Debates of March 4th, 2022

This is page numbers 3755 - 3792 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was know .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Advancing Energy Infrastructure Projects

Transfer of Lands

Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Salvation Army

Arctic Inspiration Prize

Raising the Roof Non-Profit Involvement of Sara Morris

Salt River Homelessness Pilot Project

Fiscal Responsibility Policy

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Youth Funding Gaps

Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Non-Profit Organization Funding

Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Public Service Position Growth

Arctic Winter Games

Public Service Position Decentralization

Fiscal Responsibility Policy

Student Financial Assistance

Tabled Document 585-19(2): Workers' Advisor Office Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2021 Annual Report

Tabled Document 586-19(2): Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut 2022 Corporate Plan

Tabled Document 587-19(2): Follow-Up Letter for Oral Question 910-19(2): Fort Good Hope Seniors Home

Tabled Document 588-19(2): Letter dated January 21, 2022, from Salt River First Nation to Minister responsible for Homelessness regarding Money for Homelessness Pilot Project

Bill 46:

An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Tabled Document 561-19(2): Main Estimates 2022-2023 Justice - Deferral of Department

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

The House met at 10:04 a.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 3755

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Infrastructure .

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Minister's Statement 221-19(2): Advancing Energy Infrastructure Projects

Ministers' Statements

Page 3755

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyananni. Energy is crucial to everyday life in the North, whether it's turning the lights on, TV to operating computers or equipment to get work done, residents and businesses in the Northwest Territories depend on access to reliable and affordable electricity. That is why the Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a priority to increase the use of alternative and renewable energy to help stabilize the cost of power.

The GNWT is making progress on key energy infrastructure projects that will assist us in meeting the needs of the NWT communities, residents, and businesses. To do this, we must continue to invest in the energy infrastructure that we already have to ensure we can continue to provide reliable and affordable electricity.

The overhaul of the Snare and Taltson hydro systems are two such projects. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation, which is a Crown corporation of the GNWT, is taking the lead on these two important projects.

Components of the Snare and Taltson generating facilities are approaching or have exceeded their expected lifespan. We need to upgrade these facilities and we need to do it now. This work will ensure continued reliability of these systems and avoid unexpected shutdowns that would result in burning diesel power to communities served by the Snare and Taltson, instead of using renewable hydroelectricity. The NWT has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

In addition to the Inuvik Wind Project there are three other energy infrastructure projects that the GNWT is advancing to help meet these commitments identified in the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework and the 2030 Energy Strategy are the Fort Providence-Kakisa Transmission Line, the Whati Transmission Line, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project.

Both transmission projects would essentially eliminate the use of diesel for electricity generation in these communities and displace up to 4,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The proposed 170-kilometre Fort Providence-Kakisa Transmission Line Project would use surplus hydropower from the Taltson system and $45 million in federal funding, in addition to the $15 million in GNWT funding, which have been secured to build it. We plan to submit a land use permit application for this project with the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board this spring.

As for the Whati Transmission Line Project, the proposed 60-kilometre transmission line will tap into the surplus hydropower from the Snare system in the North Slave. This transmission line would be located almost entirely on Tlicho lands and Tlicho government to support the project. The GNWT is committed to partnering with the Tlicho government on this project and a key next step is to develop a technical study that will identify an acceptable transmission line corridor for the project.

The GNWT also continues to work with Indigenous partners on the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project. The proposed project would connect the Taltson system to Yellowknife's Snare and Bluefish hydro systems as well set the stage for energy corridor providing clean and new existing industrial customers north and south of the Great Slave Lake.

The GNWT has signed a MOU with the Akaitcho Dene First Nation and NWT Metis Nation and work is progressing on a preliminary business case for the project and transmission route options.

These projects will help meet the energy needs of our territory by using clean renewable resources right here in our backyard.

As we enter the final two years of this 19th Legislative Assembly, the GNWT is committed to advancing energy infrastructure projects in partnership with communities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and in a way that maximizes benefits for Northerners. Quyananni.

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Minister's Statement 221-19(2): Advancing Energy Infrastructure Projects

Ministers' Statements

Page 3755

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Lands .

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Minister's Statement 222-19(2): Transfer of Lands

Ministers' Statements

Page 3755

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, building a strong local economy has been a significant focus of this Legislative Assembly. Making more land available to community governments means more business opportunities that help build stronger local economies.

This past December, the Department of Lands shared a process guide for transferring land within municipal community boundaries with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. This was the essential step in support of this mandate commitment to reduce the municipal funding gap. This guide is also being shared directly with all NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands initially created a process guide for the transfer of public land to the City of Yellowknife. That document has now been adapted for use by all communities in the Northwest Territories. As we know, each community's capacity to administer and manage land is different. The Department of Lands and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to work together to ensure communities are set up for success.

Mr. Speaker, the value of land that has been transferred to community governments from 2017-2021 is approximately $5.2 million. Under the Land Pricing Policy, the GNWT transfers selected public land, for a nominal fee, to community governments. This is done so the maximum benefit of the land value can be realized by the community.

The GNWT understands and respects the importance of land selection when negotiating Aboriginal rights agreements. For this reason, the Department relies on interim land withdrawals and our consultation process to protect land selection and land interests.

Mr. Speaker, this process guide will help both community governments who can already accept land transfers, as well as those communities who are hoping to do so in the future. It is a supportive document that explains what is to be expected and outlines the process and the timelines. In some cases, there will be additional work needed before land transfer can happen, such as ensuring community plans are in place and bylaws are up to date. The Department of Lands works with other GWNT departments to ensure that parcels of land can be transferred as requested to community governments.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, we transfer the land for a nominal fee but the value is certainly not nominal when it comes to reducing the municipal funding gap. The Department of Lands looks forward to working with all community governments so we can better understand their land needs and interests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 222-19(2): Transfer of Lands

Ministers' Statements

Page 3755

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Member's Statement 989-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Members' Statements

Page 3755

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Since our last sitting, we've received the good news that a Canada-NWT Childcare Agreement has been reached promising $10 a day childcare for parents across the Northwest Territories. Excellent news, but how's it going to actually work?

