalties. We will experience a loss of a major employer. We have to do all we can to support this sector. Thank you, Madam Speaker

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Non-Renewable Resource

Members' Statements

Page 1595

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .

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Land Leases

Members' Statements

Page 1595

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak once again about the issue of the unreasonable minimum price of lease rent costs for land leaseholders on that will lands in the NWT. Madam Speaker, this now marks my third Member's statement on this topic, and I am determined to continue to revisit this topic until I see some substantive changes to the current regime of minimum rent costs.

The primary reason why I continue to bring up this subject is simply because it's an important issue for my constituents. I know several people with land leases, and they're all very concerned about the new rent minimum cost that came in effect April 1, 2018. I'm talking about average people who have modest incomes.

Madam Speaker, as I stated in my previous statements, the minimum rent costs for territorial land lease went from $150 to $840 annually. Rather than side with the more reasonable approach of a gradual increase of these costs over a period of time, the Department of Lands decided to increase the lands all at once by nearly six full.

Madam Speaker, I don't know what went into this decision to initiate these changes all at once, but the decision-making process for this particular issue was seriously flawed, and I'm saying this as an attempt to embarrass the government for a bad decision, and I'm not saying this, I'm not saying this as an attempt to embarrass the government for a bad decision which it was. My goal, however, is to stand up for all rights-based land leaseholders and all permanent and long-time residents of the NWT to ensure they get the best deal possible in this situation.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I once again urge this government, more specifically, I urge the Minister of Lands , to reconsider the current course of his decision and not to make these new rent minimum costs permanent, at least not at its current price. I strongly recommend a more staggered approach to increasing these types of costs on people as that is much more reasonable and acceptable for people to incur. I will have questions for the Minister of Lands today. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Land Leases

Members' Statements

Page 1596

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Monfwi .

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Indigenous Language Interpreters

Members' Statements

Page 1596

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] This past week, we are talking about the apprentice, just like my oldest son, Edzo Lafferty. He had to receive, so I know that he has a journeyman paper, and all his brothers and sisters, his grandfather, are very thankful. While I speak, I'm very thankful for my son. [Translation ends].

Madam Speaker, just to continue on with my Member's statement on overall education, today, I want to talk about one of the greatest treasures in this territory, our Indigenous languages. Our Indigenous languages are rare, unique, in all the world. They are beautiful to hear yet ever so fragile. Our languages are also carriers of our cultures, a true conveyor of our values and world views. Without the languages, the NWT Indigenous communities would be lost, and the world would be a lesser place.

Today, I want to express my deep appreciation for the hard work and commitment of our Indigenous language interpreters wherever they are, in hospitals, healthcares in our territories, in the courts, in the hospitals, government offices, and right here in the Legislative Assembly. I commend you all and thank you for helping us carry our language to the future. For that, I would like to say masi cho.

As important as our interpreters are, their profession is being taken for granted by this government. At one time, interpreter was a thriving profession. Now, I believe there are no more than 10 certified Indigenous interpreters in the entire territory, no more than 10. Most of these 10 are near retirement, as well, and little has been done to train more. There is nothing less than an emergency to this matter. I intend to ask the government how they are responding to this emergency. Masi.

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Indigenous Language Interpreters

Members' Statements

Page 1596

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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Paulatuk Sewage Lagoon Project

Members' Statements

Page 1596

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last week, MACA wrote to the Hamlet of Paulatuk, telling them they have to pay back $53,000 in clean waste-water funding for improvements to Paulatuk's sewage lagoon. MACA says they gave the hamlet two extensions; there is no way to extend the project deadline. MACA says the only option is to cancel the project and for Paulatuk to pay back the monies. The hamlet started the work this summer. They cannot get the work done by January 31 st due to freeze-up, Madam Speaker. MACA did give a deadline for construction to end in the middle of winter.

Paulatuk could not start the work in 2019 because it did not have the appropriate equipment in the community. In 2020, they prioritized the equipment for the drainage that came in off the barge. The sewage lagoon did not get done due to freeze-up.

When we talk about capacity issues in smaller communities, it's a stark reality. Paulatuk desperately needs this work to be completed and no claw-backs. The hamlet is doing the best with what they have, with limited resources. The government is underfunding our municipal governments by $40 million a year. When the hamlet gets funding, this is how MACA treats them. Instead of acting as funding police, maybe MACA should be there being a champion for them and helping them. Why can't the deadline be extended? Why can't the department underwrite to secure the funding on behalf of Paulatuk?

Better yet, the department has to make it better for our communities. The equipment is needed in there for the work in this critical infrastructure that is needed for the community. Madam Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Paulatuk Sewage Lagoon Project

Members' Statements

Page 1596

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .

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Women in Skilled Trades (STEM)

Members' Statements

Page 1597

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. November 1 st to 8 th is National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, a Canada-wide event that promotes and increases awareness of the opportunities within the skilled trades and the fields of technology.

Skilled trades and technology encompass a vast array of specialties. Carpenters, electricians, hairdressers, water monitors, and supply-chain managers are all examples of trades that we see in our own northern communities. Some trades can start in high school or as on-the-job training, but all trades at some point require some degree of specialized training or education. As a territory built by the hands of tradespeople in support of our resource-extraction sector, occupations that support this industry must be of utmost importance for any of our northern academic institutions.

The Northwest Territories' future polytechnic university must incorporate northern economic considerations when developing its curriculum as there must be programming for northern students that is relevant to the demands of our northern workforce.

As a woman in engineering, it is particularly important to me to see women in the North taking on roles in skilled trades and technology. It is important for young people to know that all occupational fields are open to everyone. It is my hope that our northern university will incorporate a goal towards diversity in all of its work, towards encouraging more women, as well as Indigenous students, to enter post-secondary studies.

This year, physically distant and virtual events will recognize and celebrate the achievements of NWT apprenticeship, trades, and occupational certifications. I encourage all Northwest Territories residents to participate in virtual events to learn more or to provide mentorship about careers in skilled trades and technology. I would like to celebrate all individuals in the North who occupy skilled trades and technology roles in their day-to-day work. Your work is important, and your hands are building a strong future for our North. I will have questions unrelated to my topic later today. Thank you.

