Debates of Nov. 24th, 2021

This is page numbers 2989 - 3034 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was know .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Update on Procurement Review

Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Renewal Strategy

COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Legal Services in Small Communities

Services in Small Communities

Housing in Small Communities

Increase Decision-Making Authority in Small Communities

Small Community Employment

Core Housing Needs

Jean Marie River Flooding and Responses

Infrastructure in Small Communities

Eulogy for William Konisentia

COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Legal Aid for Small Communities

Services for Small Communities

Decision-making Authority in Small Communities

Infrastructure in Small Communities

Housing in Small Communities

Land Ownership Issues in Small Communities

Jean Marie River Flooding and Response

Obstetrical Care Costs

Tabled Document 474-19(2): Report of the Procurement Review Panel - Review of the Government of Northwest Territories Procurement Policies; Tabled Document 475-19(2): The Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 67th Annual Report 2020-2021; Tabled Document 476-19(2): The Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board 67th Annual Report 2020-2021; Tabled Document 477-19(2): Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1st to June 30th, 2021); Tabled Document 478-19(2): The Northern Employee Benefits Services (NEBS) Pension Plan Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31st, 2020.

Tabled Document 478-19(2): A Strategy for Renewal of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation - Purpose, People, Programs, Partnerships, November 2021.

Tabled Document 479-19(2): Director of Child and Family Services Annual Report 2020-2021.

Tabled Document 480-19(2): Speaking Up for Fairness - 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Ombud. Tabled Document 481-19(2): 20/21 Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories Annual Report. Tabled Document 482-19(2): Office of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories Annual Report 2020-2021. Tabled Document 483-19(2): Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report 2020-2021.

Move committee Report 17-19(2), 18-19(2), and 19-19(2) into Committee of the Whole

Appointment to Standing Committees on Accountability and Oversight, Economic Development and Environment and Social Development

Appointment of Chief Electoral Officer

Bill 36:

An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act

Bill 37:

An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Bill 38: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act 2021

Bill 39

An Act to Amend the Post-secondary Education Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 2989

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, before we begin today I'd like to provide some clarity on the events of yesterday. In speaking to the Member for Thebacha's motion yesterday, Mr. Norn made the following statement. I quote from the unedited Hansard:

“I will say that I will resign. I will prevent you from making this vote. I will save you that. I will do that and do you that honour. And I -- and that I could feel the will of the people in this room, and I will respect that.”

Section 10(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act lays out the different ways that a Member may resign their seat in this House. One of them is to announce that decision from their seat in session. This has happened on a number of occasions in this past, most recently when the then- Member for Monfwi resigned from his seat earlier this year. The words he used at that time were as follows:

Mr. Speaker, today I am giving notice to this House, to the Tlicho people, the NWT as a whole, that I will be resigning my post as a MLA for Monfwi effective today, Friday, June 4th, 2021.

Similarly, when the then-Member for North Slave, Mr. Henry Zoe, resigned during the 15th Assembly, he stated:

Madam Speaker, I rise in the House today to announce my resignation as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for North Slave effective immediately.

Unfortunately, the words Mr. Norn used in speaking to the motion yesterday were ambiguous, and they lacked the clarity needed to give that resignation full effect. This is why I allowed debate on the motion to continue and ultimately put the question to the House.

I should also say that even if Mr. Norn's decision to resign had been stated clearly and unambiguously in the House, the motion would still have been required and taken effect.

Rule 60 states "A Member who has made a motion may withdraw it with the consent of the seconder provided debate has not begun."

As you know, debate on the motion was well underway by the time Mr. Norn made his statement. Furthermore,

section 10(4) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act goes on to state that "The resignation of a Member under this

section does not affect the conduct of any proceedings that are pending or that may be taken (

b) in respect of any complaint brought against the Member under

section 100(2)."

The initial complaint to the Integrity Commissioner against Mr. Norn was made under

section 100(2). Therefore, even had Mr. Norn clearly stated his decision to resign from his seat in the House yesterday, that resignation would not have ended the requirement of the House to consider the sole adjudicator's disposition on the report and either order or reject the recommended punishment.

To conclude, Mr. Norn did not resign his seat in the Legislative Assembly yesterday. The Legislative Assembly ordered the seat declared vacant in accordance with the recommendation of the sole adjudicator by the motion the Member for Thebacha introduced following my ruling on her point of privilege.

Thank you, Members. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Minister's Statement 180-19(2): Update on Procurement Review

Ministers' Statements

Page 2989

Caroline Wawzonek

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon, I will table the Report of the Procurement Review Panel, which provides a review of the GNWT's procurement policies and practices, as well as recommendations on how these can be improved.

Government procurement, especially in the Northwest Territories, is far-reaching, and the steps that we take to respond to the panel's recommendations will support the GNWT's mandate commitments.

To adopt a benefit retention approach to economic development; increase employment in small communities; increase economic diversification by supporting growth in non-extractive sectors like manufacturing.

Mr. Speaker, to develop the report, this panel was asked to meet with Indigenous governments, industry, and business communities, as well as Northwest Territories residents, to discuss GNWT policies and practices around public procurement and then identify ways in which they can be improved.

They have done that, and they have done it well. In the interest of openness and accountability, their findings and conclusions were shared publicly on September 29, 2021.

The panel has provided 50 recommendations for us to consider, highlighting that our government's procurement processes need to be simpler, more transparent, and easier to navigate for the parties that are accessing them.

The panel's report shows that our government's procurement policies and related activities are spread across too many administrative departments and that the responsibility for up to seven key performance functions is unnecessarily confusing to those that these policies are intended to serve.

In many cases the panel's recommendations align with work that is already underway to improve our internal procurement processes such as the development of a 'one stop shop' website that combines all procurement related information into one spot for contractors; the improvement of contract monitoring through the implementation of the first phase of vendor performance management with more work on this initiative is already in progress.

Vendor performance management helps us first monitor and, if necessary, enforce compliance with procurement provisions in contracts; and the GNWT's regular review of processes and procedures.

Many of the recommendations in the panel's report will trigger consultation requirements set out in the land claims with our treaty partners and will likely impact or intersect with our commitment to develop an Indigenous procurement policy. Our officials will continue to meet with Indigenous governments to discuss the panel's report, receive their input, and map out next steps.

The panel's report also includes recommendations to improve information sharing and help suppliers navigate the procurement system and resolve disputes. It recommends streamlining existing rules and oversight to reduce complexity and confusion for suppliers and contracting authorities. These are areas that we can get to work on sooner rather than later. Mr. Speaker, there is much at stake in this review.

