Debates of Feb. 23rd, 2022

This is page numbers 3441 - 3480 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 work .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Annual Status Report on the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023

Pink Shirt Day

Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Mental Health

Hydrogen Power

Economy

Mental Health

Northwest Territories Health Report in the Tlicho Region

Paid Sick Leave

Mental Health Wellness

Eulogy for Evelyn Krutko

Eulogy for Rita Rowe

Hydrogen Power

Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Housing

Mackenzie Valley Highway

Mental Health

Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Paid Sick Leave

Mental Health Leave

Federal Grants

Northwest Territories Health Status Report

Alberta Tar Sands Tailings

Tabled Document 567-19(2): Annual Status Report - 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, February 2021 - January 2022

Tabled Document 568-19(2): Yellowknife Catholic Schools 2021-2022 Capital Plan (Amended) Tabled Document 569-19(2): Yellowknife Education District No. 1 2021-2022 Capital Plan (Amended)

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole On Bills And Other Matters

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 3441

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Ministers' Statements. Honorable Premier .

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Minister's Statement 202-19(2): Annual Status Report on the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023

Ministers' Statements

Page 3441

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Madam Speaker, as we pass the mid-point for the 19th Legislative Assembly, it is important to take stock of where we are as a government, and the progress we are making in fulfilling the commitments we made in our mandate.

At the beginning of this Legislative Assembly, our government tabled the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2019-2023, which established the actions we planned to take to advance the 22 shared priorities set by this Legislative Assembly.

Madam Speaker, despite the ongoing challenges felt here at home and around the world because of the COVID pandemic, our government continues to make progress on our mandate commitments. In fact, we expect to be able to achieve the majority of our commitments within the life of this Legislative Assembly.

Later today, I will table our government's second annual status report on the implementation of the mandate. This report highlights some of our major accomplishments from the past year, as well as a number of expected achievements for the upcoming year. Madam Speaker, I would now like to share some of the highlights with Members.

In the past year, our government has continued to build and strengthen our relationships with Indigenous governments through the Intergovernmental Council and by establishing and holding regular meetings with the NWT Council of Leaders, and the Modern Treaty and Self-Government Partners forum. These forums support our government's efforts to build stronger, more collaborative relationships with Indigenous governments.

One of the specific initiatives underway at the officials' working group level is advancing the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are also in the process of undertaking engagement on the GNWT's draft Action Plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

A number of initiatives are also underway to improve social supports for residents and community governments. Most notably, our government signed an important funding agreement with Canada late last year to create 300 full-time equivalent affordable childcare spaces by 2026 and support increased affordability for existing spaces for children from birth to age five. This funding will support the Early Learning and Child Care Strategy, scheduled to be completed in the near future.

Important social programs, including On-the-land Healing programs, the Healthy Family program, increased social housing programs and increasing housing units, as well as many other programs and services continue to be expanded.

Madam Speaker, we are also taking action toward growing, diversifying and expanding our economy in the aftermath of the pandemic. The procurement review was completed last year, and work is underway to develop and implement the policy changes necessary to maximize economic benefits for northern businesses and residents. We completed major infrastructure projects like the Tlicho Highway in the past year and continue important work to advance others, including the Taltson Hydro Expansion, the Slave Geological Province Corridor, and the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

In the past year, we have also secured federal funding for the replacement of the Frank Channel Bridge and the Inuvik Airport runway extension.

Madam Speaker, we are also continuing the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university. By passing amendments to the Aurora College Act, securing federal funding to support infrastructure planning and the development of enhanced research capacity, we are creating a strong foundation that will benefit northern students, communities, and our economy.

With regards to climate change, the NWT Climate Change Council was established this past year, including Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, community governments, and other external partners. We have also integrated climate change considerations into our government's decision-making instruments.

This coming year will see the release of an updated 2030 Energy Strategy Action Plan to support the continued advancement of a number of projects aimed at reducing emissions, including transmission lines and the Inuvik Wind Project.

Madam Speaker, we recognize that new challenges likely lie ahead as we attempt to recover from the effects of the pandemic and adjust to a "new normal" where COVID is endemic in our society. It is therefore critical that we continue working collaboratively with our partners, including Indigenous governments, community governments, federal and interjurisdictional governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, and residents, as well as all Members of the Legislative Assembly, to address any new challenges and to continue to advance mandate commitments.

Madam Speaker, this represents only a small amount of the hard work our public service has done to deliver programs and services for the residents of the NWT. I am inspired by the way Northerners have pulled together through the last two years despite the many challenges. With a shared vision for our territory and a collaborative spirit, I am confident that our government will continue to make progress on our commitments as we enter the second half of our term. I look forward to discussing our progress on the mandate in more detail, and in continuing to work with Regular Members on our shared priorities.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 202-19(2): Annual Status Report on the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023

Ministers' Statements

Page 3442

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Premier . Ministers' Statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment .

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Minister's Statement 203-19(2): Pink Shirt Day

Ministers' Statements

Page 3442

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, today is Pink Shirt Day, a day when we take a moment to pause and reflect on how we treat one another.

Pink Shirt Day began in 2007 in Nova Scotia. After a male student was harassed for wearing a pink shirt, teenagers David Shepherd and Travis Price organized an anti-bullying protest in which they handed out pink shirts to the students in their school. Fifteen years later, Pink Shirt Day has become a global call-to-action as schools, communities and workplaces are flooded with pink in solidarity against bullying.

This year's national theme continues as Lift Each Other Up. It encourages us to support people, embracing their cultures, identities, and true selves by reminding us all to demonstrate greater acceptance, inclusion, and respect for everyone. I am happy to see so much pink around the House today, as we stand together on Pink Shirt Day.

We all share the responsibility to ensure our schools and communities are safe spaces - where bullying is prevented wherever possible, and addressed quickly when it does occur. Bullying is a complex issue that affects people of all ages in all settings, including schools, workplaces, and online. The effects of bullying can last a lifetime, causing fear, withdrawal, social distress, and severe physical and psychological harm.

During these long days, the second winter of the pandemic, we may be challenged at times to find the strength to lift each other up. The impact of COVID-19 on our collective and individual mental health is real. This strain affects students, teachers, parents, families and community members alike, as we adjust and re-adjust to the ongoing changes required to ensure our communities and schools are safe spaces. Yet, simple kindness, acceptance, and compassion for ourselves and others can make a real difference to the people around us.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment works closely with the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure counselling is available in every school and community.

Madam Speaker, throughout the pandemic, we have heard a simple message - be kind. When we see bullying, we need to speak up. And when we are being a bully, we must reflect on our actions and seek out ways to do better.

