Debates of Oct. 31st, 2018

This is page numbers 4621 - 4676 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 communities .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Growth of Tourism in the NWT

Advancing a Northwest Territories Physical Activity Strategy

Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Childcare Agreement

Fort Providence Fire Department

Newly Elected Council in Norman Wells

Municipal and Community Affairs Funding

Tourism Regulation

Passing of Charles "Sunshine" Larocque and Jay Larocque

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Childcare Agreement

Municipal Funding Gap

Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Tourism Regulation

Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Written Question 14-18(3): Non-Renewable Resource Production and Royalties

Tabled Document 281-18(3): Community Access Program 2017-2018 Results Report Tabled Document 282-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 370-18(3): Mackenzie Valley Highway Environmental Assessment

Tabled Document 283-18(3): Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation Annual Report 2017-2018

Tabled Document 284-18(3): GNWT Culture and Heritage Action Plan - Strong Cultures, Strong Territory, 2019-2022 Tabled Document 285-18(3): 2017-2018 Annual Report Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 286-18(3): Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2017-2018

Coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement

Recorded Vote

Revocation of the Appointment of the Honourable Member for Hay River South

Recorded Vote

Revocation of Appointment of the Honourable Member for Great Slave to the Executive Council

Recorded Vote

Bill 31: Northwest Territories 9-1-1 Act

Bill 32: Naturopathic Profession Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 30:

An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Committee Report 10-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act - Public Awareness Campaign for Opening of the Office of the Ombud

Committee Report 10-18(3): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 20: Ombudsperson Act - Investigations by the Ombud of Tlicho Community Services Agency

Bill 20: Ombud Act - Deleting subclause 15(1) and substituting the following

Ombud Act - Deleting subclause 15(1) and substituting the following

Bill 20: Ombud Act - Deleting subclause 17(3) and substituting the following

Bill 20: Ombud Act - Amended in subclause 37(1)

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 18:

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act

Recorded Vote

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 4621

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Minister's Statement 125-18(3): Growth of Tourism in the NWT

Ministers' Statements

Page 4621

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, the numbers are in and I'm pleased to say that the Northwest Territories tourism sector continues to lead our territory's march to a more diverse economy. Even on the heels of what was an extraordinary year of growth, in 2017-2018 we have once again seen our tourism numbers climb.

For the first time, over 110,000 visitors travelled to the NWT, spending over $203 million in the process. Overall, visitation to the Northwest Territories increased by 4 percent last year. While modest for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, it supports the much broader and steeper five-year trend of improvements that we are seeing in our tourism numbers.

Since 2013, visitation has increased by 19 percent. Spending has increased by nearly 50 percent and we are well on the way to achieving our target of $207 million annually identified in our Tourism 2020 plan.

Mr. Speaker, the most notable increase in our new numbers is found in Aurora viewing. Thirty-five thousand visitors came to our territory last year to see our northern lights, a 17 percent increase over 2016-2017. Those visitors spent almost $57 million, also a 17 percent jump.

Telling our story has been essential in getting us to this point. It will become even more important as we continue to grow our share of the international travel market. Central to these efforts is our partner, NWT Tourism, whose staff represent the Spectacular NWT brand and work hard to showcase our territory and all it has to offer to our potential visitors, across the country and around the globe.

2018 was a good year for us. The NWT's participation in the Canada-China Year of Tourism realized an unprecedented exchange of information between our jurisdiction and the world's fastest-growing tourist market. This included the federally led trade mission to China during which NWT Tourism solidified a partnership with Flow Creative Marketing Limited. The partnership gives the Spectacular NWT brand a consistent, locally relevant presence in the Chinese market. It was an important step and an opportunity to attract even more visitors to our spectacular territory.

The mission also highlighted Alipay as an important tool to encourage Chinese travelers to consider the NWT as their destination, purchase their tourism experiences, and spend money once they got here. At a follow-up event earlier this month, Yellowknife business owners got an opportunity to learn first-hand how this third-party mobile and online payment platform can benefit and grow tourism-based businesses in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, in September Industry, Tourism and Investment, along with NWT Tourism, ushered in a partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada that will leverage investment in Indigenous cultural tourism in the Northwest Territories. This is a popular and unique element of our territory's tourism offering that gives our territory an edge in the competitive global tourism marketplace.

Next week, I look forward to attending Northwest Territories Tourism's Annual Tourism Conference, an event which will bring together the Northwest Territories' local industry, international tourism and travel experts, and government support networks to exchange ideas, learn, and celebrate tourism success across the Northwest Territories. The theme for this year's event is Change, Challenge, Opportunity. It is a timely and fitting theme, given the position of our industry today.

There is no doubt that the surge of tourism that we have seen in the past five years has brought unprecedented change to our business landscape. We're sharing the Northwest Territories with more people than ever before. Tourism has brought a great deal of opportunity for businesses; from charter fishing businesses to Indigenous tourism outfitters to aurora operators. The department's Facebook pages are full of stories about Northwest Territories residents and entrepreneurs using programs and supports to advance their

part in our ever-expanding tourism sector.

While new products and services mean new opportunities, we are also experiencing growing pains. Our capacity to respond to increased infrastructure demands, enforcement, and administrative challenges is being stretched.

In the North our new highway has opened a new era of tourism. Preliminary numbers indicate that the number of park permits issued in the Beaufort Delta appears to have doubled. Visits to the Western Arctic Visitors Centre in Inuvik have increased by more than half. Meanwhile, three times more people popped in to the new visitors' information centre in Tuktoyaktuk than there are residents in the community.

Mr. Speaker, we are working with the hamlet, local entrepreneurs, and funding sources like CanNor to catch up with the many needs and opportunities that are being identified daily.

Here in Yellowknife we have added staff to facilitate the winter use of our parks by commercial tourism operators. We have also invested in staff and resources to address concerns about the administration and enforcement of tourism licenses.

Across the Northwest Territories we have instituted safety planning for tourism operators as a condition of their tourism license. We're continuing our investments of more than $5 million annually into the tourism-related businesses, infrastructure, and training under our Tourism 2020 strategy to ensure all tourism operators and their businesses are positioned to grow and benefit alongside our booming industry.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the contributions that this sector can make to our overall objective of greater economic development and diversity. The numbers that we are seeing, and even the challenges that we are addressing, are evidence of the fact that our approach is working and that our investments are paying off. Industry, Tourism and Investment is committed to ensuring that the right programs and supports are in place to capitalize on the growing demand that we are seeing for our spectacular Northwest Territories. I look forward to seeing even more growth in our territory's second-largest industry in the years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 125-18(3): Growth of Tourism in the NWT

Ministers' Statements

Page 4622

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Minister's Statement 126-18(3): Advancing a Northwest Territories Physical Activity Strategy

Ministers' Statements

Page 4622

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to provide an update on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs' progress on our mandate commitment to develop and implement a Northwest Territories Physical Activity Strategy. This strategy will promote community wellness and encourage individuals and families to lead healthy lifestyles through the promotion of physical activity.