In the words of the panel, "Procurement can have significant impacts on individual businesses and sectors of the economy. In some industries within our territory, the GNWT is the largest purchaser of goods and services and, as the panel heard through its engagements, the influence of the GNWT's procurement practices can be enormous in influencing the success or failure of any given business."

The panel suggests that its findings and recommendations provide the GNWT with an historic opportunity to use its buying power strategically and to leverage its public procurement in support of economic and social objectives.

I agree. The report identified that a significant proportion of GNWT's contracts are awarded to NWT-based businesses. Approximately 75 percent of all contracts over the last nine years have been awarded to Northwest Territories businesses with a value of $2.2 billion.

In our most recent contract report for 2020-2021, the GNWT entered $338 million worth of contracts and change orders. 70 percent of these were awarded to Northern companies. A share of the remaining contracts received no bids from Northern companies, and a portion required goods and services that are not available in the Northwest Territories. This shows that our policies are working, but I believe there is more we can do.

The panel's report, Mr. Speaker, highlights the potential that exists within our own resources and the economic stimulus that can come from it. In order to restore and grow the Northwest Territories economy, it is essential we limit the migration of dollars out of the territory. While we may never be able to completely eliminate dependency on outside workers or suppliers, this government is dedicated to working closely to close any potential loopholes in the system, maximize benefits to Northern companies, and ensure as much money as possible stays in the territory.

It will take some heavy lifting and strong decision-making, but these are the types of impacts that must be our goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 180-19(2): Update on Procurement Review

Ministers' Statements

Page 2990

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Minister's Statement 181-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Renewal Strategy

Ministers' Statements

Page 2990

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is undertaking a review and renewal exercise to ensure that the Housing Corporation's efforts are effective and producing the desired outcome for Northwest Territories communities and residents.

Across the world, affordable housing is a significant issue. We face the same in the north, with the added complications of severe northern climate, real pressures on both supply and labor, and working across extraordinary remote and vast lands.

Mr. Speaker, the 19th Legislative Assembly made safe and affordable housing a priority. On March 4th, 2021, a motion was passed calling for a change in the mandate of the NWT Housing Corporation. A large number of the reports and consultations have been conducted within the last five years, including one of the most extensive surveys ever conducted by the Government of the Northwest Territories with the public. This high level of interest and scrutiny will continue through forums like the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Officials Housing Working Group.

The NWT Housing Corporation is rethinking its purpose. People need to be at the center of every housing perspective; programs that are no longer practical or do not really serve Northerners need to change; client service needs to be improved; the housing aspirations of Indigenous governments needs to be better supported; our relationships deepened with existing partners as well as inviting more in to become partners.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot in recent years about the housing situation, and we understand the time for further studies is over. Now is the time to implement solutions.

Just this year, as a result of significant engagement with the federal government, we are partnering in an unprecedented level of housing activity. Over the next two years, a record number of homes will be built throughout the Northwest Territories.

Nearly 200 people who were leasing their property have now had their land in fee simple title; in other words, they've become property owners. 160 public housing units are scheduled for major renovations and upgrades in 2021-2022. Of these 160 units, 38 projects are completed, and contracts have been awarded on further 95 projects.

These is just a few of these actions already underway that will make a very real, tangible difference to the lives of Northerners. We need housing. Additionally, the Housing Corporation continues to make progress on community housing plans. These plans provide communities, and their stakeholders, the tools to plan and direct the future of housing in their communities. To date, the Housing Corporation has engaged with 23 communities on their community housing plans.

New actions will be coming and will not stop until we have made clear our progress based on our four pillars of renewal:

Rethinking our purpose;

Strengthening our staff;

Revising our programs; and

Deepening and growing our partnerships

We are excited to see how this renewal process with the result in making life better for the people throughout the North, and I hope you will be excited too. At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Renewal Strategy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 181-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Renewal Strategy

Ministers' Statements

Page 2990

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2990

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it took 18 months for the pandemic to finally hit my riding of Nunakput. The first scare we had was in Ulukhaktok and I really want to thank our mayor Josh Oliktoak and his staff and the health centre staff that did the awesome job to contain that, and then we didn't really have an outbreak there.

But unfortunately it came to Tuk. I want to thank the community leadership, my mayor Erwin Elias, the TCC chair, and all the nurses and the health care workers, and the Rangers, who have been working nonstop to take care of our people. And I also want to thank our health care workers that were flown into the community, and my Minister for taking the late calls from us in making things happen.

Mr. Speaker, I'm really proud of my entire community. It has come together for each other. It's been exhausting, and the total number of cases are 10 percent of my people in the community of Tuk, there's a hundred people, and we're still on the road to recovery. Mr. Speaker, I'm thankful it wasn't worse and the case numbers are still dropping. It remains much to be seen yet.

Our small communities, Mr. Speaker, do not have the resources to help their residents in regards to increased demand on food, the hampers that we should be giving. People need assistance. They can talk -- they can't go to Inuvik to go buy food or it's not easy to go out on the land because we're on lockdown in the community. Things need to get -- to keep busy for our youth. But I'm happy that IRC and the Community Corp delivered boxes on the steps for the kids, and the school gave them homework. So we're keeping the kids busy. And the mental state, it's a big thing right now because they're under lockdown.

Our community leadership has asked about what financial supports are available to access and to pay for all the financial isolation centre was set up, all the food, the check stops on the highways. The community is willing to do what it takes but in case it has had zero help for payment.

I'm going to be asking the Minister today where -- if the community's lockdown, they should be paying the bill to assist. The community does not have a budget to these costs, it can't come out of their O and M. The money, you can't take it out of their gas tax funding because it's not for that. So the GNWT should cover all the costs for small communities across the territory and assist them. And I'll take my time now.

So Mr. Speaker, it's just -- what we really need to do is make sure if COVID Secretariat or CPHO shuts down the community on lockdown, that's when the bill should be getting sent to them. They should have to pay, not my community, not any community across the territory, because at the end of the day they have enough problems in regards to stretching out the dollar and to try to provide service, you know, for the constituents that we represent.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to remind everybody back home to stay safe and across the territory keep physically distancing, sanitizing your hands, and stay home. And if you're not feeling well, make sure you're getting checked by the health nurse. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2990

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Legal Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2990

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when one lives in any small community in the North, one is subject to higher costs for goods and services.

Mr. Speaker, I want to focus on one area that I am familiar with, and that is the need for basic legal services to those who reside in the smaller communities throughout the Northwest Territories. What we in the larger communities take for granted, those residing in small communities go without. And if they want access to what we have, there is always an additional cost.

Mr. Speaker, as an MLA and a member of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories, I have had the satisfaction, over the last two years, of providing some of those legal supports in my community at no charge to constituents and those from other regions. Some of the legal issues that land on my desk require information, advice, and some drafting of documents.