We are all role models, whatever role we play in our communities, and our youth look to us to set an example, so today and every day let us celebrate all the things that make us unique, let us be kind to one another, and let us lift each other up. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 203-19(2): Pink Shirt Day

Ministers' Statements

Page 3442

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

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

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Member's Statement 924-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Members' Statements

Page 3443

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I thank you for letting me put my name in earlier today for this.

Madam Speaker, over the past two years the pandemic has taken over the lives of Canadians. It has created and encouraged division amongst many. It has successfully torn families apart, pitted friend against friend, promoted animosity within social groups - all this mostly caused by misinformation, imperfect communication, and fear.

Madam Speaker, elders are being confined to extended care facilities. Out of fear, some people are unwilling to leave their homes. Social fractures in the community are causing anxiety and distrust. Not being able to feed one's family due to loss of employment is affecting one's self worth. Loss of one's business is causing depression. Limited access to acute healthcare services are costing lives - all of this leading to further anxiety, fear, uncertainty, stress, and sometimes loss of life.

Madam Speaker, we may be turning the page on the physical harm caused by the virus, and it is now time to focus on the healing aspect by managing the mental health damage caused by the virus, pandemic lockdowns, and restrictions.

Reviewing information on both sides of the debate, my understanding is that there is an unknown when we talk about how the pandemic has impacted one's mental health. We see words being used that include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, irritation, frustration, anger, insomnia, suicide, substance abuse, addictions, guilt and intimidation - all being indicators associated with mental health.

Madam Speaker, those with mental health disorders are prone to relapse causing their condition to worsen and possibly leading to potential harm. The pandemic has only heightened it.

Our healthcare system is the only safety net many people have, whether it is for mental health or for the many other health issues that have been triggered by this pandemic.

It has been asserted that those that will be most affected are those who face social inequities - something not lost on us in a territory with many small have-not and isolated communities. Madam Speaker, people of the Northwest Territories will be looking for a plan from this government to address those health issues that have arisen due to the pandemic and, more specifically, mental health issues.

For what it's worth, my advice to the Minister of Health and this government, if not already doing so, is to develop a post-pandemic mental health action plan that would provide residents with timely access to treatment. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Member's Statement 924-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Members' Statements

Page 3443

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nanukput.

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Member's Statement 925-19(2): Mental Health

Members' Statements

Page 3443

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Day 1 of 20 on budget from Nunakput, Madam Speaker.

Today I'd like to see the spending in the Nunakput riding. Our housing supports, our mental wellness is the biggest need in my riding for my constituents right now. I have 13 percent of our homes that are overcrowded, 28 percent of our homes are -- needed major retrofits and repair, 25 percent of our homes are in core need.

As I stated yesterday, Madam Speaker, the Beaufort Delta, we face serious mental health challenges among our people and the most severe high rates of suicide. Madam Speaker, what do we do with -- what do our youth have to look forward to with nowhere to live and no little hope? Our families are small -- young families with small children are over staying with family members, overcrowded, overcrowding. It's really serious, and we need to fix this problem. The GNWT is going to spend money to address these problems in my riding, when?

For 2022-2023, the Nunakput riding represents less than 5 percent of the total capital budget. Last year, five housing units in my riding for renovated, and this year retrofits are 17 housing units are planned. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, this does not meet the needs of our communities in Nunakput. I hear from my constituents that are waiting on the housing list for years to get a house, into a unit. We all need to know that it starts with housing.

If you don't have a place to live and a safe place for your family, you have nowhere to go, and you're relying on others and putting pressure on family, and you're drawing lines in the sand, and it's really tough.

Housing, we have to work together, Madam Speaker. We have to have -- I know it's a big challenge, but I think our minister and our government is up to it, that if we work together we could get stuff -- good things happening with housing across our territory and especially in Nunakput. I will have questions for the minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Member's Statement 925-19(2): Mental Health

Members' Statements

Page 3444

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Member's Statement 926-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Members' Statements

Page 3444

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. As a member of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, I participated in a January 25th workshop "Can Hydrogen power the North?” organized by the Department of Infrastructure.

Hydrogen is a gas and it has been used in Canada for many years to produce fertilizer and other chemicals. Largely as a result of the climate emergency, there is international interest in hydrogen as an energy carrier. Fossil or carbon-based fuels are also an energy carrier but when burned, release carbon dioxide. For hydrogen, water is the usual byproduct which could help us better address greenhouse gas emissions.

The federal government released a hydrogen strategy in December 2020 showing the growing interest in this field. This was a virtual workshop with about 50 participants. There was a good cross-section of interests from GNWT, the federal government, community governments, Indigenous governments and corporations, NGOs, and business. The purpose of the workshop was to share information about what is known, and to initiate a dialogue around potential production and use of hydrogen in the NWT.

There are new technologies and products being developed by many manufacturers of equipment and vehicles that can use hydrogen, including heavy trucks. There are basically two ways to produce hydrogen - electrolysis of water and stripping of natural gas. Alberta has a growing hydrogen sector and economy, and the Edmonton to Calgary corridor will serve as a pilot project for trucks using hydrogen.

Bridge technologies that allow switching between hydrogen and carbon fuels would be helpful and could assist with some sectors.

More effective use of the retained carbon taxes and the large emitter trust accounts should be explored to promote pilot projects in the NWT. More work on the economics of alternatives is also needed.

The NWT experience with biomass is an example of how such a transition can take place. We need an energy transition plan with regional approaches to get us off fossil fuels. Infrastructure officials committed to publicly releasing the background document and a "what we heard" report from the workshop. Clearly, hydrogen will have to be part of a mix moving forward and should be in the next energy action plan. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Infrastructure . Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Member's Statement 926-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Members' Statements

Page 3444

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .

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Member's Statement 927-19(2): Economy

Members' Statements

Page 3444

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, in line with my statement the other day about economic recovery, today I want to talk about the long-awaited and major NWT infrastructure - the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Madam Speaker, for decades, it's been envisioned by both territorial and national leaders alike, that the Mackenzie Valley Highway extend from the southernmost tip of the 60th parallel up to the Dempster Highway in Inuvik. Among the first to envision this was Prime Minister John Diefenbaker with his northern vision of developing the northernmost regions of Canada to enable a road to resources, to help unlock the vast mineral-rich lands in the territories.

Building on that vision over the years, the Mackenzie Highway slowly grew and extended more and more. But it was not until 1972 that it extended between Fort Simpson and Wrigley, which was only completed in 1994.

Madam Speaker, since that time, there has been many engineering, environmental, and financial studies on the construction plans for the remainder of the proposed highway. In 2014, however, the Government of the Northwest Territories had changed its original plans from the highway by shortening its length by nearly 500 kilometres, only extending it from Wrigley to Norman Wells. Moreover, since 2015, this project has been under environmental review by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. And to date, this review is still ongoing.

Additionally, according to the Department of Infrastructure's website, since 2015, 40 of the 42 bridges have been built along with two access roads along the Mackenzie Highway's route.