Earlier this year the South Slave communities of Hay River, Fort Smith, and the K'atlodeeche First Nation hosted a very successful Arctic Winter Games. They proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that our communities are capable of tremendous achievements when volunteers, organizations, and companies collaborate to support important sport and recreation projects.

I mention this major accomplishment because it lays the groundwork for an important principle, that being, when individuals, communities, organizations, and governments share a common vision and work together, our successes will be stronger, our actions will be more meaningful, and our results will have more impact. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will use this principle as the foundation of our Northwest Territories Physical Activity Strategy and a broader Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Framework.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this fall the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs retained the services of an external contractor to help develop a framework that will support sport, physical activity, and recreation in our communities.

The development process will include engagement with the organizations most directly involved in sport and recreation, as well as the public and communities. We are aiming for a plan that will ensure our investments from funds approved by the Legislative Assembly and from the Western Canada Lottery Program are invested wisely and for the greatest benefit for our residents.

Mr. Speaker, by the spring of 2019 Members of this House will be able to review and comment on:

A Northwest Territories Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Framework, including our mandate commitment, the complementary NWT Physical Activity Strategy;

A funding policy for the utilization of Western Canada Lottery Program resources; and

An evaluation framework to measure progress in future years.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to hearing from residents and stakeholders throughout the engagement process. These important policies will help us make wise use of our resources for sport, physical activities and recreation to make our communities stronger and our people healthier. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 126-18(3): Advancing a Northwest Territories Physical Activity Strategy

Ministers' Statements

Page 4623

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister's statements. Colleagues, allow me to draw your attention to people in the gallery. We have with us here today Mr. Anthony W.J. Whitford. As many of you know, Mr. Whitford has had many roles in the past; former Commissioner, former Speaker, former Minister, former Member, former Sergeant-at-Arm, honorary Clerk at the Table, and a Member of the Order of the NWT. Welcome to our Assembly. In addition to that, colleagues, we have with us Mr. Yacub Adam, member of the NWT Human Rights Commission. Welcome to our Chambers.

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Members' Statements

Page 4623

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, as we are seeing, the threat of a work stoppage looms large every day. Four thousand workers across the territory have been without a contract for more than two years, and they are frustrated. On the other side is a government that is walking a very narrow line between supporting economic growth and pinching every possible penny.

Mr. Speaker, I am not one of those who will stand up and suggest the government has lots of money and should be ever more generous with our workers. I know we have all worked too hard in the 18 th Assembly, keeping a careful eye on spending, and I know for a fact that every dollar is being stretched.

On the other hand, I see the UNW membership not as opponents but as members of the same team. Any good policy idea, program, or service that gets debated in this Chamber will one day need our highly skilled team of employees to make it happen. The union membership deserves our gratitude and respect for the contribution they make to our standard of living throughout the entire NWT.

It's not my place to comment on specifics, but the membership feels as though it's been given nothing for a long time. In this room, as I have said, we know how hard the pennies are to come by. As partners with them, we can see that is a problem.

However, the alternative, job action, is a blunt weapon. It will hurt everyone; the membership, the local businesses we all shop at, the rising debt of those temporarily out of work, and the clients of the many government programs that will have to be suspended or delayed. No one benefits from a job action in this case.

So, Mr. Speaker, I will echo the words of my colleague from Kam Lake earlier this week. I urge participants from all sides of these negotiations to not give up, to keep at the bargaining, and to continue seeking compromises that can lead to a resolution. None of us will be better off if job action takes place, especially with a fragile economy. Negotiations must not fail. We must reach a compromise that allows our professional, engaged public servants to go back to work, confident that their contributions are needed, valued, and respected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Members' Statements

Page 4623

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Members' Statements

Page 4623

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, mould is a persistent problem in northern housing, and it's one that can have potentially severe impacts on health and well-being. It's also a housing problem that's often not too well understood. Sometimes it can be addressed with a bit of focused cleaning. Other times, professional remediation is required, which is usually the case across the northern part of the territory.

Mr. Speaker, mould is a fungal growth that crops up in spaces where there is excess moisture in the air. That could be places like windowsills or bathroom walls or in materials that get damp, like carpet or drywall. As mould grows, it releases spores into the air. Breathing in these spores can cause health problems, aggravating pre-existing conditions like asthma or contributing to serious respiratory infections.

Now, how does mould happen? Well, it can have many causes. Overcrowding in homes can overwhelm houses' ventilation systems, bringing on moisture buildup. Mr. Speaker, poor construction is one of the contributing factors to mould in the Northwest Territories. Poor windows and insulation, insufficient heating, wet materials, little or no ventilation, and irregular maintenance can also contribute.

Mr. Speaker, mould problems can be very intimidating. People may be embarrassed or may not be able to identify whether the mould is a health risk or an easily solved matter. They may also be concerned for their health and the health of their families. I would like to see more public communication and public information on this subject, Mr. Speaker. Later I will have questions at the appropriate time. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

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Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Members' Statements

Page 4624

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the gallery again. We have with us Grand Chief Gladys Norwegian. Welcome to our Assembly. We also have the presence of the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, Merven Gruben. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Childcare Agreement

Members' Statements

Page 4624

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the high cost and limited availability of licensed childcare in Yellowknife. For young families in Yellowknife, the cost of childcare is the second-largest household expense. Parents are paying $900 per month on average to have one child in full-time care. The other issue is availability. The Yellowknife daycare, for example, has a waiting list of 151 children. They have space for 100 children.

These are basic problems, and they exist in other NWT communities, as well. Childcare is unaffordable, even for parents with two good incomes, particularly if they have multiple children in care. Eleven NWT communities do not have licensed childcare, at all. I made universal childcare a priority during the last election. Universal childcare was included in the mandate, but it was later watered down to read "creating an action plan for a phased-in approach to making childcare more accessible and more affordable."

There are so many reasons for the GNWT to invest in universal, affordable childcare. The first is child development. Second, women could choose whether to remain in their paid jobs or stay at home with their children, making a decision not solely driven by affordability or availability. Investing in universal, affordable childcare even benefits those without small children. It creates a demand for training and additional employment in the childcare field, itself.

The NWT Bureau of Statistics estimates that the economic multiplier, a type of return on investment, for childcare services as 9.86 jobs for every $1 million invested, and parents who return to the workforce as well as the additional childcare staff are paying taxes and spending.

The agreement with Canada does not address these issues. The plan I found online, it has not made its way to committee yet, says most of the money will be allocated to professional development. It will apparently create 100 spaces over the next three years; peanuts, even if it was all spent in Yellowknife, and there is no word on how the agreement will make childcare more affordable. I will have questions for the Minister. Mahsi.

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Childcare Agreement

Members' Statements

Page 4624

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I draw your attention to the visitors in the gallery, as well. We have with us here the mayor of Paulatuk, Ray Ruben. Welcome to our Assembly. Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .

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Fort Providence Fire Department

Members' Statements

Page 4624

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the Department of Municipal and Community Services recognized exceptional NWT firefighters through the annual Fire Service Merit Awards.