These services include wills and estates; personal directives; power of attorney; guardianship; Rental Office applications; Emergency Protection Orders; Affidavits; Statutory Declarations; land transfer documents; land lease agreement disputes; employment matters; contract/security document review; criminal law and court applications; and other matters.

Mr. Speaker, as you can imagine, if we, as MLAs, are dealing with the foregoing matters in our mid-sized communities, one can only imagine how the lack of legal services in a small community will impact the residents. This government talks about bringing services to the people, and rightfully so, and legal services has to be a priority. We as a government bombard businesses with contract documents. The NWT Housing Corporation place tenancy agreements in front of clients, seniors are signing off on matters that impact their care, finances and assets, and, in many instances, are signed with no legal understanding and no legal advice.

Mr. Speaker, we have only one legal outreach worker in the NWT who can only offer information and advice on certain legal matters but are not in a position to complete documents on behalf of the clients. We also have legal aid workers however they too are limited in what services they can offer.

Mr. Speaker, it is important all residents in outlying communities have access to legal services so they are provided with an understanding of their legal rights along with an understanding of legal processes. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

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Legal Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wish they would have renamed this week 'the small communities appreciation and funding week'. But maybe that will come sooner than later. I also want to thank my colleagues for their indulgence in helping our small communities to address their issues. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring attention to the lack of many services and infrastructure in my small community and of other similar small communities.

Mr. Speaker, far too often the residents of small communities have to leave their home communities to access programs and services offered in larger centres. The reason many have to leave their home communities is the lack of available programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, our communities lack infrastructure and funding to offer services such as women's shelters, family violence shelter, emergency shelter, community freezers, child care spaces, aftercare centres, and a host of other programs and services easily afforded to larger centres.

Mr. Speaker, it is very hard on residents when they're faced with having to leave their community to access shelters and programs in the larger centres. Many leave with their children, much to the dismay of immediate family, especially the grandparents. Many cannot stay to take in activities and other celebrations that bring the community together and to enjoy cultural activities.

Mr. Speaker, our small community, and others in similar situations, are never afforded much-needed infrastructure, programs, and services. We seem to always be an afterthought, if we are even thought of at all by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, we need to bring these issues to the forefront and ensure small communities are treated equally and provided the programs and service that will make a better life for the residents.

I will have questions for the Health Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

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Services in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .

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Housing in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week as we highlight the issues in the small communities, I'd like to talk about core housing need.

A household in core housing need is one whose dwelling is considered unsuitable, inadequate, or unaffordable, and whose income levels are such that they could not afford alternative, suitable, and adequate housing in their community. It should come as no surprise, then, that our core housing needs are greatest in our small communities where, in my community, six percent of homes are deemed inadequate. That jumps to 29 percent in Tsiigehtchic. Over 14 percent of households in the Beaufort Delta communities have someone who can't get into their own home. And for the vast majority, it's because there are no units available in their community.

For those who can get into homes, almost one-third of the homes, for instance in Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson, are in need of major repairs. The Beaufort Delta communities have the lowest rate of home ownership in the territory. Only 28 percent of homes in Aklavik are owned, rising to 40 percent in Tsiigehtchic. This is far below the territorial average. Even in famously expensive Yellowknife, over 58 percent of homes are owned by the occupant.

Mr. Speaker, the majority of homes available to rent in the communities are owned by the government. Core housing need isn't a community problem. It's a government problem. And I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at the time.

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Housing in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Thebacha.

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Increase Decision-Making Authority in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the people living in small communities do not have the same level of access to government services or medical care as residents living in the capital do. By this very nature, the quality of life and social health are reduced compared to people living the capital, which is not okay. Moreover, the capital is the central hub of the government so all major programs and services and government agencies and departments are headquartered here. This means that most government decisions are usually made from the capital which, in effect, deprives small communities from proper regional decision-making authority.

Mr. Speaker, continuing to go down the route would go against the heart of one of the priorities of the 19th Assembly, which is to increase regional decision-making authority.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has always structured itself from a centralized approach, when really it should be the other way around, especially since our territory encompasses so many Indigenous and self-government communities as well as regions with ongoing land and rights-based agreement negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons our government needs to function with a decentralized approach so we can empower small communities with more autonomy and a better quality of life. Too often I see some very basic seemingly no-brainer decisions that could, and ought to, be made at a local level but instead are being made from the capital.

I will have questions for the Premier later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Increase Decision-Making Authority in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2991

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Small Community Employment

Members' Statements

Page 2991

Rylund Johnson

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a mandate commitment and a priority of this Assembly to increase employment in small communities, specifically, in the mandate, by 125 jobs, Mr. Speaker. I will have some questions later today for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about exactly what that looks like and what that means. It's a hard number to put in context.

But I think firstly, Mr. Speaker, in developing this work, we have to realize what we're up against. The Northwest Territories is not immune from the globalization that affects all communities where somehow High Liner fish bought in a supermarket is cheaper than the fish that a fisherman catches right out in the lake in their front yard, Mr. Speaker. We are not immune from urbanization. We are seeing the population of many of our small communities decline and, in fact, our territorial population is largely static as people move to urban centres all across the planet, Mr. Speaker.

And Mr. Speaker, at the heart of this debate about increasing employment in small communities, there is a tension that the Northwest Territories has more jobs than people, Mr. Speaker. That is why many of our mines are southern. It's why the majority of our workforce is not Indigenous and not going here. But those jobs do not align with our current education and our current workforce skills. Many of those jobs are not in the small communities. Therefore, if someone in a small community goes and successfully becomes an engineer, it is most likely they're not returning to their community to work.

Mr. Speaker, but people in a small community have a right to meaningful employment. And that can look in many things. There is pride in driving the water truck. There is pride in getting your ticket and becoming an OBM. There is pride working at your local band office. We need to make sure we are in every community and everyone working in a small community can have a job if they need them.

Mr. Speaker, in 2018 we completed a small community employment strategy. The Premier at that time was the Minister responsible. It was a six-year plan. When I look at that plan, it has a bunch of kind of lofty goals and objectives and it has no hard measurements. I'm confused what it was intending to accomplish and, more importantly, what it has actually accomplished in the last four years.

Mr. Speaker, we have a number of mandate commitments and a number of things happening across this government to increase employment in small communities. However, I'm unsure whether we are actually doing that, and I'll have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Small Community Employment

Members' Statements

Page 2991

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Core Housing Needs

Members' Statements

Page 2991

Caitlin Cleveland

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, housing is in crisis. Lack of adequate and suitable housing has forced families to sacrifice safety, mental wellness, and sobriety; has meant more children in government care; and impedes education levels and education rates.

