Debates of Nov. 2nd, 2009

This is page numbers 3619 - 3652 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 4th 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 report .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 28-16(4): Meeting Of Ministers Of Aboriginal Affairs And Leaders Of National Aboriginal Organizations

Minister’s Statement 29-16(4): Mining Industry In The Northwest Territories

Minister’s Statement 30-16(4): Career Focusing

Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Gymnasium For Ecole Allain St-Cyr

Thieves Targeting Unlocked Motor Vehicles

Transfer Of GNWT Positions To Smaller Communities

Proposed Mactung Mining Operation

Senior Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Minister’s Statement On Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Proposed Mactung Mining

Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

911 Emergency Telephone Service

Ground Rescue Services On Winter Road System

Recreational Facilities For Small Communities

Nurses’ Attendance At Community Residences

Written Question 9-16(4): Renewable Energy And Cost Of Living Initiatives In The Sahtu Region

Tabled Document 36-16(4): Northwest Territories Coroner’s Services 2008 Annual Report

Tabled Document 37-16(4): Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2008-2009

Report Of Sole Adjudicator - Roland Inquiry

Hand-Held Devices Ban For Motor Vehicle Drivers

Bill 6: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2010-2011

Bill 7:

An Act To Amend The

Summary Conviction Procedures Act

Report Of Sole Adjudicator - Roland Inquiry

Motion To Amend Motion 4-16(4): Report Of Sole Adjudicator – Roland Inquiry

Recorded Vote

Bill 4:

An Act To Amend The Child And Family Services Act

Bill 5:

An Act To Amend The Commissioner’s Land Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Report of Committee of the Whole

Orders of the Day

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations , Mr. Roland .

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Minister’s Statement 28-16(4): Meeting Of Ministers Of Aboriginal Affairs And Leaders Of National Aboriginal Organizations

Ministers’ Statements

Floyd Roland

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to report on the results of last week’s meeting between federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and leaders of the five national aboriginal organizations.

This meeting marks the renewal of a national process involving all levels of government and national aboriginal organizations to advance aboriginal issues. Aboriginal Affairs Ministers and the leaders of the national aboriginal organizations came together for the first time in more than four years to find ways of working together in an effort to address a broad range of issues facing First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples today.

At the 2009 Council of the Federation meeting, provincial and territorial Premiers held a pre-meeting with national aboriginal organization leaders and announced their intention to form a ministerial working group with national aboriginal leaders and the federal government.

This working group was directed to examine how governments and national aboriginal organizations can work more effectively to improve the quality of life for aboriginal peoples living in all parts of Canada. At this time, the focus of this working group is on results-oriented action in the areas of education and skills training and economic development, with the intention of having this action serve as the foundation for a possible First Ministers meeting on aboriginal issues in 2010.

I believe that this meeting marks a significant milestone in addressing the difficult and complex socio-economic conditions often encountered by aboriginal people in Canada. Participants acknowledged that the area of health and well-being is fundamental to achieving progress in education and economic development. It will be of utmost importance that the federal government works with its provincial, territorial and aboriginal partners for this process to success.

At the meeting I was pleased to share some of our success stories, showing how we are working with our northern partners to support the aspirations of our aboriginal population. I also took the opportunity to learn from others about the good things going on all over this country. It was agreed that we will meet again early next year to advance work in the identified priority areas and I look forward to reporting further progress at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 28-16(4): Meeting Of Ministers Of Aboriginal Affairs And Leaders Of National Aboriginal Organizations

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment , Mr. Bob McLeod .

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Minister’s Statement 29-16(4): Mining Industry In The Northwest Territories

Ministers’ Statements

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide an update on the mining industry in the Northwest Territories.

Economic activity relies strongly on the use of natural resources. We live in a global era with a rapidly expanding world population dependent on the sustainable development of resources. Fortunately, in the Northwest Territories, we are blessed with an endowment of non-renewable resources and have been successful in using these to sustain economic growth.

Mineral exploration has brought significant economic opportunities to our Territory.

In 2007, almost $200 million was spent on mineral exploration in the Northwest Territories. This means contracts to fly planes and helicopters to exploration sites and camps. This means jobs to unload supplies, prepare camp meals, carry out geological and geophysical work and walk the exploration grids. We have the local capacity to fulfil what is required by this sector. However, the exploration sector has been very challenged during the past two years. For 2009, forecasted spending

on exploration has dropped from almost $200 million to less than $30 million.

We are engaged in positive work to support industry and our economic growth of income and competitiveness. For example, the territorial and federal governments are partnering to gather new geosciences data. It is estimated that every $1 million of government investment in the geosciences knowledge base stimulates $5 million in private sector exploration. This, in turn, could result in the discovery of an estimated $125 million worth of new resources. We will continue to do our utmost to realize sustainable Northwest Territories opportunities from this development.

Developed mines have also brought significant opportunity to Northwest Territories residents and businesses.

Since our first diamond mines began construction in 1996, we have seen almost 14,000 person years of northern resident employment. Since 1996, the diamond mines have bought more than $7 billion of goods and services from northern businesses. More than $3 billion of those purchases were from aboriginal northern businesses.

In our experience, partnerships are integral to successful resource development. Like the exploration sector, mining in the Northwest Territories has been challenged in the last few years. In 2008-09, the Diavik and De Beers Snap Lake diamond mines planned temporary shutdowns and the BHP Billiton Ekati Diamond Mine reduced expansion plans in response to the global economic downturn. Diavik and De Beers implemented their temporary shutdowns planned for this summer. I am pleased to report, however, that the temporary shutdowns planned for this winter will not be taking place due to improving economic conditions.

Throughout this, the diamond mines have remained sincere in their original commitments to the North. As a mark of this sincerity, as I mentioned last week, they are working with us under the Workforce Memorandum of Understanding to increase their northern resident employees.

Northern spending by the mines is exceeding predictions. Reported purchases from northern businesses in 2008 ranged from 74 percent to 83 percent of all purchases at each of the three diamond mines.

What is needed now is for the federal government to live up to their responsibilities and regenerate mining and exploration in the Northwest Territories. The federal government receives handsome royalties from these developments so it is in their best interest to make this commitment. The Government of the Northwest Territories will be doing its part. We will be lobbying the federal government to remind them of this responsibility and the importance of this investment. And

investment will fuel national income growth and is essential to the sustainable economic growth of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 29-16(4): Mining Industry In The Northwest Territories

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Lafferty .