Collectively, the Fort Providence Fire Department received a merit award in recognition of the advancements they've made in achieving organizational excellence and safety compliance. I'd like to extend a congratulations to them.

Mr. Speaker, this is no small thing. I'm very proud of what the Fort Providence Fire Department has accomplished, especially after a recent reorganization. As with many local services, communities come together to get the job done.

New Fire Chief Andy Carpenter and along with Deputy Fire Chief Cameron Sapp lead a fresh crew of volunteers, and I know that a great deal of training and planning went into their reorganization. The team had to work through several levels of training before they could qualify to officially fight fires in the community, and I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, that the whole community is grateful for these volunteers' service.

While we're on the subject, I also want to leave Members and listeners with a few thoughts on fire safety. With winter setting in, it's more common for residents to burn wood at home. Extra attention must be paid to proper maintenance and care, including cleaning up chimneys and wood stoves and keeping an eye on all burning fires. Remember the ABCs: always be careful. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Fort Providence Fire Department

Members' Statements

Page 4625

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu .

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Newly Elected Council in Norman Wells

Members' Statements

Page 4625

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs revoked the duties from the town of Norman Wells leadership on October 18, 2017. The town of Norman Wells since has been under the appointment of the administrator.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT seen six municipal elections on October 15, 2018, Norman Wells included. The community encountered many downward economic challenges in the absence of leadership. Residents continue to reside in an environment of uncertainty.

Now, Mr. Speaker, through determination and resiliency the community is experiencing positive growth. The oilfield is back in operation, residents are returning to the community, and the first 14 kilometres of the Mackenzie Valley Highway are completed with signs of further sectional construction.

The Department of Health and Social Services' regional health centre, with employment of 70 positions, has made a huge economic contribution to the community's stability.

Mr. Speaker, concerned parents are united and determined to reopen the Norman Wells daycare. Kudos to them.

Mr. Speaker, with a 64.5 percent election turnout during the last election on October 15 th , I look forward to working collaboratively with the new leadership. This will start right after the inauguration set by the leadership during the first week of November. Mahsi

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Newly Elected Council in Norman Wells

Members' Statements

Page 4625

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Municipal and Community Affairs Funding

Members' Statements

Page 4625

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, community governments can provide municipal services to our residents who rely on annual core funding from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for their operation and maintenance needs. This funding also allows them to provide vital water and sewer services to community residents and build public infrastructure.

At the start of the Legislative Assembly, the Government of the Northwest Territories acknowledged that there is a gap between the core funding needs of the community governments and the level of funding that they are getting. In its 2016 mandate, the GNWT committed to developing a strategy to close this funding gap over the next nine years, which meant we could expect the gap to be closed by the year 2025-2026.

In 2018-2019, MACA's business plan said that the community operations division would begin to implement the strategy that "will allow the government to close the gap in community government funding levels over the next nine years." On this basis, it would appear that we now expect the municipal funding gap to be closed by the year 2027-2028.

Mr. Speaker, it has been three years since this commitment was made, and the Members of this Assembly have yet to see the strategy. Every year that there is a shortfall in funding to community governments, the amounts of the shortfall compound, meaning that the funding gap that existed in 2016 has grown over three years, while at the same time inflation increases the cost of living and erodes the spending power of municipalities.

I am concerned at the lack of process by GNWT on mandate commitment 4.5.5. If the department keeps pushing off the start of the nine-year window for closing the gap, we will never see this gap being addressed. For years that we delay this work, there needs to be a recognition that the strategy may have to change to account for the compound growth in the funding shortfall.

I'm not confident MACA is accurately accounting for this fact, nor do I have any comfort that a strategy is forthcoming. Today I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs on the department's work in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Municipal and Community Affairs Funding

Members' Statements

Page 4625

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Colleagues, I am drawing your attention to the visitors in the gallery. We have with us here today Mr. David Ramsay, former Member and former Minister. Welcome to our Assembly. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Tourism Regulation

Members' Statements

Page 4626

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Recent CBC reports raise many concerns that tourism licensing, regulation, and enforcement is weak and ineffective, and that operations could pose a risk to tourists, to the reputation of the tourism industry, and even to personal safety.

The media reports are detailed and extensive, citing problems with individual operators and the ability of the GNWT to enforce its rules and correct operators who may be out there doing something that is not quite right.

Under the law, an operator must have a licence issued by the territorial government to take money from tour services. If an operator is unlicensed, they are not obliged to follow safety rules nor have the proper insurance for their activities that can place tourists at a greater risk.

Media reports include many instances of operations providing poor tour experiences, including uninsured operations such as unsupervised canoeing. Instances of baiting wildlife to arrange photo ops for visitors have been reported, and we're all aware of the instances of road accidents, unsafe parking, and stranded tourists in and around Yellowknife.

I've also spoken in the past on the inadequacy of our consumer protection law. The case of a Yellowknife restaurant offering fish from Kazakhstan as local pickerel. Any policing of the tourism sector requires the ability to receive and investigate complaints in a timely fashion, and provide redress and restitution to customers who have not been fairly treated.

In the Hansard of October 18 th , Small Business Day, the ITI Minister had this to say about tourism: "We are a victim of our own success. I have said that in this House before. Build it, and they will come. That is what happened around tourism, and that is what is happening particularly in the region of Yellowknife." As I can't fail to point out again, the commitment to building the tourism industry has not included a new visitors' information centre for Yellowknife, and according to these recent CBC reports, has not included an adequate capacity to regulate and protect the quality of the tourism industry.

As this government continues to promote tourism as economic diversification, we need to protect the quality of our product and ensure adequate regulation for the experience and safety of the visitors who come to Yellowknife and the NWT as a whole. I will have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Tourism Regulation

Members' Statements

Page 4626

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Passing of Charles "Sunshine" Larocque and Jay Larocque

Members' Statements

Page 4626

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to do a eulogy for two men who were lifelong residents of the Northwest Territories; both of whom were close friends of mine. Their names are Charles Larocque and William Larocque. They were first cousins, and they passed away about a month apart last September and last August.

Mr. Speaker, Charles Larocque was born on July 17, 1955, and passed away at the age of 63 on September 27, 2018. Charles had a nickname. To everyone who knew him, he was "Sunshine." Sunshine was predeceased by his father, Archie Larocque, and his brothers, Johnny and Pat, as he had a nickname so that the majority of his family are his siblings.

Mr. Speaker, Sunshine is survived by his wife, Margaret Mckay; his mother, 90-year-old Florence Larocque; his children, Kento, Shawna, and Savanna. I am going to try some nicknames of these siblings, Mr. Speaker. His siblings were Wally, Terri, Annie, Dawna, Allan, known as "Stinky," James "Lovey," Frank, Vernon "Sweet," George "Snuckie," Darryl "Levie," Elaine "Fatso," Melvin "Ugly man," Jack "Arsenic," Roy "Bucklow," Archie "Smokey," Clifford "Blue," Therese, Brian "Garbage," and Henry.