Madam Speaker, even though I do not reside in, nor am I from any of the communities along this highway's route, as an NWT resident and leader, I consider this project a high priority for the NWT economy. In fact, as everyone in this House knows, this project is a priority for the 19th Assembly to pursue. Despite the fact that fact, however, I'm beginning to be slightly concerned by the lack of progress I've heard on this project's progression during the life of this Assembly. I don't believe I heard one update from our Infrastructure minister or Premier on the status of the Mackenzie Valley Project. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I do not want this Assembly to forget about the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project or its importance to the future economy of the NWT. This highway has many benefits which includes improved intercommunity travel, a lower cost of living in the project's region, and creating new economic opportunities like increased tourism or greater access to mineral and petroleum resource development. This project will not only benefit the Sahtu or Deh Cho regions but the entire NWT. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Member's Statement 927-19(2): Economy

Members' Statements

Page 3445

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .

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Member's Statement 928-19(2): Mental Health

Members' Statements

Page 3445

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on Feb 7th the CBC reported that Alberta psychiatrists are raising the alarm that the ongoing mental health crisis amongst children and youth has evolved into a full-blown mental health emergency. These experts are calling on the provincial government to provide a significant increase in funding for additional child and youth mental healthcare services, as COVID-19 mandates, including isolation requirements, have exacerbated an already precarious situation.

Alberta Children's Hospital has seen a 200 percent increase in mental health-related emergency room visits in the last ten years, with cases spiking since the pandemic. Mental health professionals in the North deal with the highest rate of suicide in the entire country yet feel there is no avenue to suggest check-ins for people suffering from mental health issues. Often patient advocacy leads to these professionals being labelled as troublemakers and feeling their concerns are dismissed.

Recently, there have been numerous reports of NWT youth attempting suicide, as well as talk of suicidal idealization. Some of these children are as young as 10 and 12 years old. Two have recently attempted suicide in Fort Smith and, tragically, a third, a young adult, was successful.

How can we continue to deny that we are in a mental health crisis when any young person sees suicide as their only option? Parents and youth advocates are at a loss.

A constituent reports that they had no idea that their child, who showed no outward signs of depression, communicated to an adult that they were experiencing suicidal thoughts leading to the RCMP contacting the shocked family. Another parent reports that their child is prone to depression, including suicide attempts, and that the family has utilized every government resource available to them with no relief for three years. This compounds the situation by creating mental health issues for siblings and parents that love the child that is suffering.

With Ontario reporting that one in five kids have mental health problems and, in the North, the NWT and Nunavut have the highest suicide rates in Canada, when will the NWT admit to having our own mental health crisis? With incidents likely being much higher than reported, what is HSS doing to save our children?

We have no residential trauma program, no residential treatment program for youth, no child and adolescent unit at Stanton, and the solution seems to be to ship vulnerable people off to another part of the country causing further traumatization. If children are going to get better, they need wraparound support services in place where they are. We must walk this journey with them, not leave them to navigate it alone. Thank you.

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Member's Statement 928-19(2): Mental Health

Members' Statements

Page 3445

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Monfwi .

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Member's Statement 929-19(2): Northwest Territories Health Report in the Tlicho Region

Members' Statements

Page 3445

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I am going to be talking about NWT Health Status Chartbook published in the fall of 2019.

Madam Speaker, this report details the health of NWT residents and this report clearly shows that the need of the people in the Tlicho region have long been ignored. The region has the worst health indicators in almost every area that is measured. These poor health indicators are the results of lack of attention and action from the Government of the Northwest Territories over many years. For example, many people do not have access to clean running water right now. This is critical to everyday life.

Madam Speaker, we need to do better. We need to change how we support health among our residents because, clearly, what the Government of the Northwest Territories has been doing is not working. We need the government to be proactive, work with Indigenous people equally, and not to discredit.

When you look at this report, Tlicho make up 6 percent of the population and represents the worst socioeconomic outcomes across the NWT. Compared to the rest of the NWT, the report states Tlicho region has the lowest level of education, second highest rate of unemployment, lowest level of family income, highest proportion of homes in core need, highest rates of overcrowding, and the highest rate of overall crime in the NWT. When looking at other indicators, the NWT generally compares poorly to the rest of Canada. The Indigenous people are facing the biggest barriers to achieving good health.

For example, Indigenous people in the NWT represents the majority of smokers, heavy drinkers, diabetic, lower life expectancy, and lowest outcome in mental health and wellbeing. This is the result of many years of having lack of access to health and social services; care that does not respond to the needs of Tlicho and other Indigenous groups and racism in the system. Madam Speaker, now is the time to address these systems that are not working for our people. We need a new approach. We need to step back and re-evaluate how to create health in Tlicho region and other regions in the Northwest Territories.

We need health solutions led by the people of the region. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Member's Statement 929-19(2): Northwest Territories Health Report in the Tlicho Region

Members' Statements

Page 3446

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statement. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Member's Statement 930-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Members' Statements

Page 3446

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. If you're sick, don't go to work. This is a message we need to send to our residents. However, currently, the Employment Standards Act in the NWT only entitles people to five unpaid sick days after 30 days of employment. After five days, you better get back to work. And you're not getting a paycheque while you were off, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like the NWT to introduce paid sick days so people stay home while sick. I would also like us to lead a cultural shift here. People should stay home while sick. Also, Madam Speaker, that definition of a "sick day" needs to include the reality that the odd mental health day is needed. If existential dread prevented you from sleeping, take the day off. If your anxiety kept you staring up at the ceiling all night wondering about the budget, don't go into work. Not only do you deserve a break, but it's a safety hazard for many workplaces to have insomniacs running around, Madam Speaker. Burnout costs employees and employers more in the long run.

There is an argument that paid sick leave puts undue hardship on small businesses; something our own Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment has pointed out when I asked this previously.

However, ECE in introducing its own paid sick leave legislation found that many of those arguments were overblown and, in fact, businesses with paid sick leave experienced greater productivity, retention of trained staff, reduce the risk of injury, improved worker morale, increased labour force participation - something every employer needs and something we desperately need in the north, especially those employers who consistently lose staff to the GNWT who are very generous to speak to sick days, Madam Speaker. I'll have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment .

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Member's Statement 930-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Members' Statements

Page 3446

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Member's Statement 931-19(2): Mental Health Wellness

Members' Statements

Page 3446

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Madam Speaker, mental health has become a buzz word during the pandemic but it isn't all for naught. Talking about mental health is half the battle. The other half is finding the right support. Since March 2020, more than a third of young adult Canadians accessed mental health supports, and half of Canadians indicated their mental health declined compared to before the pandemic. Of Canadians 15 or older who reported having a mental health care need in the last year, one third state their needs were simply just not met.