This is not news to the 900 Northerners on housing wait lists or the thousands living in core need, meaning their home needs repairs, is overcrowded, or unaffordable.

We have one of the highest levels of core housing need in the country, where over 50 percent of housing in NWT communities requires major repairs.

The success of healthy, inclusive, creative communities starts with housing as a human right.

The UN Declaration of Human Rights assures everyone the right to housing and a dignified standard of living. The UN declaration of the rights of Indigenous peoples invokes self-determination in health, economic and social sufficiency, and housing.

Housing is a key pillar to the United Nation's sustainable development goals and the international covenant on economic social and cultural rights. The emerging international and green new plans recognize housing as critical to the knowledge economy and climate-sensitive industrial system. Canada's first national housing strategy identifies Indigenous housing as a priority and set aside $40 billion to meet their ambitious goals.

With so many people saying all the right things, why is this not translating to housing for remote northern Indigenous communities and an elimination of core need in our territory?

This Assembly is adding 90 new public housing units to its stock. This is the largest increase in housing stock that the NWT has seen in decades. But if we add 90 housing units in every term, it will take 36 years to fulfill our housing waitlist. I will be 75 years. The MLA for Nunakput will be 84 and the MLA for Frame Lake will be 99.

Building new homes has also become more expensive due to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions. In addition, the NWT continues to lose valuable CMHC maintenance funding every year without a plan to replace it. This crisis is snowballing, and we need a plan to address this now, in our generation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Core Housing Needs

Members' Statements

Page 2992

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Jean Marie River Flooding and Responses

Members' Statements

Page 2992

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Tough act to follow there.

On the theme of small communities, this past summer our family took a trip to Sambaa Deh Falls Territorial Park, one of the NWT's hidden gems. While we were there, we took the opportunity to visit Jean Marie River on August 11th to see some of the spring flood damage firsthand. I had contacted the Chief ahead of the visit but unfortunately he had some other meetings that took him outside of the community. I was able to briefly meet with the senior administrative officer and drove around the community.

The community administrative offices were damaged by the flooding but repairs were underway. Much of the community's housing is close to the Mackenzie and Jean Marie Rivers and was heavily damaged. At that point in August, little work had been done other than assessing some of the damage. Some other housing owned by the NWT Housing Corporation is a few hundred meters away and was also damaged and remained that way. Some other housing is set back to the west of the airstrip and was not damaged.

Two temporary camps were in the process of being set up - One for Elders closer to the rivers and the other to the west of the airstrip for families. Unfortunately, the community water treatment plant was, at that point, still not in operation.

I want to acknowledge the work of the Member for Nahendeh and I also had the opportunity to visit him briefly in Fort Simpson on this same trip. I was also pleased to see that Cabinet listened to the Regular MLAs and modified the disaster assistance policy to allow for advances and also took off some of the caps. Further work is still needed to review our response and assistance overall.

I will have some questions later today for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs on the status of the flood relief work, particularly for the small community of Jean Marie River. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker

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Jean Marie River Flooding and Responses

Members' Statements

Page 2992

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .

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Infrastructure in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2992

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one sec here; my computer has been very finicky these days.

The Mackenzie River Valley Highway will provide an all-season connection between the small communities in the Northwest Territories Sahtu Region, from Tulita to Norman Wells. The highway is being advanced as a series of projects along the Mackenzie River Valley route, with one such project being the Great Bear River Bridge.

The proposed Great Bear River Bridge will be constructed adjacent to the hamlet of Tulita, replacing a

section of the winter road that is currently constructed across the Mackenzie River around its confluence with the Great Bear River; a river that has historically proven problematic for ice road construction due to its high flow and configuration.

The bridge alone will be a huge boon to the smaller community, connecting Tulita to its only quarry or borrow source, which the community can currently only access during the winter road season. The two-lane bridge will span 460 meters in length and provide new social, recreational, and economic opportunities for the community. Eventually, this road will connect Tulita to Norman Wells' Road to Nowhere, a connection that will be a huge economic game changer for the people of the Sahtu.

For example, the resource industry has long supported the construction of the bridge and subsequent highway as better access for exploration will lead to greater economic opportunity for the communities along its route. But the benefits from the highway from this sector will not be realized for many years.

The people of Tulita should not have to wait until the full highway is complete to take

part in the economic prosperity that it will bring. Rather, all efforts should be made to ensure that any contract being issued as part of the bridge's construction remains with businesses in the small community that will have the bridge in their backyard. These contracts must benefit the people that actually live in that community and not outsiders that make many false promises of trickle-down economies that never seem to materialize.

Regulatory permits and approvals are expected to be in place in the spring with construction slated to begin the following winter. It is expected that the bridge and its approaches will take about three years to complete. This substantial amount of money must remain in the small community that supports the bridge and its work going forward. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you.

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Infrastructure in Small Communities

Members' Statements

Page 2992

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Eulogy for William Konisentia

Members' Statements

Page 2992

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on July 22nd, the community of Nahanni Butte lost a respected Elder, William Konisentia.

William was born at Netla on September 23, 1943. He was the second eldest child in the family of Joseph and Margaret Konisentia. He was raised in the Netla River area until families were relocated to Nahanni Butte in the early 1960's. The family was happy with this move as this is where William met his sweetheart and future wife Bella Matou. On May 18, 1967, they got married in the log-built church.

They were very fortunate to have six children. They enjoyed life together, especially when it come to having picnics along the Liard River. When family talked about their time together, it always involved making a lunch in the largest kitchen in the world - outside.

William was a very hard working man. He took pride in looking after his family. He was an amazing trapper and hunter. Where possible, he would go out to provide for his family. Trips involved him and some of his siblings and later on involved his children. He was very proud of his children. Besides trapping and hunting, he would take on work as it came his way. He was very proud of the slashing job that three of his brothers and three cousins did for Can Jay Exploration. They were known as the 'Can Jay Boys' and the best slashers, efficient and fast workers. They were in such high demand that they did work in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the NWT.

William loved his family deeply, and once you received a nickname from him you were family. His favorite was Snoopy.

The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to all those who came to pay their respects to William. Mahsi for showing him support, love and compassion. The family are grateful for everybody's kindness during this difficult time. Mr. Speaker, he will be sadly missed by all of us. Thank you.

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Eulogy for William Konisentia

Members' Statements

Page 2992

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh . Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput .

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2992

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise in regards to my Member's statement regards to helping our communities recover funding through our lockdown that we've been having up in the communities, all across the Northwest Territories, whoever's been locked down or having road checks and stuff like that, they're not getting any help or funding from our government. They could correct me today if I'm wrong.

Mr. Speaker, does the GNWT policy require all small communities to pay for the COVID response during the outbreak including isolation centres and road check stops? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2992

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput . The Honourable Premier .