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Women in Skilled Trades (STEM)

Members' Statements

Page 1597

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Seniors

Members' Statements

Page 1597

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. In June this year, the Member for Yellowknife Centre , who is now the Minister responsible for Seniors, sponsored a motion calling for creation of a seniors' and elders' strategy. As pointed out in those debates, action on this growing sector of the population is now guided by a 2014 strategic framework that focuses on health-related aspects of aging. The motion called for expanding that vision with an integrated strategy that takes into account issues beyond healthcare.

The successful motion called for a strategy that "provides a whole-of-government approach to enhance and coordinate programs and services to elders." Each new demographic report shows the dramatic growth in our seniors population, with 60-and-overs growing from 2,787 in 2003 to 5,981 in 2018 and a projected 9,383 by 2035. We need a strategy more than ever and now.

The NWT Seniors' Society has lobbied for a renewed strategy and supported the June motion. They say improvements are needed in housing, homecare, transportation, income, and market rent supports. Aging in place is especially emphasized as a cost-effective and self-reliant alternative to institutional care, although long-term care also needs attention. We need more than health-specific programs to ensure a decent quality of life for our seniors. Boiled down, the main ask of the motion was for the government to provide resources to bring a broad stakeholder group together for the creation of a new vision and action plan.

The former Minister responsible for Seniors said a new strategy "may not be achievable... in light of... COVID" but that issues such as housing, health supports, community infrastructure, and personal safety are taken up in other mandate goals. I see from the new Minister's mandate letter that the development of a seniors' strategy is not one of her assignments. I will have questions for the new Minister responsible for Seniors on what action she will take to develop a seniors' strategy. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Seniors

Members' Statements

Page 1597

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Oral Health

Members' Statements

Page 1598

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Madam Speaker, I have spoken about oral health on numerous occasions in this House. I have focused on the need of the GNWT to change the regulatory environment to provide preventative oral health in small communities and the cost of not focusing on preventative oral care. One of the key objectives of the GNWT's oral health strategy calls for establishing systemic supports for improved oral health services, including improving the regulatory environment. This is one area where I feel strongly that the GNWT must reconsider its legislative position. The Dental Auxiliaries Act stipulates that no dental hygienist shall practice dental hygiene except under the direction and control of a dentist.

Nurses work in our small remote communities without doctors; preventative healthcare professionals like chiropractors and massage therapists are free to work under professional accreditation using their professional discretion to provide services to NWT residents. Given the huge demand for oral health practitioners and the known fact that prevention saves future burdens on our healthcare system, the GNWT must commit to changing this legislative barrier.

In the Northwest Territories, 68 percent of dentists are men,

whereas 86 percent of dental hygienists are women. Denying dental hygienists the opportunity to practice outside of the control of a dentist means that the government is inadvertently denying employment opportunities to an employment sector that is largely female. Today, all Canadian jurisdictions except for the three territories and PEI have legislation to support dental hygienists to be autonomous and self-regulated to varying levels. For example, some jurisdictions restrict the use of local anesthesia by dental hygienists.

Madam Speaker, I am told there are various reasons the GNWT does not allow experienced, certified, and registered dental hygienists to provide preventative oral care independent of a dentist. Given this government's commitment to ensure gender equity, I do not accept a simple no but rather see the value in working through the challenges defined by the department. Madam Speaker, the GNWT's oral health strategy is meant to be in place until the end of the 2021 fiscal year. I would appreciate the Minister's support for changing the legislation to allow dental hygienists to provide oral healthcare without a dentist's oversight. This is a win for both the final

chapter of this strategy and the health and economic opportunity of the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Oral Health

Members' Statements

Page 1598

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Members' Statements

Page 1598

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's been over four and a half years since the Northwest Territories Power Corporation board was removed and a board of deputy ministers was replaced. There have been a number of ministerial changes in that time, and I would just like to walk through why this is so important that we create a proper arm's-length power corporation and reinstate the board. This all began in 2014 and 2015 when back-to-back subsidies were needed for the Power Corporation because they simply were not running a sufficient budget for a rainy day or, in this case, a non-rainy day due to low water levels.

In response to that, the board was removed, and it came under the control of deputy ministers, perhaps a reasonable response had failed to keep a surplus and make sure the Power Corporation was running.

A proper power corporation will, through its ratepayers, be able to fund its own. A good example we see of this is the WSCC, where, when they make a rate increase, it is to balance. It's an evidenced approach, and it doesn't allow political interference to say, "No. You're not going to do that." Then, at the end of the day, we end up with a power corporation that is not sufficient."

However, I believe that is the case we are presently in. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation debt is rapidly increasing, and it doesn't seem like this change to a board of deputy ministers has addressed the underlying root cause. In our capital budget, we have millions and millions of dollars in power infrastructure, another rate increase is coming, and it doesn't seem that the systemic problem of providing power that is paid for by ratepayers is at all being addressed.

I know this system is not working. We have one of the highest rates of power in the Northwest Territories. In June 2016, then Minister Louis Sebert committed to a governance review looking at the board of directors and to bring that back and see a full governance model to get an arm's-length board, perhaps, and see if this could be addressed. Once again, Minister Shane Thompson , at the time, repeatedly was asked to come up with a governance model, and there was some back and forth about whether any direction was being provided to that board of deputy ministers.

One of the problems, I believe, is it's often said that these deputy ministers aren't arm's-length. That's a problem in itself; and they're not completely free from political direction. If I was the Minister of the Power Corporation , I would expand their mandate into heating; I would prevent ministerial directions to them, and that's failed to happen. Madam Chair, I'm seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

--Unanimous consent granted

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Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Members' Statements

Page 1599

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Here we are, four and a half years later, we still have a power corporation that has not addressed its underlying financial problems. We still have a board of deputy ministers. No governance review has been conducted. We now, once again, have a new Minister who has been passed the responsibility of completing this work. I believe this Assembly must look into the governance review, must conduct a full review of the Power Corporation, and let's look at some of those underlying problems that means we continue to have an arm's-length corporation that runs a deficit year after year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Members' Statements

Page 1599

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Dental Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 1599

Steve Norn

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Speaker. Today, I'm going to talk about dental services in the smaller communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has stalled much of our government's programs and services. Even the simple services like renewing your driver's licence, for example, or getting a dental cleaning has become a much more difficult task to complete compared to pre-COVID times.