But I question if our system is set up to figure out what these needs are and how to connect Northerners to them. Mental health is a continuum that includes mental health supports, like treatment and counselling, which we heard about from my colleague from Nunakput and from Great Slave. The continuum also includes mental wellness options like cultural, physical, and creative outlets. Part of ensuring that mental health resources are available to those who need them is also about ensuring that the system can determine the strengths and resiliences of residents and meet them where they are at.

In short, Madam Speaker, as a new mother suffering from postpartum depression, I needed mental health interventions, but today as I work to stay well during the pandemic with my colleagues, my mental wellness is reliant on connections with people.

The language of mental health matters. To start using the same language, we need to keep dismantling the stigma and talking about what mental health and mental wellness really means to our communities. The economic burden of mental illness in Canada is about $51 billion a year. In any given week, at least 500,000 employed Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems. This means that every dollar we invest in and make accessible to northerners through NGOs, recreation, hunting and trapping, language and cultural programs, contribute to our mental wellness continuum. We need to solidify their place in community wellness through accessible, stable, multiyear funding.

The NWT needs a system capable of meeting a person where they are at in their wellness journey and not trying to figure out how to fit the person into a government system reliant on not enough professionals. We need a broad system of care that values the contributions of lived-experience as well as masters degrees and supports equitable clear access to this system.

Madam Speaker, we cannot let mental health conversations become a whisper as restrictions ease. Let's turn up the volume, peel away the stigma, and broaden the conversation. Thank you.

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Member's Statement 931-19(2): Mental Health Wellness

Members' Statements

Page 3447

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .

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Member's Statement 932-19(2): Eulogy for Evelyn Krutko

Members' Statements

Page 3447

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this eulogy is to commemorate the life of the late Evelyn Krutko. Evelyn was born and raised in Fort McPherson to her parents, Mike and Effie Krutko, who had both passed on several years ago. Evelyn has four older sisters - Patsy, Shirley, Joan, Edna - and two living brothers - David and Bruce - one brother Gordie who passed away at a young age.

Evelyn attended Lethbridge College school of applied arts and science taking renewable resource management of which she graduated in 1979. She worked for the GNWT Department of Renewable Resources as a renewable resource officer up in Inuvik where she met her future husband Al Larocque.

Upon the opening of the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary near Fort Providence, the department opened a wildlife office in the community, and Evelyn was hired as a renewable resource officer to run the office. Evelyn, along with her husband Al, and two really young children, Alaina and Mike, moved to Fort Providence in 1984. They were welcomed and embraced by the whole community.

Evelyn was a wildlife officer in a male-dominated profession at the time. ENR has confirmed that she was a trailblazer for women in this field. The hunters and trappers watched her every move to see if she would falter. Evelyn did her job with keen interest and was not afraid to tackle the coldest temperatures in order to do her job. She was spending nights and days out on the land, including at Horne Plateau, on caribou hunts, and ventured out into the bison sanctuary. Evelyn gained the respect of the hunters and trappers for what she could do, and she bought many furs from them on behalf of the department. Evelyn retired from the department in 2011 after serving 32 years in ENR.

Evelyn also became a second mother to many of the young hockey players that she and her husband Al gathered up to start minor hockey in Fort Providence. It was fitting as their son Mike was at the age to play hockey. Kyle was very young and took up hockey when he was of age.

Evelyn organized fundraisers and tournaments with the help of the parents of the players. They proved to be very successful as a young team which later became a winning adult team as the Providence Bolts. Their family has bragging rights to fame in the name of Jordin Tootoo. Jordin was picked up at the peewee age to play with Fort Providence and lived with Al, Evelyn, and their family and played hockey in Fort Providence. Jordin was from Rankin Inlet in Nunavut.

Eventually the team entered and played at the Alberta Native Provincial Championships in Edmonton about 1996-1997, and this was where Jordin was scouted and picked up by the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, and the rest was history in the making.

Evelyn was very much part of our community, having served several terms as a hamlet councillor, and was still a sitting councillor at the time of her passing. She also served on the local friendship centre board for numerous years and the native women's associations. She also volunteered her services to many functions and events, especially her service to the elders of our community.

Evelyn is deeply missed by our community, by the community of Fort McPherson, and many friends and family she leaves behind. To her husband Al, children - Alaina, Mike, Kyle, and her four grandchildren - Phoenix, Avery, Findley, Merrick - your wife, your mom, your grandmother has left for the Spirit World and has been accepted by the Creator. As the Dene elders will say, she is now on the happy hunting grounds and with our ancestors. We extend our sincerest heartfelt condolences to the family of Evelyn Krutko. Mahsi.

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Member's Statement 932-19(2): Eulogy for Evelyn Krutko

Members' Statements

Page 3447

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Member's Statement 933-19(2): Eulogy for Rita Rowe

Members' Statements

Page 3448

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I would like to thank the member for the Deh Cho for the beautiful eulogy of Evelyn Krutko. She was an amazing woman.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Rita was born on a small farm in Lonesome Pine, Alberta, to Mary and Arthur Lockhart on the 27th of June, 1935. She was the youngest daughter of 14 siblings. Her mother passed away when she was 12 years old. After her mother passed away, she moved in with her sister, Eva Morbick in Edmonton. Rita went looking for work at the age of 16 which found her on a plane heading to Yellowknife to start her adventure. Her first job working as a waitress at the Busy Bee Cafe where she she became lifetime friends with Patricia Rowe.

With Christmastime arriving and Rita having no plans, Patricia invited her to come to the Rowe's house. This is where she met Bill and they started another life adventure.

Bill and Rita were married on January 20th, 1953, in Peace River. Bill and Rita worked in the oil fields in Saskatchewan, residing with the Higginson family in Berwyn, and then headed north. They ran a garage and a restaurant in Enterprise until it burned down. Then they moved to Hay River where Bill started DJ Motors and Rita worked really hard raising their six children.

In 1963, she ended up with TB and her and her two sons, Jack and Owen, had to go to the Sans in Edmonton. It was a very difficult time for the family but like Rita would always say "que cera cera, what will be will be". This was her outlook in life.

Rita was known for her timeless work as a volunteer in Hay River, whether it was with the figure skating club, minor hockey, or the Royal Purple. She ensured the goals were met and the youth had fun. One example was Ms. Hazel Haight and Rita organizing figure skating auctions, collections, and setting them up to make sure they had ice time paid for and the coaches were in place.

In 1976, Bill and Rita moved south to take over the family farm. You would always see her working in the garden, her flowers, the cabin, and preparing for family visits. If she wasn't doing those things you could find her visiting neighbors. Rita loved being on the farm and her family. She instilled honesty integrity, and hard work in all her children.