The first big issue is putting money in the parents' hands who have continued to pay for childcare since the deal was signed. Ottawa requires that money under the agreement flow to the childcare providers. So how does it move on from there on to the parents who pay the childcare invoices? How will this affect the GNWT's existing funding agreements with providers? Will this create an administrative burden for licensed childcare providers?

Another big issue is infrastructure. Can any portion of these funds be spent on the construction or remodelling of facilities to create new childcare spaces? This agreement is only as good as the space available for the programming and we still have many communities without quality childcare. What's the story with this agreement and whether it includes infrastructure funding?

Roll out to communities is another area of uncertainty and possibly a source of real inequity. In the larger communities, it may be possible to retool existing spaces but in smaller communities, surplus or any space may be lacking. How many years will it take to ensure equitable access to childcare across all the communities of the Northwest Territories and will this new agreement actually help?

And finally, the long-term. The last Assembly committed in its original mandate to a plan for universal childcare before 2019 then rolled that commitment back halfway through the Assembly term and I was the only MLA to speak against this rollback.

The 2015 feasibility study of universal affordable daycare in the Northwest Territories pegged the cost of universal childcare, at that point, at $20 million a year. It's not clear whether GNWT's committed to maintaining the universal and affordable childcare after this five-year agreement ends. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and how we make this a truly good news story. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 989-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Members' Statements

Page 3756

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Member's Statement 990-19(2): Salvation Army

Members' Statements

Page 3756

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've now been in this role long enough that I've seen many of my constituents break the cycle of addiction and break the cycle of homelessness. And, Mr. Speaker, I cannot thank the work of countless staff in our non-profits who have helped my constituents along this journey. But, Mr. Speaker, our non-profits and NGO, who provide services that are essential to government, are stretched so thin you can see through them. And sadly, when we ask our non-profits to run these services, they are struggling to get staff as many of their staff are leaving for higher GNWT wage jobs, Mr. Speaker.

We continue to see an uptake in clients needing mental health and recovery programs in the post-COVID world, Mr. Speaker. And many of our non-profits are picking up the slack on this, and we need to support them.

Today, on my statement I'd like to focus in on one nonprofit, and that is the Salvation Army, Mr. Speaker. The Salvation Army, they have the mental health program which helps the needs of 24 people with very complex mental health needs, and I know if this program didn't exist it's inevitably a bill that the Department of Health and Social Services would have to pick up at a much higher cost. However, Mr. Speaker, they have not seen an increase in funding for that program in eight years.

Just up one floor, they have their withdrawal management service, Mr. Speaker; a program that is essential in helping people get off alcohol, go to a southern treatment centre, and they've recently expanded it to have six months of support after. I know the priority of aftercare in this government, but that is another program that has not changed funding in over seven years, Mr. Speaker.

We can't keep asking our non-profits to run programs without an increase in funding and with support.

And if you go one building over, Mr. Speaker, there's the Bailey House. The Bailey House provides three years of transitional housing support. I have seen many of my constituents use the Bailey House as support to get into permanent housing and end homelessness. However, Mr. Speaker, that program has not seen an increase in funding since 2009.

Mr. Speaker, this is not just one nonprofit. This is how many of their budgets look. We do not increase their funding with inflation. We do not review these contracts. And at some point, if someone has been providing a service for over a decade and we know it's working, we need to turn that into block funding, guarantee it, and make sure it increases every year along with inflationary pressures. I'll have questions today for the Minister of Finance on how we can accomplish that goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 990-19(2): Salvation Army

Members' Statements

Page 3756

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .

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Member's Statement 991-19(2): Arctic Inspiration Prize

Members' Statements

Page 3756

Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, tonight I'll be tuning in to watch the Arctic Inspiration awards. Due to COVID, their event will be held virtually again.

Mr. Speaker, for those who do not know what the Arctic Inspiration Award is, if you look to their website it states the AIP is the largest annual prize in Canada by celebrating and providing SEED funding to northern teams with innovative projects. The AIP supports Northerners in bringing initiatives to life that bring about the changes they want to see in their communities.

The Arctic Inspiration Prize is by the North and for the North and is a community of people and groups including Indigenous organizations, academia, governments, nongovernmental organization, industry, philanthropy, media and arts, culture and organizations who share a common goal - to recognize northern innovation and excellence and encourage team work for the betterment of the life in Canada's north.

Every year, they have a million dollar prize awarded. Up to four awards for 500K and up to seven youth awards for $100,000. This year, there are two finalists for the $1 million prize - one from the Yukon and one from Nunavik. Good luck to them.

What I'm really excited is to watch the NWT projects. There are two youth finalists in the youth category, and they are both NWT projects:

Treaty Talks; and

Indigenous Youth River Guide Training.

In the AIP 500K category, there are six finalists with four from the NWT:

Support Well-Being;

Hope House;

Fish Camp at Happy's Landing;

Tuktoyaktuk Community Climate Resilience Project.

I'd like to say good luck to all the candidates and all the finalists.

Mr. Speaker, some of the laureate past winners that some may recognize and have made huge impacts in the Northwest Territories are Arctic Indigenous Wellness Project; Foxy, which is Fostering Open Expression among Youth; as well as Western Arctic Youth Collective, who's right now having a youth conference in Inuvik; Dene Heros Publication, just to name a few.

So make sure you tune in tonight and support our NWT finalists. Good luck to all, and I'm sure any project that wins will have a meaningful impact. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 991-19(2): Arctic Inspiration Prize

Members' Statements

Page 3756

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .

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Member's Statement 992-19(2): Raising the Roof Non-Profit Involvement of Sara Morris

Members' Statements

Page 3756

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge outstanding Youth Ambassador Sara Morris, who proudly represents Raising the Roof. Raising the Roof is a non-profit whose vision is that all Canadians have access to a safe stable home and the supports they need to achieve their potential; a goal that is clearly lines up with the priorities of this Assembly.

In this job, where I hear of extreme need and so many desperate stories, Sara gives me hope. She shows me that youth care and want to make their communities better. Sara's passion is to improve the situation for people experiencing homelessness, and in particular youth.

As previously mentioned in this House, in 2018 there were 142 homeless youth under the age of 24 in Yellowknife, mostly Indigenous.

Sara's Support Team NWT campaign has raised $4500 from the sale of masks and toques to support Home Base Yellowknife. These funds are being used to pay down their operating deficit at their youth centre as there is no funding for that program.