Just yesterday, Madam Speaker, there was a CBC

article published which described an increasingly dire situation regarding dental services for small communities in the NWT. In fact, two of the four communities that were mentioned in this article, Lutselk'e and Deninu Kue, are directly affected by this, and that is not okay with me.

Madam Speaker, the issue is that dentists are simply not being permitted to do their normal work in the smaller communities as they would normally do prior to COVID. Some patients have not seen a dentist since February, and that's almost 10 months ago. This is unacceptable.

Madam Speaker, I'm not the only one who is worried about the situation, but the dental community and even the federal government are concerned about it, too. Dentists want to see and help their patients because that's what they're there for, they made an oath, and that's what other medical professions do. Why are we enforcing some of the most stringent dental guidelines in the country when our small communities have only one treatment room? This is something to consider and unrealistic, I know. There is a capacity issue there, as well.

Madam Speaker, another aspect of this situation I'm concerned about are the medical travel costs of flying all our referred patients from their home communities into Yellowknife to receive dental services. This current system is not cost-efficient and not sustainable for the long term. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge our government, our department, to work with the dental community, the federal government, and create a different arrangement for providing dental services to people in the small communities.

That's for the remainder of the pandemic, and there are other aspects to think about, such as NHIV and that's another thing to consider, as well. With that, Madam Speaker, I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services today. Marsi cho.

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Dental Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 1599

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Retirement of Mark Gerlock

Members' Statements

Page 1599

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Madam Speaker, it is with great joy and sadness that I learnt of Mark Gerlock's retirement from Enbridge in Fort Simpson. His dedication and service throughout the past years in the Northwest Territories has been greatly appreciated by the residents of the region and myself.

Mark has worked in the North for 43 years with 36 of them with Enbridge. Mark had worked road maintenance and construction for seven years before wanting to better himself and develop his career. He applied for the pipeline position with Interprovincial Pipelines in Fort Simpson in 1984, now known as Enbridge. Mark's devotion and positive attitude throughout his career at Enbridge has not gone unnoticed and will be sadly missed by his colleagues and communities across the region. Mark's loyalty to the position has proven effective to his fellow colleagues as they thrive in their day to day responsibilities largely due to Mark's example.

Madam Speaker, Mark is a source of encouragement to help people better themselves and build their strengths not only professionally but personally. His kindness, courtesy, and passionate attitude was always apparent as he dealt with various issues.

Mark spent eight years working on the Fort Simpson Ambulance as a first responder and I had the pleasure of working with him for a couple of years. I'd like to thank him for the years of service to the community and ensuring that residents received excellent emergency services during this time.

Mark was a powerful force to be reckoned with during his years of playing in the Fort Simpson Rec Hockey Team and now in the Old Timers League. I'm able lucky to call him a teammate and most importantly a line mate. Look forward many more years on the ice together. As a true community champion, Mark also dedicated himself to coaching the younger athletes to share his skills and knowledge of the sport.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank Mark for everything that he has accomplished, and I would like to congratulate him on his retirement and I wish him the best in the years to come. I know his wife and daughter look forward to having his full attention and some tasks to keep him busy. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Retirement of Mark Gerlock

Members' Statements

Page 1600

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 5, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 6, reports of standing and special committees. Member for Frame Lake .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1600

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. Your Standing Committee on Roles and Procedures is pleased to provide its report on remote sittings.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is pleased to report on remote sittings.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented new difficulties and challenges to legislative assemblies. On June 10, 2020, the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act was amended to add

Section 4.1 which:

Allows the Legislative Assembly to conduct all or part of a session by video- or teleconference if the Speaker believes exceptional circumstances require it.

The Speaker may allow a Member to participate remotely for all or part of a session.

A Member participating remotely may vote as though they were present in person.

Background

During the debate on this amendment, it was noted the Speaker would need some guidance on how and when to use his or her discretion. On August 12, 2020, the Speaker wrote to the committee with three questions for consideration:

What exceptional circumstances would warrant conducting a sitting by way of teleconference or videoconference?

In what circumstances would it be appropriate for the Speaker to authorize an individual Member to participate in all or a portion of a sitting by teleconference or videoconference?

What practices, policies, or rule amendments would be required to address the situation of a Member appearing and voting by teleconference or videoconference who loses their connection?

The committee discussed each question at length, and this report lays out the committee's position and recommendations on each question, as well as other changes to the rules that should be considered.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to turn it over now to the Member for Hay River South to continue the report.

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1600

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Member for Hay River South .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1600

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

When should a session be held remotely?

The committee discussed several potential scenarios, including severe weather, pandemics, massive travel disruptions, the loss of the Assembly building, and declared states of emergency. The committee agreed that states of emergency declared under the Emergency Management Act or the Public Health Act could be a reason to hold part or all of a session virtually. The committee decided against an exhaustive list of other scenarios and felt it best that the Speaker consult with the Executive Council and Members and then make a decision. Therefore, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the rules of the Assembly authorize the Speaker to conduct part or all of a session remotely using an approved platform in the event of a state of emergency declared for the entire territory under the Emergency Management Act, or a public health emergency declared under the Public Health Act.

Further, that the rules authorize the Speaker to convene part or all of a session remotely if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the health, safety, or well-being of Members would be at risk by meeting in person.

The committee also discussed whether a remote sitting would require the Speaker or Deputy Speaker to preside from the Chamber with the Mace. The committee decided that making the Speaker or Deputy Speaker travel to preside over the sitting was unnecessary.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Mace, as a symbol of the authority of the people of the Northwest Territories, should be placed in the Chamber on its normal stand, if possible, and, if not, displayed in another manner in keeping with its symbolic significance during any remote sitting of the Assembly.