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2993

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

No.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Not Honourable Premier but the Member wants to ask questions of the Minister of MACA .

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for the question. Before I answer the question, I'd like to thank the leadership from Tuk. I had numerous phone calls, as well as the Minister from Health and the Premier . They worked very hard. I know there was numerous phone calls. Also, I'd like to thank the SAO from the community and the regional superintendent for Municipal and Community Affairs.

In regards to the question that the Member asked, so in regards, the community received over -- well, received $213,506 through three payments as COVID started in the territories. So we were able to give that to the community.

In regards to isolation centres, if it's medically-appointed, then it's very much about the COVID Secretariat. They look after that there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So all the -- I guess across the territory, that includes everybody that has a -- was locked down, our COVID Secretariat with the outbreak for the isolation centre. What about the road, the check stops? Is the community going to be reimbursed for that through MACA because it's coming out of the local community's purse. And that shouldn't be. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for this question.

So the Government of the Northwest Territories gave the community $213,506. We gave that money to the community, and they could use it for however they see fit. If they were going to use check stops and they wanted to do that, that money could be used there.

We didn't ask for an inventory checklist or invoice, receipts, and that. We gave the money to them to help them deal with the COVID situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we need more money. Tuk is running in a deficit in regards to what's happening with the COVID outbreak this last two weeks. Everybody's been tired and stressed and trying to do what they can. My leadership has been running ragged. We've been on phone calls all day, with the Premier and Health Minister . I thank them for that, but the thing is, Mr. Speaker, if the COVID Secretariat is going to call a lockdown, they should be paying the bill and not saying they gave the money. And we should be worrying about it after the outbreak.

Like, is everybody COVID free, then we should worry about paying the bills. But in this case, it's upfront. People -- the community doesn't want to pull the trigger because in regards to having to pay out themselves. And again, then it's going to take away from the community itself. If they call the outbreak and lock the community down, at that time they should be paying the bill, Mr. Speaker. And is this government going to do that for us? Thank you.

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Page 2993

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we move forward and as we learn from our experiences with this COVID issue, the biggest thing is that in my communications with leadership and that is for their SAO to reach out to our superintendent. Reach out to them. We're willing to work if there's some challenges or concerns that community have, then we can work with them.

We are trying to help as best we can, getting clarity where we're doing things. But the biggest thing I have to say is get the leadership to get their SAO to reach out to our superintendent, because they can work together. They've been doing a great job pre-COVID, during COVID, and hopefully at some point in time post-COVID. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

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Page 2993

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Page 2993

Jackie Jacobson

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just -- no, I don't want to take away all the good work that's been done by my leadership by our government in regards to providing all the help they could with the health and our medical staff up in Tuk have been awesome. They flew in people, Arlene Jorgensen. Thank her so much in regards to the service that she's been doing for the people.

But this is the biggest thing, is to make sure that we are able -- if we're able to help the community in paying their bills instead of shortchanging, taking busing away from here, and doing -- taking other monies from other pots of funding, to make sure our government comes forward to help them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2993

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're not trying to shortchange people. We're trying to work with the municipal governments. We're all learning as we move forward. Like I said, we've given the community of Tuk over what I think was $213,506 that they can use to help deal with this COVID. If there's some deficiencies or there's some challenges, I just need their leadership to work with their SAO to reach out to our regional superintendent.

Now if it's a COVID Secretariat, she is able to work with that. If it's a health is there, if it's a municipal and community affairs, she's able to coordinate this. So I understand this is very challenging. And again I have to applaud all the small communities and all their leadership for all the work they've been doing through this. It's amazing that we're able to be so successful. But again, it's about working together and more than willing to have -- like I said, get the SAO to reach out to our superintendent, and we'll start working that way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 792-19(2): COVID-related Cost Recovery for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2993

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .

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Oral Question 793-19(2): Legal Aid for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2993

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice confirm how many outreach legal workers we have in the NWT and what their role is when it comes it dispensing legal advice information and how are small communities accommodated in that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 793-19(2): Legal Aid for Small Communities

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Page 2993

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Minister responsible for Justice .

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Oral Question 793-19(2): Legal Aid for Small Communities

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Page 2993

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is one legal aid outreach lawyer in the Northwest Territories. There is also one court worker who works in that office. People call the Legal Aid Outreach Clinic for a number of different reasons, most commonly, by far, is for family law questions. So questions, you know, what steps do I take now that I'm separated? What do I need to do to get a divorce? A lot of questions where they just need guidance and where to go. And from there, people can either get a lawyer or take the appropriate steps.

Traditionally, there's been a lot of travel with the Legal Aid Outreach Clinic. But this past year and the previous year there's been no travel unfortunately. Before that, there was a significant travel to most communities in the territory going back to between 2014 and 2019. But anyone in the NWT can call the Legal Aid Outreach Clinic. Thank you.

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Page 2993

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm how many NWT residents use the service of the legal outreach lawyer and if those services occur mostly in Yellowknife. Thank you.

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Page 2993

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So in the 2020-2021 fiscal year, there were 692 people who accessed the Legal Aid Outreach Clinic. 46 percent of those people were in Yellowknife and the rest were throughout the territory, and it roughly breaks down to the populations of the specific regions. So the South Slave region had about 15 percent of the people, the Inuvik region about 15 percent, and so on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2993

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the issues that I guess I come across is that when people come into my office, they're looking for I guess more than legal advice. They're looking for assistance in drafting, you know, documents.

So I'd ask the Minister, would the Minister consider expanding the legal outreach lawyer's responsibilities to include the drafting of documents for clients in less complicated matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2993

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I know when people go to the Member's office, they go there looking for free legal work is what they go looking for and he obliges on a regular basis. So I'm thankful for that, and I know his constituents are.

The Legal Aid Outreach Clinic does provide assistance with some forms, but probably not the variety of forms that the Member's talking about.

I can look further into that. The issue comes down to the fact that that office is stretched pretty thin as it is. Their workload is maxed out so we would really need additional staff in order to do that type of work, and I would love additional staff, and I'll leave it at that for now. Thank you.

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Page 2993

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Page 2993

Rocky Simpson

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Yellowknife North brought up increased employment. So with my next question, and also the comment just from the Minister about requiring extra staff, the Minister can make more employment, create more employment in the communities.

So will the Minister commit to reviewing the need to expand the current number of legal outreach lawyers to include Hay River, Fort Simpson, and Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2993

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I have identified this as a priority with the department.