Madam Speaker, I had the honor of knowing Ms. Rowe. She was an amazing individual. I know she will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Member's Statement 933-19(2): Eulogy for Rita Rowe

Members' Statements

Page 3448

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Replies to budget address, day 2 of 7. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3448

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure on hydrogen as a power source for the NWT. I participated in a useful workshop for officials recently staged regarding this topic. I'd like to know from the Minister what role hydrogen will play in a new energy strategy and action plan for the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3448

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3448

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. I'm pleased to inform the House that work to develop a new three-year energy strategy is already underway. We recently started our public and stakeholder engagement which will inform the development of a renewed plan. Hydrogen is certainly exciting new opportunity that we are watching closely with much interest. The department recently hosted a virtual workshop with stakeholders from across the Northwest Territories and neighboring jurisdictions to be able to look at the potential of using hydrogen technologies here in the Northwest Territories.

And that I thank the Member for his attendance and participation at the workshop. We will continue to look at hydrogen and what role it might play here in the territories as we develop a new energy action plan and review our 2030 energy strategy. Quyanainni.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3448

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. I want to thank the Minister for her excitement over the workshop. We heard that a regional approach is needed for the required energy transition to get us off fossil fuels. For example, trucking and shipping is a big part of the economy for northern regions while surplus hydro is found in the south.

Can the Minister tell us how the new energy action plan will recognize and embrace our regional needs here in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

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Page 3449

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. Embracing regional needs is very important to everything we do for energy as every region and, indeed, every community has different needs and opportunities. The 2030 energy strategy is constructed in a way that we take regional needs into account in all of our decisions. This will be reflected in the three-year action plan. As we move forward, we continue to work to ensure that we meet regional and community needs as there's never always a one-size-fits-all solution for energy across our unique communities. Quyanainni.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

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Page 3449

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. I want to thank the Minister for that. We do have a few tools that we can use to encourage the energy transition, including the yet-to-be-tapped large emitter trust accounts and their ridiculously restrictive policy. No changes have been made to the policy to access these funds despite assurances from our Minister of Finance .

Can this Minister, though, tell us what incentives and regulatory changes will be made in the new energy action plan to ensure a transition away from fossil fuels? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3449

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. The large emitter grant account, again, is administered by Department of Finance, and the Member pointed that out, which is great. So any questions specifically for the details on that can go to the Minister.

I can tell you, however, Infrastructure is here to support industry with advice as well as support to access matching federal and GNWT funding for greenhouse gas emission projects to best leverage the larger emitter grants account. Thank you. Quyanainni.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3449

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3449

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Madam la Presidente. Lots of issues here were raised at the recent hydrogen workshop, including the need to pose the right research questions, ensure stakeholder engagement, do life cycle analysis of options, and looking at bridging technologies.

Can the Minister commit to developing a Northwest Territories hydrogen strategy that will examine these issues and more? Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

Oral Questions

Page 3449

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. While hydrogen technologies have the potential for a promising path forward for us, it should not be looked at in isolation. For this reason, we feel it's best to include hydrogen as part of our overarching energy strategy to be sure we can balance our priorities of affordability, reliability, as well as sustainability. We look at all emerging and established technologies moving forward, including hydrogen. We need to ensure that we're making the best investments and doing the best actions that lead to the best outcome for cost of energy and greenhouse gas reductions. Quyanainni.

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Question 914-19(2): Hydrogen Power

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Page 3449

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Oral Questions

Page 3449

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. These questions are for the Minister of Health . Madam Speaker, during this pandemic we have seen a rise in youth suicide in our communities, numerous drug overdoses, those amongst our youth, rise in family violence, increased substance abuse, shaming on both sides of the vaccine debate, and we actually placed people on waiting lists to get mental health supports.

Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm if her department has tracked mental health issues experienced by residents arising out of this pandemic? Are there metrics that we can use to direct us to relevant treatment and supports? Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Oral Questions

Page 3449

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Oral Questions

Page 3449

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I appreciate the question from the Member. There's no question that the pandemic has been a very stressful time. It's produced a lot of anxiety, a lot of depression, and people are reaching out for services. We have, since the beginning of the pandemic, been tracking social indicators and publishing them on our website. They are examined quarterly. And what we see is that the use of our programs has varied over time. It was lower at the start of the pandemic and greater now, and it depends on the particular service that we're talking about.

But when it comes to the community counselling program, there is no waitlist. People can make same-day or even drop-in appointments, and they are in person, unlike earlier in the pandemic when they were virtual, which I understand is not as preferable. So we continue to monitor the data from the people who present for services to understand what their needs are and how to meet them. And you'll be interested to know that we are doing our semi-annual community counselling program questionnaire of clients this winter so that we can obtain up-to-date information about what they need and what we can provide to them.

Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3449

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, will the Minister tell us if her department has an action plan going forward to address mental health issues attributed to this pandemic? Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3450

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we do not at this point have a specific pandemic mental health action plan. But depending on the results of the community counselling questionnaire, that may be a good direction for us to go in. In the meantime, we do offer a wide range of services. And I certainly hope that the Member is promoting those services in whatever way he can, community counselling, online services, out-of-territory services. We try to provide variety so that we can meet people where they're at. Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3450

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And in just a response to the Minister, I do promote those supports that are out there and as well, I get people coming in to my office and provide that type of support as well, even though I'm not qualified. But people just need someone to talk to sometimes.

So Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm if our communities will see additional staff to assist in providing mental health supports to those in need and how it will unfold? Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3450

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I commend the Member for providing a listening ear. He's right; often that is exactly what people need.

As I mentioned previously, there are services available. They've been available throughout the pandemic. We have counselling available on a same-day basis. We have the child and youth care counselling program to assist youth with their mental health issues. So at this point, I think our biggest challenge is staffing.

We do have a number of vacancies. Yesterday in response to a question from another Member, I mentioned that a shortage of housing was preventing filling positions in his community, so that is a limiting factor. But we continue to advertise for the staff and do fill the positions as quickly as possible knowing how important they are. Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South .

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3450

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I've heard from parents who are concerned, you know, with the mental health of their children at school. So will the Minister confirm how her department will address mental health supports in our schools, and is she working with the Minister of Education to address it? Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

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Page 3450

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker, and I appreciate the question. The child and youth care counsellor initiative is a joint project between ECE and the Department of Health and Social Services. It is, if you like, school counselling 2.0. What we have is a four-year implementation plan of which we are now in year four where we've provided 42 positions to schools and seven clinical supervisors in order to address the needs of children and youth, particularly with respect to mental health, but they could bring any needs forward.

We are now at the point of beginning an evaluation of this program so that we can determine whether it is meeting the goals that we set for it. So the service is up and running. It's available in person. And the evaluation will be completed during the next fiscal year. Thank you.

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Question 915-19(2): Mental Health Post-Pandemic

Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

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

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I had questions for the housing Minister but she's not in the House, but I'll redirect them to the Premier .

