Oral Questions, Revolving Funds Act, Education Act, Health and Social Services — 30 March 2021 (19th Assembly, 2nd Session, pp. 2603–2636)

2021-03-30, 19th Assembly 2nd Session, pp. 2603–2636

Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)

Debates of March 30th, 2021

This is page numbers 2603 - 2636 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 community .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Municipal and Community Affairs Youth Initiatives

Emerging Wisely - Vaccine Uptake in the NWT

COVID-19 Emergency Support Funding for Sport Organizations

Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery

Small Business Supports

Lack of Mental Health Support in Nunakput

Appreciation for Northern Artists

Taltson Expansion

Law Library and Outreach Workers

Suicide Prevention Fund

Homeownership

Electricity in Whati

Passing of Constituents

Eulogy for Dillon Cazon

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Small Business Supports

Lack of Power for Whati

Taltson Expansion

Law Library and Outreach Workers

Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Homeownership

Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Community Garden

Taltson Superintendent Position in Fort Smith

Written Question 27-19(2): Slave Geological Province Corridor

Written Question 28-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project

Return to Written Question 23-19(2): Practice of Using Power-Limiting Devices in the Northwest Territories

Return to Written Question 24-19(2): Assessing and Managing Conflict of Interest in the Government

Tabled Document 365-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 497-19(2): Corrections Workplace Assessment Tabled Document 366-19(2): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2020-2021 School Year Ending June 30, 2021

Tabled Document 367-19(2): Northwest Territories Tourism: Towards Resilience - 2021-2022 Marketing Plan Tabled Document 368-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery April 2021 Tabled Document 369-19(2): Conflict of Interest Information

Tabled Document 370-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 655-19(2): Biomass Heating and Energy Efficiency for Northwest Territories Housing COrporation Tabled Document 371-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 664-19(2): Devolving Powers to Municipal Governments

Tabled Document 372-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 515-19(2): Highway Infrastructure Projects in the Next Year

Tabled Document 373-19(2): Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories - Guiding Principles and Process Conventions, August 2020

Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022

Bill 24:

An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act

Bill 25:

An Act to Amend the Education Act

Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2021-2022

Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting

Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Witnesses

Committee Motion to Amend Committee Motion 119-19(2)

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022

Recorded Vote

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

The House met at 1:31 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Page 2603

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Minister's Statement 148-19(2): Municipal and Community Affairs Youth Initiatives

Ministers' Statements

Page 2603

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, with the recent announcement of the delay of the 2022 Arctic Winter Games, I wanted to reach out to Northwest Territories youth and offer some words of encouragement to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or disappointed by this news. As Minister responsible for Youth , I want to point out that young people can accomplish many incredible initiatives when they are motivated and take charge. I would like to start by using the example of the Western Arctic Youth Collective's Local 2 Global Community Exchange held in Inuvik on March 2 nd to 4 th of this year.

The organizers, a group of very dedicated young people, recently received an Arctic Inspiration Prize, which will help resource and highlight this event. It was a wonderful recognition of an inspiring effort by northern youth.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs also has resources that can assist with youth initiatives whether they are led by youth or youth supporting organizations. These include the:

NWT Youth Corps, including support for larger multiyear projects;

Youth contributions designed for smaller one-time events;

Regional youth sport events focused on schools and communities to support tournaments in our regional centres and our smaller communities; and

Children Youth Resiliency Program, which supports existing or new programs intending to help younger residents with learning the basics of physical literacy and mental health resiliency.

There are also dozens of programs that the department supports through other organizations, which includes:

Northern Youth Abroad;

Western Arctic Moving Pictures;

Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning;

Foster Family Coalition; and

smaller local and regional projects through community governments and school agencies.

I also want to encourage youth to consider the NWT Youth Ambassador Program. The program offers a guided and structured volunteer experience. Participants have the opportunity to develop life and job skills as well as to build the confidence necessary to deal with complex life challenges. Later this spring, the department will be announcing a 2021 online event. Youth can reach out to any Municipal and Community Affairs Offices for more information on available opportunities.

In closing, I want our youth to know that your communities and the Government of the Northwest Territories are here to support you. Please reach out to local staff and representatives to discuss ideas that you may have on what programs, activities, or initiatives may help you and other youth in your communities feel empowered and resilient. Some great initiatives have resulted from discussions like this in the past. It is so often the youth who show us what is possible. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 148-19(2): Municipal and Community Affairs Youth Initiatives

Ministers' Statements

Page 2603

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Minister's Statement 149-19(2): Emerging Wisely - Vaccine Uptake in the NWT

Ministers' Statements

Page 2603

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we approach the end of this sitting, I know that Members of this House and residents of the Northwest Territories are looking forward to spring and summer in the North and all that it offers. This is a good time for us to reflect on the past year to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a long haul for all of us.

The first case of COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories was confirmed on March 21, 2020. That was just shortly after the first Public Health Order restricted travel within the NWT and required all travellers coming in to isolate for 14 days in one of the four hub communities. In an effort to protect NWT residents and our health system, the Chief Public Health Officer also advised that all non-essential services and businesses would close. The Emerging Wisely plan, released in May 2020, provided a framework for how the NWT would maintain the strong public health measures developed to contain the spread of COVID-19 and eventually ease them.

Mr. Speaker, we are in a very different place than we were last year thanks to our collective efforts to follow the public health orders and measures for our own safety and the safety of our communities. While other provinces and territories have gone through repeated lockdowns, we have stayed the course to limit the spread of COVID-19 and avoid some of the most devastating impacts of the virus. NWT businesses, community groups, and other orders of government have created innovative ways to comply with the public health orders, or they have been granted permission to open up earlier than envisioned.

Residents can enjoy sports such as hockey, squash, and curling. Businesses have increased their capacity, while still maintaining physical distancing and other controls.

Mr. Speaker, we have learned how to reduce and live with the risk of COVID-19. Over time, we have been able to enjoy relative freedom within our borders because of the orders in place and residents' willingness to follow these orders. We all recognize that this has not been easy. Restrictions on businesses, gatherings, travel, and the requirement for mandatory self-isolation have all taken a toll. We look forward to the day when all restrictions can be lifted, and we are getting closer.

The Chief Public Health Officer has advised that she is currently working with the COVID-19 Secretariat to assess the future and look at targeted initiatives to ease some restrictions. She has committed to review Emerging Wisely during the month of April. There are a number of variables that will inform her decision, including:

how effective the vaccine is to prevent transmission of the virus;

when vaccines will be approved to be administered to everyone. Some measures must be maintained to protect children under 18 and others who cannot take the vaccine for whatever reason; and finally,

how well the vaccine protects against the emerging variants such as those from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil.

