Budget, Oral Questions, Employee Standards Act, Income Tax Act — 30 October 2020 (19th Assembly, 2nd Session, pp. 1523–1562)
2020-10-30, 19th Assembly 2nd Session, pp. 1523–1562
Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)
Debates of Oct. 30th, 2020
This is page numbers 1523 - 1562 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 housing .
Topics
Oral Questions
Members Present
Our Languages Curriculum
2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit
Government Renewal
Rapid Housing Initiative
Halloween 2020
Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Addressing the Nunakput Housing Crisis
Personal Experiences with the Northwest Territories Healthcare System
COVID-19 Secretariat
Water Quality Monitoring
Electoral Reform and Ranked Ballot Voting
Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Mackenzie Place High-Rise
National Housing Co-Investment Fund
COVID-19 Secretariat
Water Quality Monitoring
Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Addictions and Mental Health
Rapid Housing Initiative
Tabled Document 216-19(2): 2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit Technical Report
Appointment of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Appointment of the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission
Bill 20:
An Act to Amend the Employee Standards Act
Bill 16:
An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Bill 15: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020
Consideration Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Infrastructure - Deferral of Department (page 40), carried
Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 - Northwest Territories Housing Corporation - Deferral of Corporation (page 64)
Report Of The 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 , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Martselos , Ms. Nokleby , Mr. Norn , Mr. O'Reilly , Ms. Semmler , Hon. R.J. Simpson , Mr. Rocky Simpson , Hon. Shane Thompson , Hon. Caroline Wawzonek
The House met at 10:02 a.m.
---Prayer
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Members Present
Members Present
Page 1523
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .
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Minister's Statement 83-19(2): Our Languages Curriculum
Ministers' Statements
Page 1523
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is celebrating the official launch of the Our Languages curriculum. This launch marks an important milestone for Indigenous languages in the Northwest Territories.
Our Languages is a competency-based curriculum that provides Indigenous language instructors with curricular outcomes, instructional strategies, and assessment tools to foster language growth in classrooms. It promotes a whole-school approach to language learning to ensure that Indigenous languages are heard and spoken throughout schools, at assemblies, and during routines in all Northwest Territories classrooms.
Our Languages was made in the Northwest Territories in collaboration with Indigenous elders, teachers, language champions, neurolinguistic experts, curriculum coordinators, and community advocates and was informed by national and international curricular documents. Our Northern language experts helped to ensure that Our Languages aligns with the two foundational curricula of the Northwest Territories' education system, Dene Kede and Inuuqatigiit, which ground teaching and learning in Indigenous traditions, culture, and place.
In order to achieve this long-awaited milestone, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment worked with regional Indigenous language coordinators from the participating regional Indigenous governments to ensure that promising community practices and cultural connections were included in the Our Languages curriculum.
The department also worked with education bodies to advise and support Indigenous language instructors through each of their unique situations during COVID-19, including offering online and video-based professional development. All Indigenous language instructors have been trained and continue to have follow-up in-servicing in the Our Languages curriculum and associated supporting resources.
Additionally, a revised version of the Indigenous Languages and Education Handbook was recently released to support schools in using the curriculum effectively. This handbook outlines actions and promising practices that principals, teachers, Indigenous language instructors, and educational assistants can undertake to deliver quality education that promotes and enhances Indigenous languages and culture-based education in our schools, homes, and communities.
As of the current school year, 42 out of the 49 schools now offer Indigenous language programming as a second language. In addition, four schools now offer Indigenous immersion programming in the primary grades.
Mr. Speaker, it has been an incredible year for Indigenous language revitalization initiatives in the Northwest Territories, and there is more excitement to come. The new Our Languages curriculum, supplemented by the Indigenous Languages and Education Handbook, provides an opportunity to carry on the legacy of our Indigenous languages and traditions. This ground-breaking initiative, made in collaboration with our Indigenous language revitalization partners across the territory, is something that we should all be very proud of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 83-19(2): Our Languages Curriculum
Ministers' Statements
Page 1523
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .
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Minister's Statement 84-19(2): 2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit
Ministers' Statements
Page 1524
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a strong and effective regulatory system in the Northwest Territories that relies on Indigenous, territorial, and federal governments working together to make wise decisions about the use of our land and water. This system is always evolving to serve the people of this territory better.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has a mandate to support the sustainable use of natural resources. Every five years, an independent auditor is appointed to conduct an environmental audit, as required under legislation and land claim agreements. The 2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit is the second audit commissioned by the Government of the Northwest Territories since devolution. It was conducted by a team of independent consultants and guided by a steering committee of Indigenous, territorial, and federal government representatives.
The auditors focused on how environmental trends were used to make decisions, the effectiveness of cumulative impact monitoring, how the regulatory system is working, and the response to recommendations from the previous audit.
The 2020 audit found the environmental regulatory system in the Northwest Territories has continued to improve since the last audit in 2015. There were no new significant issues identified in the 2020 audit, and there was progress across most regulatory components. Certain recommendations of the audit were already recognized as priorities of this government, supported by the mandate priorities to settle and implement treaty, land, resources, and self-government agreements and increase regional decision-making authority and employment in small communities.
The audit recognized the Government of the Northwest Territories for making progress on climate change policy and action planning, as well as working with Indigenous governments and organizations to make new laws and improve existing laws related to land, water, and resource management since devolution.
While there has been progress over the last five years, there is still work to do. The audit found that there are improvements to be made in the areas of community wellness, land use planning, finalizing land claims, and engaging communities. In total, the 2020 Environmental Audit provided 40 recommendations directed at decision-makers. All responses to those recommendations are included in the 2020 Audit Technical Report. The Government of the Northwest Territories has committed to implementing our responses to the audit recommendations and continuing to improve our environmental management in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the 2020 Environmental Audit is an important tool the government and its partners can use to improve our resource management systems, while meeting our obligations under land claim agreements and devolution. Later today, I will be tabling the audit and look forward to working with all responsible parties over the next five years to follow through on the recommendations in the audit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 84-19(2): 2020 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit
Ministers' Statements
Page 1524
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance .
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Minister's Statement 85-19(2): Government Renewal
Ministers' Statements
Page 1524
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, in February, during the delivery of the budget speech, I said it was time to use creativity and innovation to find internal efficiencies. Since then, our government has had to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in my last two fiscal updates since the onset of COVID-19, I have again said that now is the time to use creativity and use this moment of heightened awareness around our fiscal situation to consider how we want to emerge from the pandemic as a government and as a territory.
The Department of Finance's mandate is to "obtain, manage, and control the financial resources required to implement the Government of the Northwest Territories' policies and programs." Those responsibilities are not new; neither are our many fiscal challenges. We are going to use the current climate of recovery and renewal as an opportunity to reimagine how we obtain, manage, and control those financial resources.
Mr. Speaker, over multiple Legislative Assemblies, the data shows patterns of budgeting and spending that have impaired the long-term sustainability of the GNWT. Our expenditures and the public service continue to grow; our planning is often reactive instead of proactive; and the significant capital investments which the territory absolutely needs have driven up our short-term debt. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to these fiscal pressures, and the GNWT needs a stable fiscal footing to support the territory's recovery. We are far from alone in these challenges. Other governments have similar challenges, and fortunately, new ways of budgeting government finances have emerged to respond.