With nearly 300 items sold, Sara now has St. Pat's involved in a fundraiser for Home Base until March 11th. For every toque sold, $5 will be going to provide emergency shelter for youth and programs for kids who find themselves with no place to stay at night.

Sara has learned that there are many stereotypes about the homeless, both about them as people and about how they got there. Sara has pushed herself to become more engaged about what is happening in her community and how she can make a difference.

Sara is a full-time high school student and advocates for youth in her spare time. She has found the opportunities in the North and through Raising the Roof mind-blowing. Sara knows that there is so much to be done but hopes that her dedication can speed things up. Sara realizes she has a chance to make a change and she is not passing it up.

Sara has always wanted to help and her mother has been an excellent role model, working at the YWCA for years. As a result, Sara spent a lot of time at Rockhill and when it burnt, she was very sad at the loss of the productive safe community space it was. As she gets older, she often thinks of the people from Rockhill and worries about where they're living and if they're safe.

I am so grateful for youth like Sara. Their big hearts and drive for change is what we need to make our territory prosperous and provide opportunity for everyone.

Find out more about Raising the Roof at www.raisingtheroof.org. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 992-19(2): Raising the Roof Non-Profit Involvement of Sara Morris

Members' Statements

Page 3756

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Member's Statement 994-19(2): Salt River Homelessness Pilot Project

Members' Statements

Page 3756

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today my Member's statement is on growth in public services.

In 2000, a year after NWT and Nunavut split, the NWT had a population of 40,500 people and had a total of 3,548 people in the public service, or approximately one in 12 people work for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Twenty two years later, there is 45,500 people living in the Northwest Territories, and approximately 6,249 people in the public service, or approximately one in seven people work for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Over the past 22 years, territorial population has increased by only 12 percent but we have added 2,701 people to the public service, which is 76 percent increase.

The Government of the Northwest Territories currently spends over $400 million on compensations to employees. If the Government of the Northwest Territories wants to reduce expenditure, it needs to find a way to control growth of positions. The current model is unsustainable. The Minister responsible needs to come up with a short, medium, and long-term plan. I also want to see decentralization addressed as part of this overall plan. We all know that money spent locally contributes to local economic development.

This government has a mandate to increase employment in small communities and to diversify the economy. Mr. Speaker, move positions into regional centres and smaller communities. This will stimulate growth across the territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is the largest employer in the Northwest Territories. Housing is the main problem standing in the way of decentralization. So, Mr. Speaker, this is another reason why the Government of the Northwest Territories needs to address housing stock across small communities. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance later on. Thank you.

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Member's Statement 994-19(2): Salt River Homelessness Pilot Project

Members' Statements

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .

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Member's Statement 994-19(2): Salt River Homelessness Pilot Project

Members' Statements

Page 3757

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start I just want to let my community know that I'm very sorry about the chaos that happened in Fort Smith last night and I'll be home tonight anyways and I'll deal with it.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that homelessness is a huge issue for the NWT and indeed for the country. I mentioned the other day how Fort Smith has 212 people on the housing waiting list who are in line for public housing. Again, some people on that list have been waiting in line for housing for several years with seemingly no end in sight. That is a major problem. And some people fear they will never get to the front of a line to alleviate their housing problems. In fact, I know some people who have given up waiting on that list altogether, and they either moved out of the community or found other situations.

Mr. Speaker, to make matters worse here, there is currently no men's homeless shelter in operation in Fort Smith. There used to be one open before the pandemic but it closed due to social distancing concerns and has not had the funds to reopen.

I sent the Minister of Housing an email on this issue on January the 10th, 2022. And while her staff did acknowledge receipt of that email, I did not receive a formal follow-up about funding for the men's homeless shelter in Fort Smith.

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, Chief Poitras of Salt River First Nation sent a letter to the housing minister on January the 21st, 2022, outlining a brand new housing proposal - to build multi tiny homes in Fort Smith and seeking funds to get it underway. I was copied on that email and I responded right away to voice my strong support for that initiative to the Minister.

Once again, the Minister's staff acknowledged receipt of the letter but never provided any follow-up. It's now been six weeks since the letter was sent.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday at question period during the exchange with my colleague from Kam Lake, the Minister emphasized the need for the fairness and consistency when delivering housing in all communities. I agree with that statement. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

However, I'm not seeing the sentiment of fairness right now that the Minister speaks of in terms of homeless funding across the communities.

In January, right before MLAs were going over the main estimates for housing, that morning we received a document from Spruce Bough for more funding and Cabinet was quick to provide support. It seems in general the NWT Housing Corporation, along with the Finance department, are quick to provide funding to homeless initiatives in the capitol but they seem to lack any desire to fund outside-the-box initiatives elsewhere. It's almost like if the idea didn't come from them or their team, then it's not considered a valid or considerable cost. That is not acceptable.

Mr. Speaker, I don't take issue with funding homeless initiatives in the capitol. What I take issue with is the uneven consideration of homeless initiatives across the board. I know there is still time during this session to negotiate homeless initiatives in the NWT and I will use that time wisely. I will have questions for the Minister of Housing at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 994-19(2): Salt River Homelessness Pilot Project

Members' Statements

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Member's Statement 995-19(2): Fiscal Responsibility Policy

Members' Statements

Page 3757

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have come into this House as a Member for Kam Lake , and I have watched us creep up against our debt borrowing limit. I recognize we are a small government serving a small population spread over one million kilometers and that our fiscal resources are spread thin to build infrastructure and provide the needed services for our residents.

This Assembly, with approval from the federal government, increased our debt borrowing limit by $500 million in 2020 and put our total debt borrowing limit up to $1.8 billion. Currently, we have just over $103 million in room to borrow before we reach our limit again. With one more fire or flood or other natural disaster, we could be in a very difficult financial situation, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have the largest territorial borrowing limit of all of the territories and unfortunately, when compared to our neighbours, our economy is heading in the wrong direction.

Over 2019-2020, while the NWT economic shrank by 10.9 percent, Yukon and Nunavut grew by 5.2 percent and 2.6 percent respectively. Our neighbours are experiencing growth in their economy through mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.