Mr. Speaker, William Larocque also had a nickname, and he was known as "Jay." He was born on January 29, 1954. He was 64 years old when he passed away on August 15, 2018. Jay was predeceased by his mother, Harriet (Mcswain) Mercredi, and his father, Stan "The Man" Larocque, and his brother, Allan.

Mr. Speaker, Jay is survived by his wife, Gibby; his children, Janice, Michelle, Nancy, Russel, and Brendan; his siblings, Martha Mercredi, Ruth McCullough, Lloyd Willy, James "Ugly Man" Larocque, Larry "Buckler" Larocque, Gord Mcswain, and William Mcswain, better known as "Willy."

Mr. Speaker, Sunshine was a well-liked man, known to everyone across the Northwest Territories. He has been a friend of mine. He was a mine for 50 years, and I never heard one single person say anything negative about him.

Jay Larocque was much the same, Mr. Speaker. In fact, at his funeral, I spoke to Jay's mother-in-law, Mrs. Hamilton. After the church, she came up to me, and she said, "I had no idea how many friends Jay had."

Mr. Speaker, both of these were wonderful people. The NWT has truly lost great individuals in Sunshine and Jay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Passing of Charles "Sunshine" Larocque and Jay Larocque

Members' Statements

Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well, and the community. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, 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 4627

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Rita and Joe Banksland. Rita is originally from Ulukhaktok, and lives in Yellowknife now; my high school buddy, Ryan Yakeleya is up there, as well, too; again, the Mayor of Paulatuk, Ray Gruben; and also my beautiful wife, Yvonne, who is sitting in the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two constituents of mine: first, Gladys Norwegian, Grand Chief for the Dehcho Nation; and Emma Amundson, who is on the board of directors for the Native Women's Association. Welcome and thank you very much for attending.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a list of people I would like to recognize today. I would like to recognize Mr. Fraser Oliver and David Murphy from the Northwest Territories Teacher's Association. Thank you for being here.

The Native Women's Association, we have from the board of directors Ms. Liza Piper, the president; Mabel Brown; Rita Banksland; Cheryl Voytilla; Karen Caesar; Emma Amundson; Angela McKay; Jane Weyallon; Therese Villeneuve. From the staff of the Native Women's Association, we have Jennie Turner; Rachel Tambour-Zoe; Marie Speakman; Tina Hawker; Delilah Turner; Cheryl Moore; Sandra Cumming; and Rita Wray.

I would like to also take a moment to welcome another woman in leadership, Ms. Gladys Norwegian. I am honoured to have you here. Of course, I could not forget my nephew. Garrett Cochrane is in the gallery today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

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 4627

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two members of the Kam Lake constituency: Mr. Todd Parsons, president of the Union of Northern Workers and Kam Lake constituent; and Mr. Fraser Oliver, Kam Lake constituent and member of the NWT Teacher's Association. Thank you for being here today.

I would also like to recognize Mr. Dave Ramsay, the former Member for Kam Lake , and Mr. Garrett Cochrane, the former CA for the Member for Kam Lake . Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

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

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Page 4627

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to recognize some constituents from the riding of Yellowknife North: the man of many hats, of course, Mr. Tony Whitford. I would like to recognize, Yakub Adam, Frank Walsh, and Dave Ramsay. Welcome to the House and thank you for being here.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

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 4627

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a couple of constituents of mine. My understanding is that Shirley Tsetta might be here from Ndilo. Angela McKay, I would like to recognize Angela. She is from Fort Resolution. I would like to also recognize Terry Villeneuve. Terry is a respected elder from my home community and mother of the former Member from Tu Nedhe, Bobby Villeneuve. Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4627

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Gladys Norwegian, the Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations. I understand Gladys is from Tthets'ek'ehdeli or Jean Marie River. I would like to welcome her to the House today. Mahsi.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Gayla Thunstrom.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4627

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I haven't been able to find her, but I have been told that resident of Hay River, Jaylene Delorme-Buggins, is in the gallery. Once again, she is here with the Native Women's Association and, I believe, just recently back from a trip to South America with other Aboriginal youth. She does a lot of good things for the youth. I want to welcome her to the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Page 4628

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Mabel Brown, originally from Aklavik; also, my high school friend, Ryan Yakeleya; also, long-standing mayor of Paulatuk, Ray Gruben; also, Merven Gruben from Tuktoyaktuk, the mayor; also, former MLA and Minister and good friend, Dave Ramsay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. [Translation] I would like to recognize visitors from my community, Jane Weyallon. Welcome to the Assembly. [Translation ends] Also with us, Kelly Clarke, who is the mother of Tyson Clarke, one of the pages here. Welcome to our Assembly. Masi.

I would like to thank all of you for joining us here today. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize three ladies from the Sahtu: Yvonne Nakimayak, Marie Speakman, and my cousin, Karen Caesar. Masi.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Jake Heron, chief negotiator for the Metis Nation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4628

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgments. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4628

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment . Can the Minister explain to us how spending the bulk of the federal contribution to childcare on professional development will make services more available and more affordable? Mahsi.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4628

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4628

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Providing professional development for daycare staff or for people who are looking into getting into the field is part of the solution to making childcare more affordable and more accessible. If we don't have qualified staff to provide the services, it is not accessible. We had people in childcare centres who don't have the qualifications. We are trying to improve them.

Our children are our most valuable resource. We need to provide the support so that they get the quality programming. We are providing the two-year early childhood development. It is going to be a diploma program. We are providing, with the federal government, up to 30 scholarships for people to get into that field. It is part of the answer. It is not the whole answer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4628

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you to the Minister for that response. Can the Minister please tell us how she's going to make childcare more accessible and more affordable?

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4628

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

I have to give credit where credit was due. It was under the guidance of the previous Minister of Education , who did a great job actually of increasing the amounts that are paying for subsidies to childcare centres to actually provide services for children. That was a great move on his part. I really recognize that, and congratulate him very much.

The other thing we are doing is that in the Member's speech. We have 11 communities that don't even have childcare centres. Research says early intervention is the key. Out of those 11 communities, we are working diligently. We are trying to get as many of them as possible to actually open up a childcare centre, some kind of early childhood support for their children. We have made a little bit of progress. We are working right now. Out of those 11 only, we are working with Norman Wells and Enterprise, and we are hoping that they will have centres coming in within a short while.

We know that we still have nine more communities after that to go, but they are totally on my radar, and I am trying my best, Mr. Speaker to try to support those communities so that they can have early intervention programming for their children.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

I would like to ask the Minister why the mandate tracker says the commitment to creating an action plan on affordable and accessible daycare is fulfilled when we have a 100-person waiting list here in the Yellowknife daycare, and a month of daycare costs almost two weeks of minimum wages?