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Minister’s Statement 30-16(4): Career Focusing

Ministers’ Statements

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today marks the beginning of Career Week and I am very happy to share details about some of the many events and activities going on across the Northwest Territories. Regional education authorities, community groups and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment have workshops, career fairs and other activities taking place throughout the Territory to mark the importance of career development planning.

The South Slave region is kicking off this week with a chilli luncheon and career presentation by Thebacha Business Development Services at the Fort Smith Career Centre. Later in the week, the career centre is hosting the Condensed True Colours Workshop, which helps people build understanding of which careers may be best for them.

During a presentation today from northern student services advisor Nona German, Grade 12 students at Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik will learn about post-secondary education in Alberta. Thursday features the Guiding Circles Workshop at the Inuvik Centennial Library, which is designed to guide people toward possible career paths.

This week in Yellowknife, the department’s North Slave office hosts a resume writing workshop and information sessions on career development and apprenticeship programs in the Northwest Territories. Aurora College learning centres in Ndilo and Behchoko feature career planning workshops and apprenticeship information sessions.

Mr. Speaker, Aurora College students and residents of Fort Simpson are working on a career-themed mural to be displayed at the Open Sky Creative Society Friday at the Coffee House and wrapping up the week in Fort Simpson also on Friday is an open house and luncheon at the career centre.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to these activities, Wednesday is Take Our Kids to Work Day. Throughout the Territory, kids have the chance to experience working life and develop interest in possible careers with their parents and guardians. On Wednesday, my daughter Cheyenne and I are spending the day together and I am sure she will appreciate the opportunity to learn outside of her school. I encourage all parents to bring their Grade

9 children to work to benefit from this important work experience.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to our plans for Career Week, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is pleased to share with you an exciting new partnership with BHP Billiton that helps prepare students for post-secondary educational pursuits. Our department values and respects diversity. This new partnership is a three-year pilot project called Career Focusing. Career Focusing is a great program that recognizes everyone’s uniqueness and celebrates the strength in diversity.

Career Focusing provides a clear process for students to learn what motivates them and focus on their personal goals. This information then helps students make career decisions by matching their focus with opportunities in the work world.

As the lead financial partner, BHP is covering all costs related to training instructors to administer Career Focusing in schools and communities throughout the Northwest Territories. Both teachers and career development officers are getting trained to deliver the program and enable Northerners to reach their full potential, lead rewarding lives and contribute to a strong and prosperous society.

Mr. Speaker, BHP will also support a three-year licence to “Career Cruising,” an on line career planning and information tool for all Northwest Territories schools, libraries, career development offices and Aurora College campuses. The department is pleased to work with BHP in equipping our educational facilities with increased access to information and resources and appreciates the company’s commitment to our students.

Career Focusing is a process that targets students at different grade levels. The program has been implemented in many jurisdictions throughout Canada and is extremely successful. This past September, Mr. Speaker, the developers of this program were in Yellowknife high schools supporting the first phase of the program’s implementation. They also led a select number of teachers and career development officers through the first phase of Career Focusing instructor training.

In closing, I want to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and career development. These programs and activities support our most valuable resource, our people, in contributing to a strong and prosperous society. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement 30-16(4): Career Focusing

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak on the urgent situation facing the Centre for Northern Families. Every night up to 23 women have had to flee their homes and find safety at the centre. The centre further provides a prenatal nutrition program, a family support program, a daycare and early childhood development program, a weekly drop-in medical and sexually transmitted infection clinic for women, and a youth suicide prevention and addiction treatment program to name only a few, all important priorities of this government.

GNWT funding to the centre totals about $400,000 a year in return for this amazing array for vital services, which are nationally and internationally as well as locally recognized. Right now the centre faces a financial crisis, a deficit of about $350,000 including about $200,000 to Revenue Canada largely built up due to an unfortunate accounting failure, but no ill intent. This amount is roughly equal to the rent they pay the Housing Corporation for their building, which they cannot afford to purchase.

This House has been reviewing capital estimates and show significant cost overruns in some departments’ projects, some in the millions of dollars. It is not good, but these things happen and sometimes we have to look at how we fix critical problems and not point fingers of blame. While we casually approve millions of dollars for such overruns under the variably interpreted category of forced growth or unexpected expenditures, the Centre for Northern Families has asked for and been refused emergency funding to manage its deficit so its doors can remain open and its services continued.

I will be calling on the Minister today to take that action or explain how she intends to house 23 women in need of shelter each night. The centre’s executive director, Arlene Hache, will be in Ottawa on Friday to accept the Order of Canada for the very work…

---Applause

…for the very work that we are letting be terminated by refusing the required support or leading the charge to resolve. It will be a shame if Ms. Hache’s appearance on the national stage coincides with the forced closure of the Centre for Northern Families.

This also raises the larger issue of the current child and family services review.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

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Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, colleagues. This also raises the larger issue of the current child and family services review. Informed input from the Centre for Northern Families and other advocacy groups are critical to the success of that review. If we want good new law, we need the best experienced advice we can get. I will be asking the Minister what resources she intends to make available to the Centre for Northern Families and others to help them prepare a detailed, well researched input on the basis of the terms of reference just adopted by the House. Mahsi.

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Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Member for Great Slave , Mr. Abernethy .

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Gymnasium For Ecole Allain St-Cyr

Members’ Statements

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to follow up on a Member’s statement and questions made by my colleague Mr. Ramsay from two Wednesdays ago. Over the last several months, I received a large number of letters from parents and students who attend the Ecole Allain St-Cyr. They continue to be concerned and frustrated that their children are attending the school without gym facilities. I share the frustration.

Physical education is a critical portion of a child’s development. It is about providing children with the knowledge, skill, capacity, value and enthusiasm to maintain healthy lifestyles into adulthood. Many physical education programs are designed to promote physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instil knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts and strategies which will be of value throughout a person’s life. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which helps youth excel through their school years and well into the future.

So by building facilities without gymnasiums, we are making it more difficult for schools to provide these important lessons to our youth. I acknowledge that alternate arrangements have been made to facilitate physical education within Ecole Allain St-Cyr; unfortunately, I don’t think they are suitable.