Madam Speaker, the people in my riding are wanting -- have been waiting way too long in regards to move to the public housing units. Can the Minister provide me with a waitlist per community in my riding in writing? Thank you.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Housing Corporation .

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

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Page 3450

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't have the list of -- the waitlist for the numbers for Nunakput. I don't have them in front of me. I will follow up with the Member with those numbers. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Nunakput .

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister confirm whether the three retrofits in Paulatuk, two retrofits in Ulukhaktok, and a plan for 2022, have they been completed? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I do not have the numbers for the Member. I do have a list of our co-investment public housing delivery and also our CIRNAC delivery as well, too, for the Northwest Territories. I will provide those numbers to the Member and also with the repairs for his riding as well, too. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Supplementary, Member for Nunakput .

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3450

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. Madam Speaker, we have local businesses in the Beaufort Delta that are willing to build units and work together with our government and sort of "build it they'll come", so to say where it's not going to be a burden on our government for upfront costs to be building.

Is the government willing to work with local businesses in the Beaufort Delta to build units in the communities to get units there quicker so we're not having to get two units per year when we have a waiting list of 25 or 30 people, in one of my communities. Are they willing to work with us to get units into the communities this year? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Chair. Absolutely, I am willing to work with the Member as well. We do have the co-investment funding that is available for the Northwest Territories. We do have staff that provide further information on that program delivery. There has also been a number of Indigenous groups throughout the Northwest Territories that has accessed that funding, and the Housing Corporation works with them very closely in trying to support those applications going forward.

And I just wanted to go back to the Member's question that just for the numbers on the public housing waitlist. I do have 15 people on the housing waitlist in Paulatuk, three households with numbers of people in Sachs Harbour, and 17 for Paulatuk. I do not have the numbers for Ulukhaktok. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3451

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput .

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I'm happy to hear the Minister's willing to commit to working with us in regards to Nunakput because we do have a housing strategy being done for a couple of elders facilities that these companies are willing to build and work together with getting a negotiated lease, I guess, that's what's going to be needed to happen. And if I could get commitment, again, for the record, that she's willing to work with us to get these units completed in my riding of Nunakput and the Beaufort Delta. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm very encouraged to be working with all Indigenous groups throughout the Northwest Territories. And if they're coming up with wanting to pursue partnership or finding additional and unique housing solutions, I am committed to be working with that Member and with those Indigenous groups as well too. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Mahsi.

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Question 916-19(2): Housing

Oral Questions

Page 3451

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha .

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, can the Minister of Infrastructure provide us an update on the status of the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. The Mackenzie Valley Highway Project is currently undergoing an environmental assessment by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board. The next major milestone in the submission of our comprehensive developer's assessment report, we have been working hard to collect information that is needed for this report over the past several years and expect that report to be submitted to the Mackenzie Valley Review Board this fall. This project will then move forward with the environmental assessment review process for the report. Quyananni.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Supplementary, Member for Thebacha .

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, I think the Minister has answered some of my questions but I'm going to ask it again.

Madam Speaker, can the Minister provide a timeline for when we can expect the environmental review for the Mackenzie Valley Highway to be complete? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyananni ekati. Once our developer's assessment report is submitted, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board will initiate their assessment process. The timeline in which is governed by the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. However, we anticipate that the environmental assessment process will completed in 2024, which will be followed by a regulatory process to be able to obtain specific licences, permits going through the regional land and water boards. So we anticipate that to be completed in 2025. That's the timelines. Quyanainni.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Supplementary, Member for Thebacha .

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3451

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, I'm wondering if the Minister can provide clarity on something. According to the Department of Infrastructure's website, 40 of 42 bridges and two access roads have already been built along the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway route, yet construction of the highway has not officially begun. Can the Minister confirm if construction of the highway has begun or not? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. Construction on the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project has not started. The Canyon Creek access road, the 14 kilometre portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway alignment from Norman Wells to south of Canyon Creek was completed in 2018. However, this work was advanced as a standalone project with appropriate regulatory approvals and community support as initiative to build capacity in the region as well as advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project.

We also hope to advance the construction of the Prohibition Creek and Mount Gadet access road as well as the Great Bear River Bridge while the environmental assessment and regulatory process is underway. The bridge projects the Member's referencing were completed as part of the Department of Infrastructure's bridge replacement program for the Mackenzie Valley winter road, but we will continue to support the project as we all know this is a priority of this Assembly. Quyanainni.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3452

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Final supplementary, Member for Thebacha .

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Madam Speaker, can the Minister provide us any specific dates or timelines for when construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway will be starting? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyanainni. Once again, the environmental assessment process is completed. When it's completed, the regulatory authorizations received, the GNWT will need to make a final construction decision on the project. Construction of the project will require significant federal financial support to proceed. And I've identified this to my federal counterparts as well. Pending an appropriate level of federal funding to support and advance this project, we expect we could be in a position for commenced construction on 2026. Quyanainni.

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Question 917-19(2): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Page 3452

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services .

In the 2017 Child and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan 2017-2022, HSS identifies numerous actions in several departments that were to have been implemented to improve the situation for young people. As it's now 2022, can the Minister please provide an update on the plan such as what has been completed, how have the outcomes been measured, and will there be a report and update coming? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister for Health and Social Services .

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'm not familiar with this report so I'll have to come back with that information. Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That's concerning, but I'll move on. Besides telephone Help Lines, what specific supports are provided to families and guardians to help them recognize the signs or symptoms of a mental health emergency in their children long before it gets to the point of suicide? Where do parents go for help when they find themselves in this situation? Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you. I appreciate the Member shining a light on this area. It's obviously every parent's worst nightmare is to fear that their child has suicidal thoughts or has attempted or completed a suicide. I appreciate her shining a light on that. I think that it's very important to do that.

We have, of course, the community counselling program that's available to individuals or people could attend in families. We also have a specific app, and of course that depends on having the right tools and the connectivity. But it's called the Strongest Family Institute, and it is specifically geared to helping parents with challenges that they face.

The Child and youth care counselling program, which I spoke about in response to another question, is one that is also available to families where they can attend together to talk about the issues that they face. So there are services that are in place and available immediately to families in need who are facing challenges. Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That's good to know that the families can also access the youth counsellors; it's not just for children.

My next question is does the Department of Health record statistics for children on overdose, suicide attempts, mental health assistance, medivacs, etcetera? If Ontario can provide us with the statistics that one in five children are having mental health problems, where are those statistics for the NWT? How many children are in our mental health system and how is their progress tracked and recorded? Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you. I'll return with that information. Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3452

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Great Slave .