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Earlier I had said, I need to give credit where credit is due, and I also have to take responsibility where responsibility is due. I did see that as it was fulfilled, and I am not okay with that. We are actually adjusting that. We will have a more complete plan.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

That is welcome news, Mr. Speaker. I am looking forward to additional detail. In the meantime, I'm wondering when the Minister is planning to share the plan that's part of the Canada-NWT bilateral agreement, along with the information that substantiates the professional development being funded with the Standing Committee on Social Development? Thank you.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

I didn't know, actually. I had made the assumption, a wrongful assumption, it looks like, that that was already shared with standing committee, so I will make a commitment that we will share that with standing committee at the earliest convenience. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 481-18(3): Childcare Agreement

Oral Questions

Page 4629

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I did a Member's statement on the funding gap for municipal governments. My questions will be for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs . Can the Minister advise us what amount of the annual funding gap at the beginning of this Assembly, what is the gap? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Member's concern, and I appreciate his statement. This is a concern that we've been working on and trying to address. We have been working with the NWT Association of Communities to the Member's question. At the beginning of the 18 th Legislative Assembly, the funding gap was approximately $39 million; 15 in operations and maintenance, and water and waste combined; and an additional of about $23 million in capital. For the current fiscal year, the funding gap is about 4.5 in O and M, and 4.8 in water and waste, including new costs identified for solid waste management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I appreciate the answer from the Minister, and I appreciate the department's work with the NWT's Association of Municipalities. Can the Minister advise what the department has done to close the gap over the last three years?

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

We have seen some increments in the capital funding since about 2014. MACA has been successful, though, in reducing the gap in operations and maintenance funding and environmental service funding by almost about 50 percent.

On the capital side of things, we have seen a significant funding investment through the federal infrastructure programs that has helped us mitigate the gap over the short period of time. We are running some of those projects out to the municipalities over the next year.

One initiative that MACA has started and implemented is an asset management strategy, and we are working with all the communities to develop that and look at ways we can maximize the useful life of their public infrastructure, and not increase the pressure on capital funding moving forward so we can actually stretch our dollar in working with our municipal governments.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I greatly appreciate the Minister's answer to that, and I'm very excited about the department working on their asset management, getting a longer life out of our facilities, and making sure they work better. I applaud the department for doing that. Has the department done any calculations or projections to determine the cumulative shortfall of the funding gap since 2016, and what is the amount of funding gap right now?

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

To date, the department has not done any analysis on the cumulative shortfall. MACA continues to move forward on an ongoing basis to improve the ways that we do fund communities. As I mentioned, since 2014 we have seen a slight increase in the amount of funding that we do get. We do have to work within a GNWT fiscal framework, but we continue to look at ways we can try to lobby for more funds. Working with the federal government is one way that we've done it.

Looking at some of their programs to help us offset some of the costs in our municipal governments, and we'll continue to work with our partners, in particular the NWT Association of Communities, to find ways that we can look at closing this gap, or at least making an impact on that.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4629

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much for the Minister for providing that information. I understand the fiscal realities of the Northwest Territories, and I understand that, but we're talking about our municipal government. I would hope that the government would start looking at trying to close that gap even quicker. Will the Minister commit to tabling the department's strategy to fulfill the mandate commitment of 4.55 at the next sitting of this Assembly in February? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

I appreciate the Member does recognize our fiscal situation here within the GNWT, and as we go through our operations budgets as well as our capital budgets, we have to compete against things such as schools, health centres, roads, other types of infrastructure. Then you have to look at all the program services that we provide to residents of the Northwest Territories. We are working diligently with the NWT Association of Communities as well as our municipal government and our leaders across the Northwest Territories to address the concern that the Member has brought forward.

It is, as all Members know it is, a tough way to make decisions in this House sometimes, but I will make a commitment that I will table the strategy in the winter session and make sure that we do share it with our stakeholders so that everyone is aware of the strategy that we are looking at moving forward to address the concern that the Member has brought up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 482-18(3): Municipal Funding Gap

Oral Questions

Page 4630

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 483-18(3): Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm hoping to ask the Minister of Finance some questions around the collective bargaining to put some fears at rest in the community. The looming threat of strike is something nobody wants to hear. Other honourable colleagues have raised this issue, and we know that the mediation has ceased. When does the Minister anticipate the release of the mediator's report? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 483-18(3): Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Oral Questions

Page 4630

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Finance .

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Question 483-18(3): Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are soon in the process of talking with UNW, and the doors are always open for further talks. I will say no more than that. Take the question as notice. Thank you.

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Question 483-18(3): Union of Northern Workers and Government of the Northwest Territories Negotiations

Oral Questions

Page 4630

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment ; and my apologies, well, I can't.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Well, you can still raise your question. The Premier is here.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment . I apologize, I did not give him much of a heads-up. Today I catalogued a number of concerns with the quality of the tourism products being offered and this government's ability to regulate the industry for the protection of tourists and our product reputation. Could the Minister briefly explain how the tourism licensing system operates and what consequences there are for persons operating without licensing? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Honourable Premier .

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You cannot manage what you cannot count. Our licensing system allows us to know how many people are delivering tourism services, what they are, and what time of year their products are being delivered. It can help us measure growth, identify gaps, and guide our planning and investment. We also have legislation that determines which areas of tourism require licences.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Recent years have seen an explosion of tourism, and I believe the Minister talked about that in his statement earlier today, and a lot of this a related to aurora viewing. Can the Minister give us some idea in the growth in the number of Yellowknife operators and licences in recent years?

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

This year, we have 151 tourism licence holders in the Northwest Territories. Last year, we had 147 tourism licence holders. Five years ago, we had 109 tourism licence holders.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4630

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I would like to thank the Premier for those numbers. So, a very significant growth, almost 50 percent it looks like. According to all indicators, the volume of visitors and the tourism operators will continue to grow. This raises some issues for me and other residents of the NWT around the adequacy and suitability of the measures that we use to regulate, inspect, and enforce our tourism licensing. In light of the issues that I raised earlier today and that are out in the media, what evaluation and possible legislative changes are needed to ensure we have the right tools in place to meet these challenges?

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

I have been involved with the Department of ITI. In fact, I was the Minister, I think, for the first year of this government. We do not see this as a systemic problem, and I am not convinced that it is today. We are more interested in growing our industry and its capacity than we are in pursuing discipline, especially if there is apparently opportunity to turn it into growth. If we want to change this approach, it would require changes to the Tourism Act, and I would expect that it would have to be done in the next Assembly.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4631

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I think I differ with the Premier 's assessment of the state of the industry and our capacity to regulate it. My statement also mentioned the inadequacy of consumer protection laws. Here, tourism officers of course cannot sit around and read to see what kind of advertising and services are out there. It's important that we have a vigorous system to receive and investigate complaints and provide restitution where appropriate, and that includes, of course, the ability for tourists to hear back about complaints, even while they are here, in town. So can the Minister explain how our tourism-complaint system works and whether it's adequate as currently operates?

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

As the Member knows, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs deals with consumer protection, so we work closely with MACA but primarily in areas of licensing accommodations in communities. In the area of enforcement, we work much more closely with the Department of Infrastructure and the City of Yellowknife and even the RCMP. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 484-18(3): Tourism Regulation

Oral Questions

Page 4631

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput .

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier, I spoke of mould in new construction and mould in the Northwest Territories, and my questions are for the Minister of Housing . Mr. Speaker, to date, what kind of public information initiatives has the Housing Corporation delivered to educate residents on mould prevention and remediation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think education, client education, in terms of public housing is key in preventing such things as mould, also with our repair programs. Specifically speaking about the mould issue, we have incorporated mould-prevention information with our STEP home maintenance and repair course as well as provided information on our website, and I encourage anyone who might be experiencing any kind of mould issues just to take a look on our NWT Housing Corporation website.

They have got a lot of information on there to help assist in terms of prevention as well as cleaning and how to present it from happening. Any of our public-housing tenants who are experiencing mould in the small communities, I also encourage them to contact their local housing organizations. We are also working with homeowners to address some of the issues that they have. So NWT Housing Corporation have been very strong educators in terms of how to address the issue around mould, and we will continue to work with our tenants as well as even our homeowners in our communities.

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

I appreciate the response. It's good that the LHOs also do outreach in the communities where people do not have access to the Internet. Mr. Speaker, when the Housing Corporation builds new units, how are these units built with moisture management and mould prevention in mind?

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation installs moisture-resistant drywall in bathrooms to reduce the chances of mould. Proper use and maintenance of ventilation systems by tenants and homeowners also helps to prevent mould formation. We evaluate new products for potential use in new construction when we are building new units in the communities, and keeping in mind you need northern considerations, such as transportation costs and installation. We also work with our partners.

As the Member knows, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation has been a big partner in terms of building new units up in the Beaufort Delta region. They have installed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, so HVAC, equipment in the units, and they are helping address some of these issues. They are more modern. They are more energy efficient, and hopefully will be easier to maintain as we move forward.

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4631

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, it's good, and I would like to encourage the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation on better construction methods and also more culturally appropriate housing for people who live on subsistence harvesting. Mr. Speaker, if residents are living in a Housing Corporation unit with mould problems, what steps can they take to see the issue diagnosed and addressed?

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4632

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, first and foremost, I would encourage any tenants who might feel that they are experiencing mould to contact their LHOs. The LHOs also do annual inspections for things such as mould and try to address it before it gets out of hand, I guess you can say, or gets too large to manage. The NWT Housing Corporation can also perform air-quality testing to see if there are mould spores in the air, and we also conduct preventative maintenance on units, like I mentioned, on an annual basis. So we are doing things in the communities.

We are doing things in our public housing units to prevent this. As I mentioned, anybody that needs any information on that, needs to become educated, we have a lot of information on our website. If you don't have connection to the website, I encourage you to go in and see your local housing officer in your communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 485-18(3): Mould in Housing Units in Nunakput

Oral Questions

Page 4632

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Written Question 14-18(3): Non-Renewable Resource Production and Royalties

Written Questions

Page 4632

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Non-renewable resource production and royalties. My questions are for the Minister of Finance , who has responsibility for the collection and reporting of revenues.

Data on commodity production values and amounts of royalties collected for non-renewable resource commodities do not fully disclose details of sources. On a calendar year basis for the years 1999 to 2017, can the Minister provide:

The annual values of production of individual commodities for all those non-renewable commodities upon which royalties are levied; and

The amount of royalties collected for each individual commodity?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Written Question 14-18(3): Non-Renewable Resource Production and Royalties

Written Questions

Page 4632

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Written questions. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors in the gallery. With us, Jim Antoine. He is a former Member, former Minister, former Premier . Welcome to our Assembly. Masi.

Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Tabled Document 281-18(3): Community Access Program 2017-2018 Results Report Tabled Document 282-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 370-18(3): Mackenzie Valley Highway Environmental Assessment

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4632

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Community Access Program 2017-2018 Results Report," and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 370-18(3): Mackenzie Valley Highway Environmental Assessment." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Tabled Document 281-18(3): Community Access Program 2017-2018 Results Report Tabled Document 282-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 370-18(3): Mackenzie Valley Highway Environmental Assessment

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4632

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Power Corporation .

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Tabled Document 283-18(3): Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation Annual Report 2017-2018

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4632

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the follow document entitled "Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation Annual Report 2017-2018." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Tabled Document 283-18(3): Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation Annual Report 2017-2018

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4632

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Tabled Document 284-18(3): GNWT Culture and Heritage Action Plan - Strong Cultures, Strong Territory, 2019-2022 Tabled Document 285-18(3): 2017-2018 Annual Report Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4632

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "GNWT Culture and Heritage Action Plan Strong Cultures, Strong Communities, Strong Territory, 2019-2022" and pursuant to

Section 13(2) of the Status of Women Council Act, I wish to table the 2017-2018 Annual Report Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Tabled Document 286-18(3): Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2017-2018

Tabling Of Documents

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to

Section 21 of the Human Rights Act, I wish to table the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2017-2018.

Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Minister of Finance .

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Motion 22-18(3): Coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement, Carried

Motions

Page 4633

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the federal Cannabis Act to legalize and regulate cannabis in Canada received royal assent on June 21, 2018, and cannabis for non-medicinal purposes became available for legal retail sale in Canada on October 17, 2018;

AND

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories has enacted the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation of Implementation Act, which includes as

Schedule A in the Cannabis Products Act that provides authority to establish measures to control sale and distribution of cannabis for non-medicinal purposes;

AND

WHEREAS the federal government is implementing and coordinating cannabis taxation framework that was agreed upon in principle by federal, provincial, and territorial Finance Ministers in December 2017 and that was formulized by the Government of the Northwest Territories with the signing of the coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement with Canada;

NOW THEREFORE I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave , that the Government of the Northwest Territories should agree to receive revenues from an excise duty in respect of the Northwest Territories as imposed as part of the federally legislated Cannabis Excise Tax. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would request a recorded vote.

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Motion 22-18(3): Coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement, Carried

Motions

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Member is requesting a recorded vote. The motion is in order. To the motion.

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Motion 22-18(3): Coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement, Carried

Motions

Page 4633

Some Hon. Members

Question.

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Motion 22-18(3): Coordinated Cannabis Taxation Agreement, Carried

Motions

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Question has been called. All those in favour, please stand.

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Recorded Vote

Motions

Page 4633

Clerk Of The House

Mr. Tim Mercer

The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes , the Member for Hay River South , the Member for Thebacha , the Member for Hay River North , the Member for Mackenzie Delta , the Member for Sahtu , the Member for Yellowknife North , the Member for Kam Lake , the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh , the Member for Nahendeh , the Member for Frame Lake , the Member for Yellowknife Centre , the Member for Deh Cho , the Member for Nunakput , the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , the Member for Range Lake , the Member for Great Slave , the Member for Yellowknife South .

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Recorded Vote

Motions

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote: 18 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstentions. Motion carried.

