Debates of May 30th, 2018

This is page numbers 4059 - 4102 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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 cannabis .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Aurora College Foundational Review

Northern Pathways To Housing Pilot Program In Fort Simpson

New Transportation Corridors

Minister Late for the House

Indigenous Elders in Tax Arrears

Land Lease Rate Changes

Recognition of Fort Providence Fire Department

Education Renewal

2030 Energy Strategy

Federal Government Engagement

Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Fire Break Funding to Communities

Carbon Pricing

Nunakput Housing Issues

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Herb Norwegian, Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize

Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Land Lease Rate Changes

Education Renewal

Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Carbon Pricing

Fire Protection Services in Communities

Fire Prevention and Mushroom Industry in Mackenzie Delta

Community Taxation

Territorial Financing Formula and Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Written question 11-18(3): Taltson Hydro-Electric Expansion Project

Tabled Document 198-18(3): Aurora College Foundational Review

Tabled Document 199-18(3): 2017-2018 Annual Report on Implementation of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 200-18(3): Business Development and Investment Corporation NWT 2018-19 Corporate Plan

Tabled Document 201-18(3): 2018-19 Corporate Plan - Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation

Extended Adjournment of the House to October 11, 2018

Bill 19:

An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Fully Costed Implementation Plan

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Cannabis and Alcohol Health and Safety Education

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Interdepartmental Working Group on Regulation of Cannabis-based Products and Licensed Establishments

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Inter-agency Working Group on Cannabis-related Enforcement Planning

Recorded Vote

Standing Committee on Government Operations and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Record Suspension for Cannabis Possession Offences

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Northern Entrepreneurship related to Cannabis Sales and Production

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Disbursement of Cannabis-related Revenues and Reporting on Cannabis Sales

Recorded Vote

Committee Report 7-18(3): Standing Committee Review on Government Operation and Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act - Comprehensive Response to Report within 120 days

Recorded Vote

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Hon. Glen Abernethy , Mr. Beaulieu , Mr. Blake , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Ms. Green , Hon. Jackson Lafferty , Hon. Bob McLeod , Hon. Robert McLeod , Mr. McNeely , Hon. Alfred Moses , Mr. Nadli , Mr. Nakimayak , Mr. O'Reilly , Hon. Wally Schumann , Hon. Louis Sebert , Mr. Simpson , Mr. Testart , Mr. Thompson , Mr. Vanthuyne

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 4059

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Minister's Statement 79-18(3): Aurora College Foundational Review

Ministers' Statements

Page 4059

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, expanding opportunities for post-secondary education for our residents is a priority of this Legislative Assembly. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is pursuing an ambitious post-secondary agenda that is guided by the mandate of this government.

For more than 50 years, residents of the Northwest Territories have relied on Aurora College for their adult and post-secondary education and training. The college continues to be critical to our economic and social development, but we know we can and must do better.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has been mandated to conduct a foundational review of Aurora College. This foundational review will result in significant changes at Aurora College and provide a clear path for the college's future development.

The foundational review process has two parts. The first

part is an independent review report provided by a contractor, MNP LLP, that I will be tabling later today. The second part will be the government's response to the recommendations in the review report, including a clear vision of the path forward for Aurora College.

Mr. Speaker, the work done by the independent contractor reveals a number of issues that we need to address, including the need for improvements in the areas of governance operations; academic program processes; accountability; and student recruitment and retention.

However, rather than simply pointing to what needs to be fixed, the report also recommends an ambitious path toward establishment of a new kind of institution that will better meet the needs of residents, employers, and communities. In particular, the report calls for the transformation of Aurora College into a Northern Canada Polytechnic University.

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to establishing a stronger, sustainable, and more vibrant post-secondary institution that contributes to stronger communities, an institution that is built for the Northwest Territories by the Northwest Territories.

I have already shared the report with the Standing Committee on Social Development and look forward to working with my colleagues to develop a whole of government response to address the full set of recommendations made in the report, including the possibility of transforming Aurora College into a Northern Canada Polytechnic University. This response will be tabled in the House in the fall.

The path before us is of critical importance for the future of students in the NWT, and the journey must be collaborative. Therefore, I look forward to continued collaboration with the Standing Committee on Social Development around the government's response to the recommendations. We must work together to take advantage of this unique opportunity and ensure future generations have access to a world-class education in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the important contribution that a great number of stakeholders made in informing the recommendations. The independent contractor worked with Members of the Legislative Assembly, representatives from Indigenous governments and communities, Aurora College students and staff, northern employers, GNWT staff, and other key stakeholders from across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize that some of the recommendations in the Aurora College Foundational Review Report propose significant changes to our territory's public post-secondary institution. We will weigh these changes carefully. I am committed to looking closely at each of the recommendations with the Members of this House and considering what we need to do for Northerners to have the best possible adult and post-secondary education and training here in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 79-18(3): Aurora College Foundational Review

Ministers' Statements

Page 4060

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

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Minister's Statement 80-18(3): Northern Pathways To Housing Pilot Program In Fort Simpson

Ministers' Statements

Page 4060

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is working hard to meet the commitments made by this government to advance affordable housing and address homelessness during the 18 th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, we know that some of our residents experience homelessness in communities outside Yellowknife. Meeting their needs helps us to address the issue of homelessness throughout the territory. The Housing Corporation is working with community groups to develop, design, and implement supportive housing for these residents through the Northern Pathways to Housing Program.

Research indicates that providing social supports alone is often not enough to change an individual's circumstances. The provision of housing plus supports has been documented as an effective method to stabilize a person who is homeless and then start to address needed life changes.

Mr. Speaker, the first of four Northern Pathways projects is now being implemented in Fort Simpson. Through the vision and commitment of the Liidlii Kue First Nation to support this vulnerable population, three people have been housed and supported, and one other homeless person is expected to be housed shortly. Indigenous and local governments know their communities best. The Housing Corporation supports their aspirations to address homelessness through this community-led housing approach.

Under the Northern Pathways to Housing program in Fort Simpson, the Housing Corporation provided four apartment-style housing units and land to support the project. The Housing Corporation also has a three-year funding agreement for participant housing support. This funding supports the community partner to pay for costs associated with the operation of a supportive housing program and to respond to needs of tenants.

The community proponent also provides assistance to program participants in accessing services and available resources from community agencies.

Another Northern Pathways project is starting soon in Behchoko. The Housing Corporation has been meeting with the community government and other community stakeholders to finalize the delivery approach there. In Aklavik, promising work continues with the Aklavik Indian Band and community stakeholders to develop a program that suits the needs of their community. The fourth project, which is in Fort Good Hope with the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society, is currently planned as part of their larger shelter project.