The majority of the school year falls within winter. Asking young children to travel between schools and the multiplex or other locations in the dead of winter at 40 below zero is unfair and irresponsible. It increases the school board’s difficulty in delivering quality physical education. I was happy to hear the Minister say that discussions with the Minister of Heritage are ongoing. Unfortunately, it also sounds like we are in a holding pattern of waiting for a response from the federal government.

On behalf of the board and the parents, I want to encourage the Minister and his department to take a more proactive stance on this file. Stop waiting for a response to take action. Set up more meetings with the federal government. Obtain the funding required to move forward with this phase two and build the much required gym for Ecole Allain St-Cyr. Let’s stop talking and start doing. Let’s help the children and adolescents of the Yellowknife’s Francophone community by building facilities they need in their schools to reach their full potential. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Gymnasium For Ecole Allain St-Cyr

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Thieves Targeting Unlocked Motor Vehicles

Members’ Statements

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to speak about protecting your property from thieves. I’ve lived in Yellowknife for almost 30 years. There was a time when I remember that most people thought nothing of not locking their homes when they went out shopping or to visit friends, and locking your vehicle was certainly not your first instinct when you arrived at your destination.

Times have changed, Mr. Speaker. Like many Yellowknifers, I have been hit by these roaming bands of thieves who target vehicles that are left unlocked. It didn’t happen at the store. It didn’t happen at work. It happened right in my own driveway. In July I had made the mistake of leaving my wallet in the centre console and the thieves took the couple hundred dollars I had and all the spare change that was in my vehicle that night. Fortunately, the thieves didn’t grab the entire wallet; they were after cash. Again, this was right out of my own driveway.

Mr. Speaker, the RCMP caught a pair of individuals at the beginning of September who they believe were responsible for a number of thefts that were occurring around Yellowknife. However, thieves are still operating in the city, targeting unlocked vehicles. They are looking for items they can sell quickly -- likely phones, cameras, computers, i-Pods -- and any money they can find. These thieves are working many areas of the city: the Finlayson Drive area, Bourque Crescent, Gitzel Street, Con Road and in the downtown core. No area is safe from these thieves who are preying on people who forget to lock their vehicles.

Mr. Speaker, money and goods can be replaced, but when a digital camera is stolen which contains thousands of pictures of children, family and special events, it’s something that just cannot be replaced and you can’t put a price on that type of loss.

I’d like to thank the RCMP for all they’re doing to try to apprehend these thieves and trying to get them off of our streets. They obviously have no respect for other people’s property and think nothing about stealing.

This recent wave of vehicle break-ins undoubtedly speaks to a bigger issue and that is drug use in our city. These thieves, no doubt, are looking for quick cash or something they can turn into quick cash to feed their addiction.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to remind people to lock their doors, especially in their vehicles and in their homes. That is the best deterrent, Mr. Speaker. Just remember to lock your doors. Thank you.

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Thieves Targeting Unlocked Motor Vehicles

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Transfer Of GNWT Positions To Smaller Communities

Members’ Statements

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, today I’ll use my Member’s statement to talk about the decentralization of territorial government positions to smaller communities such as Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution.

Mr. Speaker, the majority of the GNWT positions are staffed here in Yellowknife and the decentralization and delegation of authorities is something we need to look at. We should do so within the regime of this government, the 16th Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I recommend that this government start the process of negotiating a transfer of positions to the smaller communities as soon as possible.

In the past, the GNWT had tradespersons, renewable resource people, social program jobs in smaller communities; however, for some reason or another, many of these positions were eliminated or moved. Mr. Speaker, the employment rates in our small communities paint a dismal picture, and action is needed now. Putting GNWT positions into these smaller communities is one sure way of improving the employment situation in our smaller communities.

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying this cannot occur tomorrow. However, a plan to move in that direction must be implemented as soon as possible. This will not be an easy task. However, creating infrastructure such as office space and housing in itself will begin to narrow the employment gaps that exist between larger communities and smaller communities.

Mr. Speaker, many of our households in the smaller communities rely solely on short-term employment and social programs for income. This creates a

dependence on government resulting in continued spending pressures on the GNWT’s social purse.

Mr. Speaker, if the government is to develop a strategy to move 75 to 100 positions from Yellowknife and the regional centres to small communities with a target to increasing employment rates in smaller communities by 20 percent, immediate positive results would be realized in smaller communities. As well, the overall economic picture of the NWT will also be positively impacted.

Mr. Speaker, today I’ll have questions for the Premier on this at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Transfer Of GNWT Positions To Smaller Communities

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Proposed Mactung Mining Operation

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to go back to a critical and important topic I raised earlier in this session: the proposed Mactung Mine in the Yukon. Over the next 16 years, Vancouver-based North American Tungsten wants to build, operate and eventually close the mine within 1,000 metres of Sahtu land on the NWT/Yukon border.

Mr. Speaker, North American Tungsten plans to mill 2,000 tonnes of ore every day. At peak operation, the mine will send 10 trucks each weighing 40 tonnes down the North CANOL Road every day. The mine requires construction of a dam, water reservoir, a tailings facility and several access roads. Water will be piped from the Hess River to service the mining camp and milling operation. The company also wants to store two million litres of fuel for its power generation at the mine site. Approximately 150 people would work at the mine. All of them will be flown into the mine site.

If the project goes ahead, there will be a major impact on land, water and wildlife in the entire area. These impacts must stop at the border.

Mr. Speaker, when I was a chief negotiator for the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim back in the 1990s, the land on the NWT side of the border was set aside for a park. This is land within one kilometre of the proposed mine. Mr. Speaker, the people of the Sahtu have been waiting for 16 years, the estimated lifespan of the Mactung Mine, for an agreement for a park to be implemented. The land for the proposed park still has to be transferred from the federal government. This transfer hasn’t happened yet because of the environmental cleanup that needs to be done in the areas of the last invasion of Southerners on our land, the CANOL oil pipeline.