The committee decided against making a formal recommendation on whether table officers need to be in the Chamber, leaving that decision to the discretion of the Speaker.

When should a Member be allowed to attend a session remotely?

The committee had a lengthy discussion on what reasons an individual Member may have to appear remotely for a sitting. The committee discussed whether the Speaker should have the discretion to approve any reason or if the committee should provide some guidance. The committee felt that being an elected Member is both a privilege and a responsibility. The committee believes that Members should make every available effort to be present in person when the House is sitting.

The committee discussed when it would be appropriate for a Member to attend remotely. It was agreed that the Speaker should only allow a Member to attend remotely upon request of that Member. The committee felt that the guidelines to attend remotely should be clear, consistent, and narrow. The committee believes any absence from the territory for personal travel was not reasonable grounds to allow a Member to attend remotely. The committee felt that Members travelling for official business should not be expected to attend remotely.

The committee agreed on the following reasons for a Member appearing remotely:

a state of emergency in the Member's home community that prevented travel;

an order of the Chief Public Health Officer prohibiting the Member's travel; and

any other time when the Speaker believes the Member's safety or health would be at risk.

Therefore, the committee makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the rules authorize the Speaker to allow a Member to attend all or part of a session remotely when that Member is unable to travel due to a state of emergency being declared in the Member's home community; the Member is under an order of the Chief Public Health Officer prohibiting travel; or the Speaker believes travel would put the Member's health or safety at risk.

Madam Speaker, I will now turn it over to the Member for Nahendeh . Thank you.

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1601

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Nahendeh .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1601

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

What practices, policies, or rule amendments are required for a Member participating by teleconference or videoconference?

Any Member participating remotely has the same rights and privileges as if they were physically present in the Chamber.

The committee discussed various issues that could affect a remote sitting, including experiences of other legislatures during the pandemic. There are several rules that will need to be revised to allow for remote sittings. Other rules need to be clarified, and some new rules are needed. The committee is also recommending revised Orders of the Day for when the House is meeting remotely.

Decorum

Rule 12(10) states, "When in the Assembly every Member shall be attired in traditional Indigenous attire or in a manner that does not offend the dignity of the Assembly." While it should be clear that any Member appearing remotely should follow this rule, the committee also believes some flexibility should be used when interpreting this rule, as Members may not have their normal business clothing with them. Therefore, the committee makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 4

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 12(10) apply when a Member is appearing remotely.

The committee discussed examples from other legislatures and their committees which could have an impact on House proceedings. These included family members interrupting a Member when on a teleconference or videoconference; campaign materials being visible on screen; pets blocking the camera; and other behaviours that would not be acceptable if they happened in the Chamber. The committee felt that there should be no unnecessary distractions to the House by a Member appearing remotely.

To minimize the amount of background noise and to ensure a Member is heard as clearly as possible, the committee makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 5

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that training and orientation for online sittings should be provided. Furthermore, the Board of Management should look at providing a headset to each Member to ensure consistency and any Member attending remotely be required to wear a headset.

The committee felt it would be inappropriate for a Member appearing remotely by videoconference to have anything onscreen that could be considered a prop, display, or exhibit. This would include items such as election signs, anything that could be considered commercial advertising, or a visually distracting background. Legislative Assembly staff should investigate a consistent or common background that could be used by all Members. Therefore, the committee makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 6

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that any Member attending remotely by videoconference be required to have a neutral background on screen.

Further, if the Speaker determines a background is distracting to the House, the Speaker be empowered to order the Member to rectify the issue and, if the Member refuses, to turn off the Member's video and allow the Member to participate via audio only.

Voting

The committee discussed how best to conduct voting when all or some Members are participating remotely. The main concerns were making sure that all Members are able to vote and what to do if a Member is disconnected before or during a vote.

As the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act allows teleconference or videoconference options, the committee felt the best way to vote was by recorded vote instead of relying on a visual count. The clerk would call upon each Member to vote, the Member would say how they are voting, the clerk would record the vote and move on to the next Member. As there are many routine voice votes during a sitting day, the committee felt that only those votes dealing with bills or motions should be recorded.

Recommendation 7

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, whenever a Member is attending session remotely, all votes on readings of bills or on any motion that requires notice be conducted as a recorded vote.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. At this point in time, I wish to turn the floor over to the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh . Thank you.

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1602

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1602

Steve Norn

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Speaker.

In the event a Member loses their connection before voting, that Member must contact the table officer on duty as soon as possible to register their vote. If there is no response when the clerk or designate calls the Member, the clerk would call the Member two additional times and, if the Member has still not responded, proceed to the next Member and continue the vote. After the clerk has gone through the list, he or she would confirm if the Member who had lost connection has submitted a vote through alternative means and announce to the House how that Member voted.

If a connection is re-established before the results of the vote are announced by the Speaker, the clerk shall call on the Member to cast their vote. The Speaker should allow three minutes from the end of the roll call for a Member to contact the table officer with their vote before announcing the results.

Recommendation 8

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, when a Member attending remotely loses their connection just prior to or during a vote, the Member immediately contacts the table officer to register their vote, and that the clerk will announce to the House how that Member voted at the end of the roll call. Three minutes will be counted from the end of the roll call to when the Speaker announces the results if a Member has lost connection prior to voting to allow the Member time to contact the table officer.

The committee also discussed what should happen if a Member loses connection and is unable to contact the clerk. An example is if all telecommunications are lost in their community. Another scenario considered was if the Member, while still connected, did not respond when called to vote. In both of these cases, the committee determined that Rule 12(5) would apply, notably, "If a Member enters the Chamber when a question has been put, not realizing this is the case, they shall not vote on that question." In other words, once the Speaker calls for a vote, it is the responsibility of each Member to vote.

The committee understands the difficulties of remote sittings and, therefore, makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 9

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, when conducting a roll call, the clerk call on the mover of the motion, followed by each Member attending remotely by order of their normal seat in the House, then each Member seated in the Chamber. For Members attending remotely, they will be called no more than three times for their vote before the clerk moves on to the next Member.