We are a government that is made possible by federal transfers. This has provided stability to our government through the pandemic but, over the long-term, it is concerning as our economy continues to shrink.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot let the GNWT become the NWT economy. We need to make smart investments and be proactive to stimulate growth in the private sector now more than ever. Mr. Speaker, our fiscal responsibility policy is supposed to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. And while we are in compliance with this policy, I'm concerned whether we are truly headed in a fiscally sustainable position.

The previous Assembly recognized that the GNWT's financial situation was unsustainable with not enough money coming in to pay off growing expenses and debt. And since then, we have only increased our debt, Mr. Speaker.

We entered this Assembly to find out that there was not a lot left over for the priorities of the people we each serve, and I am concerned about the fiscal position we will leave for the next Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Member's Statement 995-19(2): Fiscal Responsibility Policy

Members' Statements

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is probably a Member's statement, and I apologize to my colleagues here today.

I'm very fortunate, thanks to COVID and the regulations changing, my family, my daughter from Calgary, Nancy, and my two grandsons, Jacob and Brady, came in last night so we went to Bullocks and did the traditional food there. As well as my daughter Jacqueline, her husband Brendan, my grandson Ezerah that's looking through the window there, really -- who's been really, really great. And Brett, my newest grandson is in the back there. As well as my baby -- my personal baby, and that's Steven there. So thank you very much for coming here. I greatly appreciate you being here and spending the weekend with me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Quyananni. I'd like to recognize my deputy minister, Steve Loutitt, who is watching here with us today, as well as his daughter Ellie Loutitt. Thank you for being here with us today and good luck in the Arctic Winter Games, Ellie.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Janelle and Sara Morris. I had the opportunity of being interviewed by Sara, who is a grade 10 student at St. Patrick's High School, very innovative ideas looking and working towards homelessness. It's really nice to see our younger people come forward and also express their interest. And it's a conversation that I'm looking forward to in the coming months. And also hopefully that she'd be working with us during the summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Sahtu . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm also going to rise to recognize Sara Morris and her mom Jeanette. So I just wanted to say thank you to both of them for their hard work. As I mentioned in my statement, Jeanette has done a lot of work with the YWCA over the years and it's clear that that work has led to her daughter carrying on that for our community. So I'm very grateful to have them here and grateful for the work both of them have done. Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3757

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thought the Minister of Infrastructure would leave me one of my constituents but I have the pleasure of noticing that Ellie and Steve Loutitt, who are Yellowknife South residents, are here in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife South . Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3758

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My apologies, everyone. I added my name to the list before seeing everybody else already recognized them.

I'd like to recognize both Ellie Loutitt and Sara Morris, who I've had the pleasure of knowing for most of their lives. I think that our youth have a very powerful voice, both in this House and in our communities, so it's great to see youth participating here today. Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Welcome, everyone. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber and I hope you enjoy the proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience here, especially family and friends of our Members. Mahsi.

Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment regarding the new Canada-NWT Childcare Agreement.

Since the agreement was signed in December, the clock is ticking on getting this money into parents' hands through the providers, as I understand. How is the Minister going to flow this money now without creating a large burden on the licensed childcare providers? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment .

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the early learning and childcare system in the territory is less a system and more of a group of partnerships, people working together. The GNWT does not provide early learning and childcare services but it supports those providers. And the way that this new money is going to flow back to parents is similar to what we did in the summer of 2020 with the funding for COVID when we reduced childcare fees.

So those licensed centres, childcare centres, that want to opt in to this program will receive a childcare fee reduction subsidy. They will then flow that money back to parents. And to ensure that they are supported, we are going to be providing those childcare providers with some administrative funds to help support them in those efforts because we understand it will be a lot of work, and so we're supporting them financially to do that work. Thank you.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that, and I guess the devil will be in the details.

But my second question is straightforward. Can the Minister tell us whether and how much of the new funding under this agreement is available for infrastructure to create new childcare spaces? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So as the Member's aware, we have our own infrastructure fund for early learning and childcare. That's a million a year.

We have the two agreements with Canada. We have a bilateral agreement as well as the Canada-wide agreement, and each of those contain just over a hundred thousand dollars for infrastructure. In addition to our own programming, we have almost $300,000 in health and safety funding which can be used for upgrades to ensure that centres are compliant with the requirements of the fire marshal. In our bilateral agreement, there's also around half a million for additional grants to support the purchase of supplies that are needed to operate the childcare centre.

So throughout our two agreements, as well as our own funding, we do provide supports for infrastructure, and we've also looked at all of our programs and are determining if there's a need to have more infrastructure funding and how we might be able to repurpose some of the current funding that we have towards that given that we now have a large influx of money from the federal government. Thank you.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I'm always happy to support more funding on the capital side for infrastructure. Even if he wants to bring forward a SUP, I'm happy to support that. As I said, we have an agreement and that's a welcomed thing, but I'm still worried about when these benefits are going to start to flow. I expect smaller communities, especially the 11 without licensed child cares, will not see any benefits under this new agreement for years.

Can the Minister tell us what the plan is for the communities without licensed childcare spaces and how he will make sure there's an equitable approach across the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And since we began the Early Learning and Childcare Infrastructure Fund, we prioritized applications from small communities. It's important to note that not all small communities need childcare facilities. In some communities, there's no children under the age of five. And in some communities, there's so few children that they would prefer to be with family. So I don't think we're ever going to have a scenario in the territory where every single community has a licensed childcare centre. There's going to be different options in different communities.

But we are supporting -- we are prioritizing those small communities that don't have childcare and we're going to work with the Indigenous governments and NGOs who might be interested in operating childcare facilities. And I have to note that Indigenous governments also have a separate stream of funding from the federal government that they can access to help support the development of childcare facilities.

And so we all need to work together and if there is not an organization in a region who's interested in opening a childcare centre, we're more than happy to provide any support we can through our early learning and childcare consultants that we have in all the regions and who do a great job. And they are our boots on the ground. And I recommend that anyone who has an interest in opening a childcare centre, contact them. Thank you.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I was getting worried there it was going to be a Minister's statement there. But this agreement promises great things for the next five years but it's not clear how sustainable childcare will be over the longer term.

Can the Minister tell us what the plans are to ensure there's sustainable universal and affordable childcare across the NWT after this five-year agreement ends? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I apologize for my long answers. It's an exciting topic, and if the Member doesn't want long answers he shouldn't ask such exciting questions.