There are court workers in those communities, and I know that they do provide quite a bit of assistance. As MLA, I often send constituents to them, and they do help. I know that we have asked the outreach clinic to make sure they're keeping good records on who's contacting them and about what issues, and I know they have that. I read some of those stats here and so we're doing our best to make a case to get some more positions but I can't promise anything at this point. But I would be as happy as the Member to see that happening. Thank you.

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Page 2994

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Oral Question 794-19(2): Services for Small Communities

Oral Questions

Page 2994

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement highlighted the need for much needed infrastructure and services to small communities. I stated several of the types of programs and services, but one that we could start with is a safe space for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Can the Minister of Health and Social Services ensure and look into creating these spaces to provide the necessary staff required for the shelter. Mahsi.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Minister responsible for Health and Social Services .

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Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the question. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services funds five family violence shelters in the Northwest Territories. They're operated by nonprofit organizations in Tuk, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Hay River, and Fort Smith. There is a gap in service in three regions - Sahtu, Deh Cho, and Tlicho. To that end, the YWCA NWT obtained money from the federal government to do a safe house pilot project where they could establish safe houses in communities in those regions, one community in each of the three regions I've just mentioned.

I don't know if the YWCA has chosen the communities that they're going to establish the safe houses in. But I would recommend to the Member that he contact the YWCA of the NWT and express an interest in having the pilot program in his community if that's what his community wants. Thank you.

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that answer. It's too bad that I have to go ask somebody else rather than the department for help.

Mr. Speaker, most of the victims of domestic violence have family that they count on, but there is the issue of overcrowding, and we all know too well the health issues that come with this situation. Many of the families don't want to see anyone leave their community, especially with children in tow.

In small communities, we seldom ask for anything, but will the Minister take a serious look into providing the necessary infrastructure and services so we can provide this service to families of domestic violence in our small communities. Mahsi.

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Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. We don't have in the business plan or the capital plan a plan to build more shelters in more communities in the NWT. We have some supports available to people in remote communities such as a help line and the Department of Justice offers the emergency protection order program to assist as well. We realize that that is not the same as having a shelter. There is money available to bring people in to a family violence shelter. It's my experience that often women want to leave their communities in order to obtain safety.

In the event they want to stay, the emergency protection order is the right tool for them. So there are resources available. But building a shelter in the Member's community is not part of the capital plan at this time. Thank you.

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that answer. Yeah, I have a problem, we have to phone a help line. You know, this government recognizes that there's reconciliation with First Nations and First Nations communities, and some of the ways that we do that is to provide them the services needed in their communities without having to leave home. I know there's a need for some of them that want to leave the community but we can still do it in a safe manner within our communities, Mr. Speaker.

I see that, you know, we need an action plan from this government to address the lack of much needed programs and services in the small communities. You know, they're much needed. Our people are the most vulnerable of all in the Northwest Territories and probably across Canada, and we really need that help and we need that government focus to look at an action plan to actually help us so that, you know, we can have such services, shelters for victims of violence, aftercare services that we've talked about quite a bit previously. We don't have any buildings at all. Nothing in our communities.

There's no focus there. We want this department to start focusing on those things and with the help, probably of the whole Cabinet, all the departments should look at something for small communities, an action plan.

Can the Minister commit to beginning the action plan specific to the small communities. Mahsi.

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Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not possible for the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide a family violence shelter in each of the 33 communities of the NWT. We simply do not have the money; we do not have the staff. And it is, I recognize, an important need. I spent many years of my career working for the YWCA on family violence issues. And if we were going to invest money in anything, I'd like it invested in putting police into every community. There are a third of communities that do not have police resident in the community.

We also have a third of the communities that do not have nurses resident in the community. So if I was going to spend money, I might have different priorities than the Member has.

In terms of an action plan, I am going to narrow that down to a family violence action plan. My colleague, the Minister of Finance , has under her control the gender equity unit. There's a family violence coordinator hired into that unit, and that person is working on a family violence strategy. I'm sure there will be robust engagement with small communities about their needs and aspirations in order to come up with a document that will address the family violence needs that we are aware of. Thank you.

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Page 2994

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I see the Grinch has shown up early. Christmas is around the corner, and my stocking is going to be empty going home. I'm not too pleased with the government's action plans for our small communities, and stating that we need to increase RCMP presence in our communities. We already did that when the Deh Cho Bridge was built. They added two more staff, so we got a total of four RCMP in our communities. They're overworked. You know, there's lots of issues within our small communities and we really need that help, and we need that government to have that focus to help our small communities.

We're just not getting that here. I'm not sure where we're going to turn to. I guess we'll just have to keep addressing the issues and bringing them up. You know, I really -- we're going to be counting on my colleagues here to really put the pressure on this government to help our small communities. I don't have any further questions, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . I will take that as a comment. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha .

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Oral Question 796-19(2): Decision-making Authority in Small Communities

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Page 2994

Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories document, there's a

section with regional decision-making authority where the government states it will empower regional and community staff with training to increase their awareness of the decision-making authority.

Can the Premier tell us if this training has been developed yet and if the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs will be on track with its goals on this initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Honourable Premier .

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Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Training, we realize, is an ongoing process but, yes, we've started some of initial training within this regional decision-making and there will be more as we go on because we've still got more work to do.

But the areas of training that we've developed, and based on our findings so far, we'll be doing delivery of training on the human resource manual and human resource delegations of authority. That began in October, already, with all the regions. We're going to be doing training on the Cabinet process, and that's been developed, and the delivery will begin in December of this year, 2021. And then training modules on the Financial Management Board handbook and financial delegations of authority are currently being finalized and the delivery is expected to begin early in 2022.

So, Mr. Speaker, EIA, Executive and Indigenous Affairs department is on track with its goal on this commitment. However, in stating that, we have more work to do which I'll get into further. And as we identify training needs, then we constantly, as a government, should be trying to address those training needs, so. But we're beginning the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Premier provide us with some details as to the extent of the departmental review into regional decision-making authority, including any Executive Council amendments that were proposed or enacted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So that is some of the areas that we want to talk about.

Throughout our review, we started with doing an internal review of the current processes in regards to human resource and financial authorities. We looked at job descriptions, etcetera, and we realized that there weren't any discrepancies within them. There is an issue. And when we did a -- we've done surveys with the senior managements in the rural -- smaller communities, etcetera, and they identify that there's an issue, the feeling of empower. So that led us to say even though our job description say it's all good, you know, we're equal, there's a perception of not.

So that's why I wanted to say that, you know, we're doing training on right now what your authority is, but there's other issues that we need to look at and make sure that those are addressed.

So with that, like I said, at this point we're not doing any changes to the Executive Council because we haven't seen that there's a need. The need isn't on changing the Executive Council at this point, and delegations; it's about making sure that employees, both in headquarters and regional staff, understand the delegations of authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Premier tell us of any legislation based on her departmental review will need to be amended or enacted to better provide and improve regional decision-making authority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, again, like I had said earlier, in regards to making legislative changes or changes to the Executive Council, that wasn't seen to be an issue. The job descriptions are on par. The initial service that we did identify, that there are problems. When we asked what the problems were, people just identified headquarters, not enough power in the regions. So in fact, that didn't give us enough information in all honesty to be able to do a final assessment. So we're now in the process of hiring a contractor -- last question -- and we'll be doing one on one interviews.

The other thing that's really important to know is because it's easy to hire a contractor and go into the communities and say what do you need, but I take a real firm stance that if you're going to be doing things for the people, by the people, about the people, the people need to be involved.

So we have hired a contractor, but we've also got a working group that we started, and the working group has staff from both the regional and the headquarters. And that working group has delegated the task of developing the questions that will be used in the small communities so that we can hopefully gain more insight.

Like I said, it's not enough just to say, headquarters has all the control and yet your job description said it doesn't. So we need to find out what exactly that means and that's the process we're working on now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2995

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier . Final supplementary, Member for Thebacha .

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Frieda Martselos

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier provide us with any other notable facts or examples not yet mentioned where her government has improved regional decision-making authorities since the start of the 19th Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I think for me the most notable change I made on the mandate, we did talk about doing this work, we talked about developing training and delivering it to people, but in the mandate we never talk to who was going to do that. So the mandate could have been that headquarters because traditionally headquarters does do those things and would have defined it. What's different now, Mr. Speaker, is that it's not only headquarters defining this work. It is the regional managers that are helping define it because it's the regions that are experiencing this problem.

So, again, I feel it would be totally inappropriate if headquarters alone did this. Headquarters is one party at the table but the regional managers are the ones that need to be guiding this work. And so that is a change that we've done, is that it's a -- we're working together on this. It's not top down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier . Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .

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Oral Question 796-19(2): Infrastructure in Small Communities

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Page 2995

Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, getting back to my original roots here, I'm going to ask the Minister of Infrastructure some questions about the Great Bear River bridge.

Could the Minister speak to whether or not the regulatory review and permitting process is on track to maintain the timelines previously stated on the project website. Thank you.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given some of the challenges to get in the communities in during this pandemic, the regulatory permitting process timeline has been revised so that applications will be submitted in early 2022. Staff are working with the community of Tulita and the Department of Lands to obtain required land reserves. This will not, however, cause any impact to project delivery within the expected bridge completion date being 2026. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that we have a lot of conversation around small communities and retention of money there, can the Minister briefly describe the community engagement process that's been undertaken until now and tell us what she's been doing differently to ensure that the benefits of the project are retained within that small community and are not being lost to businesses from the south or in regional centres. Thank you.

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Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Great Bear River Project has potential to bring significant socio-economic benefits to the Sahtu. My department has been working very hard to optimize how we can retain benefits in the region and community, as well as how to involve as many local businesses and contractors as possible. Engagement meetings have been taking place since August 2018. The project team has also held public meetings in each of the five Sahtu communities. Also have met with Sahtu Secretariat, community councils, land corporation, resource councils, all throughout the Sahtu.

Topics addressed during meetings have included discussions on how business and people of the Sahtu can be prepared to provide services to the project. So the next round of meetings are being scheduled for December and January.

The NWT business incentive is in place to favour bids with local and northern content. We will work with Department of Finance with regards to procurement options and also utilize the Northwest Territories Business Incentive Policy which is in place to favour bids with local and northern content. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad to hear that, although I do want to caution the Minister that BIP is only for a small portion of that overall contract so it may not actually have much weight in this.

And further to that, could the Minister speak to what is the estimated value of the work from the project that could realistically be executed within the community by local contractors. So this includes opportunities such as camp provision, work for laborers, catering services, camp attendants. What do we realistically see that Northwest Territories businesses could actually execute. Thank you.

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Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't really give an exact figure at this time. However, it is expected with a project of this complexity that a higher portion of cost will be attributed to bridge construction itself. That's what we've been telling the communities in the Sahtu that, you know, it -- this is a complex bridge. As a matter of fact, it will be the second biggest bridge here in the Northwest Territories.

We could expect that local and regional and Northwest Territories contractors would be able to carry out quarry operations, roadway work, earth works, bush clearing, just to name a few, Mr. Speaker.

Additionally, businesses are available to supply camp services, heavy equipment operators, skilled and unskilled labourers, camp cooks, attendants, to name a few. There are many components to a project of this size and the work will take more than two years to complete, providing opportunities for local, regional, and territorial participation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2995

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Great Slave .

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Katrina Nokleby

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm glad that the Minister supplied even some further examples of areas in which the local community can benefit.

And so I guess my next question is what is the Minister going to do or what requirements will be filled into the project plan in order to ensure that those small and local businesses and contractors are competitive in bidding on work for this project. Does the Minister commit to changing how RFPs are written to ensure greater scoring for those who incorporate training, Indigenous and community engagement. Thank you.

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Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, there has been and continues to be significant engagement with the Sahtu and community folks that are interested in this project. In addition, the Northwest Territories BIP program, which provides support to local contractors bidding on projects, small and local businesses have an advantage when bidding on local work as they do not need to build in costs for things like accommodations or mobilization, because they're already there. This gives local businesses and contractors a competitive advantage over someone that perhaps is outside the Northwest Territories.

As the project is still in the early stage of design regulatory permitting, it's kind of early to discuss the method of procurement. But I can assure Members our department is making every effort to optimize local and regional opportunities for this important project within procurement framework of the GNWT while also respecting the procurement framework and trade rules that are associated with this primary project funder, the federal government.

I would also remind the Member that I am appearing in front of SCEDE tomorrow morning with some of my senior staff to discuss all the projects that are happening in the Sahtu and be able to answer a little more detailed questions to some of the project that's occurring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .

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Oral Question 797-19(2): Housing in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement speaking about the Beaufort Delta and the core housing need, can the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation tell us what is the current waitlist for the Beaufort Delta communities right now. Thanks.

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes . Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Oral Question 797-19(2): Housing in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. The total number that we have as of today is 178. We've got Inuvik has 73, Aklavik's got 18. Fort McPherson 21, and Tsiigehtchic 9. Those are the numbers that I was provided that are on the waitlist. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 797-19(2): Housing in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister what immediate actions are being taken to reduce this waitlist. Thank you.

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Page 2996

Paulie Chinna

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As of today, the number that I have for the Beaufort Delta, including Inuvik, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic, is 26 million that has been invested into this region. We have 17 of the market housing units which are the RCMP constructed units. They should be completed by the end of this government.

But we have got two units going into Inuvik. In Aklavik, we had 600,000 that was invested into six public housing units. Also home ownership repair programs for private homeowners and minor unit repair, all expected to be completed in 2022-2023. McPherson, we've got four public housing units coming available. And also Tsiigehtchic two housing units and three major repair home ownership programs as well too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I also wanted to add that we continue the effort working with the Indigenous groups in the Member's riding as well to continue lobbying the federal government for further additional housing infrastructure money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for those numbers. You know, Housing keeps bringing up these RCMP units. They don't resolve our housing crisis. They do provide our RCMP with new units in that, you know, since the Minister has brought that up, what I want to know is with all these new units that are being for RCMP, what are we doing with the old units? Are we going to absorb them into GNWT and are we going to use those to reduce our public housing waitlist? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

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

Right now, as these RCMP units are being constructed, I am in conversations with the federal government and I want those units to be transferred over to the Housing Corporation so we would be able to work with the Northwest Territories and add that to our public housing stock. And also that there is possibly an opportunity to work with the Indigenous groups as well too, as they would have preference before the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .

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Page 2996

Lesa Semmler

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll go back to my other question that I had. So knowing that we've heard in this House many times that there's communities and there's boarded up and there's vacant units, what is the Housing Corporation -- how many housing units are in the Beaufort Delta communities that we are talking about, and what is the plan for those units that are vacant that Housing Corporation owns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

Diane Archie

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm going to provide the Member with some numbers.

We've got 11 in Inuvik. We have two that are under repair and four that were scheduled for repair in 2022-2023, and five require funding.

Aklavik, we've got eight. Two are under repair. One is scheduled for 2022-2023 completion. And also five require funding as well too.

In Fort McPherson, we have four. Three are under repair, and one is required funding.

In Tsiigehtchic, we don't have any numbers.

But then, you know, I look forward to looking at those numbers as well too because we don't have the funding to repair those units and have them available for the clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 797-19(2): Housing in Small Communities

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Oral Question 798-19(2): Land Ownership Issues in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I am thankful for today and I also thank my colleagues. The things that they are bringing up is very important, especially to the smaller communities and we are in need of a lot of things, and it's the people that are needing these things; I thank them for that. And we're not going to stop asking for these things for our small communities, and we're trying to make sure that we -- we help our community.

Yesterday's Member's statement. So I'd like to ask a question towards Housing Minister . [Translation Ends]

This is not to be disrespectful for the loss of loved ones, especially in my regions. There are some family that I know that are still grieving. So this is a question for the Minister.

Can the Minister share what types of assistance are available to residents regarding the transfer of property and land ownership from deceased relatives.

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Oral Question 798-19(2): Land Ownership Issues in Small Communities

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Oral Question 798-19(2): Land Ownership Issues in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that there is not a Municipal and Community Affairs issue. I think that's very much about wills, about working with the justice system. But if the Member is talking about land transfer and that, that there is very much about a municipal government.

It's been very confusing, and I thank the Member. She's hit me a few times with this question, and I greatly appreciate it. It's trying to understand how it works in the Tlicho government, but it is my understanding land belongs to -- or is looked after by the Tlicho government, whether it's Behchoko, Gameti, Whati, or Wekweeti. And they need to develop a bylaw to do that type of work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you for the question. I just wanted to know if the Minister is aware, knows, Behchoko, Whati, Gameti, and Wekweeti is a public government. So it is responsibility of Municipal and Community Affairs.

With that, can the Minister advise what possible assistance is available relating to accumulated tax arrears. Thank you.

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Page 2996

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I'm well aware that it's a public government. And, again, it's understanding the complexity of a new government and how we do things.

So in regards to taxation, this was an issue that I brought up in the 18th Assembly and what we were able to do is work with the Minister of Finance is that we were able to do a reverse mortgage, I would call it. Basically we would just pay -- come up with a payment plan to work and pay off the taxes and then as the interest would be reversed. So that option is available. You would have to reach out to the Department of Finance. That's what I have had to do with working with my community members in my riding, and my understanding that option is still available but would need to confirm with the Minister of Finance . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 798-19(2): Land Ownership Issues in Small Communities

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Page 2996

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

Thank you for the answers. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to instructing staff to reach out to the Tlicho and community government to address barriers in the transfer of land and property title. Thank you.

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Page 2996

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you. From the Municipal and Community Affairs side, with the bylaws, we would be more than willing to come with the municipal governments to come up with the bylaws that they need to do that. If it's something to do with lands, more than willing to work with the municipal governments, the Tlicho government, moving forward.

Again, I appreciate the Member asking these questions. And she's been very true to her word. She's been asking the questions numerous times, and I appreciate that. And all we need to do is work together to help solve that issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Page 2996

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Monfwi

We have to be persistent. If we're not persistent, then it's going to be shelved, so.

So the final question, can the Minister commit to having discussions with the Tlicho and community government regarding amendments to the Tlicho Community Government Act to address the legislative barriers of transferring lands and property title. Thank you.

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Page 2996

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you. Thank you, and the Member for Thebacha kept on reminding me about land issues. I asked them the same questions so I appreciate the commitment by the Member. I love it, I think it's -- that's how we get things solved here.

I'm more than willing to work with the municipal governments. Our staff is more than willing to work with the Tlicho government. Again, though, I just want to make sure we know what we're looking at, what we need to do. So if the Tlicho governments can work -- reach out to us, work with their MLA, we're more than willing to sit down and have conversations how we can improve things moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Page 2996

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Oral Question 799-19(2): Jean Marie River Flooding and Response

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Page 2997

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs . I visited Jean Marie River and the Minister on August the 11th to see some of the flood damage. Can the Minister provide an update as to the status of funding expended to date by this government in Jean Marie River and efforts to carry out any of that work from other sources. Merci, Mr. Speaker.

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Oral Question 799-19(2): Jean Marie River Flooding and Response

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Page 2997

The Speaker

Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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Oral Question 799-19(2): Jean Marie River Flooding and Response

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Page 2997

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you. First of all, I'd like to thank the Member for touring my riding. It was greatly appreciated. And the community of Jean Marie greatly appreciated him stopping in to sit there. I also have to give a shout out to the Member from Hay River South . He was very much involved in that as well.

So in regards to how much money we spent right now, presently, as of September 30th -- sorry, I just had a mental block there -- we spent $1.7 million for the flood recovery for activities in there. We are projecting that the total for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, we'll spend approximately about $6 million in total.

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Page 2997

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that response.

The community of Jean Marie River was particularly hard hit by flooding as we all know. Can the Minister tell us if and when the water treatment plant was put back into operation and what arrangements were made for clean water for the community before that. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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