Mr. Speaker, if government puts as much energy into tuning up the environment as they do allowing

it to be destroyed, that cleanup work would be done by now. Mr. Speaker, I understand that ENR staff have been working with the Yukon Environment and Parks Canada through their due process for the Mactung Mine. The deadline for comments on this project is November 23rd . Mr. Speaker, we have

less than one month to act on behalf of the Sahtu people and our land. We need to ensure that development that takes place so close to our border will not have a negative impact on the Sahtu people and our land. I’ll have questions for the Minister of ENR at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Proposed Mactung Mining Operation

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Senior Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Most of our elders want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. In that way they can be independent and maintain their dignity. This is less expensive for the government than continuing care. It is not uncommon for the adult son or daughter of an elder to reside in a parent’s home. It is often a good solution, as the elder has someone checking on them every day and they can call upon their son or daughter in a crisis situation.

I have a constituent who lives in her own home and benefits from her son’s presence. Her personal income is basically old age pension and she has received senior’s home subsidy in the past. This past year, with her son’s seasonal income, her household income rose above the qualifying threshold and now her son is unemployed.

Mr. Speaker, we need to recognize extenuating circumstances in the policies and regulations of the seniors’ home heating subsidy. We should make the exception in these types of circumstances where an elder can only continue to live independently with someone else living in the home. I do not think we should include the caretaker’s income in the calculation of net income.

We need to change our guidelines to reflect that they do need assistance at home, otherwise it is a disincentive for family members to stay with their parent and in the long run it will cost government more in continuing care.

I urge the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to review the calculation of the household income thresholds for seniors with these circumstances in mind. Mahsi cho.

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Senior Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Members’ Statements

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about programs and services and also capital this government delivers. Mr. Speaker, we made a political decision to reform our allocation to capital from the spring session to the fall session so we could meet particular demands on ice roads to ensure we had enough time for groups or companies bidding on contracts to be able to resupply those communities and get the materials in. Mr.

Speaker, I think one thing we forgot is the programs and services the government also delivers which depend on a similar type of arrangement, especially through the Housing Corporation for maintenance and assistance programs, seniors programs or the CARE program or other programs we have in government, because they also depend on similar shipping requirements and the building of capital in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard from a constituent of mine who was approved for CARE through the Housing Corporation. The individual came to the community last month and then wasn’t able to get back into his community because of freeze-up. Now the person has half a job done and they are stuck holding the bag and they don’t have any hot water in their home because of the way this contract was let. If anything, these contracts should be let in an allowable time where contractors can deliver on their contracts, can provide good housing programs to our residents and streamline so they do fit with government decision-making such as changing the capital process in the Northwest Territories.

So I would like to, at the appropriate time, ask the Minister of Housing if we have looked at the delivery system, such as CARE, to fall in line with our capital allocations and the budgetary process we have just approved and just gone through so that people aren’t found in a position where they have a plumber coming to do the work, they leave the community and they don’t have any hot water because of freeze-up. Thank you.

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Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Minister’s Statement On Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of years ago, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for the Status of Women met in Iqaluit. In the course of their discussion, they spoke to the Iqaluit City Council. They suggested the idea of naming streets to commemorate violence against women and victims.

Mr. Speaker, the mayor and council of Iqaluit thought it was such a good idea, they voted to name the road which runs by Qimaavik Women’s Shelter in Apex, Angel Street. The mayor said she would call on other Canadian capital cities to create their own Angel Street.

Last month, the capital of Saskatchewan designated a well-travelled city block Angel Square. The mayor of Regina, Pat Fiacco, said the city hoped that victims of violence would find strength in knowing that Angel Square means there are places and people that can help them.

Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories we are all aware that there are adults and children in our Territory who are victims of abuse. We have also had dedicated people who have worked in the system who have tried to stop this violence. Mr. Speaker, I would define many of these people who work in the system to stop the violence as local heroes.

We have special places in our community in the city of Yellowknife such as the Centre for Northern Families and the Alison McAteer House who continue this crusade to protect women and give them a safe place to go. Mr. Speaker, I cannot stress enough how much these organizations provide a lifeline to many women in many situations.

Mr. Speaker, we all know far too many people who have suffered needlessly. Whether you are a man, a woman or a child, violence is violence and it certainly has no place anywhere, Mr. Speaker. So today I will be encouraging the Minister responsible for the Status of Women to ask if she could work in collaboration with the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs to see if we can keep this initiative up here in our Territory to make sure people know we stand against violence and we want people to recognize that we think it is wrong and we can do better working together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister’s Statement On Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak to a situation that has recently been highlighted by one particular remanded individual. This man was arrested, determined to need a psychiatric assessment and held in jail to wait for an appointment for his assessment. It is now some eight months later that he has finally gone out to get the evaluation that he needs.

This may be a one-of-a-kind experience, not the norm, and I certainly hope it’s not the norm, but it is an experience, nevertheless, which should not occur. I understand the courts and the accused

must wait for an available placement date, but to wait eight months? That’s not acceptable, Mr. Speaker.

This particular incident clearly shows us a need for the Department of Justice to evaluate their agreements with external providers. I believe that is Alberta Health agreements regarding psychiatric assessments. What we have now is not working. If Alberta cannot provide timely access to treatment and evaluations, then we must look elsewhere.

Why do we not have agreements with Saskatchewan, Manitoba or British Columbia in addition to Alberta? Better yet, Mr. Speaker, why not establish our own service here in the NWT? Oh, there is not enough demand is the likely answer. But we must think bigger. We must think outside of just the justice box. Who else could use a psychiatric assessment centre? Well, Education and Health and Social Services for a start. How many children and adults are sent out for testing or assessment for all sorts of disorders? Has the GNWT ever considered establishing such a centre in the NWT? I suspect not.

We are still too bound to our department silos. Each department is protecting their own turf, looking inward and not outward. An NWT psychiatric assessment and testing centre would not only be used by the courts but by education authorities, health authorities and possibly NGOs. The program review office of the government is supposed to be the area of government looking for efficiencies. I challenge that office to try this one on for size, to find the efficiencies in this situation.

Calculate how much money is spent sending children, patients and criminals out for assessment and testing, and then compare that to the cost of our own centre in the NWT. I suspect we will be surprised. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice . Thank you.

