Debates of June 3rd, 2014

This is page numbers 4589 – 4648 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th 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 services .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Expansion Of Single-Window Service Centres

Update On Investments In Housing Infrastructure

Generating Local Hydro Power

Wek’eezhii Land And Water Board

2014 Canadian Disability Awareness Week

Transportation Services For Seniors And Persons With Disabilities

Canadian Travellers’ Report Card

Health Coverage For Snowbirds

Transportation Issues In Nahendeh

Skills Canada Territorial Competitions

Construction Of Mackenzie Valley Highway

Maintenance And Improvements To The Dempster Highway

Top Employer Designation

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

New Energy Initiatives

Distracted Driving Programs

Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Mackenzie Valley Highway

Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Skills Canada NWT

Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Giant Mine Environmental Assessment

Action Plan For Persons With Disabilities

Evaluation Of GNWT Employer Awards

Tabled Document 93-17(5): Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2014-2015 Tabled Document 94-17(5): GNWT Response To Cr 2-17(5): Report On The Review Of The 2012-2013 Public Accounts Tabled Document 95-17(5): Program Review Office 2013 Annual Report

Tabled Document 96-17(5): Junior Kindergarten – Fact Package

Tabled Document 97-17(5): Letter From Prime Minister Harper, Dated May 16, 2014, Re: Extension Of The Term Of The 17th Legislative Assembly

Tabled Document 98-17(5): Tundra Science And Culture Camp 2013 Annual Report Tabled Document 99-17(5): 2012 Annual Report Of Wildlife Research In The NWT

Tabled Document 100-17(5): Canadian Travellers’ Report Card, The Canadian Snowbird Association

Funding To Implement Junior Kindergarten

Appointment Of Sole Adjudicators

Extended Adjournment Of The House To October 16, 2014

Support Of Federal Bill C-583:

An Act To Amend The Criminal Code

Recorded Vote

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Compliance Audits And Action Plans

Providing Compliance Audits And Action Plans To The Standing Committee On Social Programs

Tabling Of Modified Compliance Audits And Action Plans

Reporting By Director Of Child And Family Services

Tabling Of Annual Report Of Director Of Child And Family Services

Performance Measures Indicators

Assessment Of Financial And Human Resources For Delivering Child And Family Services

Standards And Procedures Manual

Revisions To Child And Family Services Standards And Procedures

Process For Sharing Best Practices Information

Training For Child Protection Workers

Child Protection Workers’ Recommendations For System Improvements

Funding Methodology For Regional Authorities

Caseload Standards For Child Protection Workers

Enhancement Of Aurora College Social Work Program

Front-Line Workers’ Tool To Assess Long-Term Risk

HSSas’ Compliance With Legislation, Standards And Procedures

Assessment Of Services By HSSas

Services For Youth

Comprehensive Response Within 120 Days

Ece, Education And Culture, Deletion Of $114,000 For Electronic Tablets To New Parents Under The Early Childhood Development Framework

Recorded Vote

Concurrence Of Tabled Document 93-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2014-2015

Report of Committee of the Whole

Bill 31: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2014-2015

Orders of the Day

The House met at 1:31 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier , Mr. McLeod.

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Minister's Statement 76-17(5): Expansion Of Single-Window Service Centres

Prayer

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to creating prosperity for all our citizens, and we recognize that residents of rural and remote communities have unique needs. We recognize that it can be difficult to communicate with government departments when people do not know who to contact or if they are not able to access online services.

I am pleased to announce that with the support of this Legislative Assembly, three new single-window service centres will soon open in Fort McPherson, Deline and Behchoko. These centres will help connect residents with the information and services they need, right at home in their own communities.

As Members know, these offices not only provide access to government programs and information, they also increase employment opportunities where they are most needed. These new single-window service centres will be staffed by trained half-time government service officers, recruited right from the communities they serve.

Our government service officers serve as a bridge between the government and citizens in small communities. They are true system navigators, helping residents access the services they need, Mr. Speaker. With the addition of these three new centres, we now have a total of 18 across the Northwest Territories. Since the program was launched in 2010, staff have helped residents in small communities with over 15,000 requests for assistance accessing Government of the Northwest Territories and federal government programs and services.

It is important to note, Mr. Speaker, that most of our government service officers provide direct services in their Aboriginal language. They make home visits

to help elders and other people who cannot come to the office.

Mr. Speaker, supporting all communities and regions is a priority for our government. Our commitment to them is demonstrated in programs like our single-window service centres, decentralization and regional recruitment and capacity building initiatives. We are doing our part to create sustainable, vibrant, safe communities as we work towards the vision of this Assembly.

The single-window service centres and government service officers program proves that we can provide more efficient services by creating positions in smaller communities to help residents connect with the programs and services they need. I want to thank Members for their continued support for this initiative. It is truly making a difference. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 76-17(5): Expansion Of Single-Window Service Centres

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

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Minister's Statement 77-17(5): Update On Investments In Housing Infrastructure

Prayer

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, addressing housing needs is a priority of the 17th Legislative Assembly and the NWT Housing Corporation. This year is the first year of a multi-year plan that will see considerable investments in housing infrastructure that will have significant impacts on housing in our communities.

Overall, the NWT Housing Corporation expects to spend approximately $48 million on housing infrastructure during 2014-15 and, Mr. Speaker, today I wanted to provide an update on this work.

A significant aspect of our investment plan includes the new seniors facilities in the communities of Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson and Whati and the replacement of the Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik. The work on the Joe Greenland Centre has started and we expect the tenders for construction of the facilities in Fort Liard and Fort McPherson to be out shortly for completion during 2014-15. Theother two communities will be completed next year.

The NWT Housing Corporation’s plan for 2014-15 also includes adding new public housing units in Jean Marie River, Wekweeti and Colville Lake. These new units will add important housing stock in communities that have been under-served by the Public Housing Program in the past.

Overall for our NWTHC units, the 2014-15 plan includes replacing or building 63 new public housing units and completing retrofits on 165 other units. Our three-year plan, which includes retrofits on close to 600 NWTHC units and over 100 new or replacement units, will build on the work planned for 2014-15. These investments are part the NWT Housing Corporation’s continuing effort to ensure that good quality public housing stock is available for our tenants.

Mr. Speaker as Members know, this government is also investing over $22 million during the next three years to add about 100 market rental units in NWT smaller communities to support devolution, decentralization and service delivery. A request for proposals was issued for 30 of these units that will be delivered in 2014-15. The plans for this year will see 12 of these units located in the Beaufort-Delta district, four in the Sahtu district, five in the Nahendeh district, four in the South Slave district and five in the North Slave district.

Finally, based on previous years, we expect to spend about $7.1 million to support about 325 eligible low and modest homeowners in 2014-15 with major and emergency repairs and preventative maintenance activities.

Mr. Speaker, the $48 million that the NWT Housing Corporation will invest in 2014-15 not only supports the GNWT’s overall mandate and priorities related to housing but it is also an important part of the economy. The NWT Housing Corporation counts on northern contractors and businesses to complete this work. The 2014-15 investment, when compared with planned capital spending of $26 million in 2013-14, means there are considerable opportunities within the housing sector for northern businesses. The NWT Housing Corporation looks forward to continuing to work with our contractors to ensure the successful delivery of our plan.

Mr. Speaker, ensuring the quality of the NWTHC housing stock and supporting low and modest homeowners to complete repairs on their homes are a critical part of the 17th Legislature’s vision and

goals and I look forward to continuing to work with Members on these initiatives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 77-17(5): Update On Investments In Housing Infrastructure

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Her Excellency Marie-Anne Coninsx, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, and Ms. Terri-Ann S. Priel, Advisor, Political and Public Affairs, who have traveled here

from their embassy in Ottawa. Welcome to the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Members, I’d also like to draw your attention to the gallery to former Nunakput MLA Mr. Ernie Bernhardt. It’s always good to see Ernie.

---Applause

Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Generating Local Hydro Power

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Based on this government’s adventures in hydro power plant and transmission line building over the last 15 years, an unfortunate pattern is emerging. It starts with a modest community proposal to generate local hydro power. It could be Deline with their run-of-river proposal on the Bear River, Lutselk’e with their proposal for the Snowdrift, Whati on the La Martre River, or even Fort Smith’s desire to make use of wasted power on the Taltson system.

These proposals were all able to show long-term savings for both the community and this government that spends many millions subsidizing the cost of producing power with diesel generators.

Rather than listening to what the community wants, our leaders instead dream up a glorious mega project. They look at their maps and dream of power lines criss-crossing the NWT. Perhaps they look at maps of the provinces and wish they could have a power grid just like them.

Rather than face realities, they come up with a low-ball price and then proceed to spend millions of dollars on studies. A few years later, they quietly announce that the project has been shelved because it costs too much.

In Deline, the run-of-river project was transformed into 100 megawatt power for the pipeline project which went nowhere. In Lutselk’e and Fort Smith, we have Taltson hydro for the diamond mines. After investing tens of millions, the project was cancelled.

Just recently, the government announced that the Whati transmission line, which started as a modest, small hydro proposal, is cancelled because after a decade of consideration they concluded it will cost $20 million more than the original proposal. For the fourth time in Whati, we are back to square one.

Meanwhile, we have spent literally hundreds of millions of dollars subsidizing diesel power. Had we built these small hydro plants when the communities asked for them 10 or 15 years ago, we would be well on our way to having paid them off

and residents and businesses would be enjoying stable or reduced power costs.

Rather than learning from this experience, we just dream bigger. We are currently spending millions studying a transmission line from Yellowknife to Saskatchewan that is estimated at $800 million, four times the cost of the Deh Cho Bridge.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT is a vast, sparsely populated territory. We need to be innovative. We need power solutions that are scaled to our communities and our geography.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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Generating Local Hydro Power

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

We need to be innovative and recognize our vast territory and we need power solutions that are scaled to our communities and our geography. Our communities should be adopting the cutting edge in efficient technology and renewable power production. Above all, though, both politicians and senior staff need to focus their thinking, get some hardhats, safety shoes and shovels and concentrate on building actual projects in our communities. Mahsi.

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Generating Local Hydro Power

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Wek’eezhii Land And Water Board

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 21st of this year, Premier McLeod announced the

recipient of the 2014 Council of the Federation Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for the Northwest Territories as the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board.

The award recognizes outstanding achievement and innovative practice and leadership in the area of the water stewardship and is presented to organizations, partnerships, businesses, institutions and communities in each province and territory.

In a press release that day, Premier McLeod stated that the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board recognition “is an excellent example of how innovative, locally focused and action-oriented programs delivered through a regional board can educate communities in water conservation and water quality protection at the local level.” High praise and well deserved, I say.

The Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board works with Tlicho communities to initiate training for chief and council members, employees, land officers and other community members, to meet the monitoring requirements of water licences for sewage discharge and solid waste facilities. The training, which includes sampling procedures and

interpretation of results, has led to an increased understanding of water quality issues and other aspects of water management.

There’s more than a hint of irony about this situation. While Premier McLeod sang the praises of a hardworking, successful regional land and water board, he was well aware that a mere two weeks later, on April 1st , the effect of the

implementation of the federal Bill C-15 would mean the eradication of all regional land and water boards in the NWT. Replacing them would be one board, a super-board, a move condemned by First Nations across the territory, including the Tlicho, but tacitly supported by Premier and Cabinet.

The irony is this: On the one hand the GNWT has recognized and praised the excellent work of a regional board, all the while passively accepting its imminent demise.

If the Premier and Cabinet really believe the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board deserves the Council of the Federation award, why are they not fighting to keep the board up and running, to keep it alive so they can continue the excellent work they do at the regional level? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Wek’eezhii Land And Water Board

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . Member for Deh Cho , Mr. Nadli .

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2014 Canadian Disability Awareness Week

Members’ Statements

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. June 2nd to

8th is Disability Awareness Week in Canada. It

continues the tradition of National Access Awareness Week, established in 1988, to promote better community access for people with disabilities.

The impetus behind these national campaigns was Rick Hanson’s Man in Motion world tour. A Canadian icon, Rick Hanson dreamt of creating an accessible and inclusive world and finding a cure for spinal cord injury. For 26 months he wheeled over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries. He averaged 30,000 strokes a day, through tough terrain, harsh weather, illness and injury. Through his breathtaking achievement, he defied dominant perceptions about disabled people.

The disabilities umbrella includes a diverse list of conditions: blindness, deafness, brain and spinal cord injuries, speech disorders, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, FASD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the list goes on.

Hundreds of my constituents are disabled in some way or another. At least four require intense, highly specialized care. As their MLA, I represent them to the best of my ability.

I am supporter of the NWT Disabilities Council that has been visibly preparing for this week’s events, including Thursday’s high tea with the Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities and Saturday’s Grand Prix event on School Draw Avenue, a full day of races and family fun.

This organization’s mandate is to swing open the doors of access and promote full citizenship through equality, inclusion and participation. This organization performs a range of extremely valuable services, yet it’s chronically underfunded. In fact, despite a widespread perception that the GNWT delivers effective public programs for disabled persons, that isn’t the reality.

Comparatively little government spending is allocated for the needs of disabled persons. I believe it’s time for a designated territorial facility for disabled persons. Ideally, such a facility would serve as a resource hub and provide state-of-the-art rehabilitation services. It would also be warm and inviting, a place that feels like a home.

I will have questions later for the Minister of Health and Social Services . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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2014 Canadian Disability Awareness Week

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli . The Member for Hay River North , Mr. Bouchard .

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Transportation Services For Seniors And Persons With Disabilities

Members’ Statements

Robert Bouchard

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the heels of Mr. Nadli ’s speech about disabilities, I have to bring forward an issue that’s in the community of Hay River. It has to do with the handi-van services that have been provided by the Hay River Council for People with Disabilities and the fact that the last few years they’ve been striving to get private funding to operate this service. This service is being used by seniors and people with disabilities to get around the community, to get to job interviews, to get groceries and to actually get to medical appointments.

Because of the increased costs, the council has had difficulty and had to basically eliminate all the transportation that the handi-van currently is providing. They continue to provide some services to some of their members that are in schooling, but they’ve eliminated that to seniors and to people with disabilities.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health and the GNWT, I guess. I am going to specify my questions to Health because I think that’s where the dollars should be coming from, but it is GNWT-wide. There may be a couple of departments that have that issue, but I need the GNWT to get together and find a solution to assist and fund the handi-van services in Hay River.

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Transportation Services For Seniors And Persons With Disabilities

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard . The Member for Range Lake , Mr. Dolynny .

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Canadian Travellers’ Report Card

Members’ Statements

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday as we were recognizing our seniors, I was thinking, as our population ages and the number of travelling Canadians continues to increase, it is important that our government be attentive to travellers’ rights, especially our seniors and elders who now enjoy more mobility options than ever.

As a government, we have many layers of legislation, regulation and policies that make our approach to dealing with travellers either rewarding or problematic. The purpose of my statement today is to be sensitive to the needs of our travelling seniors and reveal some inconsistent standards and how the GNWT is rated versus other Canadian jurisdictions. To assist me, I will be using the Canadian Traveller’s Report Card, which is an evaluation tool published every two to three years by the Canadian Snowbird Association.

Admittedly, the NWT did rather well in this report card as we actually scored an over B rating, and I have to applaud we scored a best practice of an A-plus for their access to emergency health coverage when travelling. However, we failed in three other categories with a C rating.

One area was on the preservation of health coverage for frequent travellers, and the recommendation to correct this is to allow international travel for up to seven months or six months with unlimited short-term trips anywhere in the world while still maintaining health benefits.

Another low rating was under the access to prescription drugs for use during travel. With the GNWT only covering a three-month supply of medication, the recommendation is to cover the cost of a supply of prescription medication equal to the permitted absence from the territory.

Finally, the last of the low ratings was on the availability of government information. Apparently, the GNWT contains very limited health-related information or details for travellers on such issues as residency requirements and out-of-country reimbursement. The recommendation is to create a comprehensive brochure of medication or medical

information and prescription policy for such travellers.

Clearly, with some minor encouragement from the Department of Health and Social Services, our jurisdiction could join the likes of the Yukon who has the best grade in the country at A-minus. My challenge now is to the leadership of the Department of Health to assess the patchwork needed to address these simple policy fixes. We have the choice for clear and fair government policies so we can make travelling pleasant, safe and a rewarding experience for our seniors and our elders. Mahsi.

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Canadian Travellers’ Report Card

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny . The Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Health Coverage For Snowbirds

Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government has been talking about attracting more people to live in the Northwest Territories and encouraging people who already live here to stay. I know that we are open to ideas to do this. I have a suggestion to offer. Let’s be a little more flexible in providing health coverage to people who like to travel outside of the territory. In turn, that may keep them living in the Northwest Territories and not moving out to some other province that allows them to travel for a longer period of time during the year.

For those people who do long-term travelling in the winter, we call them snowbirds. It is also worth noting here that our snowbirds are people with the means to travel and who are usually healthy enough to travel. Right now we require our residents to remain in the Northwest Territories for at least six months of the year to maintain their health care coverage. I propose we change that requirement to allow snowbirds to travel for seven months of year, which would then require them to remain in the Northwest Territories for five months a year.

There are major advantages to doing this: maintaining our population, our federal transfer payments and the number of tax filers that we have. A less stringent residency requirement for health coverage will encourage seniors who might like a warmer climate to keep their residency in the Territories and travel in the winter. Some might even be discouraged from moving to Alberta, which presently requires you to remain in the province for six months of the year. So we would have an advantage over our southern neighbour in that regard.

Most importantly, on top of wanting people to move to the Territories, we want our visiting residents to stay. A one-month change in their residency requirement for health coverage is not going to cost us very much. It’s probably far less than the

benefits that having them here brings to our territory.

This is not a radical idea. Ontario requires its residents to be in province for 153 days per year, which is basically five months. It is the same in British Columbia, who also has five months. That’s two of the three most populous provinces in Canada. A resident of Newfoundland only has to be present for four months of the year to keep their health care coverage.

Let us follow the lead of these enlightened provinces. Let’s be among the first. Let’s do our homework and let’s get this done during the life of this Assembly. Let’s figure out how much it will cost us and what the benefits are of keeping these Northerners, who like to travel in the South, living in our territory. Thank you.

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Health Coverage For Snowbirds

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Transportation Issues In Nahendeh

Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’ll be speaking about the highways in Nahendeh and I would also urge the Department of Transportation to bring their hardhats, shovels and safety shoes. There are three major arteries in Fort Simpson. My favourite, which is Highway No. 7, Highway No. 1 from Fort Simpson to Wrigley as well as Highway No. 1 from Fort Simpson towards Hay River, and there’s access roads that go into Jean Marie and Nahanni Butte as well.

I’m pleased to see that there are investments in this infrastructure this coming year, but I do want to stress the importance of completion of the reconstruction, repairs and dust control plans for 2014.

I’m very pleased that Highway No. 7 did not have any serious issues this spring, but Highway No. 1 between Fort Simpson and Wrigley had severe problems. It was muddy and there was lots of rutting. So I’ll be asking the Minister what the plans are to fix that portion of the highway this year.

Also, during my last visit of Jean Marie, they wanted to look at improving that access road. In fact, they want to upgrade it from an access road to an all-season road.

Overall, the residents in the communities want me to emphasize the importance of continued maintenance. We make our living using the highway system is what constituents tell me. So I’ll be asking the Minister of Transportation questions at the appropriate time and get answers on the highway system repairs in Nahendeh. Thank you.

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Transportation Issues In Nahendeh

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Moses .

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Skills Canada Territorial Competitions

Members’ Statements

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today students from across the Northwest Territories in grades 9 to 12 as well as post-secondary apprentices will be travelling to Toronto to compete in the Skills Canada National Competition from June 4th to the 7th where they will showcase their

skills and challenge themselves and others to new heights of success.

Skills Canada NWT is a non-profit dedicated to promoting careers in skilled trades and technology to northern youth since 1999. This is done by organizing programs and events each year for youth and supporting schools for school programs throughout the NWT such as regional and territorial skills competitions. All participants who are travelling to the nationals have to in fact win a gold medal in their respective trade at both the regional and territorial level.

This program has many benefits, such benefits as more skilled northern workers, reducing the number of unemployed people throughout the Northwest Territories as well as instilling confidence in our youth, resulting in youth making more positive choices and better life decisions. There are also benefits of fewer crimes and misdemeanors because these youth are doing what they love, they’re doing what they like and something that they enjoy and are good at. More importantly, these youth become role models for their peers and they also become role models for the next generation.

I know that this government does a great deal in supporting this program and the GNWT does give a very healthy contribution to this program, but I think this government can do a little bit more in the sense of just taking it to the next step. Look outside the box, think outside the box and look at how we can start supporting all these gold medal winners in the Northwest Territories that are going to nationals, looking at what their skills and trades are, investing in them, supporting them so that they can become our future workforce in the NWT.

That way we don’t have to rely on bringing southern workers up into the NWT as well as we might be able to meet our socio-economic agreements of a northern workforce and also assist our NWT industries to find well-trained, well-prepared young people who can help business grow and help our economy grow.

At this time I would just like to thank all those who are participating and thank all those who are supporting the NWT skills trade participants and Team NWT going to the nationals. I wish them the best of luck, and hopefully you can bring a couple of gold medals back from the nationals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Skills Canada Territorial Competitions

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses . Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Construction Of Mackenzie Valley Highway

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, along with my honourable colleague Mr. Menicoche , mentioned to the Department of Transportation and I also want to ask the Minister, once you’ve finished your discussions in Nahendeh, if they could bring their plans and their hardhats and their monies up to the Sahtu. Oh yes, we still need to build a highway in the Sahtu, so we would like to join that discussion one day down the road.

The first highway in the North was built in 1943-44 from Norman Wells to the Yukon border, famously known as the Canol Road. It was built by 30,000 men and women in 13 months. Although with it, they built a pipeline and a telephone line, and they were guided by the Aboriginal people.

It was built because the U.S. government said we’re going to build this road, you’re either with us or not. It has to be built for national security. They needed the Sahtu oil for a greater cause.

Only after 20 years did we see the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Alberta up north in the ‘50s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Even in 2010 we saw construction of the highway in the Northwest Territories, and now we’re waiting for ours in the Sahtu region.

In the ‘70s the model Hire North was used to construct the highway. It went as far as Wrigley. Today we’re seeing the extension of the Dempster Highway, known as the Inuvik-Tuk highway. From what we saw, it’s a great success for the people in that area.

We are waiting now to see the beginning of the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley north. Let me explain in three points why we need to keep this portion of this lifelong dream of Diefenbaker’s Roads to Resources alive and become a reality.

1. The training opportunities. We have a high rate

of graduates in the Sahtu who are ready to work. We have a high rate of youth in our region that are ready to work. Our needs assessment research shows that we have a high number – close to 300 people – willing to work together, ready to work.

2. Employment versus unemployment.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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Construction Of Mackenzie Valley Highway

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

In our region, Norman Wells has the highest rate of employment and the lowest rate of unemployment because they’re working. We

have a high rate in the other communities of unemployment. Income assistance is showing that we’re spending millions of dollars to support people in subsidy programs. Businesses are ready. We have now 28 Aboriginal businesses compared to 60 in 2006.

Building infrastructure in the Northwest Territories is key. We have unprecedented industrial interest in the Sahtu region. As Mr. Ramsay said, two to three billion barrels of oil is ready to be taken out. Communities want to build. They’re looking for partnerships. The high cost of living – just take a look at our airline tickets to bring a family of five out of Tulita, Good Hope or Deline to Yellowknife. We want to build our region. We want to be in the driver’s seat. Truly, the Road to Resources is obtainable. Let’s stop talking and starting walking, I mean building.

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Construction Of Mackenzie Valley Highway

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Blake .

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Maintenance And Improvements To The Dempster Highway

Members’ Statements

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let’s talk about tourism in the Northwest Territories. More so, let’s talk about how the tourists travel to our smaller communities in the North.

Year round we have people from the South and all over the world attracted to the Northwest Territories, to the Mackenzie Delta and to the Beaufort communities. Some fly into Inuvik, but the majority of them drive the ever popular Dempster Highway. Yes, let’s talk about the Dempster Highway and the need for more funding to make this a safer highway.

I’d like the Minister to address why the lack of funding. Where did the funding go to finish off the widening that was promised? The widening project has obviously made a big change in how we see the Dempster. For one, it’s a lot safer. Wider roads mean easier to drive and allows for safe passing of oncoming traffic. You know the amount of vehicles that come up the highway hauling food, dry goods, freight, fuel, propane and now LNG, and the list goes on. We need to maintain this highway to ensure zero accidents.

Another thing, this is seasonal work of which our local people rely on to earn extra money to sustain living in our communities. My constituency is expecting work to continue this summer. Let’s make this work happen for them. Let’s reassure them that construction on the Dempster will continue. I ask the Minister again to take another look at the widening portion of the Dempster Highway and re-implement this back into this year’s plans.

Another thing is resurfacing. Our highway needs to be resurfaced from Fort McPherson to kilometre

173. Again, in order to reassure a safer highway, we need safer driving conditions.

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Maintenance And Improvements To The Dempster Highway

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake . The Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Top Employer Designation

Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What would this session be without a little bit of discussion on the topic of jobs? Jobs matter. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. If you live in Tulita, Aklavik, Ulukhaktok or even Yellowknife, jobs matter. Jobs are what help people get along. We need jobs to pay our rent, to take care of our kids, to put food on our table. Jobs matter to everyone. Recently something drew my attention to this problem and I’m trying to figure out what we are doing about this. Well, recently the government was touting, once again, that it has been nominated and found as one of Canada’s top employers.

It was a top employer in 2013 and yet again now it claims another title of being a top employer for young people and a diverse employer. But we’ll get to the details of that challenge here in a minute.

The GNWT is a good employer and I think on many occasions it needs to be recognized for its hard work, but are we focusing our administration on the award and getting nominated or are we focusing on the true problems of unemployment rates that are the highest in the land? In small communities, when you have 70 percent unemployment, what are we doing about these things?

Look across the land and you hear nobody saying, “Oh boy, the cost of living, if it would only go up, we’re getting by so easy.” I haven’t heard that at all. Quite the contrary. I hear about the cost of living as a significant problem whether you live in Aklavik, Tulita, or you live anywhere. It is a problem.

I hear from my colleagues about job opportunities and how few they are, while we’re worried about nominating ourselves about what a great job we’re doing. Are we actually getting the job done? I’m constantly getting calls at my office from summer students still scrambling and looking for any opportunity of experience, let alone just paid.

So, back to the top employer issue. Does it seem realistic that the GNWT would pay $795 to self-nominate itself to a specialized marketing company in order to get an award that we don’t really know what it’s about? I called this company and they wouldn’t tell me anything. I asked them how do you apply and they said, well, you pay almost $800 to get on their list and they evaluate. I asked them, what do you evaluate it against? They said, well, go to our website and that will tell you who applies because they’re the winners.

It’s kind of a clandestine sort of approach on meeting the bottom line. We must focus our efforts

on what’s important: getting jobs into small communities, getting jobs for Northerners. I think it’s now time to return to the discussion about those 1,050 unfilled jobs with that job snapshot. Let’s talk about those 571 jobs that this government is supposed to be pursuing and let’s see what else we can do for those summer students that so desperately need the money and the opportunity. Thank you.

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Top Employer Designation

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Ms. Bisaro .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of Pages from Frame Lake who have been working here last week and this week. I believe they’re both in the House today. Gabriel Layden and Isaac Macpherson. I would like to thank them for their service and thank all Pages for their service for the last couple weeks. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . Mr. Bromley .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Weledeh constituent Ernie Bernhardt. I’m assuming he’s still up there. Great to see him in the House today. Mahsi.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . Mr. Hawkins .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to once again recognize Hannah Allan. She’s a Page here from Yellowknife Centre. She’s just over there on the side. I recognized her last week, but I believe she was on duty somewhere else. I’d like her to take a moment so she can stand up and be recognized and thank her for her duties here. Also, I may remind her, many Pages have become MLAs and even Clerks in this Assembly, so you never know where you can end up. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . I’d like to welcome Mr. Ernie Bernhardt back into the House today. I said earlier, it’s always good to see you in the House, Ernie. I’d like to welcome Calysta Lucas-Kudlak from Sachs Harbour and Ms. Cheyenne Gully, also from Sachs, paging for us here today from my riding in Nunakput.

I’d like to welcome our guests here that just walked in. Thanks for taking an interest in our proceedings here today. Thank you and welcome to the Assembly.

The honourable Premier , Mr. McLeod.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Lona Hegeman. With her is Dr. Neal Hegeman and his wife, Sandy, and daughters

Melinda and Katrina. Welcome to our Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to follow up on my Member’s statement with questions for the Premier under the portfolio of responsibility for new energy initiatives, energy initiatives that we know are a core opportunity to address cost of living issues for residents and businesses in the NWT. As the Minister for new energy initiatives, I asked the Premier why this government’s tendency to not build modest hydro plants while pursuing dreams of mega projects that are never realized is ongoing. Is it poor planning or is this a result of an overly ambitious vision at the leadership level? What is going on here? Thank you.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . The honourable Premier , Mr. McLeod.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a government, in both the 16th and 17th Legislative

Assemblies we have reduced our reliance on fossil fuels. We’ve been spending money on alternative and renewable forms of energy. For the 17th Assembly, we have an Energy Plan where we’re spending approximately $10 million a year over three years to move into the areas of biomass, LNG and other forms of renewable alternative energies.

As far as spending money on projects that are large and costly, when we have our helmets on and our boots to the ground, we determined that they’re no longer feasible. We are not in the business of entering into projects that are not feasible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

My conclusion is that it is actually a result of both poor planning and an overly ambitious vision.

With all these feasibility studies, many of which indicate things are economic to do, will the Premier work with other responsible Ministers to redirect GNWT’s new energy initiatives to realistic hydro developments that could actually produce a facility on the ground in the next five years? Mahsi.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

We do work with all Members in this Assembly. We brief them on all of the different energy plans. We take all of their input and come up with a plan that’s acceptable to all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

I am looking for evidence of that. This inability to actually get projects done on the energy front may also be a result of the fracturing of

the energy portfolio between at least six government departments.

Has the Premier explored the possibility of combining these functions into an office of energy that would allow for better coordination of energy initiatives and provide a direct line of responsibility to a single Minister? Mahsi.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

I think the Member should look around. We’ve done Bluefish, we’ve done biomass, we’ve done LNG, we’ve done solar and there’s a whole host of other alternative and renewable energies that are on the books. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley .

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn’t hear an answer, not unusual for this Premier . Given that many departments have new roles and responsibilities under devolution and given the fundamental roles that energy plays in all aspects of life in the NWT and given the commitment and focus in the NWT Energy Strategy on renewable energy, would the Premier commit to reporting back on the possibility of a new office of energy outside of departments with a mandate to actually build, not just study, an environmentally sustainable, affordable and efficient renewable energy system for all sectors of NWT society? Mahsi.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

I am sure the Member would be pleased to hear that that work is well underway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 343-17(5): New Energy Initiatives

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Range Lake , Mr. Dolynny .

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We in the NWT suffer from many forms of addiction. Some of these addictions are to drugs and some are alcohol related. Both are bad, both destroy lives and both can be treated. However, we in the NWT also suffer from a severity of another modern day addiction and it’s getting worse, not better, and we’re ignoring all the warning signs. Of course, I’m referencing our addiction to connectivity while driving a motor vehicle.

Just this morning on my way to work, just in a couple of blocks I counted nine motorists on their cell phone while driving. My questions today are for the Minister of Transportation .

Our distracted driving law came into effect on January 1, 2012, and on October 22nd of that year, I

asked then Minister of Transportation how many convictions, tickets and warnings have been issued in the NWT since inception. So I will ask the same question to the Minister here today. Thank you.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny . Minister of Transportation , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2012 we had 177 convictions; in 2013, 223 convictions; and to the end of March 2014 we’ve had 54 convictions. Thank you.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

Thank you to the Minister. Thank God for Twitter for the advanced notice. Clearly, the issue of distracted driving is not getting any better, not only here in the NWT but everywhere. Just last month I saw a billboard in Edmonton saying “Crotches Kill.” I was a bit taken aback by the aggressive tone, but you didn’t need to stray far as many drivers really do have a fetish of looking at their underwear while driving. Don’t worry, Mr. Speaker, we in the NWT have the same addicted fetish. So I know DOT has awareness campaigns like Leave the Phone Alone and Drive Alive!.

Can the Minister honestly stand before this House and say these programs are having a meaningful impact here in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

That type of campaign seems to have limited impact on an individual deciding to continue driving while distracted. One of the steps we are taking immediately is to increase the fines for individuals who are found to be distracted driving. This is perhaps not enough of a fine, but the fines have gone up from $115 to $280 if you’re caught driving while you’re on your phone or texting. So that is one step and we’ll see how that works. Probably we’d have to do something more severe to start to bend the curve downward. Thank you.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

I will probably get some clarifications on the changes in fines, which leads to my next question. I took the liberty to compare our fine and demerit program for distracted driving and put them against the rest of the country. While the NWT residents normally suffer from a high cost of living, clearly our fines make us the cheapest place to get caught in the country.

Can the Minister explain why our fines, from what I know today, are published at $115? Why are they so low? More importantly, what is he doing to address our inability to deter motorists? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

The Member is correct; our fines are very low. So this is the reason we are increasing them, more than doubling them from what we have of $115 to $280. Also, in addition to that, we are going to step up the advertising and campaign of making people aware of how dangerous it is to do distracted driving. We know figures show in reality, distracted driving is more dangerous than impaired driving. We are going to have to be as severe with distracted driving as we are with impaired driving. Thank you.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny .

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m strongly encouraged from what I am hearing from the Minister, and I appreciate the thoroughness of his reply. Back in October 2012, I suggested an amendment to the act of the removal and confiscation of the illegal and dangerous use of a mobile tool while driving. The then-Minister said the department would consider the idea. I’ve heard nothing since.

Because I believe we have to get tough on treatment like any other addiction, can the Minister convince this House he has a handle on this issue and will give it his full attention for the remaining life of the 17th Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

I do believe that the department does have a handle on the issue. It is a relatively new thing, as I indicated, about three and a half years we have been charging people for distracted driving. I think over time it would become very apparent. It would probably be viewed as poorly as people view impaired driving within a very short period of time. Like I said, it’s probably more dangerous than that. So we’re very serious, the department, about doing something about it.

I see distracted driving all the time too. In fact, I just watched almost an accident two days ago as an individual was waiting at a stop sign. We both watched a young lady drive through a red light on the phone, and we both looked at each other and went like this. I mean, it’s dangerous for everyone, so we’re serious about it.

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Question 344-17(5): Distracted Driving Programs

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad that some Members here are talking about our highways and highway system.

I just wanted to ask the Minister of Transportation with reference to my Member’s statement. I know that for the 2014 construction year, we had many plans and investment for Highway No. 7, Highway No. 1 north of Fort Simpson towards Wrigley and, of course, from Fort Simpson towards Hay River.

I’d like to ask him about those plans. Are they on track and what’s the DOT’s strategy for completing all the projects this year? Thank you very much.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Minister of Transportation , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are three main pieces of work happening in the area that the Member speaks of. On Highway No. 7 we are resurfacing and putting new chipseal

down from zero to kilometre 20, and the Member knows exactly where that is. Also, on Highway No. 1, we are going to apply new chipseal. I believe there was some chipseal down. We’re going to apply new chipseal from kilometre 395 to 411. Also, again on Highway No. 1 just as it flows into the Member’s riding, from kilometre 188 to kilometre 206 we’re going to resurface and put on new chipseal. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much. I’d like to thank the Minister for confirming those projects. The one that was most concerning this spring was Highway No. 1 that goes from Fort Simpson and Wrigley. That collapsed in some places; there were ruts; there was lots of mud. I think there were some plans to do some reconstruction work on that Wrigley road section.

I’d like to ask the Minister if he could confirm some of those plans. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, unlike the Member, I don’t know where each of the kilometres start and end. I do believe that the highway that the Member refers to, I think, is from 395 to 411, and that’s the part of the road where we are applying new chipseal. But I cannot confirm that in the House today, if that was the exact

section that the Member is referring to, but I would be glad to get that information immediately and get back to the Member. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

That

section the Minister quoted – 395 to 411 – is actually towards the Hay River section. I was looking for the work that’s being done from Fort Simpson towards Wrigley. I think it might be kilometre 420 and even greater. So there was some work being done on the

schedule for this year, but I’m asking the Minister to… Let’s complete that work and it looks like there’s more work to be done, by all the phone calls I’ve been receiving from Wrigley residents.

Will the Minister look into it and also confirm the plans to work towards Wrigley? Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, certainly I will look into that. I will talk to the department, and the department, in turn, will contact the regional office out of Simpson and confirm any issues with the road. If there are serious issues with that road, then we’ll repair it. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I also spoke about the Jean Marie access road. There’s the Dehcho First Nations Annual Assembly there next month.

I’d like to know what plans are to maintain that road for all the travelling public and the increased

number of visitors that Jean Marie will receive. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, earlier we had provided some funding to the group in order to make sure that that access road into Jean Marie is ready before the Dehcho Assembly. I’ll touch base, again, with the region, to the department, to ensure that was enough money to ensure that road was ready for people to drive in there for the Dehcho Assembly. Thank you.

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Question 345-17(5): Highway Repair And Maintenance In Nahendeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week the Ministers had some meetings with the Tulita leadership, and one specific topic that they were consistently on with the Ministers was the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley into the Sahtu region.

I want to ask the Minister, in regards to discussions with the Tulita leadership and this government here and the Sahtu region, could the Minister update us on the progress to build an all-season highway from Wrigley into the Sahtu?

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . Minister of Transportation , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time what we have completed is a proposal. We recognize that this is something that’s been in the works for many, many years. This year, prior to March 31st , we as a government, with the Premier

and Minister responsible for infrastructure, Minister McLeod, were able to put together an initial proposal that we forwarded to the federal government. We have received a response. The federal government is looking for some more detail, some more technical detail, maybe closer, better estimates on what the actual costs could be. So we’ve received that letter and we are now working on preparing a response to that.

We are also in the process of completing an environmental assessment on the road between Wrigley and Norman Wells. The initial environmental assessment took it all the way to the Dempster, but now we’re focused in on the road from Wrigley to Norman Wells. Thank you.

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the update from the Minister. My constituents have duly noted the importance of the Mackenzie Valley Highway coming into the Sahtu. They want to know what’s been done. They’ve been having their meetings and have been making suggestions to the Minister. They want to know what’s been done to keep the momentum going with the Mackenzie Valley Highway so that they can start the construction on this road.

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, to date, the GNWT has spent $128 million on that

section of road; we’re referring to a road up the Mackenzie Valley. Slowly we’ve continued to work on that. We’ve put quite a few of the bridges in. We’re continuing to put bridges in which not only will work well for the future all-season road but also works well for extending the length in which the winter road will remain open. Plus, like I indicated, a proposal to the federal government on the national infrastructure program.

With that, we will be providing some information to the federal government, but for the most part, we’re waiting for their blessing in order to proceed any further. Thank you.

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the leadership and the people in the Sahtu sort of have an idea as to the progress to get full support to move in major steps on the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I want to ask the Minister if he’s committed to working with the Sahtu leadership in regard to seeking funding from other partnerships in place to start building the important highway as soon as possible. I know they talked about some of the work that could happen, so the leadership is looking for this government and this Minister to look at some possibilities that could be there that without even further investigating, so we need to look into that.

Can the Minister commit to looking into further areas that we can start to do some work in that area?

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

During our meeting with the leadership when we were meeting on the Mackenzie Valley road, the leadership had indicated to us that they were going to provide a proposal to us, a proposal that will be presented to the federal government and other departments in the federal government so that they can provide some funding through various avenues. One of the things that the leadership was very focused on was to try to access some quarries and that they wanted to build some of the road using some access money from the federal government and some money from the various other agencies and departments in order to begin and ensure that some of the contractors continue working.

One of the things they really wanted to do was something similar to what happened with the Inuvik-Tuk highway, was to try to get an access road to a gravel source near Norman Wells and one near Tulita. We talked about that with them.

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the leadership certainly, again, wanted to show its appreciation to Premier McLeod and the Cabinet Ministers for making themselves available to talk about some of these important issues.

The Inuvik region companies have a big role in the design and the construction of the Inuvik-Tuk highway and local residents and businesses are benefiting a lot from the construction.

Does the Minister support a similar approach for the Mackenzie Valley Highway to make sure that local companies and residents benefit from the future construction of this Mackenzie Valley Highway?

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

The Inuvik-Tuk highway is a design build highway. We are heavily involved in working with the joint venture up there, the EGT Northwind and in the construction of that highway. We think it’s a good approach. It’s a good approach for the Inuvik-Tuk highway. We would look at all of our procurement avenues when we build any major infrastructure like this.

At this time it would be unwise, I think, to say that we would go and negotiate a contract on that

section of highway. We recognize that that highway will be running through two different regions. About 100 kilometres will be through the Deh Cho and about 233 kilometres will be running through the Sahtu. At this point, our priority is focused in on getting financing together and working with the federal government to pull the finances together, and the procurement of that will occur once the money is in place.

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Question 346-17(5): Mackenzie Valley Highway

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The Member for Hay River South , Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . I’d like to ask him, has the Department of Health and Social Services ever done a cost-benefit analysis on changing the residency requirement for health care coverage from six month resident per year to five months?

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The Minister of Health , Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I’ve become the Minister of Health and Social Services , I’ve actually had a number of constituents and other residents raise this particular issue with me, and I’ve already directed the department to begin the analysis. First, what are other jurisdictions doing, how many have moved from the 183 days to 153 days. But more importantly than just the number, how many of those are for out of province and how many of those for out of country. I’ve also asked the department to do a cost analysis on what this could bring or limit the Northwest Territories.

Given that we have a different way of collecting money in the Northwest Territories – TFF compared to how provinces raise their funds – we need to

verify that a change of residency won’t affect the TFF. I’ve directed the department to do the work, and once that analysis is done, I’m happy to bring it forward for discussion with Cabinet and committee.

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Does the Minister know how long it’s going to take his department to do this homework and come up with a potential proposal to this change of this residency policy?

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

The staff that we have doing this is the same staff that are doing things like the medical travel review and a number of other things, so it’s a little down the list. They’ve started doing the work, but my direction to them was to complete the review, package it up so that I can explain it, and it can be explained to everybody within this fiscal year.

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Could the Minister also please outline for us what exactly would be required for the government to implement a change in residency requirement for health care coverage? Would it require a legislative change or regulatory change? What would be required to make this change?

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

It would actually take a change to policy, we believe, at this time, but as I indicated, we need to make sure that any changes to policy or residency won’t affect the TFF and ultimately affect the finances that come to the Territories as a whole. From the perspective of Health and Social Services, it’s a policy change, but I’ll be able to confirm if it will affect anything else as we conduct a review and come back to committee and Cabinet.

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . Final, short supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen .

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he’s contemplated how he might collect information, how he might survey people who would be in this category of wanting to spend time outside of the territory, whether it be in Canada somewhere else or in another country.

How would he be surveying, I guess, to quantify the number of people that such a policy might affect? He doesn’t need to send a survey to my house because I never go anywhere.

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

That’s actually incredibly difficult because they don’t have to self-identify that they’re travelling, but under the existing policy they don’t have to notify us anyway, and I don’t believe that would change. We don’t necessarily need to know the numbers. We just need to know that they are residents of the Territories for the allocated period of time. Our colleague Mr. Dolynny mentioned a report card that was recently conducted on snowbirds and travelling south. We have copies of that report and we’re using that information to help us do our research,

as well, and we will incorporate the areas that were identified in that for improvement where we scored a C, which is a pass, not a fail, but we certainly can do better in that area. We’re incorporating best practices. We’re incorporating reports. We’re incorporating information and we will come back to committee and Cabinet for further discussion.

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Question 347-17(5): Residency Requirement For NWT Health Coverage

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The Member for Mackenzie Delta , Mr. Blake .

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recall at the end of our last session, the federal government just approved the Building Canada Plan of which in our plans $40 million was set aside for work on the Dempster Highway at $4 million a year.

I’d like to ask the Minister, when will those funds roll out and begin on projects like the Dempster Highway widening project?

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Blake . The Minister of Transportation , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The funds were approved and we had presented a plan to the federal government and the plan was approved, but the money for the plan and how the money is going to roll out from the federal government has yet to be determined. Unfortunately, we are still in the process of negotiating when and how the money will flow.

We don’t want to spend the money up front if that’s not the way the federal government is hoping to advance the money to us, so we’re going to talk to them and then determine exactly what is acceptable and when the money starts to flow, and then hopefully there might be something later this summer or maybe even earlier this summer, but at this time we haven’t gotten that final piece of how the money will flow through as yet. Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. I’d like to ask the Minister, is his department ready with their plans to follow through with the work on the Dempster Highway Project? Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you. Yes, we are. It’s essentially the same plan that we’ve been running for seven years. It is a plan that’s worth $4 million a year for the last seven years that has been spent and we thought that it would just roll into this new Corridors for Canada III. However, there seems to be a one-year gap in between. We were hoping that didn’t exist, but yes, we will be continuing to widen the road moving forward with money that comes from the federal government. Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you. Will the Minister expedite the Dempster widening project so that the work will happen this summer? Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you. The department will do all it can to talk to the federal government, to meet with the federal government, have discussions, try to get the agreement signed off as quickly as possible so that there is no disruption in the work that ended last summer and that we’re hoping to roll into this year. We’re doing all we can, and unfortunately, I cannot stand up here and make a commitment for the federal government as to when they will release the money. But we’re doing all we can to try to get that done as quickly as possible.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Blake .

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also mentioned resurfacing. I’d like to ask the Minister, why was there no funds in the operation and maintenance to resurface the Dempster Highway from Fort McPherson to Wrangling River at kilometre 173? Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you. The resurfacing of that highway is, unfortunately, not in the information I have here, but my understanding was that we were continuing the work, other than all other work that needed to be done other than this widening of the highway, using that money from Corridors for Canada. I will check to see what is happening between Tsiigehtchic and Wrangling River and I’ll let the Member know. Thank you.

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Question 348-17(5): Federal Funding For Dempster Highway Construction

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake , Mr. Moses .

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just going to follow up from my Member’s statement today with questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in regards to this very successful program that’s run through the NWT Skills Canada division here.

I just want to ask the Minister, does the department, working in conjunction with NWT Skills Canada, have some type of database on the successes or successful candidates or participants that obtain a job in the trade or skill that they practice and won a gold medal for, successfully obtained a job with the GNWT or industry? Do the Minister and his department have some type of database for that currently? Thank you.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment , Mr. Lafferty .

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Through the Skills Canada office, they’re supported by federal and also our territorial government through the ECE department and industry through program and event sponsors. So this is a very successful initiative pertaining to access trades

programming throughout the Northwest Territories, nationally and also international stages. So we are working closely with Skills Canada to obtain the data that they would have on those individuals that are entering the trades programming. We have our own information as well. We sponsor those individuals through labour market agreements. So we try and keep data on those individuals, but we exchange with the Skills Canada organization. Mahsi.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you. I think this is an opportunity right now for government to maybe step up and take it to the next level in terms of looking at how we can think outside the box and look at all our successful candidates that have won gold medals at the territorial level and who are currently going to be representing Team NWT at the national competition here.

Would the Minister implement some type of mentorship supporting program for all of our gold medal winners or all our participants who are currently at the national level, whether they’re in Grade 9 or Grade 12, and start supporting them through the years so that at the end of their high school that they might be able to take on a career within the industry or within the GNWT or within the communities back home? Would the Minister look at creating some type of follow-up mentorship program so that we can support these successful, skilled individuals? Youth actually? Thank you.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi. First I’d just like to congratulate those individuals in the past that have obtained gold medal level, a silver medal and also bronze at the national or international level and for the Northwest Territories as well. So we have to congratulate those individuals for their hard work and continue to support them. This is an area that, federally, Canada’s Job Grant is coming and Labour Market Agreement and Labour Market Development Agreement, there are changes coming.

What the Member is referring to, if we can integrate that into our discussions with the federal, how we can achieve those goals, sponsoring those individuals at the gold level. So, this is an area that we need to discuss with Skills Canada and other partners out there. Mahsi.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you. I know the Minister mentioned the Canada Job Grant. I think that’s a great opportunity, a great program and as long as we can start getting by and promoting that program, but we do have some youth that are down there in Grade 9, Grade 10 and this is a great opportunity for government to step up now and say, in two or three years you’re going to be either going to post-secondary or even getting some type of career, as a government we’re willing to help you, support you, because sometimes some of these individuals might not have high math skills, high chemistry skills, but the trade and the skill that they’re in right

now, they’re succeeding in that. As a government we need to enhance that, encourage that and continue to motivate them to make the skills. So that’s where I’m coming from in terms of recognizing these gold medal winners.

I guess the next question is that if the government isn’t going to be stepping up, would the government start making agreements, whether its socio-economic agreements or working with the mines, other industry, to help support them to recognize our gold medal winners, our Team NWT that’s at the nationals right now to take on this type of program and support them for the remainder of their high school years? Thank you.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

Mahsi. I agree with the Member that these individuals should be recognized and supported, and that’s what we’re doing through our apprenticeship occupation certification. We’ve committed $70,000 to support Skills Canada per year. Also, in 2013-14 we provided $140,000 for Skills Canada. We’ll continue to provide those types of sponsorships for these individuals to succeed beyond just the trades access. Someday we want them to be a journeyman ticket holder so they can come back to our Northwest Territories and contribute to our society.

So, yes, those are areas that we need to discuss with the new initiative that’s coming down from the feds, and the industry has been in discussion as well. So once that information is available, I will be sharing it with the standing committee. Mahsi.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . Final, short supplementary, Mr. Moses .

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the last question, we’ve got a lot of these youth that have the summers off and they might be looking for summer jobs.

Would the Minister possibly work with our Minister of Human Resources to look at developing some type of summer employment program, especially for the gold medal winners, so we can promote them, get them right into the working system and possibly create some type of program? Is he willing to work with the Minister of Human Resources to develop some type of program where our Team NWT national winners would be able to possibly be a priority to get some of these jobs in the summer so they can start practising that skill, that trade that they’ve excelled at? Thank you.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty

Monfwi

I will commit to working with the Department of Human Resources to establish that. Not only there, but there’s also the Housing Corporation when it comes to plumbing and different trade areas and industry as well. So we do have connections within our department and other departments as well. We need to develop a plan of action towards this so we can focus on those individuals who are in the gold, silver and

bronze areas, so they can hopefully achieve their dream as well. Mahsi.

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Question 349-17(5): Skills Canada NWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty . The honourable Member for Hay River North , Mr. Bouchard .

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Robert Bouchard

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Member’s statement, a vital service in Hay River, which is the handi-van, that deals with seniors and people with disabilities to get around the community to attend medical appointments and stuff like that, has not been receiving any government funding and has seen cost increases and has pressures there. So my questions are for the Minister of Health today.

Is there any funding available to assist these people, seniors with disabilities, to get to their medical appointments and go throughout the community of Hay River?

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard . Minister of Health , Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s no question that handi-vans provide an essential service for persons with disabilities; however, the provision for transportation services for people with disabilities is beyond the core mandate of the Department of Health and Social Services. I have had an opportunity to share the concerns that have been raised by the Member and the public with the Minister of MACA, and at present there is no GNWT funding available to municipalities for transportation services. The funding that they do receive from Municipal and Community Affairs is for water and sewer, operations and maintenance, and maintenance of infrastructure.

The community government could, obviously, choose to use some of these dollars from their gas tax or community public infrastructure to purchase a van, but that obviously wouldn’t help them to operate the van. However, O and M funding from the community government could be used for this purpose, if the community government chose to.

I strongly encourage advocates of persons with disabilities to continue to work with your community governments to take full advantage of the available funding for those purposes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Robert Bouchard

Hay River North

The difficulty with that solution is we are downloading the information to a municipality where some of these services aren’t just a municipal issue. We are dealing with people from Katlodeeche that use the service as well as the fact that this is not public transportation. This is transportation for a specialized group that need wheelchair access, that need low ramp access. So

we’re not talking about public transportation, as the Minister indicates from MACA.

Is there a way that we can have all these departments, whether it’s the department for seniors, people with disabilities and MACA, to get together and find a funding solution for this handi-van?

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

The Northwest Territories isn’t unique to this particular challenge. Throughout Canada, many municipalities do fundraising and other initiatives to raise money to support things like handi-vans. This is a community issue. This is a community transportation issue.

It happens to be citizens and residents who happen to have some challenges with existing infrastructure, like normal cabs and normal vans, but it is still a community issue and I would encourage all the communities that are affected by the downgrading of services, like the handi-van in Hay River, to work together to see if they can come to a solution or conclusion with respect to the provision of transportation services for their residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Robert Bouchard

Hay River North

I don’t quite understand the fact that the Minister of Health believes the transportation to health facilities and the need to get those people who need special transportation is not a department issue. I don’t understand the fact that this is being downloaded from private organizations to communities to find the funding.

Is this not the responsibility of the GNWT to deal with its public issues to people’s public access to medical services?

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Question 350-17(5): Handi-Van Service In Hay River

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Nothing is being downloaded, because nothing has changed. The fact is, the communities have had this responsibili