Oral and Written Questions

The committee discussed what would happen if a Member attending remotely lost their connection partway through asking a Minister a question. The committee felt that, if the Member was able to reconnect before the end of oral questions, the Speaker would allow the Member to continue their questions. If the Member could not connect before the time allowed for oral questions expired, the Member should be allowed to submit the question and up to three supplemental questions in writing and to have the question included in Hansard with a note that the question was submitted in writing due to a lost connection.

The Minister would have two sitting days to respond under returns to oral questions. The committee felt that this should not be treated as taking the question as notice, as that would prevent another Member from asking a related question. The committee also felt that the submitted question should not count towards the Member's limit of written questions on the order papers.

Recommendation 10

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, during oral questions, if a Member attending remotely is disconnected while asking a question, if the Member is successful in reconnecting before the allotted time expires, the Speaker will allow the Member to continue their questions. If the Member is not able to reconnect before the allotted time expires, the Member may choose to submit the full question and up to three supplemental questions in writing and that the Minister would have two sitting days in which to respond.

If a Member of the Executive Council attending remotely loses their connection during oral questions and a Member asks a question under that Minister's portfolio, the committee felt that the Premier or, in her absence, the Deputy Premier should take the question. The Premier or Deputy Premier could choose to try and answer the question or may take it as notice.

Recommendation 11

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, if a Minister attending remotely loses their connection when a question has been asked to that Minister, then the question shall be redirected to the Premier or designate to respond.

The committee discussed the process for written questions. As all written questions must be filed with the clerk prior to the sitting day, the committee had no concerns with the established process being conducted remotely. The only issue committee could identify was in the event that a Member lost their connection before being able to put their written question to the House. The committee felt that the question should be announced, but not read by the clerk, and added to the order papers, as well as being printed in full in Hansard. Therefore, the committee makes the following recommendation:

Recommendation 12

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, when a Member files a written question with the Office of the Clerk, the Member should note if, in the event the Member loses their connection, the written question can be announced by the clerk and be printed in its entirety in Hansard.

With that, I will turn it over to the Member for Nunakput .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1603

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Nunakput .

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1603

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ministers' and Members' statements

As Members do not have the same level of support to make the public aware of a statement, the committee felt a new rule was needed for Members' statements. The committee decided that a Member participating remotely can file their statement with the clerk in writing at least one hour before the House sits. In the event a Member loses their connection while giving their statement, there are two options available. The submitted statement could be printed in Hansard with a notation, or, if the Member reconnects before the end of Members' statements, the Member can ask to be put back on the list to speak.

The Member would then be allowed to conclude their statement. The statement would then be printed in full in Hansard with the first attempt printed up to the point when the Member was cut off.

Recommendation 13

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, in the event a Member loses connection while delivering a Member's statement, that the Speaker ask the Member to conclude their statement once they are reconnected, provided the House has not moved to another order. In the event that the Members' statements have been concluded when the Member reconnects, the Member's statement would be printed in full at the end of Members' statements.

Revised Orders of the Day for fully remote sittings

The committee reviewed the orders of the day for any orders that may need changes during a remote sitting of the entire Assembly. In addition to the changes already discussed in this report, the committee recommends that the following orders, or the rules associated with those orders, be amended:

Prayer

Members should remain seated during the prayer and keep a respectful demeanour.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees

Only an executive

summary of the report should be read. The rest of the report will be deemed read and be printed in full in Hansard.

Replies to the Commissioner's Address

As this item allows Members to speak with no time limit on any topic, the committee felt it could present issues during a remote sitting. Since Members can make one reply at any time during a session, the committee felt it was reasonable to drop "Replies to the Commissioner's address" from the orders of the day during a fully remote sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Replies to the Budget Address

In the event that a budget address is given during a remote sitting, under the rules, there are only seven possible days a Member can reply. The committee discussed how best to deal with replies. In the event that a Member is disconnected while giving a reply, the Member can resume with the time remaining on the clock on the next day. If the Member was cut off on the last day, the Member may submit their full statement in writing, and it will be printed in full in Hansard.

Motions

During a remote sitting of the Assembly, the committee felt allowing motions to be called for three days, rather than two, before being dropped from the orders. If a Member is disconnected during a debate on a motion, that Member must make every effort to reconnect. The proceedings will not be halted, and if the Member is unable to reconnect, they can contact the table officers to record their vote. All votes will be recorded votes conducted pursuant to recommendation 9.

Second Reading of Bills

Members will have the option of submitting a written statement to the purpose of the Bill that will be printed in full in Hansard.

Recommendation 14

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the House adopt a revised daily order of business in the Rules of the Legislative Assembly for a remote sitting, pursuant to the changes listed in this report.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will now pass it down to my colleague, the Chair of the committee, Mr. O'Reilly .

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Page 1604

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Member for Frame Lake .

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Page 1604

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente.

Conclusion

The committee recognizes that how legislative assemblies across the country operate have had to undergo many changes due to the pandemic. The operating procedures have been adapted quickly with mixed results, with numerous technical issues that may impact individual Members or the Assembly as a whole. To ensure all Members are aware of different procedures during a partial or fully remote sitting, the committee therefore recommends:

Recommendation 15

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Legislative Assembly direct the Office of the Clerk to produce a reference guide for Members and staff outlining key changes and best practices to be used while sitting remotely. Further, that the Office of the Clerk be mandated to update the reference guide as needed as new practices are identified.

In the event of a fully remote sitting, the committee felt that a review should be done afterwards to see if any additional changes would be needed. Therefore, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 16

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that after any remote sitting, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures be tasked with conducting a review and to provide any recommendations for improvements.

Finally, nothing proposed here limit's the Speaker's authority to manage the daily operations of the Assembly and the sittings of the House. The Speaker must retain discretion to apply the rules of the House to accommodate any Members participating remotely and to ensure the dignity of the House is upheld.

This concludes the committee's report. The committee thanks the Speaker for the opportunity to provide recommendations on this timely and important matter. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Committee Report 6-19(2): Report on Remote Sittings

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Page 1605

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake .

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Motion to Receive Committee Report 6-19(2) and Move into Committee of the Whole, Carried

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1605

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. I move that the report of the committee be moved into the Committee of the Whole for further discussion. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Motion to Receive Committee Report 6-19(2) and Move into Committee of the Whole, Carried

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1605

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. The motion is in order and is non-debateable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

The report will be moved into Committee of the Whole.

Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Thebacha .

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Committee Report 7-19(2): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Annual Reports of the Official Languages Commissioner

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1605

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Annual Reports of the Official Languages Commissioner and commends it to this House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Annual Reports of the Official Languages Commissioner. The committee thanks Mrs. Shannon Gullberg, the Official Languages Commissioner, for her appearance on October 26, 2020.

The Official Languages Act requires the Commissioner to prepare annual reports. These reports include information on the numbers of complaints filed. It can also include recommendations. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, committee reviews the report.

The committee is currently conducting a five-year review of the Official Languages Act as required under

Section 35 of the act. At the meeting with the committee, the Commissioner provided a number of recommendations regarding possible changes to the act. Her two annual reports included a number of recommendations addressed to the Legislative Assembly and the government.

The committee normally reviews the Commissioner's report and then makes their own recommendations to the Assembly. However, this year, the committee will consider the Commissioner's recommendations relating to the Official Languages Act as part of its review and will make recommendations in that report.

The Commissioner also included a number of recommendations specific to the use of official languages at the Legislative Assembly. Committee has shared these recommendations with the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, which is currently reviewing the use of official languages at the Assembly, and will be making recommendations to this House.

The committee wishes to thank Mrs. Gullberg for her service as Official Languages Commissioner. Mrs. Gullberg has been involved with the office for more than 15 years, both as Commissioner and as a lawyer for the Commissioner. Mrs. Gullberg has been a strong advocate of the language rights provided for in the act and has served the residents of the Northwest Territories well. Committee looks forward to working with her replacement. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Committee Report 7-19(2): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 Annual Reports of the Official Languages Commissioner

Reports Of Standing And Special Committees

Page 1605

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Reports of standing and special communities. Item 7, returns to oral questions. Item 8, acknowledgements. Item 9, oral questions. Member for Thebacha .

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1605

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, can the Minister explain if there are any plans to change or delay the current minimum land lease rent costs for territorial land leaseholders? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1605

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Lands .

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Due to COVID-19, no lease fees are being charged for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Public land in the NWT is one of our most valuable resources, an asset, and must be priced accordingly. I can confirm that any changes we've considered and analyzed as we undertake the necessary work in developing a new Public Land Act regulation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Can the Minister explain why his department decided to initiate the new minimum rent cost for land leaseholders all at once rather than a gradual approach as done with taxes?

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

In the 18 th Assembly, departments were tasked to find revenue or cut costs. The department realized that lease fees had not been addressed over 20 years. They used a cost-of-living index calculation, as well. As well, they were trying to align both territorial and Commissioner's land. Fees for exclusive use of land were increased at the beginning, in April 2018, almost after 20 years for no increases. Lease rent minimums have been set at $840 for all types of leases. Lease rent changes are being implemented through a phased approach.

Lease rents will increase at the current rate until a lease comes up for renewal, or a lease comes up for a five-year renewal, or upon issuance of a new lease. Lessees can arrange payment for the rent in installments by making appropriate arrangements with the Department of Finance.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

The last time I asked the Minister about this topic, he mentioned the development of public land regulations on the way. Can the Minister explain how he intends for those regulations to ease the financial burden on people from the new rent minimum cost?

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

To ease the financial burden during COVID-19, a regulatory minute was put in place so that no lease fees are being charged for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. I've heard concerns for both increases, and I'm working with the department on a way forward. Reviewing the pricing for exclusive use of public land is a key piece of Public Land Act regulatory work. We will be engaging IGOs, municipalities, committee, and residents have that opportunity, as well.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha .

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, will the Minister admit that this whole situation could have been handled better, and will he commit to improving the decision-making process for future decisions like this issue? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I would like to thank the Member for that question. Simply put, yes. This was one of the reasons I asked for Department of Lands upon being elected as a Minister. I am happy to advise the House that we have identified a team who will focus on regulatory process. I have committed previously to this to engage Regular Members in the development of the public land regulations so that there will be opportunities for you to review and provide comments on any changes to public land pricing or administrative fees as part of the process. Again, I would like to thank the Member for her hard work in advocating for all residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 451-19(2): Land Leases

Oral Questions

Page 1606

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi .

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1606

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Madam Speaker. [Translation] I have talked about regarding the interpreters. In the Northwest Territories, there are less than 10 interpreters in the Northwest Territories. Some of them are ready for retirement. Some of them will be retiring pretty soon. I would like to ask a question to the Minister of culture regarding the interpreters. The courthouse, medical interpreters, they all need interpreters, so I have a question for the Minister. [Translation ends]. My question is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

Madam Speaker, could the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment explain the process currently in place for training and also certifying professional interpreters in the territory? What is our current system? Masi.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1606

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1606

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There is currently no accreditation body in the territory for accrediting translators. I have a list of translators here who the department uses. I think there are 33 names on there. I think 16 of them have interpreter/translator certificates from bodies like Aurora College, and a number also have qualifications in linguistics and things like that. I don't say it enough, but I do want to take this opportunity to thank the translators. I stand in the House, and I listen.

Sometimes, I do not know what Members are saying, but the translators have to listen to that, understand it, and then translate it back into another language. It's an amazing skill, and I want to thank them. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

[Translation] In 1990, we had a language bureau. There were a lot of interpreters then. There were a lot of interpreters with the GNWT at that time, but today, we do not have. I would like to ask the Minister that question: how many today? Is there any training? Are there any interpreters to be trained at this time? [Translation ends].

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

The efforts of the department right now are focusing on revitalization because we realize that there is a need to revitalize languages so that they can be in wider use and then so that we can start utilizing interpreters more. Currently, there is no training program in the territory, but under the Indigenous Languages Action Plan, one of the deliverables in the next two years, less than that now, about a year and a half, is to create the partnerships with translating programs -- there are some in Alberta and BC -- and be able to make those connections so that we can encourage and facilitate more translator/interpreter training.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

[Translation] Just regarding the interpreters' training, we do not have interpreters' training as of today. You can see there are interpreters here. Most of them have white hair, and now, in terms of their jobs, they are ready for retirement. We know that they are ready for retirement. What if they retire? We want to have another interpreter to take over. At this time, Madam Speaker, I have a question for the Minister. [Translation ends]. [Microphone turned off] ...interpreters are essential for the use and survival of our official languages. Could the Minister describe the government's plan for building and also sustaining a strong core of interpreters here in the Northwest Territories?

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

There is a plan. I think it's too big to talk about right now because it starts when children first enter school. I was looking just a few minutes ago at a framework or a strategy from 2010, when the Member for Monfwi was the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment . I am happy to say that a lot of the actions identified in there are things that have now been completed; there is progress being made. Just the other day, I released or officially launched the Our Languages curriculum, so now, there is a curriculum, a solid curriculum, in schools, that can be implemented across the territory. That is one of the things we are doing in the early years.

There are also immersion programs. We have a mentor-apprenticeship program where language speakers are paired up with elders and with fluent speakers to help them learn and become more fluent. We are working on adult immersion diploma program so that we can get more speakers to the point where they can become interpreter/translators. There is a lot of work, and it's one of the bright spots of the government, I would say. As a new Minister, you come into a department, and there are some areas that have not been looked at maybe in 10 or 20 years.

Then there are some where there has been a recent push to get work done. Indigenous language revitalization is one of those areas, and it really is a bright spot. I am confident that we are going to see the numbers go up in the coming years.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi .

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Madam Speaker. I am glad that the Minister is confident and that there is work in place hopefully to develop some more or establish more interpreters here in the Northwest Territories. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment . I am more focused on expediting the process. What we talked about is: there are two years or could be less. Will the Minister commit to developing a fast-track program for development of a new generation of professional Indigenous language interpreters here in the Northwest Territories, which is badly needed as we speak? Masi.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

There are programs under development, such as the diploma program. I want to make sure that we focus our efforts where they are needed. I take the Member's point that we do need interpreters. I will go back to the department. I will find out what the plans are in terms of the diploma and other efforts that are happening and to see how we can ensure that we do have people capable of performing translation and

interpretation services. Perhaps it's not a certificate program at this point. We do need those people in place, and I will have those conversations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 452-19(2): Interpreters

Oral Questions

Page 1607

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1607

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. My question is for the Minister responsible for Seniors. In the debate leading to the adoption of the motion calling for creation of a seniors' and elders' strategy, it was the position of the then Minister that a specific strategy would likely not be possible owing to COVID. He said that action on senior-related activities would be pursued piecemeal. I would like to know from the Minister: is this still the position of the new Minister responsible for Seniors? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1607

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister responsible for Seniors.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There will be an elders' strategy developed within this Assembly. Thank you.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

That is a great commitment. I appreciate that from the Minister. My statement earlier today cited a number of statistics indicating the proportion of seniors is growing quickly, but it is not clear whether the strategy is going to include all services. How will the Minister not just complete a seniors' and elders' strategy but also see that seniors' planning is a lens applied to all GNWT programs and services?

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you for the question, Member for Frame Lake . We are collaborating across all government departments to identify what the gaps are and what the resources are available to seniors to figure out how we can develop a strategy that meets their needs in a holistic way. I also want to say that we plan to collaborate with the NWT Seniors' Society and other seniors' organizations and seniors as individuals in order to develop this strategy. It will be a collaborative process from top to bottom.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister. It's a great day in the House when we get such fabulous answers. No, seriously, I do appreciate them very much. The poverty strategy talked about an integrated continuum of services, and I think that sets a good benchmark for how the seniors' strategy might roll out. How does the Minister intend to integrate cross-departmental delivery of coordinated services now until the development of a strategy with a view to the needs of seniors and elders?

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

We do now collaborate with other government departments in order to provide services to seniors, but we could be doing better. For example, I am very interested to see whether it's possible to have a common application for all seniors' services across all government departments, rather than having seniors having to apply to each government department for the service that they require. That is the kind of initiative that I'm looking at going forward. Of course, there is a lot of work related to seniors going on now around our priority to have seniors age in place with dignity.

That involves housing, homecare, and other supports that will allow seniors to stay in their homes, and that work will continue alongside the development of the strategy.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. I love this new Minister. This is great. In a presentation earlier this year to the Standing Committee on Social Development, the NWT seniors said that they are ready to work with the new Minister, or the Minister responsible for seniors I think they've got a great ally, now, but how does the Minister propose to collaborate with the society and other stakeholders on the development and implementation of a new seniors' strategy during a pandemic? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Of course, the pandemic makes it more difficult. I have to say that I have attended three meetings of seniors' organizations via Zoom, and the seniors are up on Zoom. It's not a problem. They will connect and give their input. The department is hiring a person full-time for two years to lead the process of developing a seniors' strategy. It will be the job of this person to figure out how the consultation is going to work and to include the voices of everyone who needs to be heard. Thank you.

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Question 453-19(2): Seniors and Elders Strategy

Oral Questions

Page 1608

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Yukon government has been very creative and proactive in their support for the business community, with the creation of programs with CanNor that were rolled out six to eight weeks before our Northern Business Relief Fund. The Pivot Program at the Yukon University and the Tourism Accommodation Supplement are such examples. I'd like to ask the Minister of ITI : why has the GNWT been so slow in its response to the business community and resistant to meet with them, specifically in the hospitality industry? Thank you.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1608

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1608

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to suggest that maybe, rather than slow, the response here has been different in terms of its approach. We certainly were, I would suggest, faster than the Yukon in terms of delivering some of the relief and expenses for the industry, but then, rather than rolling out money quickly, the Department of ITI here opted to wait and see how the federal government was going to be putting forward their programs and their money, which have been significant. The goal was to find a way to fill gaps rather than duplicate efforts.

The Department of ITI has partnered with CanNor and provided relief funding in the form of the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund, as well as the GRIT Fund, which is directed specifically at the tourism industry.