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Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a great pleasure to recognize today Arlene Hache, the executive director of the Centre for Northern Families and the heart and soul, I suspect, of the organization as well. With her is a good healthy contingent of keen supporters of the Centre for Northern Families. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . I would like to welcome everyone in the gallery today. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to have an audience in here.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for the Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources . Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been reviewing the proposal for the Mactung Mine to determine what level of involvement it will require. What is the status of this review work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Work is currently underway with other departments to assess how best to move forward about the concerns that have been raised with this proposed development on the Yukon side of the border as it may affect the Northwest Territories with wildlife, water and the environment. So the work is underway. Thank you.

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has said it may affect that. I believe that it will affect the wildlife on our side of the border. I want to ask the Minister, in terms of submitting comments to the proposed project to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board, when will the Minister submit his comments to that board?

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

We are working for the deadline that has been laid out in November. We will be trying to comply and get our comments in by that time. Thank you.

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, will these comments relate to the Sahtu people and to the agreements for the proposed park that is within one kilometre of the mine site?

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

We are going to work closely recognizing the impacts are going to be felt in the Sahtu and the need to be coordinated within the government, be able to make sure that we are looking at things like the Mackenzie for River Basin Trans-Boundary Water Agreement and the bilateral that currently exists between the Yukon and the Northwest Territories as well as what role MVEIRB may play as we try to raise the issues to protect our interests in this proposed project.

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be working with the Sahtu people through the various meetings between now and the deadline for

submission to the Yukon Environmental Assessment Board? Would the Minister work closely with the Sahtu people?

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

We will be working in a collaborative fashion, as we do in many circumstances like with the caribou and other related issues to water, to make sure that we coordinate our efforts, that while we put forward the GNWT position, it is in conjunction with the collaboration with the people of the Sahtu and the aboriginal governments so that we have as coordinated a response as possible. Thank you.

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Question 136-16(4): Proposed Mactung Mining

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Question 137-16(4): Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about an initiative called Angel Street and it is about naming, as I said earlier, streets in recognition of violence. My question will be to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister responsible for the Status of Women be able to work in collaboration with the Minister responsible for Community Affairs about trying to raise the profile of this initiative to a territorial level in the Northwest Territories here and see if we can get more uptake from our municipalities in recognition of this problem out there? Thank you.

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Question 137-16(4): Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Ms. Lee .

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Question 137-16(4): Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for bringing this issue to the attention of the House. I would be happy to consult with my colleagues in Cabinet as well as on the other side, as well as municipal leaders and the Status of Women and the Native Women’s Association of the NWT to learn more about this initiative and see how we could implement it. Thank you.

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Question 137-16(4): Designation Of Street Names To Commemorate Victims Of Violence

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every night up to 23 women find shelter from violent and abusive homes. If there were no Centre for Northern Families, these victims would have nowhere to go. We can imagine the financial and human cost of their being trapped in dangerous situations.

Just putting these people in a $100 per night hotel room would cost the GNWT more than twice the $409,000 in annual funding provided by the GNWT. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if she can tell me what contingency plan and at what cost is being put in place to replace the programs and services lost if the centre closes its doors. Thank you.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services , Ms. Lee .

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I am well aware of the fact that the Centre for Northern Families provides a very valuable service to marginalized and vulnerable homeless women living in Yellowknife. I am also aware that the centre has experienced cash flows and debt issues and that it is having a difficult financial time. Our department and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment have been working with the Centre for Northern Families. We will continue to work to look at what the financial challenges are and look for some solutions as to how we could go about working on debt reduction and increasing capacity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

I appreciate that support from the Minister. Hopefully it came from the department. I am certain that if it didn’t, it came from the centre in making sure the government has been involved. Again, I don’t know what support is being offered there. I don’t know what assurance there is. Is the Minister committing to assure us that the centre will not be closed and its programs will continue? I will leave it at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Mr. Speaker, the financial difficulties of the centre has been an issue that has been ongoing for many, many years. The government has provided funding to the centre under different programs. We very much value the services that they provide. What we need to do is to work with them. We are working with them to find out more of the details about their financial difficulties and then to see how we could…We need to determine what is being underfunded and what options we have to secure their financial stability. Right now we don’t have all of the details on their financial situation in terms of exactly what is leading to the deficit situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

I would ask why the Minister isn’t on top of the details, but I’m sure we would hear nothing and use up a lot of time in response. I would like to know, Mr. Speaker -- the increase in the budget for the centre that has happened over the years is pitiful compared to the forced growth increases in this government over the last five years alone -- what is the Minister doing to address this shortfall and to start providing real support in terms of real costs that are being dealt with in

dealing with real human lives? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

I don’t think it is helpful for us to go through all of the financial details. I think there is some disagreement about what should be funded and such, but I just want to say I am proud of the work that the centre does. I recognize the important work that the centre does. It is an integral part of a spectrum of services that we need to provide not only in Yellowknife, but also for a lot of people that use their service all across the Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, actually, of the level of funding that we have provided to the centre too, so it is not always about how much money you receive. I could give you the details of how much government has funded over the years. The fact is, we agreed that this centre is under financial difficulty. We are saying, along with the Education, Culture and Employment staff who are our senior management and have been meeting with the centre to get to more clear and precise answers as to why we are where we are in terms of their financial difficulty and what options we have to resolve those. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . Your final supplementary, Mr. Bromley .

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

The Minister seems to insist on talking about details, and thinking that I am asking for details, and insisting she needs more details, and insisting on meeting about more details. What is needed here is decisive action to support this centre that provides a very important service. For example, this centre is paying $40,000 per year for rent on the building that they are in to the Housing Corporation. Is the Minister acting to work to get that forgiven or to provide funding specifically for that?

The Centre for Northern Families has an option to provide important advice to the child and family services review. Will the Minister provide support so that the centre can provide that important advice? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

Range Lake

Sandy Lee

Minister of Health and Social Services

Mr. Speaker, in the fiscal year 2007-08, we have government departments combined, between Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, the Housing Corporation and MACA, about $940,000 to the organization. I understand and I appreciate; I am not going to challenge that. I have too much respect for the work that this centre does to argue about details of the money here, because I want to respect their privacy rights and such.

What I am saying is we value the work that they do. We are committed to working with them to support them, and that, in order for us to ensure financial stability of this organization in the long run, we need to get at what is causing the shortfall.