Mr. Speaker, the Northern Pathways program is intended to house people first and then to improve their housing sustainability by addressing the issues that contributed to their homelessness. Northern Pathways seeks to improve participants' social and economic well-being and independence, and to create new service pathways and working relationships with community service providers to address and end homelessness for these residents.

Mr. Speaker, partnership with Indigenous governments is an ongoing part of how the Government of the Northwest Territories does business. The Northern Pathways program is one more example of the kind of success we can have when we work together to meet the needs of Northwest Territories residents and implement northern solutions for northern housing.

Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting time in the Housing Corporation's history. Northern Pathways is just one of the new initiatives under the corporation's strategic renewal, but it shows the progress we are making toward fulfilling our mandate commitments and putting people first. I know how important housing is to our residents, and I pledge to work with all Members to meet our remaining commitments during the life of this Legislative Assembly. Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 80-18(3): Northern Pathways To Housing Pilot Program In Fort Simpson

Ministers' Statements

Page 4060

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Minister's Statement 81-18(3): New Transportation Corridors

Ministers' Statements

Page 4060

Wally Shumann

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has been working hard to fulfill its mandate commitment to secure funding to advance planning and construction of new priority transportation corridors in the Northwest Territories, including the extension of the all-weather Mackenzie Valley Road, the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor, and the Tlicho all-season road.

Last fall, the Department of Infrastructure submitted two comprehensive proposals for funding to the federal government under the National Trade Corridors Fund. In March, I provided an update in the House on the status of our application for the development of the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor. Unfortunately, that project was not selected in the first round of approved submissions; however, we are continuing to pursue opportunities for funding for all phases of the project. It is expected that there will be an opportunity to resubmit an application for the project under a northern-specific call for proposals under the National Trade Corridors Fund to be issued in fall 2018.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on this side of the House and I have urged the federal government to issue the next call for submissions as soon as possible, in recognition that is it critical that we address the North's infrastructure gap, and a timely decision would allow us to make the best use of the short construction season.

As I have said before, the development of the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor will address the lack of access to this mineral-rich part of Canada. The project will also increase our resiliency to the impacts of climate change while significantly reducing associated additional costs and operational difficulties for the mining industry. Once federal funding is secured, next steps would include the application of the Land Use and Sustainability Framework, as well as planning for the protection of wildlife, economic opportunities, and the involvement of Indigenous groups.

Mr. Speaker, work to advance the next steps for construction of the all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway would also bring important benefits to residents throughout the Mackenzie Valley, including the employment and training opportunities that build local capacity. The Canyon Creek all-season access road outside Norman Wells, which is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed this fall, is already seeing increased employment to Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents as well as skill development that will prepare residents to take advantage of the opportunities that would come with the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Increased traffic volumes and weights supported by an all-weather highway would result in efficiencies in the delivery of essential goods that contribute to stabilizing the cost of living in communities. Economic development would be enabled by increased access to the mineral and petroleum resources in the region and reducing costs of production and exploration for industry. In terms of social benefits, we only need look to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to see how enhanced intercommunity mobility has increased access to healthcare, education, sporting events, and more.

Mr. Speaker, it is anticipated that the Government of the Northwest Territories will soon receive an update from the federal government on its application under the National Trade Corridors Fund for the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway. In the meantime, the Department of Infrastructure is continuing to pursue other federal funding opportunities for the remaining components of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, as well as the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor.

Discussions have been ongoing with the Canada Infrastructure Bank to determine how the two transportation corridors could fit within their program. It is expected that the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor will be viewed favourably, as it is a large transformative project, a matter of public interest, and has revenue-generating potential.

Mr. Speaker, lastly, we are nearing a decision on the future of the proposed Tlicho all-season road. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has issued its report of the environmental assessment, and a decision from the responsible Ministers is anticipated in the coming months. On December 4, 2017, a request for proposals was issued and the three proponents that were identified through the request for qualifications were invited to submit proposals. Should the project be approved, the procurement process is expected to be finalized in the fall of 2018, which would allow for construction to begin as early as next winter.

Partnerships with our Indigenous organizations will be critical to ensuring the success of these projects. The Tlicho Government has been an active partner on the Tlicho all-season project since 2012 and has played a key role in managing elements of the project description report. Our government has also been working closely with the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated on the Mackenzie Valley Highway. The Sahtu Secretariat's efforts to help lobby for the advancement of the project through the Mackenzie Valley Highway Working Group has strengthened our case with the federal government.

With regard to the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor, we look forward to continued discussions with Indigenous groups who have interest in the project on the various partnership models available to us.

Mr. Speaker, the hard work of the Government of the Northwest Territories has paid off so far, but there is still a lot of work to be done. As we wait for important decisions to be made, we will continue to work with its partners and to ensure the people of the Northwest Territories are in the best position to realize the benefits that these strategic transportation corridors will bring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 81-18(3): New Transportation Corridors

Ministers' Statements

Page 4062

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. The Honourable Premier .

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Minister's Statement 82-18(3): Minister Late for the House

Ministers' Statements

Page 4062

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources will be late arriving in the House today to participate in the Environment Minsters' teleconference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 82-18(3): Minister Late for the House

Ministers' Statements

Page 4062

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Indigenous Elders in Tax Arrears

Members' Statements

Page 4062

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across my entire riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the land taxation and land-leasing policy has many elders convinced that they will never own their own homes or properties. At this time, some elders owe so much tax and lease debt that they believe that, when they pass on, GNWT would own their homes and that surviving members who move into their homes will not be allowed to remain in them and will have to move out. Many of these family members do not own homes and are reliant on social housing, therefore costing the government about $20,000 a year to house them.

Mr. Speaker, as the government of the people of the Northwest Territories, we must work diligently with elders and their families to help them resolve this huge systematic issue as soon as possible.

Mr. Speaker, the Lands division must not only look at this through the lens of legislation, policy, and regulations to determine the best course of action. Mr. Speaker, when the treaty in my riding was signed, the Dene people were left with the impression that the treaty was signed so that both the government and the Indigenous landowners would share the land as equal partners. How did we get to the stage where the original landowners are now being billed thousands of dollars for their own land? What has transpired to make this possible, and how did the ownership transfer to the GNWT? The GNWT was not present at the Treaty 11 signing.

Mr. Speaker, one elder told me it was like somebody asking you to provide them a place to sleep for one night, only to wake up to find that individual repairing their unit and suddenly starts charging you rent.