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3453

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, will the Minister finally admit that we are in a mental health crisis here in the Northwest Territories after two years of this pandemic? Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3453

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I recognize that the pandemic has been incredibly stressful for almost everyone. It has produced a lot of anxiety, depression, loneliness, especially for people who live on their own like elders. And we have provided services throughout. The demand for services is uneven. At this point, we are able to keep up with the demand for services, and so I feel confident that we're not facing anything that we can't deal with. Thank you.

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Question 918-19(2): Mental Health

Oral Questions

Page 3453

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3453

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Finance Minister presented budget 2022-2023 in which she stated that making "flashy announcements" and hoping new money would solve long-standing problems, and it goes on to state that the goal is to influence the path for the next five to ten years. And that's where it's concerning and it actually got me off my seat. Because there's a real issue that we see that's not being addressed is what I don't see in bold in funding is towards the Indigenous recruitment and training and retention.

This is important as the Minister stating that this path is already being set for five to ten years, and we're not really addressing this. This has been an ongoing problem. Can the Minister address this long-standing issue? Mahsi.

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3453

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister responsible for Finance .

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3453

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am more than happy to address this. We've done, actually -- in some ways, actually, this is exactly the kind of thing I was speaking to. We do want to be influencing where we are in five to ten years, and that does mean we need to be taking action today for Indigenous recruitment and retention. That is why we've moved forward on the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework. That was released earlier -- or I guess a few months ago now, and we've had an opportunity to speak to committee about that and have public review of that alongside committee, and I was grateful for the feedback that we got at that opportunity.

We're also continuing to put forward a GNWT human resources plan so that this is, you know, really that -- the approach that we're taking to Indigenous recruitment and retention is one that is built into that plan and built into everything we do in the Department of Finance and with our human resources. So, you know, we already are doing a lot in this space, and it is exactly my hope that that's the kind of thing where we have that work, we are doing that work. We need to get word out about that work.

We need all the departments to be working together towards that goal, because in five to ten years, you know -- and frankly, even before that, it would be pretty amazing to be one of the top employers in Canada for inclusion and diversity. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3453

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Madam Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that. Since the start of the 19th Assembly, many of us on this side of the floor have made the issue of Indigenous hiring and a review for the Affirmative Action Policy. I think the policy's goal was 50 or 51 percent. We're at 30 something percent and I think it dropped down to 29. So we're not even meeting our targets, and this government's been here for -- this is the 19th Assembly. You know, we're not putting our mouth where, you know, we should be putting the action.

I'm not seeing it in any of the projects that, you know, this issue is highlighted and budgeted for, and that's a concern. You know, we've always spoken about the geography of the Northwest Territories as the makeup is predominantly Indigenous and Inuvialuit and Metis. And we're always fighting that losing battle. We're always battling, battling the governments here. The government is fighting back with our people forever. And that's a big concern to us as Indigenous people and Indigenous leaders.

I highlighted the fact that I was an employee and had been interested in a program to advance myself, the associate director program. I no longer see it anywhere in the government website. So it's been wiped out. That would have gave me an initiative, a chance to work with an existing director job shadowing, you know, and the director was leaving. I never got nothing. I never got nowhere. My managers, you know, dismissed me. So I've experienced that. And that's the type of training we want to see back on the books is job shadowing on-the-job training. It gives us a chance at these positions.

We don't need, you know, highly, you know, the high degrees to be able to figure out what's just common sense within the workplace. And we need this government to start listening to us as Indigenous people.

I'd like to hear the views of the Minister on that, and I won't have any further questions, Madam Speaker. Mahsi.

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3454

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I can't speak to the Member's personal or specific circumstances but there's a continual renewal of the kinds of programs and policies that are available. The Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework brings it under one umbrella and puts targets on departments and puts an onus on senior management as part of their performance plans that they have to deliver on this. So we're taking those things seriously because it doesn't need dollars; it needs people to buy in and to understand the importance.

These people to actually at the leadership level and at this level, amongst Ministers and among deputies, to be in a position to say that this is something that we as a government value, that this is something that we are going to advance. And that's not about the dollars; that's about getting it done. Every department has staffing dollars. Every department already has compensation and benefits associated to it.

When we spend those dollars on our compensation and benefits for public servants, we want every public servant to feel included, every public servant to be reflected, and to know that they have a future in the Government of the Northwest Territories. So while the programs might change their names, we do have still the Indigenous career gateway program. This is an opportunity to connect young people into the public service. We have the regional recruitment program similarly to identify openings that are recurring and to find folks in their communities who can fill those positions.

And if they do, there's the building capacity within -- there's -- sorry, the Indigenous management and development training program to help folks who need a bit of a step up to make their career.

And one of the newer ones, Madam Speaker, that I think's really exciting, building capacity with Indigenous governments program. This is an opportunity to have secondments between Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and the Government of the Northwest Territories so that we are truly all reflective of one another, that we better understand one another. So I'm glad that we keep raising the issue. I don't want to not have the chance to talk about this as I have been for the last couple of years because there is a lot happening, and we're at a really critical point. The framework is in place now.

Those measurements are in place now. And we do need to be paying attention to seeing as they come to fruition. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 919-19(2): Indigenous Recruitment and Retention

Oral Questions

Page 3454

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

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

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about my desire to have paid sick leave in the Northwest Territories. So my question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment is in the life of this government, will we bring forward legislation to introduce paid sick leave in the NWT? Thank you.

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of ECE .

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't know, maybe. The Member raises some very valid points, and sometimes I joke that he's just trying to chip away at the workweek with the more holidays and paid sick leave but the fact is this pandemic has shown us that when you're sick, we want you to stay home. But not everyone can afford that. So we are reviewing the Employment Standards Act in the upcoming fiscal year which starts not that long from now, and we are going to be going out and speaking with employers and asking them these questions, how they feel about it, and then speaking with the public as well.

And the Member mentioned that in BC it's been shown to be a positive for employers. And so I want to say that nothing is stopping employers from implementing paid sick leave in their own businesses right now. So I want to thank the Member for raising that and maybe putting this on the minds of employers before we look at the legislation. Thank you.

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Yes, thank you, and I thank the Minister for stating that. I've actually had a number of businesses reach out to me during the pandemic who have introduced paid sick leave. So I suspect the number of people who are actually left in the territory without paid sick days is steadily decreasing, and I would like to thank all businesses who have taken that step.

I'm actually wondering, though, if the department has any of those statistics of who in the NWT labour force or how many workers are presently without any form of paid sick leave? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

No, we don't have those numbers. When employers implement things like this, they're not required to inform employment standards. However, under the Employment Standards Act, I believe there's around between 15,000 and 19,000 employees in the territory who fall under that act, and I would imagine for the most part they don't have paid sick leave. Thank you.

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Question 920-19(2): Paid Sick Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3454

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Finance . I think it's important that we use the data that we have and that we understand the data we have and that we can use it to make change.