I believe that most of their debt is with Revenue Canada and it is not something that we could deal with by just writing the cheque. We need to get to the bottom of how do we work together and how do we get the long-term solution. I am committed as a Minister to have our officials meet and work together on that. They have met a number of times with the board and we will continue to do so.

With respect to funding for the standing committee process, I believe that is a separate budget item in this House that has to be dealt with by the committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 138-16(4): Centre For Northern Families Funding Difficulties

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee . The honourable Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Justice . In my Member’s statement I spoke to a particular situation which, unfortunately, transpired over the last eight to nine months, and I wonder if the Minister could explain to me why this particular individual had to endure an eight-month wait before he could get out for an assessment. Thank you.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . The honourable Minister of Justice , Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I do believe this certain circumstance is before the courts. Really, the case is before the court currently and I cannot, therefore, comment any further on this particular case. Mahsi.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Ms. Bisaro , did you have another question that is not pertaining to the... Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question was addressed to the process, not to the individual. I wonder if the Minister could explain to me, and to the House, what our current situation is with regard to agreements that we have for providers of...who we have who provides psychiatric assessments for us in the NWT, who they’re with and what our situation is with that. Thank you.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the assessment, we deal with the Alberta hospital and Alberta jurisdiction. Those are the agreements that we have to deal with these inmates that are going through the process. But, certainly, we can gather more information for the Member on the numbers of agreements that we have in place with other jurisdictions, as the Member alluded to earlier. Mahsi.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

I appreciate the offer from the Minister to get me the information on who we have agreements with and where they are. I presume most of our agreements are with Edmonton or

Calgary organizations. But I wonder, if we have agreements with outside of Alberta, with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, B.C., etcetera, or if we have them with a number of different communities or cities, how is it that as a matter of course it takes an awfully long time for an inmate to get a psychiatric assessment? Thank you.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Justice

Mr. Speaker, there are psychiatric assessments being done recently with Alberta, but we have to work with the Alberta government, the hospital there. It’s all based on the beds that are available. That’s why it took some time. Then there was a bed available, so that gave us the opportunity to assist the individual. So, certainly, Mr. Speaker, we deal directly with Alberta, but I have to gather more information on outside of Alberta, if there are any agreements. As far as I know, there are agreements particularly with Alberta. Mahsi.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Your final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister for that. I guess I would reiterate that if we are dealing only with Alberta and that’s not suiting our needs, then we need to look beyond Alberta and look to other jurisdictions and make agreements with other hospitals, other organizations, other provinces.

My final question to the Minister has to do with the suggestion in my Member’s statement. As the Minister responsible for Justice and several other departments, I’d like to ask him to comment on the suggestion whether or not the department has ever considered the possibility of developing our own psychiatric assessment and treatment centre here in the NWT. Thank you.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Justice

Certainly I need to get back to my department on what kind of discussions they’ve had in the past or current. If they have discussed options or alternative measures to deal with that assessment tool, then certainly we can discuss those alternatives as the Member discussed earlier, possibly dealing with other jurisdictions. Those are discussions that we need to have. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 139-16(4): Psychiatric Assessments Capacity

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier and it gets back to some of the questions that I had last week when it comes to devolution and resource revenue sharing. I just wanted to follow up a little bit on that, if I could. I’ve spoken in the past about the approach the Government of the Northwest

Territories is taking to devolution and I’m wondering why the Government of the Northwest Territories wouldn’t look at an incremental approach to devolution, specifically in the area of minerals, oil and gas. I’d like to ask the Premier that question. Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Premier , Mr. Roland .

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process that’s been engaged by previous governments and the process we picked up on was one that included a package combination of devolution and resource revenue sharing. It engaged the aboriginal leadership across the Territories. We started off on that footing, as well, and looked for an additional infrastructure commitment from the federal government attached to that. That’s the process we would go. If we want to change the approach, then we would have to relook at that file to see if, in fact, we wanted to take it down, as we have in the past.

For example, when health and social services was transferred to the Northwest Territories, transportation and so on. Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Yes, with health and transportation, those are areas of our operation that cost us money. When I talk about minerals, oil and gas, those are areas of our operation where, if done properly and we get control over those areas, we could actually benefit, fiscally benefit from the federal government devolving those responsibilities to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Last week I also mentioned the fact that it’s close to $300 million that the federal government is currently taking in resource revenue from the Northwest Territories. So I’d like to ask the Premier , if it does take us changing gears, how could that happen? Would he engage the aboriginal leaders across the Territory and we could go after minerals, oil and gas with the aboriginal governments’ say in that as well? Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Mr. Speaker, indeed, the approach would be through the regional leaders table that we’ve established. Our next meeting will be later on during this month and the devolution and resource revenue sharing re-engagement with the federal government will be one of the items we’ll be having discussions on. Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Again, the reason this is becoming important, we’re talking recently about changes to the diamond policy area and the fact that the Government of the Northwest Territories really doesn’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to trying to ensure that the producing mines here in the Territory offer up the value-added industry that we’re trying to support as a government. So, again, I’d like to ask the Premier , will the Premier put that item on the agenda when the regional leaders meet again in November? Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Mr. Speaker, I would say that, number one, through our socio-economic agreements with the industry, we have secured a supply of rough diamonds potentially for our own secondary industry and that’s why it’s been going on for as long as it has. Secondly, the commitment to sit down at the regional leaders table, I did make that. We are going to be sitting down with them later on this month and re-engagement of devolution and resource revenue sharing will be one of the items that we will have discussion on so we can incorporate just to what level we’d like to see that re-engagement happen on. Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay .

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, my questions last week and questions again today are based on the fact that I just don’t see us making any progress. I’d like to ask the Premier , how are we going to ensure that in the next two years we see some progress on these files, specifically on minerals, oil and gas and the devolution of those responsibilities to the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Mr. Speaker, number one, there has not been an initiative specifically on minerals, oil and gas. The devolution and resource revenue sharing has been a package put together, and at some point we’ll have to discuss if we even keep those two packages together. But this will take a discussion at the regional leaders table, because as has been shown in the past, without the support of regional leaders, the federal government isn’t too keen on moving forward, either without ourselves as the GNWT at the table or without regional leaders at the table. So the partnership approach is the best one and we’re working on that. Thank you.

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Question 140-16(4): Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Krutko .