High overall vaccine uptake will be important to take into consideration as the Chief Public Health Officer assesses the risk level in the NWT. We strongly encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, as of yesterday, March 29 th , over 23,722 people have received their first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in the NWT and 13,933 have had both doses. Vaccine teams are currently going for third visits to many small communities to reach those who may have missed the clinics before or are ready to receive the vaccine now. All residents aged 18 and over in all 33 communities across the NWT are able to book vaccine appointments. I anticipate a significant number of NWT residents will be fully vaccinated by the end of April, months ahead of many southern provinces.

Having as many people vaccinated as possible is the key to moving forward. I am happy to be part of the group of NWT residents who are now fully vaccinated and would like to express my appreciation to the vaccination teams.

Mr. Speaker, with a vaccine uptake between approximately 58 to 62 percent, we will require higher vaccine uptake in order to relax public health measures. That could mean larger groups of people getting together at home, at community gatherings, or at business locations. The Chief Public Health Officer will then look at how to modify the self-isolation requirements and travel restrictions while we watch how the rest of Canada manages the spread of new variants and the rollout of vaccine.

While the NWT has responded effectively to date to protect NWT residents, we need to remember that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. We will see more and more things open up this spring and summer nonetheless.

Mr. Speaker, we still must maintain some measures to protect those who are not able to receive the vaccine. I urge residents to remain patient, to do their part and get vaccinated if they are able to do so, encourage friends and loved ones to get their vaccines, and to keep up those healthy habits we have adopted since the beginning. It is through these collective efforts that we have so far been successful in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and we will count on these efforts as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 149-19(2): Emerging Wisely - Vaccine Uptake in the NWT

Ministers' Statements

Page 2604

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Minister's Statement 150-19(2): COVID-19 Emergency Support Funding for Sport Organizations

Ministers' Statements

Page 2604

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide an update to Members on additional sport funding provided to community governments and sport organizations through a partnership between the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and Sport Canada. To date, the COVID-19 emergency support funding for sport organizations has provided a total of $1.8 million for communities and sport organizations in order to:

adapt their programs to meet public health requirements;

train and prepare staff and volunteers;

purchase specialized equipment; and most importantly of all,

continue to offer sport and recreation programming for the mental health and physical well-being of our residents.

This is an increase of $263,000 above the $1.5 million I announced last fall.

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 emergency support funding for communities and sport organizations has already supported many activities. I would like to share a few of those examples with Members today.

In Kakisa, the Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation has built a five-kilometer trail on the south side of the community for elders and all community members to get outside and enjoy the land. The trail is being used for walking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing at the river. It also gives community members easy access to firewood to heat their homes. Families also have been gathering at the river for cookouts, fishing, and other cultural practices. Community members are very happy with access to the trails and for the employment opportunities for the construction that it provided to the community members.

In Tuktoyaktuk, the hamlet's recreation department partnered with the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, Aimayunga Woman Shelter, Jason Jacobson Youth Centre, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Student and Family Support Program on several activities, including a drive-through healthy foods feast with over 600 meals being provided for families before Christmas and an outdoor games day on January 16 th as part of the Sunrise Festival with elders' story telling, a fishing derby, tug-of-war, and a harpoon-throwing competition.

In Fort Good Hope, the community used their funding to support outdoor sport activities that were well received because they allowed the participants to maintain physical distancing requirements and allowed for purchasing of new equipment so that fewer people were handling it.

In Tulita, the community used the funding to provide more programming, particularly for elders who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic.

The COVID-19 emergency support fund for sport organizations has allowed these and many other activities to occur during a very difficult time. This latest top-up will continue this support. The ingenuity and innovation of communities and sport organizations has been simply wonderful, and we thank them. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 150-19(2): COVID-19 Emergency Support Funding for Sport Organizations

Ministers' Statements

Page 2604

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Minister's Statement 151-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery

Ministers' Statements

Page 2604

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, later today, I will table Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery. It is the new five-year plan for the future growth of tourism in the Northwest Territories. It was originally conceived as a strategy that would build upon the success of Tourism 2010, Tourism 2015, and Tourism 2020. Each of these strategies set a goal for visitor spending, and every one of them exceeded their goal, with total visitor spending estimated to have risen from $130 million during the Tourism 2010 period up to an estimated $210.1 million during the time of Tourism 2020.

The success of Tourism 2020 was in spite of the severe decline that began in the last part of the strategy, when COVID-19 arrived in the spring of 2020.

Mr. Speaker, Tourism 2025 is a strategy for the future. It does not change the reality that, until visitors return to the Northwest Territories, economic relief measures are still needed. The goal for Tourism 2025 has shifted from one of continued growth to achieving recovery, with an ambitious goal to be back to the high numbers seen in 2018-2019 for both visitor numbers and visitor spend. To achieve this in the medium term, we need our industry to survive the pandemic, so before I speak further about Tourism 2025, let me briefly note some of the short-term efforts being made.

Thanks to our partnership with Canada's Northern Economic Development Agency, we have provided opportunities for tourism businesses to invest in, upgrade, or pivot their operations and services. Three million dollars is being invested in 99 tourism initiatives across the territory under the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism, or GRIT, Fund. Together with Northwest Territories Tourism, we invested in training initiatives like digital boot camps for tourism businesses to learn and upgrade their online marketing skills.

The promotion of staycations allowed tourism businesses to deliver their products to a new and overwhelmingly supportive local market. Our campaigns did more than generate some much-needed revenue; it awakened us as Northerners collectively to be better customers and ambassadors of our very own tourism product.

Just as the pandemic is not over, neither are the GNWT's efforts to continue finding opportunities to partner with other funders to maximize funding and to identify gaps in funding programs that we can help fill. The department conducted industry engagements in preparation for Tourism 2025 twice, first in the fall of 2019, but then again in the spring of 2020, in order to better understand the impact of the pandemic on the industry and to determine whether there was a shift in needs, opportunities, or priorities. What we learned may be surprising to some.

While the reasons behind their priorities may have changed, the fundamental needs of the industry have not. The message from the tourism industry was clear and direct; government investment is needed, more now than ever, in tourism infrastructure, industry and product development, communication, and market research. From that engagement with stakeholders came four strategic priorities for Tourism 2025. They are:

Invest in infrastructure, enhancements to products and services, and development of new products and services;

Build capacity among operators and tourism staff through training and mentorship;

Engage with tourism stakeholders, through enhanced communications and marketing efforts; and

Gather and report key data, information, and insights to help guide and evaluate investments.

The Tourism 2025 strategy includes specific activities under each strategic priority and the anticipated outcomes of that work.