Madam Speaker, I am also quite happy to say that one of the first things I had done as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment was to actually cohost a tourism conference for all federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers of tourism to discuss the shared challenges we're all facing in this industry. I have also had the opportunity to meet with our local tourism association, and we are collaborating with them in terms of developing the GRIT funding, in terms of developing marketing programs that are obviously going to have to change for the short term.

Again, we'll actually be attending tomorrow at the AGM put on by the Northwest Territories Tourism Association. The Department of ITI is very much involved with the tourism industry and is looking for ways to fill those gaps. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

For the most part, both the GNWT and the federal government have failed to provide the hospitality industry with relief funding that works. In order to apply for the Northern Benefit Relief Fund, businesses can only break even on a monthly basis, which is not sustainable given that they have gone months with little to no revenue. We have heard that taking on additional borrowing from the various loan programs is not suitable. Many of our hospitality businesses operate on such fine profit margins that they would go further into debt trying to pay off the loans. How will the GNWT support this vital sector to make sure we do not lose any further businesses?

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

I am glad that the dire situation that is facing hospitality is being spoken of here. I think that, as the Minister of Finance at one point, under that hat, I had spoken of the fact that we're seeing a recovery in so much of our employment sectors, but that is not true in the hospitality sector and the tourism industry. That is an area that is going to continue to be struggling for some time.

Really, the response has to be to be able to fill those gaps, so the Business Advisory Council that was brought about by ITI to assist us in figuring out what the best ways are to support relief and recovery, they are coming out just now, or have come out just now, with identifying some of the gaps by looking at that. By speaking to them and, as I described in my last response, by engaging with the tourism sector, we will be able to make sure that we are best helping them fill those gaps, while acknowledging the vast number of needs that are being created by the COVID pandemic.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

The GNWT is the largest client for the accommodation sector. Without any of the duty travel and no tourists coming in, their future is very bleak. We are currently slated to spend more than half of the COVID secretariat budget on isolation centres, but that contract was sole-sourced. Will the GNWT look at creating a program similar to the Yukon's Tourism Accommodation Supplement?

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Yes. I am actively looking at that. That material came across earlier on, and right now the department is looking at what we can do and whether or not there are some elements of what's happening in the Yukon that we can adapt here. Similarly, with respect to the isolation centres, we are using, to some degree, some of that hospitality industry here with the isolation centres and are continuing to look at whether or not there are ways to better support the hospitality industry while having the isolation centres up and running. That is a very active question, and I am glad to have that question here on the floor.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Great Slave .

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am going to read something that was issued by the government yesterday. This is a quote from the Business Advisory Council: "With the hard work that the GNWT, the business community, and the residents of the Northwest Territories have put in over the last six months, we are optimistic that the territory will not have to go back to the restrictions required during phase 1 of Emerging Wisely.

The Business Advisory Council will continue to work with the COVID secretariat and will be vigilant in monitoring its efforts to achieve the objectives of greater transparency, efficiency, and cost reductions." Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the COVID secretariat. Can the Minister tell us what she has been hearing from the business community with respect to spending these funds on the COVID Secretariat? Thank you.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1609

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

That has been an evolving conversation, and one that has happened largely in the public sphere. It's not necessarily for me to speak for the private sector here on the floor, but the Business Advisory Council, I have had the opportunity to meet with them more than once already, as well as with the chambers, as well as with a number of individuals who are bringing attention to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment at all times, around how to navigate their needs during COVID as well as how the government is navigating the need to support people, which is a large part of the COVID secretariat.

Again, once there is an understanding of what the secretariat is designed to do, why it is designed to that, and a recognition of the supports that it is providing to the residents of the Northwest Territories.

I believe not only the Business Advisory Council but other business entities have actually come around and said that they indeed support the work of the secretariat, want it to continue, and recognize that it's because of the secretariat and, because all of the efforts in COVID, that we are not returning to a full lockdown, we're not returning to the doors closed, and that we're not shuttering the businesses as is so sadly happening across much of Canada, right now. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 454-19(2): Northwest Territories Economy Support for Service Industry

Oral Questions

Page 1610

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. For years, a governance review of the Power Corporation since its board was removed and replaced with deputy ministers has been requested. It's been promised by previous Ministers, but it has not been delivered. We now find ourselves with a new Minister asking the board to review themselves. My question for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation is: what has happened in the last four years since the board was removed in regard to a governance review, and how much longer is this going to take? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation .

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I recognize that this is a long-standing issue and the Member will be happy to know that I'm committed to looking into and completing the governance review of the Power Corporation. The last four years have been critical in gaining hands-on understanding of NTPC's governance structure and also options for some improvement. Work has been underway to identify and assess the governance options to further advance this work ultimately towards the goal of approving the accountability and framework for this important organization. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

I'm very happy to see that this Minister is committed to a governance review. One of the fundamental problems with this governance review is we as government are asking our deputy ministers to review themselves and see if there is the proper accountability. Much of the Power Corporation's bookwork is done behind closed doors. Much of this review and these decisions come to Cabinet, which is also behind closed doors. My question for the Minister is: given the just inherent conflicts and trouble navigating accountability of a non arm's-length corporation that's supposed to be, will the GNWT do any public engagement on this review?

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Again, I mentioned the governance model. Again, I committed to working with the Members of this House on the review and the offer to briefing to Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment. I also look forward to discussing and to advancing some of this work together.

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

I recognize that the Minister is willing to work standing committee, but I don't believe that was public engagement. I'm going to try this one more time. Does the GNWT recognize and acknowledge that deputy ministers -- I know they work hard and probably that's one of the problems is that they are so busy working that they don't have time to completely review a corporation. They have expertise in public service. They don't have expertise in managing a Crown corporation and energy interests. Does the GNWT recognize that is an inherent problem, that we have the wrong people on the board?

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Question 455-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Board

Oral Questions

Page 1610

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

NTPC is a large organization providing public service and deputy ministers have brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board. Since deputy ministers were appointed to the board, we have seen improved ties and implementation of GNWT energy policy and have been able to integrate the corporation's decision-making with the policy decisions and even the programs and services that are prov