The Department of Finance is planning to shift the way our budget is developed. The Government Renewal Initiative will rely on value-driven budgeting principles to review GNWT programs and services department by department and allocate resources to areas that are most critical and valuable to residents. Value-based budgeting, also known as priority-based budgeting, is both the idea that underlies the building of the budget as well as the method. It is founded on the common-sense idea that government financial resources should be allocated based on how effectively programs and services give value to residents.
This is a fundamental shift from how budgets are currently developed, where a large focus is on incremental increases and decreases from the year before. Using incremental budgeting, most of the budget is not actually subject to the same level of scrutiny as new spending, and it can be difficult to respond to new or changing priorities. Incremental budgeting is more about where we have been; but now, we want to shift to define our fiscal foundation by where we want to go.
Some of the key principles of this approach are to:
Provide better transparency to territorial priorities and how services and programs contribute to those priorities;
Prioritize and allocate budgets at the program and service level;
More directly question our past spending habits;
Evaluate the true cost and benefit of programs and services as part of budget development, rather than only looking at incremental changes; and
Build more accountability for results into funding decisions.
This is a significant undertaking. Over the next few months, the Department of Finance will finalize the framework for how government renewal will be implemented early in the new year. We have already established the strategic priorities of the 19 th Legislative Assembly and are actively working on additional priority needs resulting from COVID-19 in our Emerge Stronger work. With those priorities in mind, we will undertake an evidence-based evaluation of where government resources are spent.
For a budget development process that is based on the values of our residents to be meaningful, engagement with my fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly is critical. The work will be difficult. Defining and ranking often competing priorities is challenging, but that is the work of governing. Applying the work of priority and value balancing to government budgeting is an opportunity to better reflect the diversity of the values and needs of all residents of the NWT. This is an opportunity to work together to ensure the government continues to have the resources required to deliver the programs and services that are important to the residents of the NWT.
I stated in June and it holds true: "If ever we needed creative problem solving to achieve responsive and effective results, it is now." I am confident that the Government Renewal Initiative will bring out this creative problem solving and help us maximize effectiveness, support the territory's pandemic recovery, and build a sustainable foundation for the future of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 85-19(2): Government Renewal
Ministers' Statements
Page 1525
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .
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Rapid Housing Initiative
Members' Statements
Page 1525
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Mr. Speaker, in September, the federal government launched the Rapid Housing Initiative, a $1-billion program to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians through the rapid construction of affordable housing in partnership with municipal and territorial governments, Indigenous governments, and non-profit organizations. Unfortunately, Cabinet has not updated this House about this new funding opportunity, so I will.
The initiative will support up to 3,000 new permanent, affordable housing units across Canada and cover the construction of modular housing, the acquisition of land, and the conversion or rehabilitation of existing buildings to affordable housing. The housing must be either standard rental, transitional, permanent, or supportive housing, single-occupancy, or seniors' housing, with a minimum of five units or beds. Each application must be a minimum contribution request of $1 million.
The Rapid Housing Initiative will support both the construction of modular, multi-unit rental projects and conversions or rehabilitations of existing buildings that are in a state of disrepair or have been abandoned.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has entrepreneurs that manufacture modular housing and tradespeople ready to work on projects like this. What is the Housing Corporation doing to connect them with this funding opportunity? CMHC has started accepting applications for the Rapid Housing Initiative this week and will accept applications until December 31 st . This means there is no time to waste. The federal government aims to commit all funds before March 31, 2021, perfectly ahead of our construction season. The lack of progress by the Housing Corporation on the co-investment fund has me worried, Mr. Speaker.
I am concerned that they do not have the resources to act quickly on this new federal initiative to ensure that the NWT gets its fair share of the funding. I want to remind the Minister that access to affordable housing and reducing core need is the key priority of this assembly. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation at the appropriate time.
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Rapid Housing Initiative
Members' Statements
Page 1526
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .
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Halloween 2020
Members' Statements
Page 1526
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. October 31 st . Halloween. All Hallow's Eve. A day and night of magic and mystery when ghouls and goblins walk the streets and astronauts roam the earth. Growing up, Halloween was always one of my favourite times of the year. I can still remember the smell and feel of the pumpkin guts as my siblings and I carved jack o'lanterns, roasting seeds and burning our fingers playing with candle wax after our mom clearly told us not to.
This year the children of the Northwest Territories will experience a different kind of Halloween, one filled with numerous doses of hand sanitizers, masks that have nothing to do with their costumes, and innovative ways of candy delivery, such as chutes or honour system bowls where our youngest citizens will have their ethics tested. Do they take more than what they're allowed to, or do they follow the rules?
In my neighbourhood, I don't generally get a lot of children come my way on Halloween. Preference is given to the areas with higher density housing, efficient and smart thinking on the part of the kids. This speaks to my engineering heart, so I don't take the lack of interest in my neighbourhood personally.
Mr. Speaker, on this day before what is arguably one of the most popular holidays of the year, I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a safe and fun celebration. I am so pleased that, despite the strange, new world that we find ourselves in these days, we continue to live our lives and allow our children to build their own memories, like those I remember fondly from my own childhood. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Halloween 2020
Members' Statements
Page 1526
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave . Members' statements. Member for Hay River South .
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Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Members' Statements
Page 1526
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hay River, as with other communities, is in a housing crisis, more so with the closure of the Mackenzie Place high-rise due to the fire over one-and-a-half years ago. Fingers were pointed, and blame was placed. Now, the person responsible for causing the fire has been long forgotten. The real losers have been those that were displaced overnight, some of whom moved away from the NWT, while others were lucky enough to find accommodation. Some continue to couch-surf, and others find themselves homeless.
Although the finger-pointing is ongoing today, my concern is not who is at fault but, more importantly, how we can open this building and have apartments available to those in desperate need of housing.
There are individuals, some in tears, who contact me daily, voicing their need for accommodation. These apartments were much needed in the 70s when the building was constructed and are needed even more so now. I have been working on moving this file forward since I was first elected. At this point, if the owner, who also has responsibilities to address the orders placed against the building, is not provided approval to reopen some of the apartments fairly soon, then the integrity of the building may be compromised due to the absence of heat and electricity.
The loss of electricity will eliminate the aircraft warning beacon atop the building thus impacting air traffic and passenger safety. Our local radio and TV stations have stopped broadcasting and, along with other service providers, have removed their equipment from the building because of uncertainty with the electricity.
There were numerous safety orders placed against the building which have been satisfied, my understanding is that the final outstanding order right now is that issued by the department of health. I know that the department of health has the best interest of our residents in mind as they review the detailed abatement report submitted by the owner. I do appreciate the fact that the department and owner's representatives are working together to satisfy the order in a timely manner.
It is obvious that the NWT Housing Corporation has no plans to construct any significant number of public housing units in Hay River anytime soon. Therefore, re-opening of the high-rise is important. It will alleviate some of Hay River's immediate housing issues and take some pressure off the NWT Housing Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Members' Statements
Page 1527
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Members' statements. Nunakput.
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Addressing the Nunakput Housing Crisis
Members' Statements
Page 1527
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Addressing Nunakput's housing crisis, Mr. Speaker, young families have no place to go. We have not enough units in the community. Housing is not adequate for my elders, such as no backdoors in some of the units that are built now. Overcrowding, causing illness, which is a ticking timebomb for COVID-19 and for not enough water for the people inside the unit for water delivery. Houses are in despair. When the wind blows in a certain way, you've got snow coming in through the windows, and you've got snow coming through the doors, Mr. Speaker. Heating costs go through the roof. People can't pay their bills or make them when they're living in poverty. Don't forget that.
We have no units coming into the communities. I at least need 10 units for Paulatuk, Ulukhaktok, and Tuktoyaktuk, and I need at least five for Sachs Harbour. That's how short we are with the young families that we've got coming up. We have LGOs doing the best they can with what they got, Mr. Speaker. The resources they have, the staff, the maintenance staff that go tirelessly day after day, fixing up all the units that are in despair. The first thing this government has done is the Arnica Inn project, the 42 beds for the territories here in Yellowknife, which I'm very happy for Yellowknife, and I supported that.
At the time, the Member for Monfwi asked the Minister when is the Housing Corporation going to wake up, Mr. Speaker. We have a $60 million fund sitting there that we have to tap into. I feel the Housing Corporation has to start doing more in taking this sense of urgency. Where is the planning? It's been eight months since we tapped into that money. The project officer delayed the application process, and the co-investment fund may not get done until Christmas. At a level position not going to cut that they won't have the authority to ensure the $60 million funding gets approved.
Someone has to have the authority to rally the Indigenous governments and NGOs to get them application processes, working with our community corporations and IRC in my riding, Mr. Speaker. This House is encouraged to see the Minister seek more funding. We're going to support that Minister in getting more funding. I'm here to help her. We're all here to help her to help our people. The people need housing, and in my riding, Mr. Speaker, it's an urgent matter. Thank you.
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Addressing the Nunakput Housing Crisis
Members' Statements
Page 1527
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput . Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .
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Personal Experiences with the Northwest Territories Healthcare System
Members' Statements
Page 1527
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, the last year, I spent more time than I would have liked attending various medical appointments for my personal health. I'm happy to report that, on this journey, I had a lot of time to think about people, about priorities in life, and about positive changes on how our government can make a difference. After spending considerable time in and out of health systems over the last year, it only renewed how much I care for the front-line healthcare workers and every person who works within these systems, from the doctors to the administration staff, right down to the janitors.
Anywhere that I went, whether it was the Fort Smith healthcare system, the Stanton Territorial Hospital, the Cross Cancer Institute of Edmonton, or the Misericordia Community Hospital in Edmonton, I was always treated with respect, dignity, and empathy. For that, I am very thankful. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank my colleagues in this House for their understanding and their steadfast support for my health throughout all of this. Thank you, as well, to the staff within the Legislative Assembly for all the extra support you gave me along the way.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the constituents of Thebacha for their concerns and understanding regarding my health. I truly appreciate their patience and support throughout this journey. I represent an awesome community with amazing people, and I can't imagine having it any other way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Personal Experiences with the Northwest Territories Healthcare System
Members' Statements
Page 1527
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .
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COVID-19 Secretariat
Members' Statements
Page 1527
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I want to weigh in on the debacle of the COVID secretariat that I'm facing as an MLA. I'm here to represent the constituents of my riding but, most of all, for the people of the Northwest Territories. I see the way decisions are made by this government, and for the most part, they certainly do not favour giving anything to the small communities. I would like to mention that the COVID secretariat will create an extra 150 positions and cost this government approximately $87 million over four years.
Mr. Speaker, this is quite concerning. Perhaps, this government had blinders on during the pandemic and did not approach the creation of the secretariat with a clear mind. Perhaps, if they were to call the group COVID task force, maybe they would have had a different outcome had they looked at various options as to the formation of the group. The GNWT has a workforce of over 4,000 employees, perhaps closer to 5,000.
Mr. Speaker, we have to understand that, at the outset of the pandemic, the government declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency. It was at this time a task force should have been created from within the workforce with positions re-profiled to handle the various duties of the task force. I'm certain many employees would have stepped up to the plate to perform these duties and be able to tell their grandchildren about their exploits one day. This could have possibly saved some headaches for the budget bottom line since we're not looking too good in that department.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of the small communities where a majority are Indigenous, could use programming and buildings to assist the residents to combat addictions, depression, mental health issues, housing, healthcare, family violence centres, child and family centres, and long-term care beds, to name a few. I also note that the elders of our communities are facing challenges, accessing housing programs like never before. Many have lost faith in the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Who is responsible to fix that? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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COVID-19 Secretariat
Members' Statements
Page 1528
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .
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Water Quality Monitoring
Members' Statements
Page 1528
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. The Northwest Territories is gifted with abundant and generally clean fresh water, and we want to keep it that way. There is increasing upstream activity that is causing adverse effects on water from tar sands development and pulp mills. This is why GNWT negotiated a Transboundary Water Agreement with Alberta in March 2015. The agreement is a commitment to cooperate and provides for information sharing, joint management planning, notification of changes to monitoring, reporting, and dispute resolution.
It certainly came as a surprise when the Alberta government and its Alberta energy regulator announced reductions in water quality monitoring as early as April 9, 2020. The monitoring reductions were described as "industry relief" from burdensome regulation during the COVID pandemic. Even the federal government reduced upstream water quality monitoring including sites in Wood Buffalo National Park. GNWT was apparently not consulted or informed beforehand which would appear to be contrary to the Transboundary Water Agreement.
Credit goes to GNWT staff and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for responding to these reductions and even taking on some of the monitoring themselves. Much of this work was done behind the scenes to gather more information and recommend that priority be given to reopening monitoring at important sites. GNWT has also requested that it be added to coordinating committees related to oil sands monitoring to ensure better communications. Much of the Alberta upstream monitoring has been restored while the federal monitoring has also apparently restarted.
I support the GNWT efforts to date, but I suggest that political action is necessary to protect our waters. Water quality should not be optional according to the whims of the day. This episode does throw some doubt on the effectiveness of the Transboundary Water Agreements. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources . Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Members' Statements
Page 1528
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .
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Electoral Reform and Ranked Ballot Voting
Members' Statements
Page 1528
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Democracy is not a stationary institution. We must remember that innovation is a cornerstone to truly democratic politics, and as such, we cannot allow our institutions to become stagnant or irrelevant. When we stand here in this House and we're happy with 50, 60 percent voter turnout, I believe we have allowed this institution to become stagnant. I believe this House must champion electoral reform, Mr. Speaker. This is not just our elections. We must also remember we control school board elections and municipal elections in this House.
Mr. Speaker, one of the first ways I believe we must do this is ranked ballot voting. Ranked ballot voting gives more choice for voters. It discourages negative campaigns in that you are acting for second place votes. It eliminates vote splitting, and it ensures candidates actually can get a majority of support.
Mr. Speaker, 64 percent of my constituents didn't vote for me, and when you factor in that almost half didn't vote, it's more like 80 percent of my constituents never voted for me. I would like to stand here one day and know that a majority of my constituents voted me here, even if it was on their second pick, Mr. Speaker. I believe we need to end "first past the post" in the Northwest Territories for both our school boards, municipalities, and this House, Mr. Speaker.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, our last election was the first using online voting. I am very happy to see that, but we need to extend that to our school boards and municipalities. The Northwest Territories Association of Communities has asked us for this. They have passed a resolution, and we have failed to allow them to use the same online voting software that we use.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, and perhaps most controversial, I believe we need to lower our voting age from 18 to 16. This isn't to say that 16-year-olds will know everything they'll ever know in life. I was 16 once. I remember how dumb I was, but the reality is: the younger people vote, they create a lifelong voting turnout. It is proven, when you lower the voting age, you increase overall voter turnout throughout life. Right now, sometimes an 18-year-old doesn't see their first election until 22, and if they don't vote in that, they don't vote for the first time until they're 26. Then, that pattern is not ingrained.
Especially at the education authority, Mr. Speaker, I do not see why we do not let older high school students vote for who is on their school boards and who is running their schools. I believe this Assembly must champion electoral reform. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Electoral Reform and Ranked Ballot Voting
Members' Statements
Page 1529
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Members' statements. Member for Monfwi .
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Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Members' Statements
Page 1529
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, today, we have Highway No. 3 from Behchoko to Yellowknife, and we also cannot use cell service between these two locations. Sometimes, there's an accident that may happen on the highway. Even though these things are happening, we are losing a lot of people because there is no cell service between these two locations. I will also ask questions when it's time. [Translation ends]
I want to talk about the riskiest highway safety issue in the Northwest Territories. I refer to Highway No. 3, that 100-kilometre stretch from Yellowknife to Behchoko junction. It is the biggest road in the territory, Mr. Speaker, carrying more people daily than the entire population of Norman Wells. It's a treacherous road, like a rollercoaster on a highway, challenging the road-handling skills of even the most cautious drivers.
Mr. Speaker, this dangerous mix of traffic volume, road conditions, is compounded by a third factor, the lack of cell services, including 911 service that doesn't work most of the times on the road, along the road's entire length. When an accident happened, Mr. Speaker, the injured are on their own, unable to call for help because their cell phones won't work.
Mr. Speaker, I was once a hero on Highway No. 3. I happened to come across a road vehicle, a young individual who was seriously injured, couldn't get up on his own. Almost 50 vehicles passed by. Nobody stopped. I was fortunate to see the vehicle, and I was fortunate to have my satellite phone and called in an ambulance to the community of Behchoko and also Yellowknife. Cell service is very important along the highway for the safety factor. We do not have that opportunity right now, Mr. Speaker. Not everybody carries satellite phones when they travel Highway No. 3 or other major highways.
The cell service is not going to make Highway No. 3 easier to drive, but it would make ambulances to dispatch before accident victims die of their injuries. This is a huge safety factor. This cellphone problem is a simple solution, but it requires government action. It requires government action now, or human lives will surely be lost. I intend to question the Minister responsible on this matter at the earliest time. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
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Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Members' Statements
Page 1529
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgements. Colleagues, we will return after a short recess.
---SHORT RECESS
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Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Members' Statements
Page 1529
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Item 7, oral questions. Member for Monfwi .
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Minister of Finance .
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have done a number of things since the time of June. We have already responded back. This same enquiry was made by some of the chiefs from the Member's communities, as well as from the Yellowknife mayor. We have responded back to them to let them know the work that we have undertaken. We have some initial costing that would demonstrate the costs of either partial or full coverage between the Whati junction to Yellowknife, so we have that initial costing done.
That was done in conjunction with Northwestel and the Department of Finance, and we have communicated that over to the Members of the Legislative Assembly. What stage we are at now, Mr. Speaker, is to actually flesh that costing out more so that it's more determined and more specific. Having done that, Mr. Speaker, we would be in a position to actually evaluate whether or not this is something that can be put forward for infrastructure either by the GNWT or if it's something that we may want to approach the federal government with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
It has been a few months now, and we are still talking about this cell coverage between the junction and Yellowknife. I have spoken to the Minister, as well, about this particular area. We are investing in our people's lives, and lives matter. On Highway No. 3, we are contemplating identifying the dollars in this area. It needs to be an urgent matter. We need to take actions today. Any day, people could die for lack of cell service between Rae junction and Yellowknife, waiting for life-giving help to arrive.
Why hasn't this department or the Minister given this matter priority over the urgent needs, the issue that is at hand on Highway No. 3 between the junction and Yellowknife? When are we going to get serious about the safety issue of Highway No. 3 travellers?
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
We went out and did exactly what we said we would do, which is to get in touch with Northwestel, who are, in fact, the largest provider of cell coverage and cell services in the Northwest Territories and would be in the best place to actually be the provider of cell coverage and cell services on this stretch of highway. Having done that, we have an initial costing, and now we are at the stage of doing an evaluation on final costing.
The infrastructure acquisition plan that is in front of all of us this week, if the Member is suggesting that this would make its way into that, that was not ever going to be feasible between June and today, but the idea is to have the information and the data available to evaluate whether or not it should form part of a future infrastructure acquisition plan.
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
At times, we wait on whether it be the federal government or a company such as Northwestel. Sometimes, there is procrastination or dragging their heels. Sometimes, it takes time. If Northwestel can't justify the cost, then what is the territorial government, our government, doing to make it worth the company's while to initiate this action that is badly needed, the cell service between Rae junction and Yellowknife, for the safety of those Highway No. 3 commuters and travellers?
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
What the government can do and what the government is doing is assessing the feasibility of this project so that we can actually determine what the actual costs will be and then be able to make an informed choice about whether or not the government can find a way to fill a gap, if there is, in fact, a gap in the market. By doing that, we can also go out and see if there may be potential partners.
This may be an opportunity where the Indigenous governments of that region may want to become involved, but it's difficult to go and have that conversation in a meaningful and honest way without really understanding what the costs are. Having done the initial feasibility, having gotten some initial estimates, we are now analyzing those costs so that we can have exactly the kinds of conversations that I think the MLA, quite rightly, is asking about.
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Monfwi .
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1530
Jackson Lafferty
Monfwi
Masi, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: this area has been addressed to my attention almost on a constant basis as so many travellers from my community of Behchoko, when the winter road is open, and from my three outlying communities. Again, I have to emphasize that it's a huge safety factor for my people. The people of Behchoko need to know when 911 emergency cell service will be available on this dangerous, overcrowded highway. They need to know, in an accident, if emergency is on their way immediately. When will this government take action on this very dangerous situation?
I want to get more specific with this Minister. Since it's an urgent matter, during the life of this Assembly, is it possible to initiate -- the discussions are taking place, but the actions to make this happen? Mr. Speaker, masi.
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
I certainly want to acknowledge that I appreciate these questions in the House. It brings attention to the matter. It certainly demonstrates the urgency of the issue. There are always asks and always needs, and so many of them relate to the well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories. Just to give some context, it would be $90 million in estimate to cover only 65 percent of all of our roadways in the Northwest Territories. Now, that is not the
section that I recognize that the MLA is asking about. That
section would be, initially, for a full coverage, about $10 million, but then there are annual costs.
There are options being looked at. I know MACA is looking at options in order to provide 911 coverage. The Department of Finance wants to analyze these numbers, see what we can do, see how accurate they are, and then look for ways to potentially, as I've said, partner with perhaps the Indigenous governments, who would stand to hopefully benefit most from this, and partner and/or seek funding from the federal government. I can't give a specific timeline on a solution to this.
What I can do is say that we're going to keep moving this forward as quickly as we can, so that we can ensure that the people of the Northwest Territories have safety and protection across all roadways. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 437-19(2): Cell Phone Coverage on Highway No. 3
Oral Questions
Page 1531
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I talked about housing for Hay River, and I've got questions for the Premier . I'm going to be a realist here because I am not holding my breath on the Housing Corporation coming up with any solutions for the community. We have a solution in front of us. We've got 50, 60, 70 apartments and up to 122, and for some reason, this government just does not see it. I don't want to hear that anybody has died in Hay River because of exposure or freezing to death, as well, so that's why I keep after this subject.
I would like to ask the Premier to confirm: what departments are involved in addressing the efficiency issues and orders related to the Mackenzie Place high-rise? Is there a lead department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Honourable Premier .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. The lead department that will be looking into the Mackenzie Place high-rise -- I want to make sure I get the name right. I'm just used to calling it the high-rise; sorry, Mr. Speaker. The lead department will be Municipal and Community Affairs, and then there are key departments that are working on it, of course: Municipal and Community Affairs; Health and Social Services is working on it; Infrastructure has a piece in it; the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation; and then also the WSCC, Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
I'd like to ask the Premier to confirm the status of orders placed on the high-rise by the department of health. Has communication stalled, or are we making progress to have those orders satisfied?
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Since that is a direct question for the Department of Health and Social Services, I would like to defer it to the appropriate Minister.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Honourable Premier . Minister of Health and Social Services .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Member for Hay River South for that question. There is a public health order in place for the building based on the risk of exposure to asbestos and mould, among other things. The CPHO has been working diligently with the owner this month to understand the level of contamination and remediation that has taken place and what needs to take place in the future. The most recent development is that the CPHO has hired a consultant to verify and augment the reports that she has received from the contractor for the owner, and this work will be done on an expedited time frame.
I think that the CPHO is well aware of the value of the building as housing in a situation where housing is in very short supply and is trying to bring together the need for safety with the need for housing as soon as possible. Thank you.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
That answer is very encouraging. I'm glad to hear the word "expedited," as well, and I look forward to hearing the results. The other issue, now, with the Mackenzie Place high-rise is that there is potential for the power to be turned off next week, and it's going to have an effect on the emergency lighting, which sits on top of it and gives some indication to aircraft that there is a building there that is kind of high.
What I'd like to ask the Premier is if she or one of her departments will commit the appropriate department to keep the power on in the high-rise to ensure aircraft and passenger safety, because, at this point, if that light goes out I'm not sure what's going to happen with that. I heard that the airport was going to just tell the aircraft that there is a big building there, so be careful. I'm kind of hoping that's not the situation.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
That question I'd like to defer to the Minister of Infrastructure .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1531
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Honourable Premier . Minister of Infrastructure .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The role of the Department of Infrastructure is limited to inspections, to communication, and enforcement of the territorial regulations to ensure that the GNWT-owned assets are in compliance with the applicable federal regulations. As this is a private infrastructure, the owner is responsible for the complying with federal Canadian aviation regulations. For the lighting of the towers above the specific heights of this enforcement by Transportation Canada.
We remain hopeful that the owner will be able to find a solution by November 6 th and will be able to keep the electricity on the building. Should this not happen, there will be a notice to airmen, or the NOTAM, created that will advise pilots of the building that does not have a rooftop beacon in the vicinity of the Hay River airport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought, with that sunshine shining in here, I was going to get some good answers, but I see it has kind of gone away now. I hear that the department has certain responsibilities, but as government we have responsibility of the safety of our people and the residents of the NWT. We have a lot of aircraft flying around. For probably $5,000 or $6,000 we can keep this power on for probably for the rest of the winter. I'm not happy with the response, and I'll talk to the Minister later.
Can the Premier confirm what is the position of the Office of the Fire Marshal on the Mackenzie Place high-rise? Has that order been satisfied or is there further work and inspections required with respect to it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
I'd like to defer that question to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Madam Premier . Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs .
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just in regard to the fire at the Hay River high-rise, I want to follow up with the Member. It is quite lengthy, and there is a lot of detail with what the fire marshal has displayed. I'll follow up with the Member on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High-Rise
Oral Questions
Page 1532
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput .
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, the housing situation has been going on in Nunakput and across the whole territory, lack of housing. It made the news the other day that $60-million fund that wasn't touched in regard to the co-investment fund. I'm wondering if the Minister is making with her department, her housing department, making a strategy and working with our local NGOs and where I'm from, IRC and the community corporations. I'm going to send a letter out saying that, "Okay.
The $60-million fund, what kind of plan can we come up with in the communities?" Will the Minister entertain that, in regard to helping her spend that $60 million in regard to getting more units in the houses where they are needed in the communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
Oral Questions
Page 1532
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput . Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
Oral Questions
Page 1532
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know there is going to be a lot of talk about the national co-investment fund and how this program is rolling out. I just want to make it very clear that this is a federal funding program that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is acting in support, to try to program deliver and try to connect and outreach the CMHC to access these programs throughout the Northwest Territories. This summer, the Housing Corporation had mentioned we had visited 14 communities out of the 33. Out of those 14 communities, every Indigenous group was consulted. We did meet with them and also to provide them with an update on how the program works. It is $60 million.
I am committed, and I want to spend that money by the end of this government. I want there to be applications coming forward. My department is working strategically on how are we going to be partnering up with CMHC to tell the federal government we are not a southern jurisdiction. The way we do business in the Northwest Territories is different. It does not match the way that the program is laid out.
In regard to my colleague's region, I just wanted to provide him an update that we do have housing retrofits happening in Tuktoyaktuk this year with the completion date of 2021, materials and labour and major retrofits on four units. Paulatuk, we have major retrofits on five units, as well, with the completion date of February of 2021. Materials and labour on four additional units in Paulatuk, as well, with a fourplex that is being finalized in Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Sachs Harbour we have three major retrofits, two units that's completion for December 2020.
Tuktoyaktuk, as well, we have materials and labour on one unit and the tender will be going out in February 2021 and the delivery date of October 2021. Just to further update my colleague, we are working on a community plan, and we are starting the consultation and hopefully the completion would be within 2021, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
Oral Questions
Page 1533
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
Thank you, Madam Minister, for that update, too. I see that, but we need new units. We need more units. The units that we do have we could have had about another 20 more units because there is so much mould and stuff going on in the community. People are getting sick. I'm thankful to hear that. I know that's happening, but we need more units. We have either sell out what they can get rid of to get it out of the system because I know we're only allowed so many units in the community. We have to get rid of some of the old units and put some new ones and bigger ones, fourplexes. We need more fourplexes. We have young families in regard to that.
I know the Minister tried to come up to my riding, but at the time I wasn't available to do a tour. I'm inviting the Minister to come up with me to see firsthand what's happening in my communities in Nunakput and hearing it from my constituents and seeing what we need. We need to work together and spend this money. I'm here to help her to spend this money. The NGOs got a list, IRC, community corporation. Like I said, priority one is my constituents in regard to proper allocated housing in regard to a roof over their head and homelessness, also. That's my next question.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
I hear the plea from the Member. The lack of housing throughout the Northwest Territories is quite significant, and we are working with each of the communities. We do have partnerships, as well, with the Indigenous groups throughout the Northwest Territories. I did send out notices to the Indigenous groups in Nunakput, but the invitation to invite was declined due to COVID. We are scheduled to go to Tuktoyaktuk possibly the third week of November. I'll be speaking with the Member.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
I'd like to thank the Minister for that. We do need to get this money flowing. Last time the money was being spent was eight months ago. They have to have somebody hired right away at the department of housing to start allocating and start getting priorities set to start spending this co-investment money. It's free money. I really would like to see if we could, what's the timeline for that person being hired in the department to start spending the $60 million?
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
The Housing Corporation is in the process of hiring a person right now. Hopefully, we'll have the hire completed and done and in the office by the end of November. I just wanted to elaborate on the co-investment fund. It's a federal funding that is provided to the Northwest Territories, also the Rapid Rehousing Program funding, as well, but these are federal funding programs. The Northwest Territories does not have direct access to it.
We are supporting these federal initiatives, and we are trying to get the messaging out there so NGOs, stakeholders, and Indigenous groups can come to the table, submit their application. We as a Housing Corporation can provide our technical support. I have also advised my department to make our construction plans and our building plans available to these applicants, as well.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput .
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to invite CMHC on that tour in regard to seeing. They came to Tuktoyaktuk about two years ago. We told them all our issues, and we never heard back from them. I would ask the NWT representative invited onto that tour of Nunakput and whatever tour she is going on in regard to other than my riding, but I think it's a real priority. It has to be done. We have been sitting. If they are holding $60 million of the territory's access to funding, it should be spent, and it's urgent. Some people are homeless.
Some people, they need a little bit of a light to say that -- I know this Minister is trying, and we are here to help her. Help me help you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
Thank you for the Member's comments, as well. During these tours, CMHC is travelling with us, as well. The purpose of CMHC to be travelling with the Housing Corporation is to provide those introductions, as well, and to build those relationships with the communities so we could see these applications completed and we could see successful applications delivered from the Northwest Territories. Also, the commitment to get houses on the ground is absolutely a priority for this government, for the Housing Corporation, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 439-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund
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Page 1533
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho .
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1533
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier . I ask if all possibilities were looked at prior to the creation of the secretariat with the bottom line in mind. I would like to reiterate that we had a state of emergency, which has since been removed but currently still have the public health emergency. Mahsi.
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
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Page 1533
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Honourable Premier .
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1534
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I had stated earlier, the formation of the secretariat was because there were multiple departments that were working on different initiatives. Oftentimes the right hand was trying to figure out what the left hand was doing, so the secretariat formed, I think it was just about a month ago, within that. When the secretariat formed, Mr. Speaker, we were hit with the increases of the cases, the second wave coming in southern Canada. We did not have a lot of time to do a lot of consultation, and our communication was not the best on that. We have spoken to address that before.
Since that meeting, though, I have reached out to Indigenous governments. We are still in that process. On September 30 th , I did meet with the Indigenous governments. There were eight of them in total. I had strong support, verbal support, that they actually said, "We support the creation of the secretariat," once we explained the aspects of it.
The NWT Metis Nation, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Acho Dene, Akaitcho Dene, Salt River First Nations, North Slave Metis Alliance, and the Sahtu Secretariat firmly said, "We support the secretariat." There was one other one that wanted more information, so I will not mention their name. They have not given me concrete. Since then, I have also met with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, who also have given me strong support for creation of the secretariat, understanding that we needed to have better coordination in what we are doing.
I have also met with other members, Chief Bonnetrouge, Nahanni Butte Dene Band and Dene Nation and the Dehcho First Nations, but then again, at this point, we have not got a solid. We have got soft supports, but they have not said, "We 100 percent support it," concrete.
We are doing our work working with our municipal governments, as well; we have met with them; the business community, we have met with them; and the Indigenous governments. Options, Mr. Speaker? I wish we had more time. This pandemic hit us really quickly at the beginning of this government. When we have had a chance to breathe, almost as soon as we could take a breath, the second wave was starting in southern Canada. Time has not been on our side. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
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Page 1534
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
I would like to thank the Premier for her answer and for listing the First Nations that she had been in contact with. I certainly do not want to undermine the leadership's decisions from each of those regions, but my question had been if all possibilities, scenarios, were looked at prior to the creation, like having a think tank how we could do it. In my Member's statement, I had listed. We have up to 5,000, and now I am hearing close to 6,000 employees. Why did we not canvass? I am trying to get to the bottom line here.
We are paying an extra $87 million over four years. That is extra money for just 150 positions, which I believe we could have created from within our bureaucracy, our bloated workforce, and re-profiled the positions. I keep stating the state of emergency and the public health emergency, which probably is a strong tool to get you to direct those positions, something similar to what we have been hearing on the radio lately about the late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who invoked the War Measures Act back in the day. That is why I keep harping on the state of emergency and this emergency that we have in place. This can direct us to do those things, and this is hurting our bottom line.
I kept stating in my statements that our small communities are suffering. There are lots of issues with housing. I don't want to repeat myself, but there are a lot of social problems there. I am trying to help out this government of why we don't go that route to look at savings to the bottom line in our budget. I am wondering if I could get an answer to that. Further to that, it's not too late to start recruiting from within. I don't mean this out of disrespect, and I really want to stress that. I certainly do not believe we need to pull retirees out of retirement to continue the work of the GNWT. Will the Premier look at using the current GNWT workforce to create this task force?
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
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Page 1534
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
I would love to be able to say that we will stay status quo and we will use the current workforce. That is what we were doing at the beginning of the pandemic. I would have fought back and said that was the right way to do it, except I spoke to the employees who told me they were burning out. They were working way too much overtime. They were working seven days a week. It was not sustainable. It came from their mouths, saying that the current structure, the old structure, was not sustainable.
We do not want to spend a whole bunch of money, so we are looking at -- I can't remember the number. At the beginning, all of them were redeployed, but I do know that well over half of them right now are still redeployed from departments, people who are committed to helping with the health and safety. It's not because they need extra work. It's that they believe the cause is necessary. We do have a lot who are redeployed wit*hin departments. We have new hires, as well. Sixty-six of the 150 positions are going to be outside of Yellowknife. That means 66 positions outside of Yellowknife that are actually new jobs for community members.
Mr. Speaker, we speak in this House so often about the need for jobs in small communities. This is one option. It should not be riding on the health and safety, but it is an option for people. Again, I would love to have looked at it different ways, but it is coming from the staff and the people. Now, the Indigenous governments are saying that, as well. We need to have coordination within this, and this needs to be our priority. I keep going back to when I was fighting to look at different structures. Honestly, one Grand Chief told me and it stuck in my head to this day: how much money is one life worth? Mr.
Speaker, that will probably rest with me until the end of this pandemic, and I ask MLAs the same question. Mr. Speaker, to all MLAs, how much money is one life worth?
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1535
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
I understand the federal government's partial contribution is welcome, but I do not see the guarantees for further funding in the coming years. T7*-his may be redundant on cutting other programs and services to keep feeding this secretariat. Will the Premier commit to revamping and looking at cost-saving ways to form this task force?
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
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Page 1535
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Absolutely, we're looking at cost-saving ways. That's why the secretariat was formed, to get better coordination, to be able to see what we're doing, to look at ways that we can actually be more efficient, more effective in our service delivery. I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that, of the $31 million I believe it is, around what we're looking for in this supplemental that's coming forward, I believe it's around $23 million that is already funded from the federal government. The federal government in their Speech from the Throne identified the maintaining of COVID-19 supports as a huge priority in their government. We're holding them to that.
In my last meeting with the federal government, I emphasized the needs of the North and how vulnerable we were because we don't have the health supports that we need in every single community. Prime Minister Trudeau promised me on that call, and he has followed through, that he does care about the North, and he would get in touch with us and look at the additional money that we need. We are in the process. It is just being finalized this weekend actually, that we will actually be asking for more money for the secretariat. I do take to heart that the Prime Minister does hear us and is concerned about the North.
As well, again, since we formed the secretariat, we are looking at cost-saving measures. We are meeting with the municipalities, the Indigenous governments next week, and looking at isolation centres and what we could do with that, options of how we can afford that. That's the biggest expense within the secretariat is for isolation centres, critical for smaller communities, critical for our people. If we can find ways to get that down and still provide for the health and safety, then, we shall do that.
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1535
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Madam Premier . Final supplementary. Member for Deh Cho .
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1535
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Premier for her actions and work moving forward. I know you state that the Prime Minister does care for the North, but all the funding to cover COVID issues does not come from the federal government alone. It has been left up to the territorial government to find funds from other programs and services to continue the secretariat. I'm just wondering the scenario that I had before. If we had taken employees from within, this would have helped our bottom line tremendously. I'm just wondering, what is the COVID secretariat hoping to accomplish or change that will see a noticeable improvement over how we're currently delivering it from within? Mahsi.
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
Oral Questions
Page 1535
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
What the COVID secretariat is hoping to accomplish, I stated before, is better coordination, more transparency, better communication to the communities, and the opportunity to be able to look at efficiencies and effectiveness within our services. I'll give an example, Mr. Speaker. I've been asked about the border patrols down by Providence-Hay River. It's a great question. The reality, and the reason that we're looking at different things and didn't go out through normal processes is we didn't have time.
Mr. Speaker, the secretariat was only formed, I think, three weeks to a month ago, and before that, it was individual departments. Normal procurement processes would have helped, but there was fluctuation within departments, et cetera. It was until the COVID secretariat formed and took over, at that point, we said we need to have facilities for our workers and, therefore, we're rushing. We got the Providence one, and we're doing the other up North, as well.
Those areas, if we had it under one structure as the secretariat, ideally -- I hope it doesn't last another year, but if does last another year, we would be better prepared. We would be making sure that we had services and supports in place all season round. That's just one example of how we will actually be more efficient as we go forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 440-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
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Page 1535
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
I thank the Honourable Premier . Colleagues, before we continue, I just want to remind everyone to keep your questions short and also the answers because we're not even midway through here and we still have six people to go. Our time is 20 minutes. Just a reminder for the future. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1536
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources . In my statement earlier today, I noted that the Alberta provincial government and Alberta energy regulator unilaterally decided to reduce water quality monitoring as a result of the pandemic and to provide so-called industry relief. Can the Minister confirm whether he received any notice of these reductions in water monitoring by Alberta, and what we are doing to prevent this from happening again? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
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Page 1536
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1536
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I'd like to thank the Member for Frame Lake for doing the Member's statement and asking these important questions and saying how good the work that the ENR staff are doing. The suspension of the long-term water quality monitoring in Alberta caused significant concerns this summer. The GNWT was not notified about the suspensions of water quality monitoring. However, I must inform the House here, it should be noted, that there are provisions within the Alberta and NWT water management agreement that allows either government to take urgent action where needed to protect the health or safety of the public. COVID-19 was an example.
Mr. Speaker, as soon as we learned of the water quality monitoring suspension, I reached out to my Alberta counterparts, Minister Nixon, and the federal Minister of ECCC to express my concerns about reduced water monitoring in Alberta and ask that the GNWT become members of the oil sands monitoring committee. I'm happy to report that all provincial water quality monitoring has been reinstated in June and July, and the monitoring at key federal sites has been in place since August. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
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Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
I want to thank the Minister for that. I'm not sure that industry relief qualifies for the sort of exemptions that the Minister said, but I understand that it takes some time to have water quality samples analyzed and that, of course, once that analysis is done, we can better understand adverse impacts from upstream. I think some of those impacts may have compounded by high water levels that have been carrying additional sediments into the NWT. Can the Minister tell us whether the analysis of this summer's water samples has been finished and whether there are preliminary findings?
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1536
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
In our conducted water quality monitoring in the North and South Slave regions on the Slave, Hay, Liard, Peel, and Coppermine rivers this spring, the department did additional monitoring on the Slave River at Fort Smith due to the concerns about flooding in Fort McMurray. Results for the July monitoring of the Slave in Hay River have been released, and analysis of the August sampling is under way. The department has committed to make these findings available to the public through our website, and we will also provide it to standing committee as soon as they become available. So far, the results have pointed to the effect of high water levels, including higher than normal metal concentration.
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Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
I want to thank the Minister for that. With the surprise reduction in water quality monitoring by Alberta and the federal government, this would seem to have some impact on our ability to detect water quality changes. We need to have repeated, continuous, long-term water quality monitoring, and that's one of the cornerstones of the Transboundary Water Agreement. Can the Minister tell us what impact the reductions in water quality monitoring have had on our ability to detect and predict adverse impacts on NWT waters and people?
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1536
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Healthy water is of critical importance to the Northwest Territories and its residents, and continuous long-term water quality monitoring is a critical part of the Transboundary Water Agreement. While water quality monitoring in Alberta was suspended, the GNWT conducted our own monitoring at borders throughout most of the pandemic, with only slight delays at the start of the season. Our results at the border are consistent with those in other parts of the basin and point to the impact of high water levels. All Alberta monitoring and most key federal sites, including all key sites downstream of the oil sands, are now up and running.
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
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Page 1536
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final short supplementary. Member for Frame Lake .
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1536
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response from the Minister. I'm not sure he actually understood what I was saying. We need long-term, continuous data sets, but I want to move on. I support the efforts of our staff to stay on top of the situation, but I am not convinced that the Transboundary Water Agreements are working as they should. Could the Minister tell us what lessons GNWT has learned from this experience and whether any changes will be made to the Transboundary Water Agreements? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
To just elaborate on the third question: yes, we continue to monitor, and we are continuing to do it with our transboundary agreements. This agreement is one of the most comprehensive of its kind, as it takes into account traditional knowledge, biological indicators, and indicators on early warning systems to detect changes in water quality before they reach the border. While there were some challenges this summer with its implementation, we have seen improved communications and notifications since then. Our bilateral management committee, which impacts the agreement, is led by ADMs from both governments.
As well, deputy ministers are now meeting quarterly to ensure effective communication between our two jurisdictions. The GNWT continues to pursue a seat on the oil sands monitoring committee that would give us a stronger voice on related monitoring program decisions. The GNWT will continue to protect NWT interests with the context of the NWT-Alberta Bilateral Water Management Agreement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 441-19(2): Water Quality Monitoring
Oral Questions
Page 1537
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement today, I spoke about electoral reform, but I'll get to reforming democracy if I can get a few yesses out of the Department of Lands first. My question for the Minister of Lands is: will he develop land use area regulations for the Ingraham Trail? Perhaps I can get agreement that this work can be part of phase 2 of the Public Land Act and regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Minister of Lands .
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you. I should just say no, but I won't this time. The department has prioritized the implementation of the Public Land Act. This is a major body of work that involves the development of multiple regulations to bring the Public Land Act into force in early 2022-2023, or earlier. This work is to be completed within existing resources and requires a dedicated team whose main focus will be on this important work. This is the important part that the Member has been asking for: yes, we will look at this.
As we are working through this process, we will identify issues and challenges that we need to amend to the Public Land Act and regulations, but it will be in phase 2 of the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
When I first ran for this job, I never thought I'd be so excited about an agreement to develop land-use regulations. In the past, we have tried to develop a Yellowknife periphery area strategy. This initially failed because it largely had a recreational focus and ignored the residential aspect that these are people's homes. It also failed to get proper consultation and engagement from the Akaitcho Government. I believe this work still needs to be done, to set out what the future of the Yellowknife periphery area looks like. Will the Minister develop a Yellowknife periphery area strategy?
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
For the Yellowknife peripheral area, it has become clear that land management consideration must consider a diverse set of land users. Planning needs to consider activities such as traditional use, tourism activities, mineral exploration, agriculture, residences, commercial use, and recreational use, and how these activities might coexist. The department is reviewing the work completed on the draft for Yellowknife recreation management and has been engaging with Indigenous governments and organizations. In light of these interests and input from Indigenous governments and organizations, the department is revisiting how best to develop a plan for the Yellowknife peripheral area.
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
I think that was a yes. I'm glad to hear that, and I'm glad to hear we are working with our Indigenous governments. Really, at the end of the day, what I am looking for is to give the vast majority of the land in Yellowknife North back to the Akaitcho and to keep a few leases in fee simple where my residents currently live. Can the Minister write to Akaitcho on what they would require to agree to land disposition of those leases?
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
As I mentioned, the department is engaging with Indigenous governments and organizations on a range of issues, including planning in and around Yellowknife. The Department of Lands also undertakes
Section 35 consultation with IGOs and on all land distribution decisions, which will also include the process of completing a bulk land transfer of vacant public land to the City of Yellowknife. A technical review briefing has been offered to the MLA on related matters by EIA and Lands and may help answer these questions in their full context.
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Question 442-19(2): Land Use Management for the Ingram Trail and Yellowknife Area
Oral Questions
Page 1537
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1537
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier just quoted, "How much money is one life worth," when speaking about the COVID budget. My question is: I ask the Premier how much are the lives worth of those who we have lost since March 2020 to addictions, which could be secondary to mental health issues and trauma? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
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Page 1537
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes . Honourable Premier .
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. I stand by the Grand Chief's message: how much money is one life worth? We could use that in many instances. The Grand Chief used it with the secretariat and our measures in there, so I don't want to twist his words, but it can be used with many things.
Addictions and mental health has been something that all societies have been struggling with for many, many, many decades. It's not as simple, in my opinion, as just putting a treatment centre in Yellowknife. Treatment centres work for some; they don't work for all. AA works for some, but it doesn't work for all. On-the-land healing works for some, but it doesn't work for all. School supports, the child counsellors might work for some, but it won't work for all.
What I am saying is that we need a continuum of services, and this government is doing the best to provide that continuum of services to address our mental health and our addictions within communities. Again, it's something I hold to my heart. The reason I came in here was because of homeless people, and I have said that before. If I was to share some of the stories I've heard of the homeless women, I would shock Members on the other side, and that's why I came in, to make changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
There is a budget of about $86 to $87 million over two-and-a-half years for COVID. GNWT amounts for addictions and on-the-land have been quoted in the House last week: $2.3 million a year for addictions treatment; $1.8 million for on-the-land healing. That is $4.1 million a year. That is $10 million for 2.5 years. It doesn't add up for me. When is the Premier going to look at a better way of providing addiction services or if her Minister, if she wants to pass it on, can look at a better way of providing addiction services? We have mental health counsellors, all those types of things, in our system.
They are burnt out, too. We are short-staffed, so we need to look at a better way. Maybe it is putting more money behind it.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
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Page 1538
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
The Minister of Health and Social Services would like to take this answer. I would like to defer it to her.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Madam Premier . Minister of Health and Social Services .
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. Mr. Speaker, what the Department of Health and Social Services is doing early next year is to survey people who have received treatment in addictions centres to understand directly from them, the people who have used these centres, about the successes and shortcomings of their experience. I am very interested in seeing that information. What I remember from our tour that you were on, as well, Mr.
Speaker, as a member of the social development committee, is there was quite a gap between what was being said by people in the NWT and what was being said by clients in the centres. I am very interested in that first-hand information to understand whether the approach we are taking now is one that is resonating for the clients themselves. Thank you.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Addictions come from, like we said, we have drugs and alcohol. There is usually a root cause, but I know one of the things that we have lost a lot to is overdoses and alcohol and freezing to death. Will the Premier work with her Cabinet Member, maybe the Minister of Justice , to make sure that maybe we can have a -- everybody knows in the communities who are the drug dealers and how these drugs are coming in, but everybody is afraid. We need to have a way to work with the RCMP so people have a safe way to report and do kinds of things. As long as we have the supply there, we are going to have the problems.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
Oral Questions
Page 1538
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
The Member is right. Mental health and addictions are not just one department's responsibility. It goes across all departments. In fact, it's a community issue. The stories I heard from women, when they were children, what happened to them did not happen because of our government. It happened because of people, so it does take a community to deal with the mental health and addictions that we are facing. Mr. Speaker, what I can commit to is that we will bring this issue to the committee of Cabinet or social committee, and we will look at a wholesome, all-of-government approach to dealing with that. However, Mr.
Speaker, in respect, I would like to see the results from the survey that the Health and Social Services Minister has committed to. At that point, it would make sense that we would sit together and look at what we can do from a whole-of-government approach. Again, it will mean that all Members will need to look at that, as well, and all communities. We need to deal with this. It's not okay.
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
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Page 1538
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Honourable Premier . Final supplementary. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
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Question 443-19(2): Addictions and Mental Health
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Page 1538
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is just more of a comment to the Premier . I am glad that you are going to take this further, and if there is a survey, I am reaching out to the residents of the Northwest Territories to make sure they take
part in this. It's going to take not just one community. It's going to take the whole territory to deal with this, and I don't want to lose more family members, more constituents, to overdose, freezing to death this winter because of addictions or anything. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Question 443-19(2): Addi