Mr. Speaker, the world wants to come to the Northwest Territories. The marketing efforts of Northwest Territories Tourism, our destination marketing organization, won international awards for their marketing efforts focused on telling the stories of the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife, as a gateway to all of the Northwest Territories, was named as one of National Geographic's 2021 places to visit. That designation is not tied to any single moment in time, and it will not be lost in light of the tourism delays imposed by COVID-19. Being a place to go is tied to the spectacular stories that we have to tell.

It will take time and it will take work, but we will recover. Our borders will open, and the Northwest Territories will once again take its place as a spectacular tourism destination. When we get there, and we will, Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery will be in place to guide and grow our industry into the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 151-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery

Ministers' Statements

Page 2604

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Very good time management. You finished at zero seconds on the clock. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Hay River South .

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Small Business Supports

Members' Statements

Page 2605

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been just over a year since we entered the pandemic. It has been a year of living under orders established by the Chief Public Health Officer, orders that, for some, have limited business as usual in the NWT.

As we entered the pandemic, this government, along with the federal government, focused on addressing health concerns in order to ensure the safety of all citizens. As our borders closed, the negative impact on the economy and businesses became an immediate and harsh reality. There was little to no time for government to engage with businesses or spend months developing discussing papers on how to react. Timely decisions were needed to ensure immediate financial and in-kind support was provided to businesses that found themselves grounded and without a customer base.

As businesses do every day, governments found they had to make decisions quickly, and to some surprise, they actually delivered.

Mr. Speaker, from where I sit, I sense that this government is becoming complacent and may even be starting to look at this pandemic as coming to an end, which is far from reality. Although governments have provided financial support, businesses that continue to operate will now, more than ever, require both governments to be creative with additional and continued support if survival is expected. This government is starting to roll back and eliminate some of the business supports, and I would caution that approach.

As we now have somewhat of a track record and figured out how to respond in a timely manner, now is the time to engage with businesses and confirm what supports have worked, what supports need to remain in place, and what supports are required.

In saying that, it is important to remember that time continues to be of the essence in developing and implementing solutions if we expect businesses to survive. This may be as easy as getting more contracts, providing timely payments to northern vendors and contractors for goods and services purchased, or negotiating more contracts to ensure they remain in the hands of northern contractors. Whatever it is we have to do, we cannot take our foot off the gas pedal.

Mr. Speaker, this government talks about lessons learned. I would ask each Minister to consider those lessons and to build on what has worked and revise or eliminate what has not, but it has to be done quickly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Small Business Supports

Members' Statements

Page 2605

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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Lack of Mental Health Support in Nunakput

Members' Statements

Page 2605

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mental health is critical for the health and well-being for our people. We all have felt the impact from our measures to keep the spread of COVID-19 under control. Symptoms like anxiety and depressive disorders are said to be increasing, in particular in your younger adults. Some people even ask for a vaccine to deal with mental health side effects from COVID.

I'm concerned, Mr. Speaker, that, in the riding of Nunakput and the Beaufort-Delta, there is a lack of mental health support, particularly in Inuvialuit men and our youths. The struggle resulting from residential schools is not over. The impacts are still felt. Housing in small communities is limited. Some homes are crowded, which adds extra stress and frustration, which could lead to anguish and addictions. Sadly, food insecurity and poverty are no strangers to residents. Pursuing traditional activities or going out on the land are very expensive and difficult to afford.

Mr. Speaker, mental health is not a luxury. Our communities are small. We have limited health resources. Social workers, doctors, and counsellors are often based in other communities, usually in Inuvik, which can make access difficult for some residents in the communities. Online programs such as Mental Health First Aid or confidential online chats through the NWT Help Line Facebook page are important for Northerners.

This government has to get serious about reconciliation. It needs a more aggressive action plan for mental health supports in our communities. Reconciliation needs to be a planned action, with increased supports for crisis response, intervention, and healing. Mental wellness services need to include the culture and language of our people, draw on the wisdom of our elders, and be culturally relevant. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Lack of Mental Health Support in Nunakput

Members' Statements

Page 2605

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Appreciation for Northern Artists

Members' Statements

Page 2605

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statements, I have touched upon many areas of importance to me: addictions, infrastructure, and our resource sector, to name a few. However, one topic I haven't touched upon that is near and dear to my heart is jewellery and, more specifically, earrings.

One thing my parents always stressed to me was the importance of being a lifelong learner, that every experience brings with it an opportunity to learn and grow. Since the beginning of time, humans have used art to express themselves, tell our stories, and to educate. I wanted to use my time today to say thank you to all our amazing northern artists who continue to persevere, despite tough times, to create the pieces they love, including Great Slave constituent Sana Ashok, who made the earrings that I am wearing today.

Mr. Speaker, I will have no questions for Cabinet today; rather, I take this moment to encourage them to support an artist in their region by purchasing a piece of art today. Thank you.

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Appreciation for Northern Artists

Members' Statements

Page 2605

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Taltson Expansion

Members' Statements

Page 2605

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week on March the 23 rd , I had the inspiring opportunity to visit the Taltson hydro dam for the first time. Since visiting the dam, I feel I've begun to truly appreciate and better understand the need for further investment into this type of infrastructure for the future. It has occurred to me that this expansion project is likely one of the most important infrastructure projects that the NWT has ever considered.

Mr. Speaker, once built and even through construction, this expansion project will benefit all residents of the Northwest Territories. Not only will this project connect the Taltson and the North Slave hydro systems and not only will it connect the NWT electrical grid to the southern power grid, but it will also help to supply future electricity demands for the NWT, and will do so in a clean, non-polluting fashion, which is crucial in our efforts to de-carbonize our economy by 2015.

Mr. Speaker, we need to be thinking long-term, which, in our context as a country, that's transitioning into low carbon digital and information technology-based economy. A key factory we must consider for this future economy includes the need to supply future energy demand for our society's everyday activities. For example, data centres have become an essential part of our modern economy. Data centres are considered the brains of the Internet as they help facilitate the core functions of information services such as storing, processing, and communication of data.

As demand for mobile phone and Internet traffic increases, so does the need for data centres, which, in turn, requires electricity to power. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

---Unanimous consent granted

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Taltson Expansion

Members' Statements

Page 2605

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, another example of major economic shift that will necessitate the need for more electricity in the future is the changing business model of all automobile manufacturers. Over the last two years, nearly all major automobile companies, such as Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Fiat, Chrysler, and others, have all stated their intention of going totally electric. Most of them are using the benchmark of either 2025 or 2030 for reaching this goal.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, as MLA for Thebacha and in the interests of the Indigenous file for the expansion, this is a very important piece of infrastructure that will be needed in the future. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Taltson Expansion

Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Members' statements. Member for Hay River North . Sorry. Yellowknife North.