We will continue to advocate for longer term funding. We always do that. The federal government has also created an Early Learning and Childcare Secretariat so they really are putting the infrastructure around this system to help ensure that it is stable. And I suspect there's also some legislation in the works from the federal government to ensure that this funding lives on past the current government. Thank you.

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Question 980-19(2): Canada-Northwest Territories Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Youth , Minister Thompson there.

We often speak in this room about the many silos within the GNWT and given that there are several supports, several departments that fund programs and supports for youth such as Health and Social Services, ECE, Housing, what is the Minister doing, as the Minister responsible for Youth , to work with his colleagues to ensure that youth aren't falling into the gaps of the GNWT funding? Thank you.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3758

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave . Minister responsible for Youth .

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for the question. I'm going to try to keep it succinct because this is a very important topic for myself. As well you are well aware, you see my grandchildren in this room here.

So Mr. Speaker, we are having conversations with our colleagues from ECE, Health, Justice, Housing as well. You know, these are conversations we have. We have Cabinet -- a committee of Cabinet. We have those conversations. But we also have the conversation at the department level on how we can work together with our other departments and NGOs out there. So it is very important, and we look to see how we can enhance our existing funding sources to help the youth move forward or start the program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And actually it couldn't be more timely that the Minister's family is all here while I speak about youth, and I do know that there is a focus of his on that area.

And speaking of which, when we focus on youth and we divert them from a life of poverty, we will actually end up saving ourselves a lot of money in the long run. So can the Minister speak to why the GNWT is not funding Home Base's youth centre given that they are the only organization in the Northwest Territories that is solely supporting youth. Thank you.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3758

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you. For that detail, I'll have to get back to the Member on it. But my understanding is it's an application-based through our youth centres. They can put their applications in and then it's allocated accordingly. But in regards to Home Base, I will have to find out exactly why that funding hasn't been available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And yeah, that does speak to a lot of what we talk about around making our NGOs and non-profits jump through hoops in order to get our funding versus the core funding that I know my colleagues often push for. So, yeah, more of a comment on that.

I guess my next question is does the Minister commit to joining me and working with me to do a tour of Home Base and have those conversations with the executive director there? It's my feeling that by getting feedback from the stakeholders, we can better inform our processes going forward. Thank you.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Try to prolong the answer. Yes.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should have asked a different question then if I was going to get a nice short yes. I will hope to see the Minister supporting increased funding for our NGO stabilization fund that regular Members would like to see.

My last question is given the size of the Minister's family, does he commit to buying them all toques from Raise the Roof in order to help them support their fundraising? Thank you.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

The entire family, I would be poor; I'd have to run for election next year. But I'm more than willing to sit down and talk to the Member and see if I can find toques for the five grandchildren that are here with me today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 981-19(2): Youth Funding Gaps

Oral Questions

Page 3759

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Housing tell us if she received and has reviewed the letter from the Salt River First Nation dated January the 21st, 2022, regarding the money for the homelessness tiny homes pilot project in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Member. The letter was received but the details in the letter had specifically only wanted to work with the Members of Salt River. The Housing Corporation funds funding and projects for everybody in the Northwest Territories. So we brought that back, and we are working with the details that are provided within that letter.

In 2018-2019, we did provide funding to Salt River as well too of $800,000. In the past year, we have also negotiated contracts as well with the Indigenous groups in the Member's riding as well and really emphasizing on training and apprenticeships and also trying to keep the money for these builds local and for an opportunity for local business to -- that we would be able to work and invest with them as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really would appreciate clarity on my answers; I get confused by the answers.

Can the Minister explain why she has not yet responded to me or to the Salt River First Nation about the tiny home pilot project they are proposing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was trying to provide further information on the investment that we have had in Fort Smith. And looking at the letter that we did receive, the funding and the proposal was for membership. The Housing Corporation provides funding for everybody throughout the Northwest Territories. We don't categorize what our programs would be delivering and the people that we would be serving. We need to include everybody within that proposal. But we're taking it back, we're looking at it, and seeing what we can come up with to work with the Salt River First Nation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us if she supports the pilot project idea to build tiny homes, that will be a solution to homelessness in Fort Smith, with the Salt River First Nation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Housing Corporation is always looking for innovative ideas as well too, but the other thing that I'm very cautious of is that we need to provide funding and supports to everybody throughout the Northwest Territories. And homelessness is a huge issue throughout the territory.

Just looking at the notes that I do have, we did look at the tiny homes throughout the territory and that it was brought to us, and looking at constructing them was between 300 and 500,000 each for the territory. But if we're looking at community investment in a small investment project, and if we're able to deliver them at a lower cost, I would need to bring that back to my department. But just to inform the Member, we are trying to calculate those numbers and come up with something that is fair for the Member's riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to provide funding to the tiny home pilot project by the Salt River First Nation? If not, can the Minister explain her position. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, we know as a government as well too that funding is quite crucial right now with the housing portfolio as well. But we are trying to be very innovative on what it is that we can address and looking at these proposals coming forward and how we can further work with the Indigenous groups.

One of the things that I've asked the department is looking at the co-investment fund and the federal funding that is available to the Indigenous groups and how can we partner and trying to look at those costs.

I do support the project that, you know, we could support this in several different ways as well too, and looking at the designs that we actually do have, what it is that we've provided so far, the time that we had taken into considering building tiny homes throughout the territory as well.

So just to further on that response as well, I do have two housing employees that will be reaching out to Salt River First Nation that now we're able to meet face-to-face. So they should be going into the community in the next few weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 982-19(2): Fort Smith Tiny Homes Pilot Project

Oral Questions

Page 3759

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

Oral Questions

Page 3759

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The GNWT provides over $50 million to non-profits through a variety of contribution agreements. And as I spoke about in my statement, I think many of these have not seen increases in years despite inflationary costs.

My question for the Minister of Finance is can we review all of our various contribution agreements to non-profits and create some sort of policy that the ones that have not seen increases in, you know, sometimes a decade, Mr. Speaker, get an increase? Because at some point I don't believe we can be asking people to provide government services that don't address the increased cost of living. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

Oral Questions

Page 3759

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Minister responsible for Finance .