Mr. Speaker, Indigenous people have used this land for thousands of years. Within the last hundred or so years, the government has taken all of their land away and is charging to live on their lot, in their homes, in their communities.

Mr. Speaker, now we have come to a situation where a trapper must pay hundreds of dollars for a trapping cabin. If things do not change, the GNWT would own everyone's trapping cabin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Indigenous Elders in Tax Arrears

Members' Statements

Page 4062

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Land Lease Rate Changes

Members' Statements

Page 4062

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on being elected, we spent a good amount of time working together to come up with the mandate for the 18 th Assembly. One of the mandates was to reduce the cost of living for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Well, I guess I must have missed something or did not understand what we meant by "reduction of cost of living." On March 15, 2018, during oral question period, I asked the Minister of Lands about the difference in lease rates between Commissioner's and NWT's lands. We were informed that the NWT's lands rates were going up to a minimum of $840 so there would be similarity between minimum rates on both leases.

On March 22 nd , they sent a media notification that there was going to be a briefing about Commissioner's and territorial land payments. Commissioner's lands were going down by 5 per cent. This was a good-news story. However, NWT land lease payments were going up from $150 to $840 upon the renewal date. This is either a 336 to 560 per cent increase. There was no plan to implement an increase over a period of time. It was bang, here you go. The funny thing is that there is no reference to cutting the cost to seniors. They have a hard time paying $250 presently.

When I looked into this new directive and how it affected Nahendeh communities, especially designated authorities, there were going to be over 170 leases affected. This included traditional cabins that are part of residential traditional hunting and trapping areas. This could mean people would have to pay additional money to the government to hunt and trap.

In an interview, the Minister of Lands said that it was based on cost-of-living index the last time the payment was raised. I find it very interesting that this government is willing to use this formula when they want to generate revenue, but don't use this when they are calculating income support.

It is my understanding that it is common practice that these ideas are vented through Cabinet before coming to the floor. This makes me wonder if we truly care about small communities with these types of decisions.

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding after post-devolution a commitment was made to the Legislative Assembly and the people of the Northwest Territories that changes would not be made to the way leases were structured or lease rates were calculated. Unfortunately, this has changed.

Mr. Speaker, I have reached out to my residents and told them of this news. Not surprisingly, a lot of people did not hear about this and were not engaged about this potential increase. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Lands about this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Land Lease Rate Changes

Members' Statements

Page 4063

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .

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Recognition of Fort Providence Fire Department

Members' Statements

Page 4063

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, fire protection services in the NWT are reliant on volunteer firefighters. The dedication, time, and effort that volunteers invest in keeping our communities safe are invaluable.

The Fort Providence Fire Department currently has 14 active and engaged volunteers. I am pleased to see community members stepping up to take the new positions with the fire department, and have no doubt that they will continue to protect the community from harm.

Mr. Speaker, new volunteers have had three team meetings to clean and organize the fire hall. Firefighter Level I training took place May 25 th to the 27 th . Firefighter Level II training is scheduled for July 6 th to the 8 th . Plans are in place for air brakes training and first aid courses.

Pending the successful Firefighter II training in July, the volunteers will be ready to return to a response community. Until that point, we are still a non-response community.

Mr. Speaker, as a new group of volunteers come in, we must also say thanks to those who served before them. Previous fire chief Andy Sapp, Malcolm Tosh, Kelvin McLeod, and Jimmy Nadli have invested years of service in keeping Fort Providence safe. Thank you to those who have served in the past. I wish the best to the new intake. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition of Fort Providence Fire Department

Members' Statements

Page 4063

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Education Renewal

Members' Statements

Page 4063

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to speak to an important issue that is integral to the development of our territory: the education of our children and young Northerners. Earlier this month, in a CBC article, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment confirmed that the educational achievement of our school children is lower than hoped for.

Mr. Speaker, underperformance in student achievement is a long-standing issue in the NWT. As far back as 2010, the Auditor General of Canada indicated that, between 2004 and 2008, there was limited or no progress in grades 3, 6, and 9 in math and in grades 6 and 9 in language arts.

As an MLA but also as a parent, I find the lack of progress on this issue deeply troubling. Mr. Speaker, the Education Renewal Initiative was launched in 2013 to much fanfare. From the outset, the initiative specifically identified student achievement as an area that required improvement and even noted that the existing approach to student achievement wasn't producing the desired results.

Well, here we are five years later, halfway into the 10-year cycle of education renewal, and still we hear that the results are not up to the department's expectations. I understand that many of the actions take time to bear fruit. However, after five years, I would think it is safe to say we should be seeing at least modest improvements. Instead, we appear to have stagnated at roughly the same levels we had in 2013.

On top of that, evaluation and reporting on the goals of education renewal is scant to non-existent, in spite of the department's own website claiming that results need to be shared with the public and different interest groups. This leads many members of the public wondering what fundamental impact the Education Renewal Initiative has had on the school system to date.

Mr. Speaker, the goals of the Education Renewal Initiative are commendable. I admire them for setting such ambitious goals. We need to empower children and young Northerners and provide them with the tools to succeed, not just in academia, but also in life. Later today, I will be asking the Minister responsible what she is doing to make this vision a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Education Renewal

Members' Statements

Page 4064

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu .

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2030 Energy Strategy

Members' Statements

Page 4064

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we approach the last few days of our spring session and starting our summer season until our next October sitting. Mr. Speaker, planning is an essential and prudent principle to any initiative, program, or project, given this fundamental component and potential overlapping idle summer time.

Mr. Speaker, I'm encouraged by the Department of ITI 2030 Energy Strategy or plan when consideration is given and taken into account energy planning, developments, and security. This past Monday, Enbridge Pipelines held a public meeting to update the community of Norman Wells for the Line 21 Segment Replacement Repair.

Mr. Speaker, one proposal in advancing our NWT energy strategy and post-devolution responsibilities is in supporting a Post-Devolution Summer 2018 Sahtu Energy Conference. This will only add to other existing NWT Regional Strategies.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the timing is appropriate for all stakeholders in sponsoring a strategic discussion for the resource legislation amendments on engagements for unlocking the Sahtu energy potential.

Mr. Speaker, we can no longer sit idle, but rather encourage and initiate engagements of support for the Northwest Territories in becoming a major contributing player in both non-renewable and renewable resource developments. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Later, I will have questions for the appropriate Minister.

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2030 Energy Strategy

Members' Statements

Page 4064

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Federal Government Engagement

Members' Statements

Page 4064

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister of Infrastructure's optimism in his statement earlier today, but 75 cents of every dollar we have comes from the federal government. In this Chamber, we are all aware of the dependence on the federal purse.

For years we've been working with Ottawa, Mr. Speaker, signing on to devolution and managing more of our own affairs here at home. We're trying to be fiscally responsible while moving forward on our mandate priorities. We've been focusing on land rights to provide certainty for all levels of government and potential investors in our resources.

We even signed on with the federal carbon tax, even though there are lots of reasons not to do that. We do these things because we are team players. We want to work collaboratively with our friends in Ottawa. What are we working toward? I go back to the words of Arthur Laing, a previous federal Minister of Northern Affairs. In the 1960s, he articulated a vision of northern economic, social, and political development with the goal that "the territories underwrite their own expenses, and eventually contribute to the economic growth of Canada." He wanted to convince industry that northern investment was "no long-shot, but rather a sound investment in Canada's future."

Mr. Speaker, the 60s was the old days. A lot has changed since then, mostly for the better, but we should realize that we still hold the goal of growing and developing our territory to be able to pay our own way. In order to do so, we are still in the business of attracting investment to our territory. Berger told us to settle land rights, and we have made significant strides in that regard. McCrank told us to get our regulations in order, and again, we have made significant improvements that Northerners and industry see as fair.

The recent federal decision to delay support for some of our crucial infrastructure projects is disheartening, Mr. Speaker. Those projects could have set us up to attract new investment in exploration, new developments in tourism. These would have helped create the base we need on which to continue building toward self-reliance.

Mr. Speaker, we've worked in good faith towards our own self-reliance, but at times, it seems our federal partners aren't completely on board. To continue to lessen our dependence on Ottawa, we need confidence that we are sharing the same vision, and are equally committed to a strong and respectful relationship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Federal Government Engagement

Members' Statements

Page 4064

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Members' Statements

Page 4065

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the efforts by the City of Yellowknife and the GNWT to tackle social issues downtown. The Safe Ride Program and the sobering centre together reduce the harm intoxicated people may do to themselves, and they have made the downtown a more hospitable place for all of us to live and work. These initiatives respond to requests by residents of Yellowknife Centre to take action on what seemed to be then an ever-expanding problem.

Today, I want to focus on the operation of the sobering centre. The NWT Disabilities Council operates the centre on contract with the GNWT at the Salvation Army. The contract for the sobering centre and the day shelter together is worth $1.4 million a year. Both are expensive and essential services. Mr. Speaker, my expectation of the sobering centre is that it would be a destination of last resort for intoxicated people, an alternative to going to the hospital emergency room, a stairwell, or a heating vent, but the reality is that not everyone is welcome there.

The NWT Disabilities Council has been known to ban people from the sobering centre. Clients may be banned for yelling, possession of alcohol, and physical aggression. At the staff's discretion, each action is accompanied by escalating penalties that range from being directed to go for a walk to a three-month total ban from the premises. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge there's a fine balance between protecting the staff from the harm by clients and protecting clients from harm by staff by being kicked out, especially in the cold weather.

The NWT Disabilities Council has a special duty of care to ensure their staff are trained in harm reduction for this group of clients, and they deliver services that are trauma informed, from a trauma informed perspective that views addiction as a disability. Surely it comes to no surprise that clients who are drunk are often difficult. It is the nature of this service.

Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that the NWT Disabilities Council is struggling with this balance, and the most vulnerable people, those who are intoxicated and have no other resources, are at risk of further harm because it turns out that the sobering centre isn't a destination of last resort, but yet another place to get kicked out of. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about how to get the sobering centre back on track. Mahsi.

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Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Members' Statements

Page 4065

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Fire Break Funding to Communities

Members' Statements

Page 4065

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as summer approaches, concerns over this year's fire season start to emerge. We are already seeing conditions getting dry, so the chances of having a busy fire season are higher. Last year, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic experienced a few local fires, but luckily, the wind pushed them away from the communities. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are concerned about the current status of firebreaks in their communities. Over the last few years, we have observed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources put the onus of fire smarting on communities.

This means that ENR has stepped away from maintaining firebreaks. Communities have had to spend their own funds on fire smarting. This takes away from other community needs, leaving them with fewer opportunities to improve critical infrastructure.

In February, when we reviewed ENR's 2018-2019 Main Estimates, I raised similar questions, noting that only $75,000 was available for fire smarting for all communities in the NWT. This is not enough, and the Minister confirmed that this fund has been oversubscribed in the last few years.

Mr. Speaker, capital funds should be for capital projects. Forest management is the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and as such, with their expertise and operations budget, they should be the ones maintaining firebreaks in our communities. I will have questions for the Minister of ENR later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Fire Break Funding to Communities

Members' Statements

Page 4065

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Carbon Pricing

Members' Statements

Page 4065

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. The federal deadline for a carbon pricing plan has come and gone, and the public has heard almost nothing from our Cabinet colleagues on an issue commanding priority attention everywhere else. I pointed out this gap in this House on February the 12 th . Nothing meaningful has been revealed since. On July 26 th of last year, the Minister of Finance released a discussion paper and public comment on carbon pricing, and that public comment period closed on September the 15 th . A public survey was also conducted.

Where are the results of the public engagement? Here we are, eight months later, and our government hasn't even bothered to compile a "what we heard" report. There has been no policy direction, no legislative proposal, nothing in the budget. There is hardly a mention of carbon pricing in the Northwest Territories Energy Strategy or the Climate Change Strategic Framework, which makes no sense at all.

The federal government released its proposed legislation for carbon pricing on January 15 th of this year. Letters were also sent to all the provincial and territorial Premiers on December 20 th , setting a March 30, 2018 deadline for choosing the federal backstop, or developing their own system to be in place by the end of 2018. The federal government backstop in carbon pricing will kick in on January 1, 2019, and we still don't even know whether our government has responded yet.

The federal carbon pricing system has two elements:

A charge on fossil fuels (e.g. gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas), which would be paid by fuel producers or distributors; and

An output-based pricing system for industrial facilities with high levels of emissions.

What will our government do with regard to carbon pricing? Earlier in this sitting, I called on the federal government to reject Cabinet's climate change plan that is masquerading as an infrastructure proposal. Is this government finally committed to accept our responsibility, live up to our national and international obligations, and act on climate change through a carbon pricing system? I will have questions later today for the Minister of Finance . Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Carbon Pricing

Members' Statements

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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Nunakput Housing Issues

Members' Statements

Page 4066

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, housing continues to be a large issue affecting the remote northern communities of Nunakput. In the Northwest Territories, reducing core need in housing is vital to reducing the many social problems associated with the poor quality of housing.

The previous Housing Minister stated that, although the yearly decline of the CMHC funding will end by the year 2038, CMHC will provide no funds to Northwest Territories for maintenance and operations. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we stay on top of housing, and that we act strategically so that there is sufficient housing support, especially for those who are at risk of homelessness, as well as for those who are struggling in their current homes.

Mr. Speaker, evictions are not the answer, and we need to take care of our residents during the times they struggle, especially with the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the recent work that led to the corporation's report On Level Ground was a great start. Now, the government must plan for the strategy to interact with the federal National Housing Strategy, which is where new funds and new opportunities will be in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories must continue to strengthen its working relationship with the federal government, as well as Indigenous governments, to mitigate housing issues and improve the quality of life for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, later, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Housing . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Nunakput Housing Issues

Members' Statements

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to Ernie Bernhardt, who is a former Member of the 12 th Assembly. Welcome to our Assembly. Masi. 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 4066

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Ernie Bernhardt, who is also a constituent of the Great Slave riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize two Pages from my riding, two Pages from Fort Resolution, Alexa Mandeville-Pasowisty and Santina Vanloon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a Page today from Yellowknife North, Page Ramanda Castillo. I thank all the Pages for the great work that they do on our behalf. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, also, would like to recognize Mr. Ernie Bernhardt and welcome him to the Legislative Assembly. He has given a lot of useful advice and encouragement over the last few year, so welcome to Ernie. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4066

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. 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 4067

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I do want to recognize Ernie Bernhardt, on another note though, in terms of being a very strong advocate, a coach, a promoter, and helping us revitalize the Arctic sports not only here in the Northwest Territories, but through the circumpolar region, and just thank him for all the work that he does in that area. Thank you, quana.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4067

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. 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 4067

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a Page from my riding of Kam Lake, Rhuwina Javier. Thank you very much for your hard work this sitting. Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4067

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, welcome to our sitting. It's always nice to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Acknowledgement 9-18(3): Herb Norwegian, Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize

Acknowledgements

Page 4067

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations, Herb Norwegian, who received the Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize on May 24, 2018. The World Wildlife Fund of Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society awarded Mr. Norwegian for his decades of work on the Dehcho Land Use Plan. Mr. Norwegian takes pride in his work and is humbled by receiving this award. I would like to personally congratulate and thank the Grand Chief for all the work he does, and for the work he will continue to do in the future for our region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Acknowledgement 9-18(3): Herb Norwegian, Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize

Acknowledgements

Page 4067

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nunakput .

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4067

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about the housing issues and noted that CMHC will no longer be providing O and M funds to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation by the year 2038. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us if there are any plans to restore this funding or otherwise mitigate this loss so that we can maintain our public housing programs across the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4067

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4067

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

I can let you know at this time, however, that we have been successful in convincing the federal government to support the sustainability of social housing for the next 10 years, which is the life of the National Housing Strategy, and we will continue to work with the federal government and keep them apprised of the housing needs that we have in our communities, and how can we work together to address them. As you have heard me say in this House before, it's not only us as a government, but working with our Indigenous governments, our community governments, and our NGOs to address the core housing needs throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4067

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

I appreciate the response. According to the federal budget, the Northwest Territories will receive $36 million over the next 10 years for housing-related matters. Mr. Speaker, how will these funds be used to address Northwest Territories housing needs?

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4067

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

That sounds promising, and I look forward to the Minister's work in the years to come. Mr. Speaker, there are NWT residents who have remained on waiting lists for public housing, sometimes for years at a time. It is essential that new units are built to meet these needs. Mr. Speaker, what plans are there to construct new units and expand housing options in Nunakput communities?

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

As you heard in my Minister's statement, one great project, that's a pilot project that we're rolling out in these four communities, is the Northern Pathways to Housing Program. It's not only going to be housing some of our homeless residents, but it's going to give them the opportunity to get the wrap-around services that they need. We also will be expanding our home ownership supports, which includes launching a new home program targeted at public housing tenants, which has been mentioned by the previous Minister, and how we can work with our tenants who are in good behavior, in good standing, and help them look to owning their new homes, which is also a very great program.

We're also exploring direct delivery, repair, and maintenance services so that we can get some of our housing units back up to code and standards, so we can get our residents and tenants in those programs, into those housing units, as well as other programs and initiatives that I've mentioned in terms of a Core Housing Needs Action Plan.

I know working in partnerships with our Indigenous governments, in particular in the Beaufort Delta and Nunakput region, we are working with invaluable regional corporations, where 12 new units are being constructed; four in Paulatuk, four in Ulukhaktok, two in Sachs Harbour, and two in Tuktoyaktuk. Additionally we have the community housing support initiative, where communities have come forward with innovative ideas on housing for single individuals, and we'll continue to support a lot of these programs, but it's going to take partnerships, Mr. Speaker, much like with IRC, and working to address these housing concerns.

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Question 324-8(3): Nunakput Housing Issues

Oral Questions

Page 4068

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on May 25, during our oral questions, I asked the Minster of Lands about lease increases and consultation with the communities, and he said: "I think the proper consultation was done, and the changes that we have made are reasonable." I find this very interesting, to say the least. After devolution, Lands actually increased rates from $100 to $150, which was a 50 per cent increase, but now the Minister and the department has raised leases up by 336 per cent to 560 per cent. So, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain how he feels this is reasonable, to see lease payments go up this high? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Lands .

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I had mentioned previously, these rates have not been changed for many years, and we wanted to have consistency with our leasing rates, so therefore these changes which the Member opposite is alluding to were felt to be reasonable. Costs have increased considerably over the last 15 or 20 years, and we thought that these increases, which are significant, are reasonable. Thank you.

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for that answer. I guess his definition of "reasonable" is not what my definition of "reasonable" is, so maybe we will have to get his dictionary and I will compare it with my dictionary. Can the Minister please explain how this huge increase is helping residents in my riding deal with the high cost of living when some find it very difficult to pay the lease payments as they are presently?

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

As mentioned previously, there had not been an increase in a considerable amount of time. Listening carefully to the concerns that had been raised in this House, we did implement a reduction of residential lease fees to 5 per cent of assessed value, down from 10 per cent, so we felt that that was assisting those residents, most of whom would be living in their own houses on those properties, so that was an actual reduction in fees.

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4068

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I will probably have to follow up on what he was saying in his answer there. So, Mr. Speaker, when I compare both Commissioner's and NWT leases and the department trying to bring these two leases together, will the department be looking at a 50 per cent reduction for seniors and elders in regard to NWT land, similar to what they do with Commissioner's lands?

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

There is, of course, no seniors' discount currently on territorial lands, but the department is looking at implementing similar provisions for residential leases on territorial lands as is currently available on Commissioner's lands. So it's a question of, really, bringing together the two types of leases, and they should be similar, at least, so we certainly are looking at the change which the Member opposite has proposed. Certainly, there have been increases, but, as I mentioned, there was a reduction in residential lease fees on Commissioner's land from 10 per cent to 5 per cent of assessed value.

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4069

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand we reduced Commissioner's land from 10 per cent to 5 per cent. Great, but the seniors still get a 50 per cent reduction in that, so I am hoping the department will actually look at that and start implementing it, as they are doing it right now for Commissioner's lands, for NWT lands. My next question, though, is in regard to the engagement. How did the department engage these people, the 170 lessees in the Nahendeh riding? How were they consulted about this change of fees?

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

As I mentioned previously, there had been, in questions asked by the Member opposite last week, considerable discussion about this issue and including, I believe, a story in the press. Each leaseholder was advised in writing by the department of the changes to lease fees, so they were advised on an individual basis. Now, the fees will be determined by the nature of your lease, so, if there is a lease for a period ending, let's say, in the year 2020 at the current rate before April 1 st , that will still be in effect until the year 2020, so the increase in rates will not occur until that time.

Now, last week, in dealing with this question and dealing with questions from the Member opposite, I referred to a pre-gazetting period that had taken place and a period of consultation. I may have misunderstood the note I received from Lands on that. It appears that the pre-gazetting period and the items filed in the pre-gazette or noted in the gazette in the pre-gazette period did not refer to the increase in lease fees, but rather other fees. I am looking into this further and certainly will deal directly with the Member opposite if he has any questions concerning that.

So, again, there has been considerable discussion in the House. There have been discussions in the press. Again, individual leaseholders were advised in writing by the department of the changes to lease fees. Thank you.

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Question 325-18(3): Land Lease Rate Changes

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Page 4069

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For over a decade, the NWT has had problems with student achievement. After five years of education renewal, there is still little improvement in student achievement. Can the Minister comment on the state of the situation for student achievement and whether or not she believes education renewal is working? Thank you.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4069

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The education renewal was to take place over a 10-year span, from 2014 to 2024. Some of the initiatives have been implemented; some of them are just in pilot stages; and some of them are still in development. Are they working? I think that, yes, some of them are working. Do I think that it is acceptable that we have a low achievement in the territories, still? No. That is absolutely not acceptable. It breaks my heart when I hear that children are dropping out, that people are having to do upgrading, so, no, Mr. Speaker, I don't think it's acceptable that we have low achievement rates. I think we still have a long way to go.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

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Page 4069

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

You know, I appreciate the Minister is relatively new to this portfolio, and it's good to hear that she believes it's unacceptable. So what is she going to do? What kind of tangible, quantifiable changes can the Minister point to that have taken place, specifically in the way we approach student achievement, that the department has undertaken to date?

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4069

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

I did take note when the MLA did his opening comments and he said that success isn't only academic; it's also succeeding in life. He is absolutely right, Mr. Speaker. It's not just about whether you get an A, B, C, or a D, or if you drop out. It's about can you succeed in life, and so there are some things that we have done that I am really excited about.

We have done a Healthy Food for Learning. There is a direct link that says that children who are not fed properly do not learn well. Every school in the Northwest Territories now has food in it. That is incredible for me. The northern distance learning, I am going up to a graduation in Ulukhaktok, I think it's next month. I have lots of grads. It's one of the most exciting communities I am going to, not because it's a special community, but it's special because three of those students, through the distance education learning, are graduating and going to post-secondary education in the South without taking upgrading. Yes, it's incredible.

What else are we doing? The community mental health pilot project; we know that mental health is linked to student success. We are expanding that in partnership with Health and Social Services. We are getting counsellors into the schools to work with children. Great initiative; I could not ask for better.

Supporting teachers, the instructional practices, I mean, that is just new. We still have to wait for it to come out, but teachers cannot be overworked and expected to do everything in an eight-hour day. It does not work, so we need to give them space. I am excited to see what will happen with that.

The Northern Pathways, one of the most exciting things I have heard yet, we are working on it. We are expanding it. We need to reach children younger, before they drop out, to kind of see where they want to go in life and give them the tools to get there. So there are initiatives happening. I could go on all day, Mr. Speaker, but I know I have to wrap it up.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

The Minister is very passionate about that file.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and, I agree, the Minister could go on all day, but let's get back to the business at hand. Another comment, you know, perhaps when the media is enquiring into the low achievement, the Minister could be the one to respond instead of her department, because that is a lot more optimistic than the message that the public is getting, which is things are not moving as far as they should. The action plan for education renewal is extremely ambitious. It has around 200 targets that were supposed to be met by this point in time. Of those 200 targets, how many targets have actually been met, Mr. Speaker?

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

I take that as a compliment, that I could go on all day. I am excited about this portfolio. How many of the targets have been met? As the Member stated, I am just new to the portfolio. I have talked about a few that I have heard about that I am totally passionate about and said, yes, let's go further with those. I have not yet gone through the whole 200 of them, but I am working diligently to go through them, and I promise, I will go through every one of those 200 ones and make sure that we are on target. Keep what's working, expand what's successful, and throw out what's showing not to be successful.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to getting an update on those results. On to the reporting of the action plan. There has been little to no reporting of this action plan that ended in 2016-2017. Will the Minister commit to providing Members of this House, and also the public, with an update that clearly articulates what education renewal has achieved and what the department is going to do moving forward? There are no updates on the website, which is where the public are going to get their information. Can the Minister commit to fixing that, and getting information out to the public? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Yes, education in the Northwest Territories should be about best practices. Best practices does talk about transparency and accountability. I have already been working on them about accountability. Transparency, I will commit that, the next session, we will provide an update to standing committee. I will do a Minister's statement in the House to talk about where we are. Websites are not my strong point, but I will push the department to actually make sure that our website is updated before the next session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 326-18(3): Education Renewal

Oral Questions

Page 4070

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . In my statement, I talked about my expectation that the sobering centre provide shelter of last resort to people who are intoxicated rather than another place for them to be kicked out of. Can the Minister tell me whether the contract with the NWT Disabilities Council enables them to turn people away from the sobering centre and, if so, under what conditions? Mahsi.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4070

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4070

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the sobering centre aims to ensure that those experiencing effects of alcohol or drugs have access to a safe place to sleep it off. By safe place, that means safe for both the clients as well as the staff of those facilities. While the staff of the centre are trained in first aid, CPR, non-violent crisis intervention, and trauma informed care, I understand that there are circumstances where good training alone cannot eliminate credible risk of real violence to clients, themselves, as well as staff.

Through the duty as an employer, and consistent with the arrangement we have with the provider through our contract, and in an effort to provide the level of safety that clients themselves are seeking, policies have been adopted to restrict access to the centre. The sobering centre consulted with their clients, and I think that's important to note, and they helped develop structured policies around unacceptable conduct and the related consequences.

Restrictions are meant only for situations that are outside of the norm and may threaten the care, welfare, safety, and security of a person, as well as staff, as well as other clients. Restrictions to services are rare occurrences, and are used as a last resort.

Mr. Speaker, if the Member is aware of situations where clients are being banned that go beyond the established criteria, I am happy to learn what those are, and hear what those are, and work with the provider to address them.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

I am aware of a number of people who have been banned, both in the short term, meaning a day or two, and over the long term. I do not have an accurate, current number, but my question for the Minister is this: when the Disabilities Council turns away a client from the sobering centre, where are they supposed to go? Are they supposed to go to the hospital, which you worked so hard to get them out of, or where exactly? If this isn't the last resort, what is it?

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

We want to have a sobering centre that is safe. We want to make sure that the clients in there are safe and aren't at risk at other clients. We also need to make sure the staff are safe. There are some guidelines that do restrict individuals on a short-term basis. Some individuals could be restricted for half a day, one evening. Some, depending on the nature of the incidents that have occurred, might be restricted for a longer period of time.

I do take the Member's point. If a client is under restricted access due to violence or aggressive behaviour, the NWT Disabilities Council works collaboratively with other shelters and agencies to ensure that they have a safe place to go. The Department of Health and Social Services and the NWT Health and Social Services Authority have hosted a touch point meeting every six weeks with different organizations to look at ways to collaborate, ensure a seamless access to services, and look at quality improvements.

Partners in this are the authority, the RCMP, the city, Centre for Northern Families, the NWT Disabilities Council, which are one of our contractors, emergency room representatives, as well as department representatives. We get together on a regular basis to figure out how we can address those few individuals who may have been restricted on a temporary or a longer-term basis.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you to the Minister for that answer. Let me ask the Minister if he has any current information about how many intoxicated people are being turned away from the sobering centre, or how often that happens?

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

As I indicated, any restrictions are sort of a last resort, and they try to work with the clients to resolve issues that may exist. We do know that 317 people have accessed the sobering centre, and that about 33 per cent of those clients use the centre on a regular basis, on a reoccurring basis. To date, there have been 30 people who have had restrictions applied to them. Restrictions, as I have indicated previously, are usually about three hours to a maximum of a week. They can go longer if situations don't improve.

As a note, Mr. Speaker, there have been 73 referrals to Stanton Hospital ER by ambulance for further assessment and/or treatment, so some of the individuals who do show up at the sobering centre aren't granted access because they have some other issues that need to be dealt with. Most of these referrals are for things like mental health issues, acute psychosis, suicidal ideations. We had a few with cardiac-related issues, so we wouldn't consider those a restriction, but a referral. Some people do end up going to Stanton. The majority of admissions in the centre, just as a note, occur between about 7:00 p.m. to about 9:00 p.m.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was some good information in that answer. Of course, I am not talking about people who are referred to the hospital. That's not the situation I am talking about. I am talking about people the staff are sending away because their behaviour is deemed unacceptable. Finally, my question is whether the Minister feels that the sobering centre operations are meeting his expectations and providing value for money? Thank you.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4071

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

The sobering centre's goal is to provide a safe place for non-violent intoxicated individuals to sleep off the effects of the drugs or alcohol. It is also to provide better care to persons with addiction through clinical assessment and intervention to improve health outcomes. It is also to assist clients with system navigation by linking them with appropriate social service agencies. It is also intended to decrease the inappropriate ambulance trips to emergency department for homeless alcohol-dependent individuals, and to decrease the number of inappropriate emergency room visits from homeless people who are suffering from alcohol.

I am pleased to share that, with the establishment of the sobering centre, there has been reduced strain on other organizations such as the RCMP, who have reported a 12 per cent decrease in calls for service for social disorder, and there has also been a decreased number of visits to the emergency room.

Having said that, obviously, we must continue to learn and evolve as time goes on. If the Member and committee have thoughts or suggestions for improvement, I am obviously open to suggestion. When it comes to individuals who are restricted, there are guidelines. They are posted at the sobering centre and the day shelter. If the Member or any other Member is aware of individuals who they feel are being restricted outside the guidelines, please let me know so that we can look into those with our contract provider and the authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 327-18(3): Yellowknife Sobering Centre Operations

Oral Questions

Page 4072

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu .

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Industry , ITI. My first question is: I noted with interest that the statement from Minister Schumann yesterday indicated that $180 million in funding is being invested in the energy infrastructure as part of the three-year rolling energy action plan that is expected to be released during this session. What is the GNWT doing to support the Sahtu region to benefit from this windfall? Mahsi.

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk about what we have done just lately in the Sahtu region. We have installed a biomass heating installation, as well as complete energy retrofits in the Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita and the Chief T'Selehye School in Fort Good Hope, as well, and we have installed a 400 kilowatt boiler in the new health centre that is going to be opening in Norman Wells shortly.

The federal government is also going to be helping us with a program where we are going to do a wind monitoring tower in Norman Wells to re-examine the wind energy in the region and the resource there, near the community. We have funding available from the federal government to support the Tulita Land Corporation for the new 45 kilowatt solar array that is going to be installed in Tulita, and, as part of the new energy action plan, we have new funding included that will help replace the existing power plant and add a megawatt-scale wind generation in Norman Wells.

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

That puts a smile on my face. Thanks for the response. My second question: the Mackenzie Valley Highway has been a long-held priority of residents of the Sahtu and is identified in the mandate of the 18 th Legislative Assembly, yet the project still has not commenced construction. What is the Department of Infrastructure doing to advance this priority?

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As I said in my Minister's statement today updating on all the corridors, the Mackenzie Valley Highway application is in the National Trade Corridors Fund application. We have not heard anything on that submission, but we expect something in the coming weeks on that. Hopefully, we will be able to secure funding on some portions of that highway, and we will be able to move on to the next planning stages of that and the environmental studies for the project as we prepare for whatever key phases are approved through that funding process, be it the Bear River bridge or sections of the highway.

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thanks to the Minister for that progress response. That is great news to hear. My next question: how is the GNWT working with Sahtu residents to ensure they are able to be equal partners in the economy?

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As the House is well aware, with our application for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, that is not only going to open up the region for communities and transportation of goods; it's going to be able to open up an area that has a vast wealth of natural resources, be it bitumen petroleum reserves or the mineral potential that is unexplored in the area. So we are working hard to advance that along with the Sahtu secretary, who has been a great partner in us trying to advocate the federal government to put some federal dollars into this.

We are also finishing up the Canyon Creek road, which a number of Members, I believe, had an opportunity to tour when they were up there this year. This is something similar to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, where there was great local participation and training opportunities for people in the area and the Northwest Territories. The numbers that I have around that are very similar to what happened in the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk situation. Roughly 84 per cent of it was local and northern employment, and, at peak employment in March, there were roughly 81 people being employed on the project, 28 of whom were from the Sahtu, and 36 were from the North.

So we are doing our part to help improve the economy in the Sahtu region. Hopefully, with a positive announcement coming out of the federal government, we will be able to continue to move on some of these priorities.

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4072

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu .

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

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Page 4072

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Minister. My last question: will the Minister, sometime during this summer, support a Sahtu energy strategy conference?

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4073

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

After session, I am actually going up to Inuvik, here, right away, for the Arctic Energy Conference, which is in its second inaugural year, which we will participate in. If he wants to have a discussion with the Member as a sidebar of what kind of opportunities we can have around having a conference in Norman Wells, I would gladly sit down and have those discussions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 328-18(3): Energy Initiatives in the Sahtu Region

Oral Questions

Page 4073

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

Oral Questions

Page 4073

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Finance on the issue of carbon pricing. I would like to start with something simple. The federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada wrote to all her provincial and territorial counterparts on December 20, 2017. She requested a response by March 30, 2018 on whether each jurisdiction would implement its own carbon pricing scheme or rely on the federal government. Last time I asked the Minister of Finance , in April, we still had not responded, so can the Minister tell us and the general public if he has written a response, and, if so, can he table it in this House without delay? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Finance .

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we did send a letter to ECCC with our planned approach to carbon pricing, and we also told them that we do not intend to use their backstop. So we will be having discussions going forward, and, when we are in a position to, we will release the results of our findings.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I would like to thank the Minister for that information. He did not answer the last part of my question, whether he was willing to table that letter in the House without delay, so I would like to repeat that question.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I will be making it available to the public, including tabling. I can table the letter, but what I need to do before that, out of respect for a consensus system, is share. We have a briefing with committee, and I want to give committee an update before I am in a position to release anything publicly.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I look forward to the briefing and getting the letter tabled so that we can tell the public what is going on. Our government apparently participated with federal government experts to prepare some sort of a study on the impacts of carbon pricing on the Northwest Territories. Can the Minister tell us whether that study has been completed and, if so, when it will be publicly released?

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

Oral Questions

Page 4073

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, there was a lot of work that went on on carbon pricing since the federal government came up with the initiative to implement carbon pricing, whether it was welcome or not. Our challenge was to do a lot of work, a lot of background work, to see what the effect would be on the people of the Northwest Territories and try to mitigate the effect on the people of the Northwest Territories. I think we have come up with a fairly good proposal in doing that. That is why we told the federal government that we will not be using their backstop.

We did some numbers using their backstop, and it was going to add on to, significantly, the cost of living in the Northwest Territories. We have a product that is made in the North, by Northerners, and I think it will be well received by Northerners. Because the carbon pricing was going to be implemented with or without our participation, our challenge was to mitigate the impact it was going to have on Northerners.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to thank the Minister for that response, but he did not answer the question, again. This study that was done in collaboration with federal government experts on the impacts on the Northwest Territories of carbon pricing, is it done, and, if so, can he share it publicly?

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I will share anything publicly, but, out of respect for the consensus system, I need to share the information with committee first, because we have seen what happens if we somehow release some information to the public before we get it to committee. So, once we have the discussion with committee and we have our discussion with Ottawa, I will be more than happy to release anything publicly so people out there can realize and know what a great job that the officials within the Government of the Northwest Territories did mitigating the impacts of carbon pricing on the people of Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 329-18(3): Carbon Pricing

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Page 4073

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

Oral Questions

Page 4074

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about two years ago, the Auditor General of Canada tabled his report entitled "Support for Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories." That report was basically highlighting 13 recommendations. The critical piece of the report was that MACA did not adequately help communities. In the case in Fort Providence, where we have a community volunteer fire department, what role does MACA have in supporting and establishing and maintaining a local fire department? Mahsi.

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

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Page 4074

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

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Page 4074

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Coming out of that report, there were some highlights, and MACA will continue to work with the key partners as well as our hamlets to develop and maintain the fire protection services for Northwest Territories communities. With that said, I just want to say that, as the Member made congratulations to his volunteer firefighters in his community, I want to thank all the volunteers across the Northwest Territories for their commitment to keeping our communities safe.

We have also done a creative assessment tool across the Northwest Territories. Currently, we have 19 community fire department assessments that have been completed to date. It addresses what is working, what challenges there are, any inadequacies. With that, we are able to come up with a fire protection plan that identifies short- and long-term goals for the community. We will continue to put those assessment tools in place with all communities across the Northwest Territories and are willing to work with our hamlets and municipalities on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

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Page 4074

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

The Minister stated that they will continue to work with hamlets. Of course, this is the Government of the Northwest Territories and this is the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Who is responsible for fire protection services? Is it this government through MACA, or is it the local governments?

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

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Page 4074

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Right now, it is just the local governments that are responsible. We provide the support. We provide the training, as the Member alluded to in his Member's statement. From May 25 th to May 27 th , we had a

Part I defensive-level firefighter course that took place. I believe there is going to be a follow-up coming in June. We continue to work with all our municipal governments to ensure that fire protection plans are in place for the community, and we do provide the supports.

We also have a community fire protection video as well as a presentation, which we have done in 18 community government presentations that have been conducted to date. As I mentioned, this is a responsibility of the local governments. We are here to provide the support to ensure that they are operating at a high standard and with the right training available to make sure that our communities are protected and kept safe.

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

Oral Questions

Page 4074

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

In some communities, the fire departments have been rendered non-response departments. They have been put on hold, and there are no fire protection services available to the community. He has stated very clearly that his department is providing support. How is his department providing support to local governments to ensure their level of fire protection services is available for all residents of the NWT?

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Question 330-18(3): Fire Protection Services in Communities

Oral Questions

Page 4074

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

If the community or the hamlet has a fire chief, we will work with them to help them develop a volunteer fire team where volunteer firefighters will provide the training and the support for those volunteer fir