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Law Library and Outreach Workers

Members' Statements

Page 2606

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought I moved to Hay River for a minute. Mr. Speaker, I love libraries. Libraries are community hubs. They are one of the last true public third spaces. They are keepers of knowledge for generations. I also love the law. I love the work we do in this House. I love the complex work society does of putting all of our norms into the written word. It should come as no surprise that I love law libraries, and one day, I wish to live in a place with a law library. In fact, if I lived in any other province or territory in Canada, I would be able to access a law library, except not here.

Mr. Speaker, we in this House like to re-hash old debates, so I would like to revisit the closing of the law library that occurred in the last Assembly. During that time, it was predicted that the new law resource centre would become nothing more than a few blinking lights in a closed room, and that is what it is today. It's two computers with access to journals, but no staff and no one to help the public guide that.

Mr. Speaker, law libraries are key to lawyers who are in trials and need to find a quick citation of a difficult case. They are key to members of the public to understand what laws they are living under. We in the Northwest Territories write new laws every day. Every time we settle a modern treaty, we are adding to the constitution of Canada. Law libraries track that information. They make sure it gets published, and they are at the forefront at the work we are doing, but no one is doing that work right now in the Northwest Territories.

We have a serious problem with access to justice in this territory, and the beginning of that problem is literal access. The failures of the last law library were due to it being behind locked doors, and our current law resource centre requires you to find someone to give you a FOB to let you into that building.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Department of Justice to reinstate a law library or, at the very least, make sure that the law library is public facing. I do not think anyone is going to come in and steal the law books. Perhaps, we can keep them in an open door. However, there is much more in this area to do. I believe we need to look at our law resources and put them together in a more public-facing issue. Right now, access to justice is often too many appointments with multiple departments behind multiple closed doors. I encourage the Department of Justice to step out of its fourth-floor courthouse and truly be accessible to the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Law Library and Outreach Workers

Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Suicide Prevention Fund

Members' Statements

Page 2606

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. The recent announcement of $225,000 for a community suicide prevention fund is good news in our continuing struggle to confront this social tragedy. Providing up to $45,000 per project, the fund will enable Indigenous governments and non-governmental organizations to develop and deliver community-based suicide prevention activities.

The announcement stressed an approach through programs that are "culturally-safe and support the prevention of suicide by increasing community wellness and reducing stigma." The announcement further said that the fund will prioritize projects that demonstrate a community development approach to suicide prevention, awareness, and stigma reduction.

That's all good stuff, but it prompted a constituent of mine to write with her family experience of suicide, including factors of stigma, lack of intensive counselling, especially at the small community level, and follow-up after actual suicide attempts. My constituent stressed the need for continuing care after a suicide crisis as key to preventing chronic, personal cycles of suicide attempts. Individualized after-care plans and better family supports are needed.

There are programs in place. The Community Counseling Program is a free and confidential service open to all residents. There are 70 staff and 33 child and youth care counsellors, and same-day appointments that no longer have any wait lists. The Health and Social Services department says it is working on a "stepped care" model offering a wide range of service options. These include improvements to family and peer supports, e-based options, on-the-land as well as community options and increased in-patient care. I am told this work includes development of a suicide prevention and crisis response network in partnership with the NWT Health and Social Services Authority.

Even with all of these initiatives, the Northwest Territories continues to suffer rates of suicide at alarming levels compared to other territories and provinces. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Health and Social Services on how our suicide prevention and follow-up efforts can be further strengthened. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Suicide Prevention Fund

Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Homeownership

Members' Statements

Page 2606

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, the North desperately needs more housing, so last week's announcement of a $57 million investment from the federal government was a welcomed one. The need for safe, affordable, and well-built housing has been the North's primary social challenge for decades and has consistently been identified by Assembly standing committees as a root issue at the core of our social challenges.

Today, governments have spent over 60 years trying, for one reason or another, to house Northerners. In the 1970s, the federal government handed much of the housing responsibility to the newly formed NWT Housing Corporation. In the 50 years since, we see policies and programming that operate largely the same as those created by the federal government years ago. Territorial home ownership programs help low-income families access mortgages and home repair programs.

These programs were introduced decades after the federal government housing programs pushed home ownership through the matchbox home housing loan program and the Northern Rental Purchase Program where residents purchased old rental stock.

With variations of the same programming operating today, many of the same issues for homeowners still exist. In 2021, it is still not clear if current housing delivery and policy development is guided by the unique needs of the North or the federal government's perception of northern housing. We see evidence in the high number of new homeowners created by government home ownership programs who now deal with high mortgage arrears and houses that require thousands of dollars in repair.

Housing challenges identified through federally designed programs in the 1950s are the same we hear about today. There is little incentive towards home ownership due to actual perceived limited equity growth, limited resale options in smaller communities, high operating costs, and the need for community-based trades. Limited economic opportunities, seasonal employment, and high cost-of-living mean many rely on subsidized housing. Northern home ownership policies, like national policies, depend heavily on the principles of a wage-based economy with a private sector delivering and supporting housing options.

Home ownership continues to be the Housing Corporation's best solution to northern housing challenges, Mr. Speaker, but there remains a need to address the long-standing gaps for community homeowners. I look forward to discussing home ownership solutions and the cost of community home ownership in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Homeownership

Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Members' statements. Member for Monfwi .

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Electricity in Whati

Members' Statements

Page 2606

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, I am going to speak on electricity in my region. Right now, Whati doesn't have electricity to their community. They only have power by diesel generator, and it has stopped so many times, for over 20 hours. The residents of Whati are very concerned. I want to make a statement regarding that. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, last month, the community of Whati suffered a major power outage. It lasted an unbelievable well over 20 hours. It was a level 3 power failure, the Power Corporation's highest level of emergency. The culprit was the community's out-of-date diesel generators. There is a solution to the risky state of affairs at the Whati power station: it is to get rid of those old generators and hook up Whati to the Snare hydro grid. Mr. Speaker, the department simply is not doing that.

There is a sad irony in all of this. Get this, Mr. Speaker: Whati is the closest community in the entire territory to the Snare hydro complex. It is right around the corner, a mere 40 kilometres away. Yellowknife, on the other hand, which is on the Snare hydro grid, is four times the distance, and they are on the system.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has offered to replace the worst of Whati's three ailing diesel generators. According to my people of Whati, that is not good enough. The Whati people are starting to make a lot of noise about this. There needs to be preventative measures. We need to prevent these types of events from happening in the future. Just consider if it was minus 50 or minus 60. Good thing it was minus 15 and minus 20 at that time. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be asking the Minister of Infrastructure questions on this particular very important matter to my constituents. Masi.