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3759

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker, there has been analysis done. The Department of Finance is involved in doing exactly that and analyzing where the funding goes.

Mr. Speaker, the $50 million sum includes not only non-profits. That includes education bodies and Indigenous governments, First Nations in the Northwest Territories as well. So there certainly has been a lot of analysis.

In terms of providing increases, it is possible for a department to decide to include an increase on a contribution agreement. It would be department by department. It may well depend on the type of the service that's being provided and is always subject, of course, to having the departmental budget approved here in the House. So in no case we'd be able to have an absolute blanket just as there's no guarantee for any one department or any one Minister that whatever proposal we might have for a budget agreed to by the Members of this Assembly. But in short, Mr. Speaker, those tools do exist.

The solution may well be to make sure that they are better used and better understood. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3759

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the department is looking at this. You know, it's obviously quite a complex array of programs across quite a complex number of departments.

One of the things I would also wonder if the department could look into is changing some of these contribution agreements into multiyear block funding perhaps reducing some of the reporting requirements.

I brought up the example of the Bailey House, which has been in operation for decades, has not seen an increase since 2009. I really just don't think at this point we should be considering the fact that this is going to go out for tender or it's not going to continue to operate. I really think there's many examples of long-standing programs that could see, you know, five, ten-year contribution agreements and give them the security that they can plan for the long-term. Is multiyear funding something we can evaluate when reviewing all of this money? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3759

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the idea of multiyear funding comes up year over year in budget dialogues as well so I certainly want to acknowledge that the NGO sector/nonprofit sector have also been good advocates for themselves. That is part of the reason the Department of Finance has been analyzing those third party agreements.

I appreciate the Member's point. There are already multiyear agreements out there. For example, I know I've signed ones with the Status of Women and Native Women's Association. They're always contingent of course on the funding being approved here but it does provide some certainty when there's a sense that upon approval here that the funding will indeed continue to flow. So as I've said, again I can and will take back the idea of making that process better known and making perhaps a bit more corporate approach from the Department of Finance to my colleagues so that we are all able to make use of that tool. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3760

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think what I would like to see out of this is some sort of policy emerge and in that policy, you know, kind of a mechanism to include inflation. And perhaps it's not true inflation; we probably don't have the money for that. But to make sure that it's flagged when a contribution agreement has been in place for years and has never seen any increase, that the applicable department make sure they come forward and gets approval through forced growth or some mechanism. Can we look at a policy mechanism to build inflation into these variety of contribution agreements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3760

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is consensus government and, of course, the Members over on this side don't have a majority. So this is exactly the right time to be having this conversation. It may well be that in the course of the next week or two weeks of sittings that we are at a point where we can have some discussion about how to better structure the budgets that are associated to third party agreements.

I appreciate the flexibility that CPI might not be the best tag, that inflation might not be the best tag, it's rather variable at the moment, but there certainly are other ways that we can look at more incremental increases particularly for those contribution agreements that involve government services.

So again, as I've been saying all the way along, this work's already underway, and I'm taking the point that we might need to move that along a little faster. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 983-19(2): Non-Profit Organization Funding

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Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Oral Questions

Page 3760

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to ask some questions of the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .

On February 24th in Committee of the Whole, I asked him some questions about GNWT's seat on the oil sands monitoring oversight committee, and I'd like to know from the Minister whether the concerns of the House have been transmitted to the Government of Alberta over their rejection of a GNWT seat on that committee? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Oral Questions

Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Minister responsible for ENR .

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't say exactly if it has or not, but I'm pretty sure we've sent them and given that message to the federal government and the Alberta government that these concerns have been raised in the House and have been raised with our Indigenous organizations and governments that we work with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that, and I'm happy to send my remarks directly to the Minister in Alberta if that's going to help move this along. But has there been any change in position from the Government of Alberta about a GNWT seat on this committee? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're still waiting for a response from the federal minister but we have not heard back from the Alberta government except for the letter that we had received and they were saying no to both our requests for both the committee and a technical advisory committee. I think that's the other one as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. You know, I write letters sometimes and sometimes I don't get answers; I don't get answers to emails. Sometimes the best thing to do, Mr. Speaker, is actually pick up the phone and call someone.

So I'm asking the Minister if he would be willing to be pick up the phone and call our federal minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and have a personal discussion with the federal minister on this matter? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that is in the works. We are working on -- we're trying to wait for that response but we are in the process of looking at phoning not just the federal minister but the Alberta Minister as well to have those frank conversations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Oral Questions

Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Oral Questions

Page 3760

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I guess I -- you know, we don't seem to be making a lot of progress on this file. So I'm wondering how is the Minister working with Indigenous governments to try to get them on board as well to put pressure on these two orders of government to finally pay some attention to us and make sure that we're well represented in this committee and the whole issue of the development of regulations for the discharge of tar sands? So how's the Minister working with Indigenous governments on this file? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

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Page 3760

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the question from the Member.

Previously we had a face-to-face meeting. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we were trying to have meetings through the phone but we are planning to have our next meeting. We're in the planning process. With the restrictions being released or reduced by the chief public health officer, we are in the process of trying to have a face-to-face meeting with our Indigenous governments.

I can guarantee you that our Indigenous organizations and governments have been very upfront and have been bringing forth their concerns just not to myself but I believe to the federal government as well as the Alberta government, but also in the press. They've been bringing forth their concerns and I appreciate the work that they're trying to do to help us resolve this very difficult issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 984-19(2): Oil Sands Monitoring Oversight Committee

Oral Questions

Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3760

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of the Housing Corporation .

Mr. Speaker, roughly 30 percent of children in the child welfare system were apprehended due to exposure to domestic violence. But in many of our communities, the shortage of housing means a parent cannot move to a new home. Because of the community residency policy, it also means that a family or a parent cannot put their name on a waitlist of another community. This jeopardizes the safety of families and risks continuing cycles of apprehension.

So my question for the Minister is does the Minister agree that we must prohibit the apprehension of children on the basis of poverty and access to housing? Thank you.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3760

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member as well too because she has brought this up quite a number of times. And looking at what we do have, the low income housing program throughout the Northwest Territories and looking at, you know, the apprehension of children as well and looking at the movement and, you know, domestic violence and, you know, how are we going to be working with the -- with the individuals, I have to work in conjunction with my colleague with the -- for the Minister of Health as well too to address these concerns. But also, Mr.