---Carried

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Recorded Vote

Motions

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, at this time, I would request a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

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Recorded Vote

Motions

Page 4633

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, we left off from the first motion. We are onto the second motion. Motions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Motion 23-18(3): Revocation of the Appointment of the Honourable Member for Hay River South, Defeated

Motions

Page 4633

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS pursuant to

section 61(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Members to the Executive Council Act. The Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Members of the Executive Council;

AND

WHEREAS pursuant to

section 61(2) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the persons appointment to hold office during the pleasure of the Legislative Assembly;

AND

WHEREAS the Assembly pursuant to these powers have chosen the honourable Member for Hay River South to sit as a Member of the Executive Council;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho , that this Assembly formally revoke the pleasure of the Assembly from the appointment of the honourable Member for Hay River South as a Member of the Executive Council;

AND FURTHER, that this Assembly recommend that a Member be chosen to be a Member of the Executive Council.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to request a recorded vote.

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Motion 23-18(3): Revocation of the Appointment of the Honourable Member for Hay River South, Defeated

Motions

Page 4634

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Member requested a recorded vote. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Kam Lake .

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Motion 23-18(3): Revocation of the Appointment of the Honourable Member for Hay River South, Defeated

Motions

Page 4634

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It brings me no great pleasure in bringing forward this motion to revoke the appointment of the honourable Member for Hay River South . As a Regular Member, I work regularly with the Members on this side of the House to work on issues of mutual concern to our constituents to find resolution to the leadership of the Members of Cabinet and their respective portfolios.

This is a difficult issue for me to speak to today. A problem of being a representative in a territory as small as ours is that many take personal what is a fundamental requirement of our duties as Members, which is to ensure that each Minister in this House upholds and is bound by the principle, a ministerial responsibility. The idea that, in a responsible government, all organizations are the responsibility of a Minister, and a Minister is accountable to his or her elected colleagues in the legislature.

This principle exists to protect the anonymity of the public service, of the departments under the Minister's purview, but it also ensures the accountability of the actions or inactions of departments to the public. In short, ministerial accountability exists to maintain good governance. It brings me no joy to rise and on the question of holding our honourable colleagues to account; accountability for the actions or inactions of their departments, agencies, or files. Rather, it is our necessary duty as elected representatives for the preservation of the principles of this legislature and the aspirations laid out in the principles of consensus government.

Under consensus government, we are unique in that the power is granted to the whole House itself over the appointment of Minister and over holding them ultimately accountable to the public interest. This is what we were elected to do. Some do feel that the disruption of activities normally associated with our roles in this House is merely political grandstanding or worse, scapegoating.

Given our small population, it is easy for people to get personally invested in the goings on of their friends and neighbours, thinking that Members of this House are merely making personal attacks on Members of their community, which there is only a desire for political gain in pursuit of a witch hunt.

Before I get too far into my statement, I wish to reiterate an earlier point: if any motion to remove a Member of Cabinet is successful today, I will not accept stepping into a ministerial position and I will not stand for election to the Cabinet. I know there has been much speculation and whispered hearsay to that effect. I felt I needed to get my response on the record.

Ultimately, having this discussion on the public record is how we, as a legislative body, ensure that government is best representing all peoples of our territory, and ensuring that the public will and the public good are maintained and in the forefront of our thought.

The honourable Minister in question has provided answers to our questions, provided briefings to our committees, and arranged meetings in his office to hear these concerns. However, it has become apparent to me and other honourable Members that there is only so far this Minister is willing to go in order to address our concerns. When disagreement emerges, a hard line is drawn by the Minister with no room for compromise and all further discussions have taken on a contemptuous tone.

This has played out in many forums and question periods during committee hearings and in recommendations to legislative proposals and policy initiatives. This unwillingness to engage is often combined with dismissive responses and a bellicose attitude that undermines the principles of this legislature, laid out in our guiding principles and conventions, inspired by the open, honest, and full communications anticipated in a healing circle, a concept upon this institution is inspired.

Ultimately, having this discussion on the public record is how we will move forward.

Mr. Speaker, matters of confidence are difficult and highly contentious. The most serious issue of the performance of this particular Minister is the ongoing management of Marine Transportation Services or MTS under the Minister's Infrastructure portfolio. The highly publicized failure of MTS to completely resupply deliveries to Arctic communities, communities most vulnerable to the lack of essential supplies, has raised concerns among all Members of the House.

These concerns are not only due to the thought of some of our residents being isolated without needed goods and fuel, as the winter begins, not to mention businesses in these regions that will miss out on thousands of dollars of economic opportunity, but also because of the millions of dollars this is costing taxpayers, this corrective action is taken to complete these deliveries by more costly means.

When questioned on the handling of this instance, the Minister in the House side-swiped answers, referring back to his private sector experiences as a business owner. Yes, as a business owner, one must be aware of fiscal responsibility. One must also be concerned about the ability to deliver on what has been contractually agreed upon. This House, unlike a business, does not just get to pick and choose who we serve. In business, if you fail a client, you are merely likely to just lose their business in the future. In government, when we fail our people, there are long-term consequences. Might I remind the House that winter is not coming; it is already upon us.

Mr. Speaker, at no point the Minister has stood up, taken personal responsibility for this failure, nor has he apologized to the residents who missed out on these crucial deliveries; nor to those who will not see their shipments until the ice thaws come the spring. Instead, he has insisted that the faults were due to unavoidable series of coincidences, and he is not to blame. In fact, to quote from Hansard from October 23 rd , the Minister's response to his management of the situation was to say, "I'm not going to sit here and take it, that saying this was an error of our department."

If I understood the implications correctly, the Minister does not feel that he or the department must take into account foreseeable variables, such as changing seasons, the changing state from water to ice. These are all predictable occurrences in the North, Mr. Speaker. I need not remind you. The buck does not stop at the department. If it does not stop at the Minister, who does it stop with?

I believe the counterpoint is being paid that the buck only stops every few years during an election. How does this give confidence to Northerners? How is this example of responsive and responsible government?

If the Minister doesn't like the questions of our constituents, how does he feel when they are deprived of essential supplies and vehicles for an entire season? Are they just supposed to sit there and take it? Are they supposed to feed, clothe, and heat themselves with his best of intentions? The refusal of a Minister to accept responsibilities for the actions of his or her department is inconsistent with the principles of responsible government.

In this Chamber, in our system of consensus, Minister are accountable for their departments; not public servants, not departmental officials. In this matter, the Minister has refused even a simple apology for a grievous error in the management of MTS.

Since the acquisition of MTS, the department has prioritized private cargo deliveries over community resupply. Communities are getting the short end of the stick. The Minister has made excuses, but the truth of the matter is that MTS had ample opportunity to resupply Paulatuk and the other communities in Nunavut, but chose to put a higher value revenue opportunity presented by private contracts above the needs of Northerners.

I say this, Mr. Speaker, knowing full well that the Minister has denied this suggestion; the management decisions were behind the failure to resupply Arctic communities. I will provide both the Minister's excuses and the facts I have learned since looking further into this incident.

On October 17 th , the Minister was first questioned in the House on the performance of the GNWT's marine transportation services. In response to questions from the honourable Member for Nunakput , the Minister said, "This isn't an error. This is a situation that happened because of unfortunate ice that came down. I have been on TV. I have been interviewed a number of times around this issue."

Later on October 23 rd , the Minister repeated his refusal to accept that the failure of Arctic resupply was due to the management of MTS, stating in response to questions again from the honourable Member for Nunakput , "The Member keeps calling this an error and he keeps trying to blame MTS, and that is not the case." The Minister has relied on three reasons for the failure to resupply Arctic communities. I will use his words from Hansard on the Committee of the Whole review of Minister's Statement 103-18(3): "High water knocked all the buoys out.

The delivery of fuel to the Hay River terminal that didn't meet specification that delayed the scheduling to all communities again and multi-year sea ice that came down."

I consider the Minister's three stated reasons for this incident carefully. I did my own research using ship schedules contained on NORDREG, the Coast Guard Arctic marine tracking system, along with consulting with private sector marine operators, who can be considered experts in the Arctic resupply.

I'm not arguing that the three factors the Minister is relying on to defend his performance were not present and did not play a factor in preventing shipping, but it only occurred when MTS had run out of time to complete its community resupply operations because it had become preoccupied with chasing private contracts in Alaska and the Sabina gold mine in Nunavut, putting business interests above the needs of everyday people.

What I'm saying plainly, Mr. Speaker, is that the Minister put the fiscal needs of the GNWT above the essential resupply of Arctic communities, which is and has always been the principal goal of the government's purchase of MTS. The Minister has clearly stated in the House and on the public record that as many as five ships were delivering freight all over the place, and has denied suggestions that the delivery to Sabina gold and other private customers did not affect the deliveries to the communities.

I want to be clear and present the facts to show quite the opposite. In reviewing the arrivals and departures of the MTS vessels, only two ships, the Kelly Ovayuak and Edgar Kotokak, were assigned to Arctic trips, not including private charters that were covering the areas of resupply. The Edgar Kotokak was sent to service a private contract to pick up a power plant in Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, and then it was supposed to go to Cambridge Bay to go up to resupply.

The ship did not get back to Tuktoyaktuk until September 25 th , taking so long to do the Alaska work that they were too late to resupply Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok, again, putting income generation above the needs of every day Northerners.

Meanwhile, the Ovayuak was deployed on a shipping run to Bathurst Inlet in Kitikmeot and service the needs of the Sabina gold mine and silver mine. This was before the vessel did its first trip to Sachs Harbour in Ulukhaktok. At the time, the second trip to Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, and Paulatuk was supposed to start on October 1 st , it was too late. If MTS had followed their original

schedule that they published in the spring of this year, they would have finished all of their community deliveries. All deliveries were planned to be completed by the end of August. Instead, new contracts were added to increase government revenues at the expense of small communities in the NWT and Nunavut.

Compare this to the private charter, Investigator, that left Tuktoyaktuk in the same sailing season on September 20 th on its final trip to the TMAC mine that completed that delivery successfully, without any delays caused by sea ice. It's clear that MTS had a very large delivery window, and this costly error cannot be blamed solely on environmental factors. The failure was caused by poor planning and a pursuit of private-sector contracts. This is especially troubling as the Minister has told this House that a private business could not have done any better and would have left our communities worse off.

Mr. Speaker, in actuality, a private charter was more than able to resupply their customers on time, without issue, in the month of September. The bottom line is, if MTS had concentrated on community deliveries instead of doing all this commercial work, the department could have completed the deliveries to our communities.

The Members of this House have supported the GNWT's efforts through MTS to ensure the communities get their deliveries, but, in his zeal and fervour for the GNWT to enter into the private shipping market, the Minister has dramatically affected the ability of MTS to do its job in essential resupply. This has occurred in both years, 2017 and 2018, and again MTS has been pursuing these contracts under the government's watch, putting the needs of outside interests above the needs of our own residents.

This concern has been brought forward to the Minister's attention. He is well aware it exists, and he has defended his approach at every opportunity, sharply rebuking any suggestions that the choice to prioritize revenues over people is the wrong approach. On this point, Mr. Speaker, the Minister and I cannot be farther apart. When discussing the role of public government, it seems at all times the Minister may have forgotten what his title is in another portfolio, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment , not chief executive officer of a for-profit corporation.

The House's focus should be on the peoples of the NWT and on securing a future for the territories, not in pursuing revenue-generating schemes.

The Minister has blamed bad fuel as one of the factors in delaying shipping. Unfortunately, this occurrence is all too common in Arctic resupply operations, and the department should have made sure the fuel was on-spec when it was purchased because you only get one chance at resupply in the challenging weather conditions present in an Arctic environment. With the Minister's experience as a businessman, one would assume that, before deliveries were signed off on, steps were taken to ensure the delivery met expected standard, that this was the right product and it was required for the shipments.

Not just the residents but businesses are without their supplies, crippling some businesses to deliver their products and services to market, leaving remote northern communities out in the cold. These explanations are an all-too-common rule of thumb in the private-sector shipping business.

I would be remiss not to quote the Minister from Hansard when asked about the risks of Arctic shipping on October 24 th . He stated, "If I lived in the High Arctic, I'd realize there are substantial risks to getting my freight in." Mr. Speaker, the Minister was well aware of the tight timelines for resupply and the need to get fuel purchases right from the start. There can be no excuses for this as it is clear the Minister knew the risks.

Poor planning or a lack of concern are not enough to justify this issue concerning fuel nor suggesting to Northerners in remote communities that it's their fault and that they should have known better when they chose to stay in their communities. This is contrary to so much of what we in the House are working for: strong, stable northern communities.

The Minister's tone and hard-line attitudes to these issues are saddening and very concerning to me and other Members of this House. Though the concerns of the residents of affected communities are driving the issue, the cost to airlift the missed deliveries is a concern to taxpayers everywhere in the Northwest Territories. Millions of dollars have had to be spent to send these missed goods by aircraft.

While these costs are being paid out of two government revolving funds and will not impact the government's budget directly, they are additional and unnecessary, that directly affect the performance of these funds in question. As a business owner, I wonder if a cost-benefit analysis was completed prior to the prioritization of private ventures over the needs of the public.

I wonder if profits made from private deliveries outweigh the costs associated with airlifting some supplies and the unknown-as-of-yet costs associated with freight which cannot be airlifted and will spend the winter in the government's possession.

Mr. Speaker, when this government decided to purchase MTS, it was through a special warrant. They did not come before this House for approval by its Members. This action was met with no small amount of concern by Regular Members, but, ultimately, we all decided to support the move to ensure essential community resupply could be maintained.

The willingness of Members to support the government on MTS continued when the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment agreed to fast-track the bill to establish the MTS revolving fund that was allowed the bypass the normal 120-day review period by standing committee normally required of legislation. Part of this expediency was an agreement that all Members of this House would be involved in the future operations of MTS and the eventual governance model that would be implemented to run t