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Electricity in Whati

Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Passing of Constituents

Members' Statements

Page 2607

Steve Norn

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. A difficult message for my constituents today: I want to send my sincerest condolences to the communities of Deninu Kue and Detah. Sadly, in Deninu Kue, we lost two elders, Henry Calumet and Mary Beaulieu. Loss is never easy, and to lose two of our knowledge-keepers in that close together of a time period is especially tough. The funeral service for Mary will be taking place this afternoon. I wish I could have been there. I send my prayers out to the Beaulieu and Calumet families.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, we also recently lost a young man from Detah, David Sangris. His service will be taking place tomorrow afternoon at St. Patrick's church. My heartfelt condolences also go out to the family and community of Detah.

I just want to say a few words. I get a lot of calls from frustrated community members from south of the border. They can't come to a lot of these services. I really feel for them. Those are really difficult calls to make when you tell somebody, "Unfortunately, no, because of public health orders, you can't be here and properly grieve." Closure is really important, Mr. Speaker.

At the end of this pandemic when our public health orders are finished and we go back to life as we once lived it, we can have a good feast, a good drum dance, whatever culturally appropriate celebrations we have, and properly honour our loved ones that we lost during the pandemic. I give prayers out to my constituents during this time of loss. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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Passing of Constituents

Members' Statements

Page 2607

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh . Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities at this time. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Eulogy for Dillon Cazon

Members' Statements

Page 2607

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dylan Gabriel Boniface Cazon was a young man who blessed us with his kind spirit, generous heart, and his infectious smile. He was born on January 26, 1993, to loving parents, Gilbert and Mary Jane Cazon, and was the brother of Bianca, Shannon, and Chantel. He was known to his nieces and nephews as "Uncle Pickles." Dylan shared his birthday with his late cousin, Daniel Allaire Jr.

Dylan took pride in his family, whom he loved dearly, and cherished the friendships that he gained during his life. Dylan was a hunter, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, and companion. He was born into a bloodline of a traditional lifestyle and loved the freedom of being on the land. He loved to learn, protect, and take care of our land and waters. He also loved being on the fire-line alongside his crew members, the "Extreme Team," as they were called. He was a hard worker who loved his job and his coworkers.

Dylan was an immensely proud Dene man who honoured his family's traditional way of life. He loved his family camp at Notana Lake, and this showed in all he did. Dylan was the only son in the family and was the third child of Gilbert and Mary Jane. He shared many fun times with little sister Chantel, including sharing the fond memory of cutting her hair and keeping themselves entertained with antics like sliding down the steps in a laundry basket.

Dylan started working for De Beers at the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine after he completed his mine training. Dylan was so proud of his newfound passion, and from what his boss and coworkers said, he was a dedicated worker and a joy to work with. It was during this time he met his girlfriend, Shauna Catholique, whom he loved very much, and her two beautiful daughters. Dylan was happy, and it was visible in all he did. He cherished every moment he spent with Shauna and their beautiful daughters. They embraced Dylan, and he embraced them.

The family did not think of this as a loss but rather a celebration of life. We must remember how blessed we are to have known Dylan, his love, his kindness, and the love that he had for each and every one of us. May the love of his family and community surround him and provide guidance on this new journey. The family would like to thank everybody who reached out to them and helped them during this difficult time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Eulogy for Dillon Cazon

Members' Statements

Page 2607

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh . Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time. Members' statements. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 2607

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of our translators here, Mary Jane Cazon, from Fort Simpson. She does a great job, and I thank her very much for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 2607

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh . I thank all the interpreters. You are doing a wonderful job keeping up to us even though we talk fast, a little too fast sometimes, but you are doing a very good job. Also, I was going to mention, we do not have many visitors in the gallery, but there seems to be an uptake on people watching either on TV or Facebook, all these good compliments that Members are doing a good job. A big shout-out to Mr. Patrick Joss. I am sure many of us get Facebook messages from Patrick. I hope you are doing well and you know we are always thinking of you.

He is usually up here in the gallery when he comes to visit. Also, everybody else out there, I hope you all have a good Easter, and thank you very much. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 5, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 6, reports of standing and special committees. Item 7, returns to oral questions. Item 8, acknowledgements. Item 9, oral questions. Member for Hay River South .

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past several weeks, I have met with business owners who are concerned that the BDIC loan deferral program is ending this week, which is, I guess, tomorrow. It was indicated that the program has been very effective and was welcomed. Can the Minister of ITI confirm if her department is considering extending the BDIC loan deferral program after March 31 st ? Thank you.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was already some time ago that there were conversations happening within the BDIC around what to do with the loan deferral program, and the option that we took was one of reaching out, in fact, to every single one of the 139 loan clients who had their loan payments deferred. In doing that, they were better able to tailor their response such that quite a number have actually begun to resume their regular payments.

Of the remaining 76, in fact, who had requested some further reductions or deferrals, they were able to tailor-make the program to either defer or to reduce payments or to essentially otherwise be able to be really business-specific and client-specific in their response rather than a blanket deferral. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

That is good news for businesses. Businesses are also concerned that the interested rates charged by the BDIC are higher than those currently charged by the banks, and a good reason for it. Can the Minister confirm if the BDIC would consider reviewing current interest rates charged to clients and potentially reducing it retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic and at least for the duration of the pandemic?

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Interest rate reductions certainly are a little bit more complicated, and that is really a lot of the way in which the BDIC generates the funds on which it relies to actually run the programs that it provides and to provide the loan portfolio that it currently has. It's a fairly delicate balance. That is not something that is right now being looked at.

That said, obviously, as we move into a recovery stage and continue to go through the recovery stage, BDIC, as I just said in my last response, continues to be quite client-oriented in looking at specific ways of solving issues and solving problems, so I am confident that, if that is an option that is available to them, they will look at it but again with the caveat that that is an area that is one that has to be fairly delicately balanced.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Some of the BDIC clients have had limited or no revenue over the last year due to the pandemic. Yet, they are required to pay interest and principal amounts on equipment that is not generating any revenue or assets that are sitting idle. Considering that the BDIC is a developmental lender, will the Minister consider having the BDIC waive some of the interest accrued on BDIC loans as a supportive initiative for those businesses impacted by the pandemic? This would allow them to, hopefully, the ones who require the help, survive this probably another year of slow business.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

As I said at the beginning, my understanding is that BDIC has contacted all of their clients. There were some whom they were unable to get a hold of, and certainly, there are no doubt some whose situations may continue to change. I cannot say strongly enough that, anyone who is a client of BDIC or who might benefit as a client of BDIC, that they please get in touch with the loans officers. There are a number of different options.

For example, although some businesses have restarted on their regular payments, some have renegotiated to actually have lower payments than what they had before, some are paying only principal or only interest, and some are seeking to continue to defer entirely. BDIC is really trying to be client-oriented here, so what I would say, again, is: rather than a blanket tool, we are trying to be client-specific and client-responsive, so if there are businesses out there which need that support, please contact the BDIC.

They are going to work with them to try to continue to provide the supports that they have been providing.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2607

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is some concern whether or not all or most existing business supports put in place at the outset of the pandemic will continue or end at March 31 st or sometime thereafter. Can the Minister give us some idea what business supports will continue in place and which ones will be eliminated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

There is actually quite a complex network of supports, I would say, both from the federal government, some from the GNWT, and many through the support of both levels of government. Right now, it's really only the GRIT program that is certainly sunsetting. A lot of the other programs were filling in of gaps or topping up of programs. It is certainly our effort and our intention to continue to do that into the new fiscal year.

A lot of things became available in the latter part of this fiscal year, when there was an awareness that, for example, some businesses needed bookkeeping support, so running that program up so that those who needed it could get those supports to apply for further funding.

As much as can remain in place will remain in place, and as the new year gets off and as we receive a federal budget later this month and find out what is coming out there, I am very confident we are going to continue to do what we have done over the last year, which is to fill gaps and to top up and to find areas that are not otherwise being addressed and to continue to address them. Again, there is no intention to stop supports. It's a matter of figuring out, as the pandemic progresses, what we need to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports

Oral Questions

Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I have talked about Whati, the transmission line, the power generators in the community, the lack thereof, power to the community. The community of Whati is somewhat confused now. For the last 10 or 15 years, they have been talking about the Whati Nailii project, and then, just recently, they are starting to talk about a Snare hydro transmission line, and now we are talking about a new generator going into the community. I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure : what is the latest status?

Where are we at with the community's transmission line, either from the hydro perspective, from Snare Hydro, or the transmission line directly to the community? What is the status on that? Masi.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

Oral Questions

Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Whati transmission line, where we're at right now, we're advancing, planning, consulting, and engaging the activities, which involves the construction of the 60-kilometre transmission line to be able to replace the diesel electricity generation. I do want to note that we are actively working with the Tlicho government on this project and are meeting this week to be able to discuss the creation of a working group. That's where we're at, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

When I speak in this House, I represent my people, as their voice. It's the community of Whati today I'm speaking of, and they are tired of the talks under way, the consultation that the Minister alluded to. There needs to be an action-oriented process. This has been a long wait, well over 20 years since we talked about the mini-hydro initiative. Now, a transmission line. We're still talking today, 20 years versus 20 hours of a power outage. I, for one, would like for this government to act on what is in the best interest of the community, and that is the power hook-up.

The next question I have is: how much would it cost to hook up Whati onto the Snare power grid and what portion of that would be the federal government's perspective?

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

We are currently hoping to finalize the routing for the project with the Tlicho Government, as it is on their lands, as the Member mentioned. It is an important aspect of this project, once the route is selected, to be able to undertake a technical and routing work to be able to cost and support the funding application to Canada. We're not there yet in terms of what the actual costs may be, other than we are planning, we're engaging, we are doing some of the working group stuff that needs to be done to be able to go forward with the project.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

It's important that we highlight the proposals that are going forward with the GNWT and the federal government, talking about the technical work that the Minister alluded to. I would like to ask more specifically: regarding the hydro hook-up for Whati, what technical work needs to be completed for this government to finalize its application for the Investing in Canada infrastructure program?

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

I may have to get back to update the technical work regarding the route. It is at the early stage of where we're at with the planning, so it's hard for me to be able to speak technically about this issue without understanding a little bit more on what it would take.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister touched on the formation of a working group to deal more specifically with the Whati transmission line project. I would like to know whether that will be established during the life of the 19 th Assembly? We still have two and a half years. Obviously, I would like for this to be expedited because the community wants to prevent this from happening, the 20-plus-hour power outage, so could we expedite the process of establishing the working group and, during the life of this Assembly, a proposal be submitted to the federal government? Is that possible, Mr. Speaker? Masi.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

The Member will be happy to know that we hope to have a funding application to Canada within the next 12 months. I do want to make note that, on April 17 th , I'll be meeting with the Tlicho Government in Behchoko, and we have five subject matters on the menu: the Whati access road off Highway No. 9, Highway No. 3 safety concerns, the Slave Geological Province Corridor, the Whati transmission line, and Gameti mini-hydro. Those are some of the subject matters that I will be speaking to the Tlicho Government about on April 17 th . Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati

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Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

Oral Questions

Page 2608

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the Minister's recent visit along with her senior management to the Taltson Dam site, does the Minister agree that this expansion project is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure for the future of the NWT economy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Minister of Infrastructure .

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I agree. This is a priority of the 19 th Legislative Assembly because it's a critical piece of infrastructure. The Taltson expansions is critical to the future of the economy of the Northwest Territories and also to be able to meet some of our greenhouse gas reduction targets. We remain committed to advancing this project and also working with Indigenous partners to explore some economic development and job creation opportunities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

I know the Minister has seen the trends within the automobile industry regarding electric vehicles and the future. Does the Minister consider this economic trend as a key indicator for the importance of this expansion project?

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Yes; another yes. Growth in electric vehicles has been considered in the business case. We all know that we need to be able to head towards electrification of the economy to be able to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions but also to stay competitive. The best way to be able to do this is through renewable hydro power such as the Taltson expansion.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Does the Minister agree with the need to supply energy to the information technology and digital economies of the future? Does the Minister consider these as essential factors for the business case for this project?

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

While the information technology and digital economies were not specifically considered in this business case, as I said, we need renewable power to green industry and electrify our economy. We also need to be able to attract green investment in mining and also reduce some of our greenhouse gas emissions.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope I get a yes on the last one, too. I want the Minister to understand that, to prepare for the Taltson expansion, the superintendent must be reinstated in a central office in Fort Smith with proper office support and the lines must be under that superintendent. Would the Minister consider this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

The Taltson expansion project is in the business case, like I just said, development phase. This work is led by the Department of Finance with support from the Department of Infrastructure. The GNWT and the Indigenous government partners have established a working group and have actively engaged in the scoping and the development of the proposed Taltson hydro expansion project and also exploring options for a business partnership. I think the Member will be happy to hear that.

I also relayed to the community members that, should the expansion project proceed through the business development phase, NTPC will consider what impact this will have on staffing for the region. Further to this, with my NTPC and Infrastructure hat on, NTPC regional offices are staffed by employees from a cross-section of divisions, with some reporting to supervisors who may not be based in their communities. The crew line is one example where safety, efficiency, and availability of resources uses this structure, which is considered best practice in the utility industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion

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Page 2608

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

Oral Questions

Page 2609

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first answer, I am hoping for a yes. Presently, right now, if you want to access the law resource centre, it is behind a locked door. Is the Minister willing to unlock the door? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Minister of Justice .

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I love it when I can say "yes," so I wish the Member would have asked me a different question.

---Laughter

In this case, Mr. Speaker, having access to the library through a FOB allows there to be 24-7 access for lawyers in the territory, which is valuable for small law firms and independent lawyers who have the ability to go to the courthouse any time of the day, after hours, and get into the legal resource centre. During the day, members of the public can access that resource, as well. They just have to talk to staff, and they will let them in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

I was really hoping that we could free the books there. I think there is a larger question here about, since the cut was made to the law library, whether there are any plans in this area. That would begin with reinstating a law librarian position. Does the department have any plans to reinstate a law librarian?

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

No. I want to thank the Member for bringing this up because, really, what the issue is, as I see it, is access to justice. A law librarian in Yellowknife is a way to increase that access to justice. Primarily, though, it is a tool for lawyers. I think that we share the same ideal of increasing access to justice, and there are other ways to do it. If we were to put resources into something, I don't think that a law librarian in the downtown Yellowknife courthouse is necessarily the best way to do it and the best way to reach the most citizens of the territory.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

I tend to agree with the Minister, but my concern here is that we seem to have no plans in this area to increase access to justice. Right now, I know that we have done some good work. We have one outreach lawyer. They run a Legal Aid clinic that does some of this work in poverty law, but I think there is definitely much more that can be done in that area. I think it starts by having it be a more public-facing law centre, one where people can find access to resources. Are there any plans to expand our current Legal Aid outreach clinic so that, perhaps, people looking for information can start there?

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

We just went through a lengthy budget process, and as the Member is aware, there are no additional resources in that budget for the Legal Aid outreach clinic. That being said, I think that it is a very valuable area, and it is one area that I am pushing for and trying to figure out how we can expand it. I think that it is one of those areas that we could have even located outside of Yellowknife. We could have a position somewhere else and expand the access to residents across the territory. There are opportunities for outreach lawyers to create educational materials for residents to give them better access to justice.

This is one area that I am definitely looking into. We are gathering the statistics. We are making the cases. Hopefully, we will be able to add something in the future. We are lobbying the federal government. I will note that the Northwest Territories probably has, maybe next to Nunavut, the most generous Legal Aid services in Canada by a long shot. The budget is already stretched pretty tight, but I think that it is a place that we really should be looking at making more investments.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad to hear that this is something that the Minister is looking into. I think that one of the concerns that I have in this area is that the resources seem to be in a lot of different places. I know that Legal Aid does good work, and I know that the court workers do good work. The law resource centre could use a little work. There seems to be a lot of resources in different places. I think the solution here is really bringing them together into some sort of arm's-length law centre, a place that could take on articling students.

I know there is talk in this territory of starting a law school similar to Nunavut, a place that you could actually go and have access to a multitude of services. In reviewing this, is the Minister willing to look into how we are currently setting out resources between the Legal Aid commission, the law resource centre, or the Department of Justice, and perhaps there is some room to put them all in one, more public-facing body? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

Oral Questions

Page 2609

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

The Member raises great points. This legal resource centre was initially supposed to be more open to the public on the first floor of the courthouse, but things came up during renovations. It moved up to the fourth floor. He is correct that it is separate from a lot of our other resources. I think that is the type of work that we need to be doing, looking at how we can have more of a storefront, how we can make these services more accessible. As we move forward, I am having those conversations with the department.

There is nothing in the works right now, given that we don't have the new offices lined up, and there are costs associated with it and a lot of work that needs to be done. I think these are the kinds of things that we need to be doing as a government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers

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Page 2609

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2609

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . In my statement, I outlined some of the good work her department is doing on suicide prevention, but I also pointed out some issues around after-care as highlighted by a constituent with personal experience. Can the Minister tell us whether it is normal practice to develop an after-care plan for individuals who have attempted suicide, how such plans are monitored, and what support is available for affected families? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2609

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2609

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for Frame Lake for the question. Once a suicide attempt has taken place, the first step is to assess whether the person requires medical treatment and, as part of the medical treatment, whether the person would benefit from being certified under the Mental Health Act. That would be hospital route. The non-hospital route is to speak with the individual, determine that admission to the hospital is not necessary, and then do a risk assessment with them.

When it is deemed safe for the person to leave the hospital, they take with them a safety plan that includes community-based supports as well as a referral to follow-up services, such as the Community Counselling Program and/or psychiatry. Psychiatry wait times for urgent cases are one to two weeks.

These plans are individualized based on need, but it is important to know that it is up to the person to follow through with these plans and access the supports and services. If the person has not been assessed and in need of hospitalization, then there isn't a way for the Department of Health and Social Services to impose treatment on that person. It needs to be driven by them, and our role is to make sure that they have a full understanding of the supports that are available to them. Thank you.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

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Page 2609

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that. I am just not sure that someone who has attempted suicide is always in a place where they can accept that kind of advice. There doesn't seem to be, I think, enough support for families, and that is what my constituent has said. Regarding the implementation of the stepped care element of the mental wellness and addictions recovery plan, can the Minister say how the proposed measures will emphasize follow-up on suicide attempts to really improve after-care and support for families?

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

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Page 2609

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

The stepped care approach is not specifically focused on suicide. It's about providing a seamless pathway of care to individuals who are looking for it. There is focus, of course, within this particularly on mental health and addictions. What this approach has enabled us to do is to eliminate waiting lists for care. The care is provided as needed, so it's possible to get a same-day appointment. If you need another appointment tomorrow, you can come back tomorrow. There isn't this old-fashioned way of making a block of appointments once a week for several weeks.

The other thing that the stepped care approach does is link the individual with other supports within the system. As I say, the idea is a seamless pathway approach to care where the person is hooked up with both formal and informal supports, traditional and non-traditional supports, so that they can take advantage of those.

The other part of this is an online presence. It has to do with apps. We have a relationship with the Strongest Families Institute, which provides care for families who have children and young people. There's also another app coming right away which is for young people where they can text and email to the service provider and obtain support that way. What we're trying to do here is provide a spectrum of supports. We recognize not everyone wants to use an app, but then again, not everybody wants to sit in a counselling office. We're trying to provide a variety of supports here to support people to obtain and maintain their good mental health.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2609

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I want to thank that Minister for that. In the Minister's replies to some email questions that I had sent, the Minister mentioned development of a suicide prevention and crisis response network in partnership with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Can the Minister explain how this partnership will be brought to bear to support communities when a crisis occurs, where these resources will come from, and how communities can initiate the process themselves?