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of the Housing Corporation in regard to the whole area of housing program delivery and also the change the government has made in regard to our capital estimates where we now approve the capital in the fall time so that we can deliver it through the winter months and have the jobs, hopefully, completed within a shorter time frame. I’d just like to ask the Minister of Housing exactly what is his department doing to correlate his programs with the change that we’ve made as government in regard to capital and also to ensure that people who apply on the home repair programs can get the programs, but,

more importantly, have those programs completed within a reasonable time frame? Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko . The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a concern that I’ve had raised to me personally by some contractors on the delivery of the contracting and how he thought if they had the contracts out sooner, they’d get a better delivery time. This is a discussion that I’ll commit to the Member that I will have with the department and we’ll see if we can work it out so it’s all in line with the capital process that we go through in the fall time so the contracts and materials can be let a lot sooner than they are now. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, I’m also talking about the whole area of the delivery care programs in regard to seniors’ home repair programs and also in regard to the programs that people depend on. I mentioned in my Member’s statement that there’s a situation I have in McPherson where a contract was let, the company came in from Inuvik in October, then the ferry went out in Tsiigehtchic. So, basically, the contractor never came back and he only did half the work.

I’d just like to ask the Minister if there’s a possibility of looking at those types of contracts going out at a reasonable time so they’re put out, say, after Christmas or whatnot, and people are able to access the communities through the Winter Road Program or even the summer highway program, but do it in a reasonable time. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, the application process that’s going through right now, we’re hoping to have all these folks approved as soon as possible, so then the ordering of the materials can start, so it would fit into the scenario that the Member mentioned, because it is a concern as to the lateness of some of these contracts being started and we are taking steps to ensure that we’re out there quick and the work can get done a lot quicker than it is now. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, my next question to the Minister is about a situation that we have in McPherson where we have a half-completed contract, and now the homeowner does not have any hot running water because they never finished installing the hot water tank. So I’d like to ask the Minister, is there a possibility that the local housing authority or the Minister’s office direct the housing authority to complete the work and have it charged back to the contractor who never completed the work? Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware of the particular situation the Member is speaking of, but I will commit to the Member that I will look into it. If a contract has been signed with a

contractor, then he would be asked to honour that contract and if he doesn’t, then other alternate arrangements will be made and if there are some costs to be borne, they would be borne by the contractor. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Krutko .

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

David Krutko

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to reviewing programs and services of the government, again back to my original question, is that we have to also look at the program delivery side, not only the capital construction side, and see if we can correlate them so that they basically flow together. I’d just like to ask the Minister and his fellow colleagues of the ministry to work together to ensure that we correlate all our programs and services in consideration that we changed our capital planning process, but I think it should also apply to the program side. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

We are always trying to improve the delivery of our programs. We do evaluations every so often and this could be one of the things that we could have a look at and if there’s an opportunity there to change the process so we deliver our programs a lot quicker, more efficiently and have everything on the ground sooner, then I’ll commit to the Member that we’ll look into that. Thank you.

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Question 141-16(4): Impacts Of Fall Capital Budget On Program Delivery

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke about the need to look at placing some GNWT positions into smaller communities to address the employment rates in these communities. I have questions for the Premier .

Mr. Speaker, I understand a committee was formed in either the 13th or the 14th Assembly to look at

decentralization. Can the Premier tell me what the mandate of that committee was and if there was any final report from that committee?

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The honourable Premier , Mr. Roland .

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d have to get more details to do a full response to the Member, which I will commit to doing, but I believe it was the 14th Assembly. And if we’re on

the same path here, the 14th Assembly was doing

some work in regard to federal decentralization of positions out of Ottawa to the North. Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Can the Premier tell me if this government has a strategy to close the employment

rate gap that exists between larger communities and smaller communities? Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

There’s a number of initiatives that we’ve undertaken during the 16th Assembly when it comes to looking at program delivery or the way we deliver our programs in our communities across the North. Looking at that scenario and having to come back to Members to see if we will change the way we do our delivery could have an impact on the level of delivery and the level of services in our community. So that work is ongoing now, as a Legislative Assembly, along with the cost of living scenario where we’re looking at a number of fronts, looking at what we need to do differently as a government as well. Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Speaking specifically about decentralization, would the Premier commit to having discussions with the departments, through the Ministers, of course, to discuss, examine and develop some sort of strategy for transferring GNWT positions into the smaller communities? Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

As this work is being done about how we deliver our programs and services in our communities and in light of the question from the Member, I’d be happy to, once we pull this information together, sit down with Members and go through what options may be presented as to how we deliver those services, and that could have an impact to the levels of services and employment in communities. Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . Your final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Premier commit to giving direction to departments through the Minister to take a serious look at what functions can be delegated to the smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Premier

A practice that we’ve had as this Assembly, and because I’m familiar with previous exercises, as well, whenever we go through our business planning process we do look at the level of services and how we carry out business across government, whether it is in growth or when we tighten our belts, so to speak.

So getting direction and myself setting direction for this Assembly I would, again, go back to the Members and in line with this questioning the work we’re doing already on program service delivery in our communities is to sit down with Members to look at that information to see if we would set up an additional piece of work to look at what steps would follow on that work we’re doing. Thank you.

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Question 142-16(4): Decentralization Of GNWT Positions To Small Communities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland . The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement on the Seniors’ Home Fuel Subsidy Program to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

At this time of year we’ve got our elders that want to access this program. Maybe the Minister can just tell me a little bit about the program and some of the guidelines around it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Certainly the subsidies for the cost of home heating fuel for winter months for resident seniors aged 60 and older who own their own home and meet the income tests is one of the criteria. It provides an income scale and fuel scale depending on the length of the heating season. Community income threshold and fuel scale divide into three zones depending on which communities they are from. So those are the areas just capturing some of the policies that we follow through the program that we offer. Mahsi.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

I’d like to thank the Minister for that answer there. It kind of details it a bit for myself and the public out there. I had raised this issue because there’s an elder in my community of Fort Simpson, as well as the other communities that I represent, Wrigley, Nahanni Butte, and I’m sure in other ridings as well, we have the issue where the elder or the senior is living at home and through no fault of their own they want their son or their daughter to live with them, but it’s household income that is, I believe, one of the determining factors.