Speaker, we have a limited amount of housing units at the ground level. And I'm not wanting to create or look at what it is that we can -- how we can House people at the ground level. I'm trying to work with the department and changing and acknowledging those barriers that we currently do have.

We do have a massive policy review that is going to be coming into effect in the next few months, and hopefully we're able to really look at those documents and being able to pass that in the lifetime of this government. Those policies will be reviewed as well by the Indigenous groups as well. And there's a number of issues that is brought up at that table that is concerning housing as well.

But I want to make it very clear that when it comes to domestic violence that I'm not -- I'm not looking at trying to create more barriers when we're looking at families fleeing from other communities and wanting to be moved into another community. We've got to also think about the waitlists that are there too and those circumstances in each of those communities, they vary in every one of them. But we do have a limited amount of housing units, and we do have a significant waitlist.

I am trying -- I am working with the federal government to address the significant housing need and crisis that we do have in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3760

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question was does the Minister agree that we must prohibit the apprehension of children on the basis of poverty and access to housing? Thank you.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

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Page 3760

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't agree with that as well but I don't see where that is -- where we can highlight that within the way that we look at our public housing waitlist and the way that we look at our applications coming forward. I haven't heard of any concerns like that as of today. But I would like to work with the Member should she have a constituent that may be needing those -- needing that addressed in what specific community that she's speaking of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3760

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. I'd just like to remind Members to please take your time here. Our interpreters are having difficulty keeping up so keep that in mind. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. My apologies to the interpreters. I do speed up when I get excited.

Mr. Speaker, I am bothered by the Minister's response of not agreeing with that one. And later this session, we -- well, social development hopes to table a response that shows our social development's feelings on that one.

But I guess my next question then for the Minister is does Minister agree, as the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation , that Indigenous people must have access to safe housing? Thank you.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely. We are going through a whole renewal strategy within the corporation. We are reviewing all of our policies. I take into deep consideration that, you know, we are moving into a social programming department. We are not just only looking at housing people throughout the Northwest Territories.

We have a number of issues why people are under housed; why are they overcrowded. People returning back to communities. We don't have domestic violence programming in each of our communities. We have a lot of people moving around. We've got students that are in and out of the communities. We have incarcerated people that are wanting to come back to their communities as well. And within the corporation, we are working very hard and very strategically on trying to address all of those issues.

I hear the Member as well too when we're looking at women and children as well, and I don't -- I don't believe that any applicant should be penalized whether their children are being apprehended and they're not living with the parent at that time. I think this is a change that we are making within the corporation. We are moving into social programming. And it's more than just providing housing.

And yes, I do support the Indigenous housing in the communities. The majority of our clients are Indigenous. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

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Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

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Page 3761

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the reason I asked the first two questions of the Minister was because those are directly from the MMIWG Calls for justice and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. And I think if this government is truly serious about implementing those, then we need to make sure that our policies don't stand against those.

My next question for the Minister is the Minister told me after the first question that the policies are being reviewed by Indigenous groups. The Minister said yesterday to me that LHOs decide their own policies. And so I'm wondering, then, if the Minister is talking to Indigenous groups about reviewing these policies; should I be talking to Indigenous groups and not the Minister of Housing ? Thank you.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to be very clear that I've been challenged as well too to be making sure that we do include the Indigenous groups, and they have provided a lot of feedback and a lot of advocation as to how we deliver the housing program. We've been high -- we've been very much criticized at the ground level for not making drastic improvements to how we deliver housing.

And, you know, we have created a Council of Leaders Working Group, and this is important to the Housing Corporation to making sure that we have that direct partnership, and we are making changes to the policies that we are working with today. And also, I want to recognize the local housing authorities and the service contracts that they provide as well too. We are going through a huge overhaul throughout the Housing Corporation. And I know that a lot of concerns have been brought up, and we are trying to work with them and we are trying to address them.

But, you know, we will be following up with committee as well too once we are -- we do receive feedback from the Indigenous groups. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 985-19(2): Lack of Housing and Poverty related to Apprehension of Children

Oral Questions

Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you. It's a question for the Minister of Finance .

Can the Minister explain why the Government of the Northwest Territories has added 2,700 position to the public service while our population has only increased by 5,000 people? Thank you.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

Oral Questions

Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Minister responsible for Finance .

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've heard quite a number of numbers and dates coming out of the Member's statement earlier.

I can speak to, Mr. Speaker, the 2022-2023 Main estimates which, for the public service, has a net five people being added. If I include all the public agencies and various special purpose funds, the surface rights board, etcetera, at that point, we have over 6,000 -- 6,200 -- 6,249 public servants. There is a total net increase of 48 this year, Mr. Speaker. So I can certainly go back and look at some of the evolutionary history over the last few years but for this year, as I've said, the departments here are a net increase of five. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you. Can the Minister explain why health, education, and housing outcomes in many small NWT communities have gotten worse while the public service has added 2,700 positions? Thank you.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're always a little hesitant to speak not only on behalf of other departments but on behalf of prior Assembly's so it's going to be difficult for me to say what did or did not happen over the last 20 some years of a government.

Mr. Speaker, I can say that at this point, one of the reasons that we are so focused on -- as some have said, you know, the concerns around they're not being more cuts despite the fiscal situation is because this Assembly has prioritized social wellness; it has prioritized health indicators; it has prioritized education outcomes, and all of our departments need all of their resources to be able to achieve the goals that we've set for ourselves in all of those areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you. Can the Minister tell us where the 2,700 positions are located and which department they work for? Thank you.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the Member and I are going to have to get our calculators out together. As I've said, I have the main estimates open in front of me. The 2022-2023 Main estimates show 3,900 staff of the departments, or a total of 6,249 public servants including all of the public agencies. So I'm certainly happy to look at what numbers or mathematics are being used and see if we can't figure out a solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you for the answer. And, yes, I'm looking forward to the meetings then.

The Minister often speaks about our difficult financial positions, and this is what I'm going to use again: 2,700 positions from the time when Nunavut and GNWT split. 2,700 positions must cost GNWT a lot of money each year. So does the Minister have a plan to control position growth? Thank you.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one thing that we have that I've overseen in the last couple of years, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing the conclusion of, is a human resources plan that is GNWT-wide. It might come as a surprise to some, as it did to me, that the GNWT did not have a GNWT government-wide human resources plan but work is well underway to, in fact, do exactly that.

That allows some corporate planning so that we are best achieving the goals of the Assembly's as they come forward but doing so in a way that allows for leadership development, effective recruitment and retention, career pathing, succession planning, and in that sense, Mr. Speaker, we are adding positions where we need them, adding them in a responsible way, and ensuring that we do that to the best use of the people of the Northwest Territories who are being recruited in, trained in, and then able to deliver as public servants. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 986-19(2): Public Service Position Growth

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Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions, Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

Oral Questions

Page 3761

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. One of the Members mentioned the carnival yesterday and that usually triggers an event within all of us, and everybody gets excited about it. I think the Member got so excited he left yesterday. So I'm just using that as an example there for -- and I've heard about carnivals yesterday and today another event: The Arctic Winter Games.

And that triggers a lot of excitement for many of the young people and especially -- well, all ages in fact about sports in the Northwest Territories and getting together of all the different territories and regions to compete, whether it be -- you know, there's dog racing, skiing, probably curling. But many, for the small communities could be like snowshoeing and a lot of different traditional games and stuff like this.

I'm wondering if the Minister could provide an explanation or the path forward regarding the Arctic Winter Games, since we haven't had it for a while, to the House? Mahsi.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3761

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3761

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you. The Member's right; the games were cancelled last year because of COVID. But my understanding is the games are going to Fort McMurray and the games will be in January of next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3761

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister. So I think last year it was cancelled for the Whitehorse one. So did Whitehorse get written off, or what was the deal here to move to Fort McMurray? Mahsi.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

Oral Questions

Page 3762

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nobody gets written off. There's a process. So the international committee, they decided that, for whatever reason, it's going to be in Fort McMurray but I think it was that's what the cycle was who was supposed to be up. But there is a cycle, and it's I believe Yukon, northern Alberta, Nunavut, the NWT, and Greenland for part of it. We had Russia on there but that has been changed. They have now been removed from the cycle presently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

Oral Questions

Page 3762

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister answered one of my last questions, which I was leading up to, was the elimination of the Russian delegation.

I'm wondering if the Minister can direct his staff, because there's a big lull in our small communities and there's not enough expertise, I should say, in the small communities related to sports training, and perhaps maybe we need to put more funding towards sports training so we get better representative and at the elite level anyway for our Arctic Winter Games participants and whether we can start, be proactive and start the training in all the areas of sports, especially to help the small communities too but to include everyone. Mahsi.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

Oral Questions

Page 3762

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as for the responsibility to get our athletes prepared, that's the coaches at the local level. We do have funding programs there. There's been some challenges with the teams and you've seen it in the press. We do have a potential solution. We haven't taken it to committee yet and I want to make sure I take it to committee so that they can get the -- government operations, so they can see what's going on, what we're proposing. Then we will make it public. But right now, we were working with our communities.

There's regional organizations called the Mackenzie Recreation Association in the Beaufort Delta. Sahtu Recreation Association as well. They meet, the communities meet, they come up with a plan when they're going to do events. There's also funding available through various Municipal and Community Affairs programs, and there's sport and rec councils, the Mackenzie rec and the BDSARA. There's funding there available that communities can access it. And we've worked on with aboriginal circle as well, building our athletes up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

Oral Questions

Page 3762

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3762

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that. Yes, the department has the funding. The department can get the expertise to help the small communities, especially with coaching. If they can provide the funding so that we can hire expert coaching to help our athletes become elite, you know, athletes, and it takes a fair level of training do and this would really help a lot of our youths since, you know, post-COVID, you know, with their mental health also.

And I really think it's a great idea to really look at this and advance it and then also to think about the dogs, the dog sled racing to be part of the Arctic Winter Games because we do have many events in the NWT, a circuit with dog racing that happens within the Northwest Territories and in northern Alberta and different places. I'm wondering if the Minister could comment on that, mahsi.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3762

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's a couple of questions there and I apologize to the Member if I missed the -- miss an answer on -- or some of the questions there.

In regard to get out there and hire specialists and that, we have money available to train coaches. We work with -- there's programs through Sport North. There's the NCCP program. So we try to get out there. We try to get -- that's the -- sorry, National Coaching Certificate Program. I apologize for using acronyms there, Mr. Speaker.

So there is programs out there to help train our local people. We do have the ability to bring people in, various organizations, work with communities to bring people in there.

In regards to dog mushing, my understanding it was still in the Arctic Winter Games and I apologize if it's changed, but my understanding it is unless it's outside Canada. So it's available when northern Alberta, and it's very much youth oriented. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 987-19(2): Arctic Winter Games

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Page 3762

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Question 988-19(2): Public Service Position Decentralization

Oral Questions

Page 3762

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you. This is to the Minister of Finance .

Can the Minister commit to establishing a decentralization initiative within the Department of Finance to review how and where the Government of the Northwest Territories can put positions into small communities? We need to look at job descriptions and update them to ensure people are used fully and efficiently. Thank you.

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Question 988-19(2): Public Service Position Decentralization

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Page 3762

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Minister responsible for Finance .

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Question 988-19(2): Public Service Position Decentralization

Oral Questions

Page 3762

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one might recall not that long ago, although certainly several Assembly's ago, when human resources was separate from the Department of Finance. There's been a number of different times over history where different efforts have been made. There is nothing in our

schedule or plans right now or in our priorities of this government for a new restructuring of human resources or formal decentralization.

What I can say, Mr. Speaker, is two things:

Firstly, we have the remote work policy now whereby positions that are located in headquarters or in a regional centre could be occupied by someone who lives in a smaller community or outside of the headquarters. So there is that now as an option.

But secondly, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the job descriptions specifically, that is one of the action items under the Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Framework, and it's one of the first things we will be doing to ensure that we are in fact matching up what the actual needs of the position are so that there's hopefully more people who are eligible and qualified to achieve those roles and so we can make use of the tools like the IGCP. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 988-19(2): Public Service Position Decentralization

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Page 3762

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you. Yes, I know that at one time lot of those positions were in the small communities. Now that they took it back, we know that it's going