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

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Page 2610

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

It all starts with a critical incident, and the community reaching out to the health authority to ask for help. Once that step has been accomplished, then there's a conversation about what kind of help is required. Then the authority engages with finding those additional supports, whether they come from inside the community, inside the region, from Yellowknife, or from outside of the territory. They try to meet the goals that the community has. Maybe those are one-on-one counselling. Maybe they feel like they need critical incident debriefs or other outreach supports or outreach supports to help them cope with the critical incident that's happened.

This system is in place now. I know it was recently used in connection with an incident in Tuktoyaktuk. What happened there was that a counsellor flew in from Paulatuk to assist the community, and there were people who flew in from Yellowknife to assist the community. The idea is to try and bring together a group of supports who can work at the community's request on healing from the incident that has taken place.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

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Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I know the Minister recently announced a community suicide prevention fund at $225,000 total, and up to $45,000 per project. That would really only help maybe up to five communities. Can the Minister say how this program will be further rolled out, especially in collaboration with our existing staff and counsellors, and how the initial projects are going to be monitored and evaluated? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

The community suicide prevention fund was announced earlier this month, and that's a very short window for spending the money in this fiscal year. There was a commitment to work with communities to fund their projects early in the next fiscal year so that they would get a jump on this. What I do know from the department is: there's been a lot of interest in this fund. I know that there are groups who have been able to finalize proposals and offer their own suicide prevention and intervention programming.

The Member mentioned that $45,000 is the cap. That doesn't mean that every group will apply for that amount of money. Some of the proposals that have come in are for significantly less money than that, so our hope is that more than five communities will benefit. Having said that, this is a brand new fund, and we need to test it out to see if it is the right amount of money. If it needs more money, then we're going to need to talk to Health Canada about more money.

It's important for the community-based organization, whether it's an Indigenous government or a non-profit or a community government, to work with local counselling teams to plan the activity that they want funded and to make sure that there is support and connection there for the most effective program delivery. What the department does is focus on the uptake, how many people participated and what did they themselves report as outcomes. Because these are community-based projects and each one can be different, the department is not planning to formally evaluate each of the projects.

What we know about suicide prevention is to increase protective factors and address risk factors, and my hope for this fund is that the money will do both of these things. Thank you.

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Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare

Oral Questions

Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In the 2007 Auditor General's report on housing, it was found that about 71 percent of NWT Housing Corporation mortgages were in arrears. I'm wondering if the Minister of Housing can let us know what the average annual cost of home ownership mortgages are to the NWT Housing Corporation and including any maintenance or repair costs that the NWT Housing Corporation funds, as well. Thank you.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Presently, we have 321 mortgage files; 103 of them, we are receiving payment, and 218 are in arrears. Three of those are in Yellowknife. For the upcoming year, the Housing Corporation plans to invest $5 million into home ownership programming to support private homeowners with their home needs and repairs.

The Housing Corporation also is contributing assistance for a residential enhancement care program, $2 million; care maintenance program, $872,000; fuel tank replacement for homeowners, $500,000; Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership, the PATH program to homeownership, $75,000; Securing Assistance for Emergencies, $1.5 million; seniors aging in place, retrofits and repairs, $800,000. We're looking at the loans that are given out, as well, and considered to be forgivable loans that are not payable back to the Housing Corporation if the grant and the conditions are met. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Can the Minister also confirm what the annual operating cost is per public housing unit in the Northwest Territories?

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

As per the audit for 2019-2020, the financial statement, the approximate cost is $62 million. This is for the utilities and maintenance costs for delivery of the public housing program, and it translates to $25,000 per unit per year.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Does the Minister have any ideas of what the leading causes of mortgage arrears in the Northwest Territories and how the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation intends to address these challenges through their homeownership programs?

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

The Housing Corporation continues to work very closely with our tenants and supports the collection of rental and mortgage arrears, including developing affordable repayment plans and counselling, as well. As a result of this work, the Housing Corporation maintains a high collection rate of 90 percent. In the 2021-2024 corporate business plan, we continue to make a commitment to maintain that amount to 90 percent of annual collection rates. The Housing Corporation is continuing to be providing repayable mortgages or loans that were established in 2007.

Since 2007, the Housing Corporation also continued to collect on these old legacy files. The work also involves entering into affordable repayment plans, where necessary, with existing mortgage clients.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am wondering if the Minister can speak to how the NWT Housing Corporation is driving the changes needed for communities to have affordable access to building material, repair, and maintenance within all communities of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

This is a question that was asked throughout the trips that the Housing Corporation made prior to September of last year. We are looking at providing building materials at our local housing authorities to support private homeowners in smaller communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 692-19(2): Homeownership

Oral Questions

Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services on providing mental health services across the Delta and my riding of Nunakput. Can the Minister provide me with an update on the activities supporting mental health that will take place in our small communities, including the Nunakput region, this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Particularly in Nunakput, it's my understanding that there are child and youth care counsellors in place in the schools to assist children and youth. There are wellness workers and there are child and youth family counsellors; I understand that that particular position in Tuktoyaktuk is now vacant. These people would be delivering the Community Counselling Program, as well as the child and youth care counsellor program.

In addition to that, there would be various virtual supports such as the Help Line, the apps, and then, in the event of a critical incident, which I know Tuktoyaktuk had earlier this month, there would be additional supports that would come into the community from other locations to provide help as requested by the community. Thank you.

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

What other culturally appropriate mental health supports are currently available for Northerners?

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

It's my hope that we are delivering culturally appropriate services in all of our different offerings, but some of the ones that I haven't yet mentioned are the suicide prevention fund, which my colleague from Frame Lake mentioned. It's an application-based community development program; the peer support program, which assists people who require after-care supports from facility-based treatment; another is on-the-land programming, which would be applied for by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and distributed to the communities. That's a good pot of money that can be spent in a very flexible way.

It can be pre-care, it can be family-based counselling, it can be after-care. It's my understanding that the IRC did apply for that money in this fiscal year, and a new pot of money will be available on Thursday.

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Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2610

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

We're going towards a digital age, even though I always say it's always good to have people coming to our communities to talk to people instead of doing it digitally or through the Internet and stuff like that. What is the Minister doing to move towards digital healthcare for residents like they do in the health centres for doctors? Are they able to do that with people with mental illness and stuff like that to take the time with their patients, the southern doctors who are available? Is that available to the people?

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Document details

Collection	Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	2021-03-30, 19th Assembly 2nd Session, pp. 2603–2636
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	30
Language	en
Format	html
Source	TERRITORIAL
Identifier	23bd622a08a77a184bea901aaaf064b85eb51dfa

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (html).