So I’d like to ask the Minister, here we’ve got a sector or specific group, is there a way that we can change the guidelines, include a caretaker or a portion that maybe their income can be exempted?

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

We did make some changes to our programming back in April of 2008 where we’ve increased the threshold of $10,000 so that it did benefit some of the elders in the communities. But with respect to more changes, we’re always re-evaluating a program where it’s based on the household income. A caretaker, it can be generic where a caretaker could be making upwards of $100,000 living with a grandma. We can’t just ignore that, Mr. Speaker, and certainly those are the assessments that we need to undertake. Now we’re looking at options of individual elders in a household having two or three individuals living with them, whether it be their grandchildren or children, not to penalize the elder,

but those individuals that are making a wealth of income. So those are options that we’re currently working with and we need more input from the communities and also the MLAs. So those are the program changes that we’re certainly looking forward to. Mahsi.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Certainly there’s a whole range of different family living arrangements. Certainly those that can afford it, should afford it, Mr. Speaker, but I’m talking about cases where the elder or senior needs that caretaking ability and often it’s a son or a daughter. I’m asking, can we look at the Seniors’ Home Fuel Subsidy Program, can we re-evaluate some of the parameters and guidelines and look at an exemption for caretaker? I don’t know; government has to design it. So that’s what I’d like to see there. Thank you.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Those are the areas that we can certainly look at. I believe we have looked at, as a department, how we can get around where a caregiver is looking after a grandma or a grandpa or a parent so we don’t penalize the household based on their income, but we have to reassess the household where what kind of income is coming in, how can we exempt in certain areas. So those are the discussions that we’re currently having. Certainly there are going to be changes. We’ll certainly notify the standing committee. If it’s going to be a positive impact in the communities with the seniors, certainly we’ll provide that information. Mahsi.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Your final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Minister did indicate they just reviewed it in 2008. Do they have plans to review the income thresholds of this program any time soon? Perhaps this year? Thank you.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We just wasted last year -- April -- and we did an implementation. So those are the discussions that we’re currently having. What kind of other changes should we undertake? If it’s going to be a threshold increase, we need to find out the cost factor and/or exemption in the household. So that discussion is ongoing and if there is, like I said, any changes, I’ll be more than willing to come back to the standing committee and get their input in the future of possible changes. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 143-16(4): Seniors Fuel Subsidy Income Threshold

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs . Many NWT residents spend time in our larger population centre from time

to time and, in fact, of course, the Minister spends a great deal of time in Yellowknife each year. I’ve got a challenging question for him. I know from time to time he’s here with his family members and so on. Can the Minister, perhaps even with the help of his colleagues, tell us what numbers you’d call in Yellowknife to contact the police, to contact the fire department and to call an ambulance? Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. Robert McLeod .

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s 873-1111 and 873-2222. Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

The Minister did indeed do very well. Recent polls show that the majority of Yellowknifers, and in fact in the Territories, could not do nearly so well. In fact, to this day I couldn’t have done it myself. However, knowing this, that the majority of people do not know those numbers offhand, that delays, of course, result in injuries and possibly more serious concerns. Knowing that 911 is technically feasible throughout much if not all of the NWT, why is the Minister stubbornly denying -- stubbornly denying -- the 911 service? Mahsi.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Some Hon. Members

Oooh.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

The money that we flow to the communities is part of their capital formula funding and is part of the gas tax money. We flow that to the communities. Questions were raised to me by other Members of the Assembly on infrastructure in their communities and I tell them that we flow the capital infrastructure money if projects they speak of meet the criteria. I think money that we flow to the city, the money that we flow to the seven communities that are the ones that were mentioned in the report comes close to $17 million and if those communities want to use that money to implement a 911 service, then they would have the authority and the funds to do so. Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Of course, this is a territorial-wide issue, it’s not just those communities. My understanding is that, indeed, the City of Yellowknife, for example, has already put up significant dollars and is willing to do more there, but I was ruled out of order on Friday for speaking about both 911 service and a cell phone ban. So I will now ask the most important question equally critical to both examples. How can the Minister justify the failure to protect the health and safety of the majority of citizens in these two cases when all the evidence of need, feasibility, economy, public desire and government responsibility call him to act in the public interest and take these two steps? Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we do take the safety of the residents in the Northwest

Territories very seriously. I’ll make that point quite clear. The seven communities that are in question here, there are a couple of them that have said that they’re not planning on 911 at this particular time. The one I spoke to in particular said they’re looking to enhance their own emergency services before they go to the next step of implementing 911.

The communities have it within their means to provide this service. Obviously it’s an important service for the city, because they initiated the report -- and I commend them for that -- and they believe it’s a service that’s needed in the city. So they would have to take that first step. They have the money to put the infrastructure in place.

We have many concerns that I have heard from some of the other communities and when we talk about a territorial-wide initiative, because it’s the seven largest communities in the Territories doesn’t make it a territorial-wide initiative. We still have 26 other communities out there.

I just want to assure the communities and the public, we do take the safety of our public very seriously. Money is provided to all communities to act on the priorities that they set in their communities and if 911 was a priority in Yellowknife, then they do have some funding from the government to make that come about. Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Bromley .

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was sort of with the Minister for awhile there, but once again he put it onto the small communities versus large communities. I think it’s a most unfortunate argument when we are talking about the safety of people and what’s achievable and where our responsibilities lie. So I guess I’d like clarifications from the Minister on that question, the banning of use of cell phones while driving and other devices, for example, simply because it only protects people in the larger centres.

Does this Minister agree with his own reported reasoning that because there is no application to small communities, that is reasonable grounds? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the public is waiting to hear that.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I don’t think I gave the impression of small towns versus big communities. I have been hearing that argument a lot. I have no intention of saying anything of the sort. We are the Government of the Northwest Territories and that includes all 33 communities and not just seven. There are opportunities there that see 911 as a priority, to use the money that is given to them by this government to enhance their emergency services. That includes 911 and, Mr. Speaker, that would be a decision that they have to make.

I have already said I have heard from a couple of communities that are not going to pursue 911 at the

moment. They would like to enhance their own emergency service. We do provide the service. Someone has to respond and if we don’t have a proper emergency response service, then 911 would really be no good. Thank you.

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Question 144-16(4): 911 Emergency Telephone Service

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable M