Oral Questions, Health and Social Services — 28 February 2022 (19th Assembly, 2nd Session, pp. 3559–3602)
2022-02-28, 19th Assembly 2nd Session, pp. 3559–3602
Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)
Debates of Feb. 28th, 2022
This is page numbers 3559 - 3602 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.
The word of the day was know .
Topics
Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
COVID-19 Health and Social Services Update
Mandatory Entry Level Training for Commercial truck drivers
New Safe Workplace Program for Employers in Northwest Territories
Drug Enforcement and the Opioid Crisis
Online Security
Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions and Message of Appreciation
Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Forgiveness of Debts
Amending Liquor Act to Provide Community-based Decision-making
Government of the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Eulogy for Colin Allen
Municipal Funding Gap
Reply 14-19(2): Mr. O'Reilly's Reply
Increase in Drug Enforcement
Online Security
Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Amendment to Liquor Act
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Municipal Funding Gap
Forgiveness of Debt Under Financial Management Act
Process for Debt Forgiveness
Community Wellness Plans
Tabled Document 577-19(2): Aurora College Annual Report 2021-2022
Referral of Minister's Statement 202-19(2) and Tabled Document 567-19(2) to Committee of the Whole
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Tabled Document 561-19(2), Main Estimates 2022-2023 - Northwest Territories Housing Corporation - Deferral of Department
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie , Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge , Hon. Paulie Chinna , Ms. Cleveland , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Mr. Edjericon , Hon. Julie Green , Mr. Johnson , Ms. Martselos , Ms. Nokleby , Mr. O'Reilly , Ms. Semmler , Hon. R.J. Simpson , Mr. Rocky Simpson , Hon. Shane Thompson , Hon. Caroline Wawzonek . Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
---Prayer
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Prayer
Prayer
Page 3559
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 210-19(2): COVID-19 Health and Social Services Update
Ministers' Statements
Page 3559
Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am providing an update on easing public health restrictions as we move toward lifting the public health emergency on April 1st. We have seen a steady decline in cases in the NWT since the mid-January peak after, but not before, Omicron produced over three times the number of new COVID-19 infections compared to all previous waves of the virus combined in the NWT.
Given the decline in cases, the Chief Public Health Officer is easing public health restrictions. Effective tomorrow, leisure travel will resume. Anyone will be able to travel into the NWT, regardless of vaccination status. All indoor and outdoor gathering restrictions will be lifted. The proof of vaccine program, which enabled businesses and organizations to apply for increased capacity, will end.
Mr. Speaker, the Chief Public Health Officer has always been guided by the most current scientific evidence to ease public health restrictions. I am confident that we have the tools in place to help keep residents safe because we all realize COVID-19 is not going away. Some restrictions will remain throughout March until the public health emergency ends, including wearing face masks in indoor public places, mandatory isolation if you have COVID-19 or are sharing a household with a person who has COVID-19, and reporting positive COVID-19 tests.
In addition, any out-of-territory traveller will be required to get tested the day they enter the NWT and 72 hours later if they are going to a small community, working or volunteering with vulnerable or high-risk populations, or arriving from outside Canada.
Throughout the pandemic, we have all had to change the way we live our lives. We have missed work, school, weddings, birthday parties, feasts, and celebrations. Many of us have struggled to maintain our mental health. We grieve the loss of 19 NWT residents to the virus. I want to extend my sincere condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one or friend.
Mr. Speaker, vaccination is still the best way to protect the health of residents and prevent further disruption to our lives. I encourage everyone 12 years of age and older, who had their second dose at least six months ago, to get a booster. Boosters provide maximum protection against severe illness and death. This is very important for those at high risk, especially elderly residents, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women.
As of last week, 81 per cent of the eligible NWT population is now fully vaccinated and 51 per cent of adults have received boosters. I would like to thank everyone who made the decision to get vaccinated and have their children vaccinated.
Mr. Speaker, over the last two years, every NWT resident has made sacrifices to adapt to COVID-19. We are all tired of the pandemic and of the public health measures that have been necessary to keep us safe. Throughout these two years, NWT residents have learned how to protect themselves and how to manage their own risk. We are now at the point where we must turn a corner and encourage residents to evaluate risks for themselves and set their safety nets. It is time to end the public health emergency because the risks associated with COVID-19 are no longer the emergency they once were.
We are in the process of determining what services and resources will be required to be ready to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks.
I want to again take this opportunity to thank health and social services staff for their tireless work in providing top quality care for NWT residents.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank residents for complying with the public health orders and recommendations, and for supporting each other through every outbreak, school closure, containment order, and business interruption. I ask everyone to continue to help each other and take precautions to allow us to move forward to enjoy time with family, friends, and communities after this long interruption. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 210-19(2): COVID-19 Health and Social Services Update
Ministers' Statements
Page 3559
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Infrastructure .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 211-19(2): Mandatory Entry Level Training for Commercial truck drivers
Ministers' Statements
Page 3559
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the trucking sector is an important industry here in the Northwest Territories. Our communities and residents rely on this sector to deliver essential supplies to northern communities every day. At the same time, the health and safety of NWT residents is a top priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. We must consider policies that will make our transportation system safer for everyone.
Mr. Speaker, following the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy in Saskatchewan in 2018, there have been renewed calls for mandatory training for commercial drivers in Canada. All jurisdictions in Canada, the federal government, the Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administrators, the Canadian Transportation Agency, have all agreed that new national safety standards in entry-level training are critical for the continued sustainability and advancement in the industry.
That is why in late January, the GNWT implemented mandatory minimum training requirements for commercial truck drivers applying for a Class 1 licence for the first time. This training will enhance safety for drivers and the public and align the NWT with other jurisdictions in Canada who have implemented entry-level training for Class 1 drivers.
In January of 2019, public engagement sessions were held with industry, stakeholders, and the public on this important issue. Our government received feedback regarding its implementation on how the program might be designed to best meet the needs of Northerners while remaining consistent with similar programs in other jurisdictions.
Targeted stakeholder engagement was held in October of 2021 with NWT driving schools and trucking companies. The purpose of this engagement was to share information about progress being made to implement entry-level training, gather feedback, and answer questions. These engagement sessions showed there is strong public support for mandatory entry-level training for Class 1 drivers in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, this new mandatory training will consist of class curriculum, in-cab training and in-yard training, and NWT residents will be able to get that training in the North. The GNWT is working with driving schools interested in seeking approval to become training providers in the territory. Entry-level training is available and being offered by Aurora College at this time.
With mandatory entry level training now a reality in the Northwest Territories, I am confident this program will provide first-time commercial truck drivers with a solid foundation upon which to develop safe driving skills and practices they need to do their work safely. It will also enhance safety on NWT roads and in NWT communities. Quyanainni ekati, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 211-19(2): Mandatory Entry Level Training for Commercial truck drivers
Ministers' Statements
Page 3559
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Workers' Safety Compensation Commission.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 212-19(2): New Safe Workplace Program for Employers in Northwest Territories
Ministers' Statements
Page 3559
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to share some details about a new initiative led by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission, called Safe Workplace, launched this year in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Safe Workplace is a health and safety program that recognizes employers for their workplace safety performance and helps others identify areas to improve.
As part of this program, every year employers must file their annual payroll numbers with the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission and complete a health and safety questionnaire. This year, the deadline for sending that information to the WSCC is today, February 28.
To qualify, employers must meet criteria based on legislated requirements under the Workers' Compensation Act, Safety Act, and Mine Health and Safety Act. Employers accredited by a third-party occupational health and safety program in the Northwest Territories are considered an advanced safe workplace.
Safe Workplace employers are listed on WSCC's website and receive a safe workplace or advanced safe workplace certificate and digital badge to display on their worksite or on their website and printed materials.
Mr. Speaker, employers play a very important role in protecting the health and safety of workers. I encourage every employer and business owner to participate fully in the Safe Workplace program so that the health and safety becomes a number one priority in every single workplace across the territory. I want to thank the staff of the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission for establishing this new program that encourages safe work practices on site. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Minister's Statement 212-19(2): New Safe Workplace Program for Employers in Northwest Territories
Ministers' Statements
Page 3560
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 954-19(2): Drug Enforcement and the Opioid Crisis
Members' Statements
Page 3560
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this pandemic has been unforgiving. In Canada, to date, there have been more than 36,000 deaths.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several months there are families in the NWT who have lost loved ones to addictions and the illicit drug trade. They did not have to die. They found themselves caught up in a situation that they were unable to control on their own. I know many people with addictions who, I believe, are good people and who do reach out in their own way for help. It is up to us to recognize that call for help and be there for them.
I take personal responsibility for not listening more and not recognizing those cries for help. I know I must also be stronger in my argument for treatment and aftercare supports for those that need it.
Mr. Speaker, as the opioid crisis in the NWT grows, we know it requires, as with any business, supply, distribution, transportation, customers, and payment. In our small tight-knit NWT communities, most people know who is transporting, who is selling and who are using, and ask why law enforcement are not making arrests. The answer is that legislation and Charter rights prevent law enforcement from arresting persons based only on assumptions or hearsay. To keep drugs off the street, it is important that law enforcement follow proper procedure when collecting evidence. Failing to do so is a common defence to possession or trafficking charges.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Hay River is asking for enforcement to curb the influx of illicit drugs into the community. The means to accomplish it will be on the shoulders of experienced law enforcement. However, enforcement is only part of the solution. Education, prevention, treatment, and family are the first lines of defence. When we do call in enforcement, that is when we know we are losing the battle.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 954-19(2): Drug Enforcement and the Opioid Crisis
Members' Statements
Page 3560
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 955-19(2): Online Security
Members' Statements
Page 3560
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Mr. Speaker, as a child in BC in the 80s, I was one of the first to take
part in CARE, an innovative program to raise awareness in young children about inappropriate touching and sexual assault. At that time the messaging around "stranger danger" was the caricature of the flasher in a trench coat lurking in the local park, something that happened to my sister once near our home and to me along my paper route as an 11-year-old. Fast forward decades and our young people now face a new "stranger lurking in the dark" in the form of online cyber predators.
Mr. Speaker, since the election, I have made 1200 new friends on Facebook from across the territory. And I love this. It gives me a glimpse into places I never get to, allowing me to better understand life for our residents. However, since that time I have had some disturbing messages come from strangers via the internet. And on Saturday night while relaxing at home, I received a series of messages from someone who wanted to meet me. When they received no response, the messages escalated, eventually leading to a pornographic photograph and vulgar language about what the sender wanted.
Mr. Speaker, this isn't the first time.
Ever since I ran for MLA, I have received unwanted attention online, including photographs such as this one. Last year on my birthday, just as I was waking up, I received a very shocking inappropriate video from a stranger as a "gift".
Numerous women responded that they too experience online sexual harassment on a regular basis. A friend private messaged about a recent post in which numerous young women in the NWT shared their stories of a repeat predator in their community. This person is known to police however no action is ever taken, even though he is known to contact girls online as young as 14. Sexual assault is never ok. Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behaviour without consent, and it is a crime.
In 2019, the NWT had the highest rate of sexual assault in the country, at seven times the national rate, and is a major cause of suffering, pain, and trauma for our residents.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the law is clear, an indecent act includes exposing someone to one's private parts without consent no matter how that exposure occurs, including photography. However, Mr. Speaker, given my experience over the weekend, I don't think that the message is getting out there and I am worried about the impact on our vulnerable youth if we don't hold people accountable for online sexual assault. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women at the appropriate. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 955-19(2): Online Security
Members' Statements
Page 3560
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 956-19(2): Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions and Message of Appreciation
Members' Statements
Page 3560
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is March 1st and will mark a very special day for the people of the NWT. We have reached a point in our fight with COVID-19 as we transition from dealing with this as a pandemic into an endemic illness.
It was announced last week that the public health emergency will be coming to an end very soon in the NWT and with the public health orders and, with that, public health orders will also be revised. Among the changes coming into effect tomorrow include no limits on large gatherings as well as a discontinuation of vaccine passports.
Mr. Speaker, after two years of restrictions, this moment has been a long time coming for the people of the NWT. Having said that, I would also like to thank all the healthcare and essential workers who have worked tirelessly to keep us safe and have kept the flow of essential goods and services continuous into our communities over the last two years.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge all school and education staff who have worked under very uncertain circumstances as they continue to serve our young people and our communities amid this pandemic. Similarly, I'd like to recognize all students both in Fort Smith and across the territory for their perseverance as they navigated this pandemic while also going to school and trying to complete their education. I know this pandemic has been hard on the mental and emotional health of students, educators, and parents.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues in this House for their cooperation through these troubling times. I would also like to thank our Chief Public Health Officer for all her work and dedication in keeping the people of the NWT safe. Thank you as well to the Premier and the COVID Secretariat for enforcing the public health restrictions and providing oversight during the pandemic. And thank you to Minister Green and the Department of Health for keeping our jurisdiction among the lowest of deaths due to COVID-19. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
In closing, Mr. Speaker, as always, I want to thank all the amazing constituents of the amazing community of Fort Smith for their continued support and strength, especially as we endured COVID-19 the last two years. I also want to give my community team a great thank you for all their work they do in support. You know who you are. I know that my constituents, along with all the people of the NWT, are stronger as we emerge through this public health emergency.
I am glad to see the community of Fort Smith and the territories moving forward in a positive direction after two years of restrictions that impacted all aspects of day-to-day life. We are turning the page on this pandemic, and I remain hopeful for our brighter future in the days ahead. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 956-19(2): Lifting of COVID-19 Restrictions and Message of Appreciation
Members' Statements
Page 3560
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 957-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Members' Statements
Page 3560
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. It's time for another statement on the millions of dollars of preventable liabilities our government will assume from our mismanagement of the Cameron Hills gas field owned by Strategic Oil and Gas.
The field consists of 50 well sites, winter roads, summer all-terrain vehicle trails, a gas and oil gathering system, a central battery, temporary and permanent camps, airstrips, borrow pits, bridges, and a pipeline into Alberta. A class A water licence and a type A land-use permit cover its activities in the NWT. Other authorizations include 15 production licences and 11 of the infamous significant discovery licences in the Northwest Territories.
Production stopped in February 2011. It went into creditor protection in 2019, and finally into receivership in 2020. We accepted this site under the Devolution Agreement without full financial security and without an approved closure plan.
Despite a mandate commitment from the 18th Assembly to develop "a sound financial security system to prevent public liabilities", nothing was done to prevent this.
As far as I can tell, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board gave conditional approval to the fourth version of the closure and reclamation plan in January 2020, and it is still waiting for the significant improvements to be done before final approval. Once the amended plan is accepted, a full reclamation cost estimate will be conducted and financial security will finally be recalculated, although I don't think there is any money to cover it. Surely our government must have some idea by now of how many millions of dollars this mess will cost NWT taxpayers.
The last inspection report by the Department of Lands dated January 2021 shows unacceptable conditions at the site. Emergency spills were required to prevent larger unauthorized releases from the camp sewage lagoon and the surface runoff retention pond.
The last report from the court-appointed receiver is from July 12th, 2021. The report says GNWT payments to the receiver have been about $2.4 million, and all of the money held as financial security will be used up so the additional costs will be covered by taxpayers. The report also proposes an advisor to try to sell off some of the assets. The bid deadline closed on September 23, 2021 and it's been radio silence ever since. I will have questions for the Minister of Lands later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 957-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Members' Statements
Page 3561
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Members' statements. Member for Monfwi .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 958-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Forgiveness of Debts
Members' Statements
Page 3561
Jane Weyallon Armstrong
Monfwi
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will follow up from my Member statement I delivered on housing in Whati from February 24th.
Okay, I am concerned that the Housing Corporation is overassessing the value of homes, that the Housing Corporation is signing mortgage agreements with people that do not reflect the actual market value of the house. So people living in small communities already facing higher costs of living and less opportunity for employment and income struggle to pay off their mortgages in their lifetime.
When I questioned the Minister of Housing on these outstanding mortgages, the Minister indicated, I would like to deal with these files and try to close them up before the end of this government. Mr. Speaker, that is a very positive statement. However, the Minister also indicated that writing off any debts has to go through the procedures set in the Financial Management Act.
In this act, we can see the government follows a process through the Financial Management Board to write off Government of the Northwest Territories assets or debts or obligation owed to the government. There is also a process to forgive debts and obligations. Mr. Speaker, this standard of forgiving or writing off debts should apply to the long-term mortgages, housing arrears, as well as property taxes that are not likely to be collected or are financially unreasonable or unjust to the clients.
Mr. Speaker, we know other agency of government such as the Business Development Investment Corporation forgive debts. In a recent BDIC report, annual report, it states that the FMB may approve the forgiveness of debts -- of forgiven debts is removed from the financial management, but from the financial statement as the BDIC is no longer able to collect.
Mr. Speaker, over the last five years the BDIC removed $4.9 million from their financial statements in support of 21 businesses. I would like to see the Housing Corporation do the same.
According to BDIC annual report -- Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude, please.
---Unanimous consent granted
According to BDIC annual report, in 2016-2017 BDIC relieved five accounts totally $840,000. In 2017-2018, BDIC relieved nine accounts at $3.9 million. In 2018-2019, BDIC relieved four accounts totalling $420,000. In 2019-2020, BDIC relieved three accounts totalling $358,000. In 2021, no accounts were written off or forgiven.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the Minister has committed to reviewing outstanding mortgage debts across the NWT and close them up before the end of this government. I will have question for the Minister of Housing on how we can get this done later on today. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 958-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Forgiveness of Debts
Members' Statements
Page 3561
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi . Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 959-19(2): Amending Liquor Act to Provide Community-based Decision-making
Members' Statements
Page 3561
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a lot of changes I would like to make to the Liquor Act, too numerous to list in one Member's statement, but the short form would be "see Europe", Mr. Speaker. I dream of allowing minors in pubs and, you know, perhaps being able to share some wine in the park. However, I don't think that those ideas have majority support in this House so my next compromise, Mr. Speaker, would be "see BC" where you have private liquor stores. God, how I dream, Mr. Speaker, of ending the monopoly on liquor and getting rid of the liquor commission.
Additionally, perhaps the Brew Pub could be able to sell some beer at farmer's market or maybe even you could serve some alcohol at a farmer's market. However, Mr. Speaker, I still don't believe that those ideas would have support in this House. So I believe there is a solution and the solution is in community-based decisions. A number of jurisdictions have devolved more and more powers to municipalities. And in fact, in Vancouver, a number of beaches have designated public drinking areas. That was a bylaw passed by the City of Vancouver. Perhaps we could let the City of Yellowknife serve beer and I could have a beer at the main stage at Folk on the Rocks.
A bit of a tangent here, Mr. Speaker, it's actually proven that beer gardens cause people to drink more. And many festivals, when allowed to get rid of their beer gardens, then implemented them again because they before losing sales. When you put everyone in a designated corral and say that's the only place to drink, binge drinking occurs, Mr. Speaker.
However, Mr. Speaker, I think there is a lot of changes and a lot of conversations to happen. Perhaps the liquor store could be open on Sunday. Perhaps it could be open on election day. Perhaps corner stores could sell alcohol, or grocery stores, Mr. Speaker, but I think the way to do this is to allow our communities to make those decision.
Right now we allow our communities to make one decision, and that's prohibition or NWT liquor laws. I think there are steps in between that. In Nunavut, for example, when Iqaluit got its liquor store you were allowed to a limit each day for per person. You actually register your name in the store to make sure that person is reaching their limit. And certain people get cut off at times, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps that is a step that a community that presently has prohibition wants to take on a step in between. I think there is a lot of steps in between prohibition and our current outdated liquor laws.
And maybe one community wants to go in a more liberal and maybe one wants to go in a more prohibition minded. But let's let them make that decision, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 959-19(2): Amending Liquor Act to Provide Community-based Decision-making
Members' Statements
Page 3561
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 960-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Members' Statements
Page 3561
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a week ago today I raised the mandatory vaccination policy. The GNWT has its own, but the thing with the mandatory vaccination policy it stems from the federal government and usually all provinces or territories mirror federal government policies. And so it spread into the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories modified theirs and called it COVID-19 vaccination policy. And within that policy, employees were required to be fully vaccinated by January 31st, 2022, or they risk losing their jobs. That's not false; it's there.
You just got to read between the lines because it's saying that all over the place. And also, there's also reference to the mandatory vaccinations list. It's like a secret list or something that's within the GNWT. That's also related to termination of GNWT employees who did not choose, because people have a right to choose. They chose not to be vaccinated, and everybody knows the sentiments that were going around at that time, that this was just an experimental drug, Mr. Speaker. And I'm going to have questions for the Minister of Human Resources regarding the policies related to GNWT employees. Mahsi.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 960-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Members' Statements
Page 3561
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 961-19(2): Eulogy for Colin Allen
Members' Statements
Page 3561
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am going to be reading the eulogy of Colin Allen Senior.
Colin Allen Senior was born in Aklavik on December 25th, 1935. He is the youngest child of eight to Colin and Ida Kasoun. Colin's father passed away before he was born so his Mom took her children and moved back to her parents Minnie Nakamuk and Harry Enakoluk. It was here that he learned his love of living off the land. Around 1942, Colin went to school in Aklavik and while in school, he learned how to read and fondly remembers reading Dick and Jane.
He felt that being able to read this book was enough education for him so he left and returned to his grandfather to help work on the land without him allowing himself to get proper education. It was very important to him for his children and his grandchildren to have a good education.
When he was 14 years old, he and Shorty Stanley Gordon worked for the RCMP schooner called St. Roche and hauled fresh water ice for drinking by dog team. This is where he learned to play crib and later became one of his favorite activities to pass time.
In the spring of 2016 Colin went to Vancouver, BC, and was able to visit St. Roche. He was able to tour the boat and share many stories with the staff and told them exactly what the boat did way back in the day. Colin was very proud of this event. It has provided opportunity for him to share stories, which he was very good at doing.
On June 17th, 1954, Colin moved to East Three from the family trapline at Classic Camp by Shallow Bay. He worked for Dusty Miller for two years alongside of Richard Kendi then went to school in a five twelve in Inuvik for carpentry.
This course was supposed to be four years but he completed it in two. Because Colin got his ticket, he was given the duty as supervisor and supervised a crew to frame the carpenter shop. Once that was finished, him and Andrew Joe put the roofing on it and finished.
With the work ethic he had, he was always asked to do different tasks around town while Inuvik was starting to be built. He worked jackhammer all day testing the ground to begin building East Three, build eight houses at Happy Valley before it became a campground, built the warehouses across from Home Hardware, built the yellow railings around town, foreman to build the Mad Trapper. This is just to name a few. If you took Colin out for a drive around town, he would tell you stories about everything every time, and he was very proud to share how Inuvik became.
In April of 1955, Colin was one of many supervisors cutting brush to help make the road from town to the Inuvik airport. In the winter, he helped cut the trail from Inuvik to Aklavik and moved three tent camps as they went to make the winter road. It was never used as the government made an ice road instead.
In 1958, Colin worked for Poole Construction building Sam School, Grolier Hall, Stringer Hall Chapel and benches as an apprentice under Jim MacDonald. It was at this job site where he met the love of his life, Rita Rogers.
Rita and Colin were married on April 19, 1960. Together they had eight children - Clara, Timothy, Dorothy, Darlene, Donna, Don, Dixie, and Colin Junior. Having a full house of children, it was busy but lots of love. Their priority was to ensure that their children were taken care of by working hard and to provide teaching them to live on the land as much as they can and by making sure all the kids went to school every day. Education was very important during these years.
Rita and Colin took in many others who were attending school at Grolier Hall and Stringer Hall. After their children moved out and had families of their own, Rita and Colin took in teenagers through social services and tried to get them to finish school and learn to live on the land as well.
Some of Colin's favorite things to do was watch baseball, check the river, play bingo, play cards, jig, waltz, and call out square dances.
Within the last year, Colin was in and out of the hospital. As things were changing quickly with his health and physical wellbeing, he would mention that he was not sure how much longer he was going to stay with his family as he began to feel sickly and no longer could a lot of the things that he enjoyed. During the last few months his body was deteriorating, he never complained once about the pain.
Mr. Speaker, as this was read by two of his grandchildren and they all called him dad, I will use the words as I read their closing.
Dad, your laughter, prayers, stories, love, and support will always be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Until we meet again. Thank you, dad, from your entire family.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 961-19(2): Eulogy for Colin Allen
Members' Statements
Page 3562
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes . Our thoughts and prayers continue with the family and the community at this time. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 962-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Members' Statements
Page 3562
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the final day of the 18th Assembly, the government quietly tabled a study. The study was a strategic response to the municipal funding gap. It contained some dire findings. Specifically, it showed that from 2014 to 2019, despite increased GNWT funding of over $8 million, the municipal funding gap was basically unchanged at $40 million. Communities' cost to maintain and replace infrastructure grew faster than the GNWT's funding. And that study showed that from 2014 to 2019, community infrastructure costs increased by an average of $2.7 million per year.
In comparison, in the 19th Assembly the government has the mandate commitment to increase community government funding by $5 million over four years. That's an average of only $1.25 million per year. It's clear that the government is not actually reducing the municipal funding gap. While the mandate commitment for $5 million is a lot of money, it's not keeping up with rising costs. Mr. Speaker, it's not even keeping up with the rate of inflation today.
The persistence of the funding gap is disappointing and has real costs on people's lives. Aging water infrastructure in Behchoko is case in point. Residents have brown water and frozen waterlines. Even the school has had to close, Mr. Speaker.
Addressing the gap is also an opportunity. According to the Conference Board of Canada, closing the funding gap would create an additional 220 jobs in infrastructure, construction, environmental services, municipal government services, and infrastructure repair. This kind of investment creates jobs, generates economic activity, and supports the overall health and wellness of Northerners.
I want to conclude by returning to an exchange I had with the Premier on the floor of this house. At the very beginning of this Assembly when we were choosing our Premier and Members could ask questions, I asked two. The first was about holding leadership accountable. And the second was about the plan to address the municipal funding gap.
In the Premier 's response, one remark stood out. She said, and I quote: It might not be a popular thing within government but I think that at some point we're going to have to redo that study and see where we stand.
I agree, Mr. Speaker. It's time for the government to develop a costed plan to actually reduce the municipal funding gap for the economic health and social wellbeing of our communities and residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Member's Statement 962-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Members' Statements
Page 3562
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Replies to budget address, day 5 of 7. Member for Frame Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Reply 14-19(2): Mr. O'Reilly's Reply
Replies To Budget Address
Page 3562
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I love taxes. I can and want to pay more taxes to help those in need here in the Northwest Territories, in Canada, and elsewhere in the world. I just wish there were others in this House that believed the same, especially on the Cabinet side.
"Taxes are what we pay for civilized society", so said American Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior in 1927. If we truly want better programs and services for the residents of the Northwest Territories, a more sustainable financial future, a just and compassionate society, and a planet we can pass on to our children, we must be willing to raise and pay more taxes. A good government does its best to ensure an equitable distribution of resources. I'm sorry to say we have collectively failed and this budget does very little to move us in the right direction.
I had to push very hard to get the Minister of Finance to prepare and then post a revenue options discussion paper last year. The paper was finally released just two or three days before the public engagements that were held on the 2022-2023 budget that is before us. The current budget offers this throw-away statement with regard to taxes: "We will continue to monitor the data on who is paying taxes in the territory and on what kinds of income.
At the moment, we have only a small number of individuals who could potentially be in a higher tax bracket." The other reason for not adding a higher income tax bracket is the "substantial risk to our competitive position". Let's look at the facts, Mr. Speaker.
The finance minister's revenue options paper shows that the Northwest Territories is one of only six Canadian jurisdictions that have less than five income tax brackets. We have got three.
We had the second lowest combined top marginal personal income tax rates in the country, more than 5 percent below the average. If the GNWT brought in a new high income tax bracket of 16 percent for those earning $200,000 or more taxable income, it would affect 420 taxpayers - the top 1 percent. It would raise their taxes on average about $2200 a year and bring in another $1 million in revenue. That's not a lot but it should be the beginning of a more serious look at tax fairness, something this Cabinet started with a reduction in small business taxes that cost our government $1.4 million with no effort to replace those revenues.
Another high-income tax rate bracket would also help to replace the corporate resource giveaway earlier in the life of this Assembly when the ITI minister gave a 15-year significant discovery licence to Husky Oil, with no rental fees, costing us $21 million in lost revenues.
What other opportunities are there to raise more revenues?
The promise of devolution and more resource revenues has been a dismal failure. Low commodity prices and financial uncertainties are partly to blame but our chronically low resource royalties are the biggest problem. ITI contracted a report that applied an internationally-accepted framework for managing natural resources in 2017. That study gave our fiscal regime for mining a failing grade in terms of revenue generation. "The NWT has one of the world's most charitable fiscal regimes for the mining sector, one that captures 20 to 30 percent of economic rents from mining projects, net of costs.
This is compared to between 30 to 35 percent in South Africa, 45 to 60 percent in Peru, and 50 to 80 percent in Western Australia."
A more recent study commissioned by the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment found that "the NWT sells its nonrenewable resources more cheaply than most other jurisdictions in the world" and "we find that the after-cost share of revenues to the government (the government take) is around 36 percent, with 22 percent for the NWT and 14 percent for the federal government.
The International Monetary Fund suggests that a government should expect 40 to 60 percent from a mining project. We are simply giving away our resources when we should be maximizing the benefits. The recently released discussion and research papers on mining royalties are so vague and biased that it is hard to see how any meaningful public engagement is going to take place. Regular MLAs and the public have yet to see a real plan and
schedule for the development of regulations under the Mineral Resources Act. The snails-pace development of royalty regulations by this Cabinet has little chance of being completed during our term and resources will simply continue to be shipped out of here without maximizing revenues and benefits for NWT residents, let alone future generations.
Other new revenue resources our government needs to more seriously consider include a capital tax on financial institutions. We are only one of five jurisdictions without such a tax in Canada. Our wildly fluctuating corporate taxes are a lousy way to capture benefits from resource development and should be supplemented with a resource tax or capital investment tax.
There is no mention in the entire budget of any efforts to stabilize or increase any revenue sources. We need to start to have a real public debate about options to raise revenues, including an updated territorial formula funding arrangement that allows us to keep more, if not all, of our own source revenues.
Some, and perhaps many, will say that a pandemic is not a good time to introduce new taxes or increase taxes but our current path is completely unsustainable and we need to have that debate. I would argue now is the best time to examine our core values of sharing, justice, equity and whether these are truly reflected in our revenue efforts as we recover and rebuild.
Another way to spend more on our programs and services for those that need them the most is to reduce our capital spending. I won't go on too long about this as I covered a lot during the debate on the capital estimates. There is no use trying to spend money on projects during a pandemic when about half that money is carryovers from previous years, and we still don't have significant improvements in our procurement process to better retain benefits.
The spending priorities in the capital budget, especially on questionable projects such as Taltson Expansion and the Slave Geological Province, do not reflect my priorities or our collective needs such as housing. Treat housing like it's a mega-project, and provide the jobs we say we're pursuing with the big projects. We can't do it all and we need to focus on people and their housing needs, not mega-projects with no funding, no business cases, and no buyers. We simply cannot afford them all at once, even if the federal government gave us or other potential partners all the money.
There would be lots of costs in simply managing these projects after completion. Just look at the $12 million a year that the GNWT must pay each and every year for another 25 years for the Tlicho All-Season Road. Those project payments are eating into our ability to spend on programs and services. Stop the spending on these wasteful large projects now and use that funding on housing, education, and healthcare that will make a real difference in people's lives. If Cabinet has to have one mega-project, use a phased approach for the Mackenzie Valley Highway to ensure that we can maximize local benefits.
The government renewal initiative has slowed down and I've yet to see any results. While I support the concept of program evaluation and review, this work cannot possibly find spending cuts to fund our unsustainable path when there is overspending on capital, growing debt, and no willpower to raise more revenues.
In terms of the budget process, I can say that the relationship and negotiations with Cabinet over financial matters have been cordial and respectful, a much different and welcome change from the previous Assembly. I have recommended several times, to no avail, that it would be more helpful to have a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Regular MLAs to discuss priority areas for increased funding prior to the development of a budget. That didn't happen but I would again encourage the Minister to do this next year to ensure Regular MLA input much earlier into the process.
While I appreciate the difficulty of trying to carry out prudent fiscal management during a pandemic, we are facing a fiscal crisis despite anything said to the contrary by the finance minister. We just had our debt limit increased to $1.8 billion and in this budget we will be at $1.7 billion.
Debt continues to increase at a pace greater than our revenues and spending. I agree with my colleague from Yellowknife North and others in this House that I had hoped for a substantial increase in the funding for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation that has failed to materialize in this budget. Of course we are still waiting for a plan to get our residents out of core housing needs, something I've been waiting for for about five years now.
I believe there are ways to fund more work on housing through the tax increases and other revenue options I mentioned earlier. I also believe that there is room to reduce some travel expenditures further and contracted services as well. There are some staffing increases in the Department of Finance that I think we can do without so we can redirect those funds to some of the priorities of Regular MLAs as well.
Much of the funding for the COVID Secretariat functions are likely not necessary given the pace at which the public health emergency is going to be lifted as mentioned even earlier today by the Minister of Health and Social Services .
I can support some of the new funding in this budget for healthcare, reducing the municipal funding gap even if the additions don't keep pace with inflation, the support for vulnerable populations, education, and childcare. Some of the economic initiatives could be better focused on diversifying our economy.
I am increasingly worried at the lack of progress on completing the ongoing Indigenous land rights negotiations and implementation of the agreements already in place. There is apparently around $1 million for new work on barren-ground caribou although I am eagerly awaiting details, especially to see if this government is finally going to do something about habitat protection.
There is little to no mention of the untapped potential of arts and culture to diversify the economy. This is no-brainer in my opinion, and there isn't even a whisper of it in this budget. The vague arts strategy should have been used to help identify opportunities for investment and spur on economic recovery but there is nothing in this budget for that work.
I will be happy to work with my colleagues on this side of the House to push for changes to the current budget. We still have more work ahead of us to ensure that the priorities of Regular MLAs are more clearly reflected in the budget but I am confident that working together we can reach a reasonable compromise and a better balance. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Reply 14-19(2): Mr. O'Reilly's Reply
Replies To Budget Address
Page 3563
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Members, we will take a short recess.
---SHORT RECESS
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Reply 14-19(2): Mr. O'Reilly's Reply
Replies To Budget Address
Page 3563
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Replies to budget address. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3563
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Justice confirm if there has been, throughout this pandemic, any measured rise in drug trade in the NWT and has it resulted in a corresponding increase in drug enforcement or staff? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3563
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Minister responsible for Justice .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3563
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So during 2020, we saw an increase in drug trade, and there's been a trend over the last number of years of increases in that trend. That being said, there are, you know, new resources in this proposed budget for the RCMP. There have been new RCMP in Hay River in the last few years, and we have more RCMP per person than anywhere else in Canada. We have twice as many RCMP per person as most places in Canada. So I'm not sure that the issue is something we can arrest our way out of, but we definitely have a significant amount of enforcement already in the territory. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3563
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm if the direction this government is taking to combat the drug trade in the NWT working; do we need to reevaluate the department's approach and the RCMP's approach? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3563
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If anyone's familiar with the war on drugs in the United States, I think they've spent about a trillion dollars over the past number of decades and they have more people incarcerated for, you know, possession of drugs than anywhere else in the world, and they still have problems. So if this is -- like I said, this isn't something we can arrest our way out of. Now that being said, the RCMP are well aware of the situation. I know a lot of people measure the success of the RCMP by, you know, the number of maybe drug dealers in their communities.
But the fact is that if there's a drug dealer who's arrested and put away, there's going to be another one who takes their place because there is a market. If there is someone who wants to buy drugs, there's going to be someone to sell them those drugs. So the investments that we've seen, not just in the territory but around the world, that have made the most difference are investments in things like helping people who are vulnerable in overnight shelters, in, you know, providing services for people who, you know, might be addicted or at risk of being addicted.
So those are the types of investments that we need to focus on. Enforcement is, of course, an important part but it really is those social aspects that we need to focus on. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I talked to persons addicted to drugs, or those that are dealing for that matter, I let them know that I'm willing to work with them to help them move away from that lifestyle. I also let them know that not changing their lifestyle or dealing with the addiction problem would result in one of three things happening, which is being murdered, overdosing, or being incarcerated.
Can the Minister tell me what emphasis is placed on education by law enforcement to convince people that selling drugs in the NWT is not a career path? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3564
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I don't have examples of, you know, RCMP giving talks in the schools but the RCMP does do a lot of community outreach. It's a little more prevalent I think in smaller communities where they have more opportunity to have the -- those one-on-ones. But I think that it should almost go without saying that it's not a great career, being a drug dealer. And it's not just the RCMP's job to instill that in people. Everyone needs to do that. And so in the education system, we can't just say don't be a drug dealer. We need to say here are some alternatives, these are things you can do.
It's one thing to just say no, it's another thing and more successful if you give someone an alternative. So we are working on that as well. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community and residents of Hay River are very concerned with the events over the last several months that resulted in a number of overdoses and alleged drug offences. It has become a crisis.
Can the Minister confirm that he is willing to have his department set up a meeting with the RCMP, Town of Hay River, and NGOs, to discuss solutions to address the issue of the drug trade? Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3564
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I was just on the phone with the mayor today of Hay River to talk about such a meeting where we bring together those organizations, and I'm happy to do that.
As well as MLA, I've had constituents reach out to me in Hay River, and they would like to have a public meeting with the RCMP so that they can ask questions. A lot of people wonder, you know, I know that there's a drug dealer in this house, why haven't you arrested them. And sometimes there's some valid reasons and we need to have that dialog. We need the public to know what the RCMP is doing so that they can support them. This is a community issue. It's not an enforcement issue. It's not an education issue. It's a community issue. And so we need the community to sit down together and start an open dialog.
And so as MLA, I've invited the sergeant, and whoever he would like to bring, to a constituency meeting and he's open to that as well. So in the coming weeks, perhaps after this session, we can set something like that up in addition to getting all of the community groups together, like the town, like the RCMP, in trying to figure out a path forward as well. So yes, we are working on this on a number of different levels. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 944-19(2): Increase in Drug Enforcement
Oral Questions
Page 3564
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
What are the laws in the NWT that help to protect our residents against cyber sexual assault? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave . Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the main provision of laws would be under the Criminal Code, and so there's quite a number obviously of potential areas where, depending on the nature of the events, someone who is a victim, or believes themselves to be a victim, could certainly go to the RCMP to take that route if they choose to, and anything ranging from harassment to threatening behavior to invitation to sexual behaviours, child pornography for another one, for instance. So there's quite a number of potentials, and it would certainly depend on each instance.
That, of course, is assuming that an individual wants to go the route of reporting to the RCMP, which certainly not every victim may want to do so, in which case there may in some circumstances be civil actions that an individual can take. At that point, Mr. Speaker, they may be well placed to reach out to an advocate like the Status of Women who I know can help connect people to the right tools depending on what they need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for that response, as she is not the Minister of Justice so I do appreciate that her background does allow her to know those answers.
My next question is that the Status of Women Council has created a safety planning tool that can be found at SafePathwayNT.com for those experiencing sexual violence.
Can the Minister speak to what these tools are, how they were developed, and how will be they be distributed in order to reach all the vulnerable communities? Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I became aware of the unfortunate incident, the sexual violence that my colleague experienced. In doing so, I went myself to the Status of Women's page. I appreciate the plug that we've just had. They do have an incredible resource on there, quite innovative, that is trying to take a different way of looking at how women -- too often women, but anyone would be able to safety plan.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, risk factors that increase the risk of experiencing sexual violence in Canada include being a young woman or girl living in a remote or northern community, being Indigenous, an immigrant, or black, being disabled, or identifying as gender diverse or 2SLGBTQ+.
How is the work being done by the status of women being -- sorry, executed in order to specifically reach or help the most at risk? What accommodations are being made or steps being taken to protect those at risk given the small town nature of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, while I'm responsible in name for the status of women file, I'm not directly responsible for the functioning of the Council for Status of Women. But -- and I know that they are doing a number of initiatives and I'm -- you know, certainly will take whatever opportunity I can to table documents here to let people know the work they're doing.
In terms of the GNWT's work, I can say, Mr. Speaker, that we are an active member at a federal-provincial-territorial table looking at a national action plan for gender-based violence, and part of our role on that table is to call attention to the fact that there are certain risk factors that, frankly, do attach to so many individuals in the North at a much higher rate as already detailed here by the MLA, MLA Nokleby. So quite well aware that those are realities.
They are reflected, as I say, when we advocate on a national level, because bringing that attention will hopefully bring not only attention but more funding to attach to those specific groups of individuals who are at greater risk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Great Slave .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I have been using my questions to sneak in a few more stats. So sexual violence is very underreported. Only five percent of sexual assaults are reported. Last year, I spoke about Clare's Law.
Is the NWT any closer to adopting this law to protect Northerners against intimate partner violence? Has there been any progress regarding GNWT process or procedures to ensure greater safety for our people dealing with sexual assault and violence? And I do recognize that's probably just a lot of the same responses as my last question. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is one where I think both my colleague, Minister of Justice, and I would have some relevance just to speak to this issue.
From the perspective on the status of women, we certainly are following and monitoring what's happening with Clare's Law. This is -- it's a piece of legislation that would allow police to disclose someone's -- if an individual has prior intimate partner violence in their history, in their past, then they could certainly disclose that to a new partner or to a third party, like a parent for example.
So that's happened in some jurisdictions in Canada, not all, and there are some concerns, or at least unawareness right now, as to whether that would be as effective in a jurisdiction that is smaller where communities are much more interconnected and where the realities of violence may well be very normalized in those communities and what the reactions then would be and whether that would actually produce more safety or not.
So again, I can say that the status of women file, we are following it, we're looking at what's happening elsewhere and wanting to see its effectiveness and if this is something that brings -- that has attention in the Northwest Territories it may well come then to my colleague, the Minister of Justice , to consider from that perspective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 945-19(2): Online Security
Oral Questions
Page 3564
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Lands , who seems to have primary responsibility for the former Cameron Hills production area held by Strategic Oil and Gas.
Can the Minister tell us whether there's been any successful bids for the assets at Cameron Hills and if not, what is the next step in managing this site? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Minister responsible for Lands .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the receiver is working through the results of this sale process. There is one bid for a portion of the site. The department is reviewing the bid and will provide comments back to the receiver. However, it is in the hands of the court and the receivership process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that, though those bids closed in September. So several months. Although there was a conditional approval given for the fourth version of the closure and reclamation plan for the Cameron Hills site, the receiver's not yet submitted a final version with numerous changes required by the land and water board. It's been over two years now, and this plan is needed to do a cost estimate and calculate financial security.
Can the Minister explain why a final closure plan has not yet been submitted and give us a date as to when it's going to come? Thanks, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the receiver has not submitted a reclamation plan because they're awaiting for the outcome of the sale process. A process for the plan will begin once the sale process is completed and, unfortunately, the receiver hasn't provided a timeline for the conclusion of the sale process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. Seeing as we seem to have some leverage with the receiver, maybe we can suggest that they speed that up a bit.
In my statement, I noted that the financial security held for this site was totally inadequate and has probably run out by now. Can the Minister confirm that the financial security has run out and tell us how much additional money our government has paid to the receiver for the compliance and limited reclamation at the site? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The security for the land use permit and water licence is at $2.9 million. In addition, OROGO holds an additional $1 million as proof of financial responsibility. The financial securities that have been converted to cash are being held in trust accounts. To date, the receiver's costs have been approximately $3.0 million which has been funded fully by the Department of Lands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Frame Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. The full cost for implementation of the close and reclamation plan that's not yet finished does not appear on the public record anywhere but our government must have prepared some sort of estimate by this point.
Can the Minister provide that cost estimate and its calculation to this House? Or if he has to give it to me on a confidential basis, I'd be willing to take that. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been some very high level work completed around estimates for the cost of reclamation. However, due to the lack of information about the conditions of the wells and the site infrastructure, it is not possible to accurately establish the cost at this time. One of the next steps, once the sale proceeds is complete, will be to better understand the conditions of the ground, its strategic, and complete work so the government can actually estimate the cost to fix this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 946-19(2): Strategic Oil and Gas Liabilities
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my statement today, I spoke about a number of possible changes to the Liquor Act. I guess one of my hopes is that in the Liquor Act, we will revisit the current liquor commission monopoly and perhaps looking at options of private stores or allowing beer and wine in grocery stores.
I'm wondering if that's something the Minister can consider and perhaps update this House of whether we will see a Liquor Act in the remainder of this Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Minister responsible for Finance .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to ask -- answer the second of the two questions first. I have recently spoken to the department and reiterated the importance of getting this piece of legislation moving along. It's a large act. It hasn't been updated in a long time and it's now in a state with lots of different pieces in it. But that is still my goal to see that it does -- is ready for introduction during this Assembly. And I'll continue to update Members accordingly.
Mr. Speaker, right now, there's not any consideration to expanding the current retail model that sells liquor. That is not something I'll be doing at this point and obviously if, or hopefully when, the Liquor Act comes before the House, certainly then we'll be open to hearing what all Members have to say and see how they may want to treat that piece of legislation at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My hope in getting that change made is that in Yellowknife presently there's two liquor stores. The licence to that is in 2025, and I was hoping that in place by -- for 2025 when we go out to some sort of competitive process, I had some issues with the last one that -- well, it would be a competitive process that would allow, you know, some different options of who would run the liquor store possibly, and I was also wondering if in 2025, when we put that out under possibly a new Liquor Act, whether the possibility of an additional store in Yellowknife would be considered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of hypotheticals at this point given that we're still under the current act and given that the tender hasn't even been begun; that process hasn't even begun yet. But right now, the way it's set up under the act is, of course, that it has to go through a system whereby the official retailer would have to be designated. And even before getting to that point, Mr.
Speaker, when considering what the procurement process would look like, and there's an analysis that's done by the NTLCC, the liquor commission, that looks at whether or not more stores are needed, whether the current quantity and type of store is, in fact, working. And as I say, again, at this stage we're still a little bit early given that we're three years out. But those are the kinds of considerations that go into determining who or what type of procurement takes place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, I think there's a lot of work that could be done in opening up the Liquor Act, and I think one of the big areas that I would like to see is delegating some more powers to communities and I think they could set things such as store hours, whether they want a store, whether they want to set limits on how much alcohol can be sold, how alcohol can be served at festivals and events, how licences can be obtained. There's actually -- I'd basically like to give the whole act to communities, Mr. Speaker.
But I'm wondering if in the planned changes that we are hoping to get done in this Assembly whether delegating some authority on liquor to communities is at all being considered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, communities have a lot more power than just prohibition or not. They actually can hold plebiscites here across the Northwest Territories to determine what type of system they want, what kinds of rules they want, the nature or degree of prohibition they may want. And there are powers within the act for some of the liquor licence sales that they may want to see on different properties within the community. So there actually is quite a bit in there already community to community.
I certainly -- again, though, this is, indeed, the kind of question and the kind of area that is under consideration for the Liquor Act and ways in which to continue to make it flexible and responsive because the MLA's quite right that this is an area where is quite a great divide between the different communities in trying to find that balance to allow everyone to make the choices that they think are appropriate for their community's going to be a difficult one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think another area where there's quite a great divide is open beverage. And I think it's no surprise that many people, they drink their beer at a softball game in Yellowknife but when the police come we all run and we throw our beer cans away so as not to get arrested, yet then when you go downtown it's no surprise to see a bunch of people drinking in public already. And I mentioned in my statement that, you know, we mandate beer gardens presently. You can't ever have alcohol being drank around minors such as at festivals and events.
I'm wondering when we go out for this engagement on the public Liquor Act whether open beverage is one of those conversations we can have? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question of public consumption was one of the questions that was part of a recent consultation in preparation for the Liquor Act review and that "what we heard" report is coming, I believe, later this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 947-19(2): Amendment to Liquor Act
Oral Questions
Page 3565
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. On the issue of the mandatory vaccinations policy, or COVID-19 vaccinations policy, the mandatory vaccinations list, I note that from the amended vaccination policy guidelines, that the definition of COVID-19 is the coronavirus. That was at the beginning of the whole outbreak in 2020. This has not been updated to include the omicron variant and the science behind the omicron variant. There's nothing. I've never seen it since the omicron came out. There's no science to say what will work to cure it except to stay home.
And it didn't distinguish, and I say it again, between vaccinated or unvaccinated people. It didn't. Vaccinated people were the ones that got -- you know, they were sicker than anybody else. And it's been known and it's shown around. I'm not sure where the science is behind all that, behind that there. You know, they're putting in new -- revising the implementation or putting new public health orders. They're not new. They're still the same. You know, it was in there already, work with vulnerable -- you know, people have to have proof of vaccination. That's what it's saying. We haven't changed anything.
We're just reiterating what was already there. We're still marginalizing our people. People still need vaccine passports to get into facilities and everything.
But I'm wondering on the employee side, since I'm addressing this to the human resources Minister -- I didn't want to give her any science stuff because I'll be directed somewhere else -- whether there would be some considerations, because we're in a bubble ourselves too in our small communities, we have settlement maintainers who work with everybody. And our communities, I've said before, we intermingle, and nobody is getting sick.
I'm wondering if the requirement for, you know, regulated federal RCMP facilities can be worked on by people that are vaccinated in headquarters that come into our communities so this requirement is taken away from the settlement maintainers but also the overall issue about proof of vaccinations? Mahsi.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho . Minister responsible for Finance .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Well, Mr. Speaker, let me maybe just explain, again, what the vaccinated policy is for the Government of the Northwest Territories. I think that's what the question was.
Vaccines have, and continue to be, the most effective way of preventing not only transmission but also serious illness. And Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure of sitting with the Chief Public Health Officer where she has reiterated that science to us repeatedly, that this is the single best way of preventing severe illness. We've obviously realized with omicron that the nature of the COVID virus is changing, it's evolving, as viruses do. And that is where we were seeing a change in the approach from the public health agency and, as a result, a change in the approach by the Department of Finance on behalf of the public service.
Our vaccine policy was not mirrored on the federal policy. Our vaccine policy was done in keeping in mind the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer here and in looking at the approach of other jurisdictions all across Canada.
As we've seen the change in the Chief Public Health Office and the health approach here in the Northwest Territories, so we too at the Department of Finance are modifying our vaccine policy, which is something I know I have committed to doing several times.
So at present, or rather starting imminently now, what we're going to be suggesting as of tomorrow is that it would be proof of vaccine is required for individuals who work with vulnerable members of the public in healthcare, educations, and corrections. This is just to continue, as we are coming down the wave of the omicron variant, to ensure that those who are most vulnerable, either themselves or working with most vulnerable, are still given the best possible form of protection and those working in federally-regulated work sites.
Mr. Speaker, I have no jurisdiction to change the rules of the federal government, for instance with respect to airlines, and those individuals, therefore, have to continue to be vaccinated. The alternative, it's never been a mandatory policy here in the Northwest Territories other than for those who are those federally-regulated sites. Employees who aren't within the vulnerable sectors can continue to be tested and wear PPE. If you do have to attend a federal work site, again, Mr. Speaker, that is out of my hands, and at that point they have to comply with the fact that the federal government will continue to have mandatory policies for them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi to the Minister for that. I think we can argue this all day if we wanted. But anyways, I think my question was can we make any allowances for the settlement maintainers in the small communities who aren't vaccinated, you know, to not work in the RCMP facilities but to have people from the regional centres come in to do those duties? Because even what she' saying, I'm just not clear yet, you know. I'm not sure if I read somewhere where we're getting rid of the vaccine passport for travel. I don't know why they would do it there.
But I don't know if she can reiterate if that is the case and if she can answer if the vaccine passport has been -- is going to be done away with. Mahsi.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have not heard anything from the federal government directly in terms of how employees are being dealt with, that there's been any change in their approach right now. And as such, to the extent that an employee has an obligation as part of a bona fide work requirement to travel or to attend a federally-regulated space, then they will continue to have to apply by -- or to apply those rules.
With respect, again, to our own policies, right now, Mr. Speaker, there are only 326 employees of the public service who are undergoing either the enhanced testing approach or -- and who may therefore be having to get testing and PPE. It's a very small number. The vast majority of the almost 6,000 employees of the GNWT's public service have actually been able to comply with this policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I wasn't quite clear on what the Minister stated about the unvaccinated population, whether they're given the options to do all the testing regardless of the facilities that they would have to enter. If I could get that clarity. Mahsi.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So Mr. Speaker, again, so there's 326 employees that departments have asked for testing materials, meaning the amount of materials required for -- to do the proof of -- or do a COVID test and to wear PPE rather than comply with providing a proof of vaccine.
Now, Mr. Speaker, for the handful of those who are attending federally-regulated places, for instance having to travel, I cannot tell the federal government that I'm choosing to not follow by their policy, nor can anybody else. If the federal government has a policy that requires people to be vaccinated to get on an airline, that applies to me just as much as it does to a public servant, and those individuals would be in a circumstance where they'd probably be on leave without pay at this point, or they'd be looking for other opportunities. But I can't control the choices that they might make. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Deh Cho .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Ronald Bonnetrouge
Deh Cho
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that answer. My concern here is, and I mentioned it several times, because one of the requirements is it's saying to work in a RCMP facility, it's federally regulated all right. I know about the flights and that; I wasn't alluding to any flights. But for the facilities, like in my community we have a facility the settlement maintainer can't go into there. But employees out of Hay River who typically and normally, perhaps on a weekly basis, do come into our communities anyways.
I'm just wondering if those employees can cover that facility and still have our own settlement maintainer stay employed? Because I've talked about marginalization at length a lot of times because a lot of our employees are longtime Northerners and many are Indigenous and they have, you know, mortgages, payments, and all this stuff, and what we're doing is imposing our will upon others, to people that choose to have a right to do what they want with their bodies. And, you know, I don't want to say any more about the government in this regard at this time.
But, you know, I'm just wondering if there would be any allowances made that can be relayed to Infrastructure to make these happen? Mahsi.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if an individual cannot do their job and their job requires them to attend a location that is federally regulated, then they -- then that -- there's not much that can be done about that. People have bona fide job requirements and job duties and if they have to attend a location regulated by the federal government and the federal government has put on a policy saying that they have to be vaccinated, that will apply to them as much as it applies to me.
The GNWT, unlike many jurisdictions, did not have a mandatory policy. Most -- many jurisdictions did. We've allowed -- in fact, specifically, I allowed and insisted that we ensure that there's the ability for testing, that we allow the ability for testing and PPE. But when the handful of individuals run up against a federal policy, there's not much I can do to change it.
Mr. Speaker, I certainly took a lot of criticism when we didn't have a mandatory policy because a great number of people in the Northwest Territories have been severely impacted by -- not -- by COVID-19 and all its variants, went out and did everything they could to protect themselves and at this point we are rolling that back, modifying the approach, and being responsive to this disease as we have been from day one, from the first instance, to try to be at the front end of what is happening. If the federal government makes a change to their rules, we will continue to adapt our rules accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 948-19(2): COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Oral Questions
Page 3566
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3566
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs today in regards to the municipal funding gap.
The Minister, as well as the Premier , have previously indicated that lands have been transferred worth about $405,000 to municipalities to help reduce the municipal funding gap. I'm wondering if the Minister can speak to any additional funding outside of the municipal funding gap funding formula that has been provided to municipalities to help close that gap? Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department works with the federal government to try to identify funding pots there. Unfortunately, it's a one-time shot that we were able to get money from the federal government, but it doesn't help shrink the funding gap.
The Member talked about looking at transferring land. We are working with the Department of Lands. We've reached out, developed a process that was looked at by the City of Yellowknife. They accepted it. So we are working with the City of Yellowknife to transfer land. Not bulk land, but small chunks to help them move forward. We're also move that process when we sent it to NWTAC and we are working with them to look at that as well as transferring that process to those small communities, including the tax-based communities besides Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week a colleague of mine tabled written questions in regards to the municipal funding gap specifically asking for the status of that gap and specifically also by community.
I'm wondering if the Minister responsible will commit to tabling actuals of the funding gap on an annual basis by community as this is a question that has come up annually since our term has begun. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would be a process, and we are working on that. So whatever information we have we can share it with the committee. We could also table it moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I'm sure that the Minister will appreciate less written questions for that one as well then in the future.
Mr. Speaker, my next question is in regards to support for municipalities. One of the things that we hear over and over again is that we have to decide where we're going to put our money as a government and that we have a very specific amount of money for new initiatives. The problem with that is that this is an invoice to the government from municipalities. This is money that we owe based on our own formula that currently exists. So this isn't new initiatives. This is simply paying our bills.
Right now, within the GNWT, we have over 5,000 employees. And so I'm wondering if the Minister of MACA will dedicate some of these employees from within his department that can specifically help source additional funding to increase the size of that pie and help municipalities access funding through the federal government, even if it is one-time funding, but a lot of times what we hear is that there just isn't the -- the same people available to do those funding agreements with the federal government in different organizations around the territory. Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community operation division is the one that works with us. Again, we have 15 staff there but it's not all 15 are allocated to that one specific topic. But the Member has to understand, and the people have to understand, this is a shared responsibility through other municipal and community affairs. Divisions, like the community governments, sport and rec and youth, corporate, but also other divisions which is Infrastructure and Finance. So it's a government approach to working trying to get funding from the federal government. We work together. It's just not one division specifically. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Kam Lake .
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the municipal funding gap is something that you hear all Members talk about. And one thing I think that we can all agree is there's huge gains to be made by closing that gap from a community level. I'm wondering if the government will commit -- or when the government will commit to providing committee with a draft plan to reduce and address the municipal funding gap once and for all? Thank you.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.
Copy Copied
Question 949-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap
Oral Questions
Page 3567
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department is working to update the funding policies in this fiscal year, 2022-2023. We were actually going to do 2023-2024. And we will review the data from the 2014 funding review as part of that process.
The Legislative Assembly, I need to reiterate this, we committed $5 million of the 25 initiative funding. I recognize there is a funding gap. However, these funding gaps exist virtually in all levels of government, including the GNWT. It is not realistic to expect the government to cover the cost to close the gap considering today's economy and economic situation and our current fiscal situation. But we're willing to work with AOC on this. We are willing to work with NWTAC on this. We're trying to find unique and different ways of doing it. But we also need to, you know, work together on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Please select the issue you noticed * :
Misattribution
Formatting
Missing Words
Other
If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)
Submit
Thanks!
We'll take a look into it.
Sorry!
There was a problem with your submission. P