My questions for the Minister of Finance today are in regards to how the COVID-19 is impacting public servants in the territory. Does the Minister know what percentage of GNWT employees are currently on stress leave? Thank you.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of Finance .

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, there's not a category of leave that is specific to stress or mental health leave. We do, of course, track and are aware of general sick leave but the specific reasons that someone might be on sick leave is, for I suspect fairly reasonable privacy reasons, that's not something that we are tracking. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. That kind of changes, I guess, some of my questions. And I understand that this is a privacy concern between employees and supervisors. But is there a mechanism for, then, the Department of Finance to be able to blindly sort that information from NWT service providers or through, because I'm assuming that this is getting logged under short-term disability instead or long-term disability, is there a mechanism from either insurance providers or healthcare providers where this can be blindly provided to the GNWT? Thank you.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, that's an interesting question that I'll have to take away. It may well be that the vital statistics is tracking some information or receiving information more broadly about the impacts of mental health on mental health pre- and post-pandemic. It may be of some assistance or of some interest that interestingly GNWT employees, as I said we are tracking the total numbers and we're actually using less sick days, less leave without pay days than in prior fiscal years.

Pre-pandemic, we were at 9.1 days in the 2018-2019 but current fiscal right now, coming to the end of it, we're at only an average of six. And I can also say, perhaps I'll provide the Member directly, I do have a list of the number of accesses to some of the various mental health programs that the GNWT runs and the numbers there. So I will provide that separately, and that may well lead to some more discussion. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. And no, I thank the Minister for the willingness to have the offline conversation. And I think it'll be interesting as well to see that in the year -- or, the fiscal year we're going into now, now that public servants are back to their workplaces and we're coming to the potential end of the public health emergency, it'll be interesting to see how that has an impact on sick days going forward, and really if people being able to have the opportunity to work remotely has an impact on sick days that are being logged.

I know that in other workplaces, public health and safety, in addition to occupational health and safety, is something that a lot more employers are talking about. And so I'm wondering if this is a conversation that's currently occurring within the Department of Finance within the responsibility of an employer to monitor, support the psychological health and safety, especially coming out of a pandemic, of their workers and public servants in the territory? Thank you.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'm conscious of time on this one, I have to admit. Yes, I'm struggling with where to start.

So we have quite a number of programs that we do provide to employees, some that were introduced to -- as additional items in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. I think really, though, Madam Speaker, this is a much bigger issue. I can say that I had inquired with the department and the conversation around morale which is related perhaps in part, though certainly doesn't encompass everything that I know is specific to mental health but about that wellness of employees, the wellness of public servants, the impact of being asked to do more through a pandemic when they were suffering themselves at home and working through conditions that were not normal.

So I know that the Department of Finance is right now taking on the effort to bring that into our human resources plan, looking at some initiatives around new training that can help to better identify that wellness, that psychological wellness in a workplace. There's literally work out right now to try and see what we can bring in in that regard. So short answer is yes, the conversations are occurring, and I am hopeful that I'll be able to report back to this House some more information about what that's going to look for the future of the public service. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

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

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3455

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can you put me back on the list for an additional Minister, thank you.

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Question 921-19(2): Mental Health Leave

Oral Questions

Page 3456

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

Richard Edjericon

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I got a question for the finance minister. I was just reviewing your 2022-2023 budget, and in the budget it talks about grants from Canada. And I'd like to ask the Minister if she's able to maybe talk about the grants from Canada and perhaps break it down further because I'd like to know how the money's coming in and how is it broken down. Thank you.

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister of Finance .

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

So the biggest grant we get from Canada, the territorial formula financing. That is really the backbone of what forms our budget. But there's others in there that I think perhaps don't always get the same attention and may be less well understood.

There is, of course, also the social health transfer. That involves a lot of the social programs over in ECE and health. And there's other health programs. The DIF transfer that also helps support a lot of what happens over at the Department of Health. But, Madam Speaker, then there's also all the infrastructure contributions. So when we get infrastructure contributions, that too comes into the revenues that we are seeing here in the operations budget, and that then goes to help pay some of the infrastructure projects we have on the go. And then there's no doubt many other smaller projects that come in that come in as grants and supports from the federal government.

So that's my two second breakdown, and I'll be happy to talk about that more. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

Richard Edjericon

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. And Madam Speaker, so individual departments, of course, will have the reporting obligations to their counterparts in the federal government.

And as we go through the review department by department, starting I think later today, we'll have -- I would certainly encourage everyone in the House to engage exactly in that dialogue of, you know, what is that we have to report back to the federal government on, what is perhaps the nature of that reporting, and, you know, always open to having the conversation about whether we are providing enough information as is available publicly but also, you know, what is the kind of relationship we have with the federal government as will be reflected in the dollars that come in. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3456

Richard Edjericon

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, thank you for that response. I was reviewing the budget for our riding, for the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding, and this year -- our allocation for this year is about 3.4 million.

Madam Speaker, I guess I'm concerned about that number when we really need help in our communities, whether it be internet services, which is really slow in Lutselk'e, dust-free roads in the community of Lutselk'e. That's just to name a few. And then now, you know, I am hearing that we need to improve the winter road and barging season so we can provide essential services into the community of Lutselk'e. So I don't know how consultation's taking place with communities, and how did we arrive with these numbers? Thank you.

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3457

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, so the budget, of course, isn't drawn up on a per capita basis. It's not per 33 communities divided up by 33. There are occasions, for example with MACA's budget, where of course Members may want to ask about the specific dollars that go into a community. But for most departments, a lot of what happens is territory-wide. So, for example, education or health is delivering services that may be regional. They may be delivering services that are, you know, done in a headquarters.

There are services that are done -- planning communications that are done that benefit all of the territory and can't quite be divided out. You know, even some of the large infrastructure that we put into place, Madam Speaker, there's projects that benefit, you know, multiple regions or, indeed again, when we're talking about significant roadways crossing different ridings and indeed benefitting projects up in the Beaufort Delta help Yellowknife in that it grows the overall economy of the Northwest Territories. So the budget isn't drawn up riding by riding.

But that level of detail, I'm very confident will come out over the next couple of weeks to understand what the individual benefits are to each and every community but hopefully to each and every member of the Northwest Territories as residents and as businesses. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3457

The Deputy Speaker

Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Question 922-19(2): Federal Grants

Oral Questions

Page 3457

Richard Edjericon

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I guess what I wanted to say is thank you for that response, and I'm probably going to spend the next few days probably to understand the budget that's been put before us here as well. But I want to look forward to work with the Minister of Finance as to how we could look at our budgets for the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding, and I want to let her know that we have some big issues there. We want -- housing's a big issue. Affirmative action's a big issue. Hiring policies is something that's been talked about in our region.

So it may be within the next day or two I would like to sit down with you, if we can, and just see what we can do to work together to resolve these issues. Thank you.

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