Debates of Oct. 29th, 2013

This is page numbers 3193 – 3228 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 4th 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 wildlife .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Point Of Order

Economic Opportunities Strategy

Anti-Poverty Action Plan

Aboriginal Health And Wellness

Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Accountability Of Northern Politicians

Achievements Of The Det’on Cho Corporation

Sport North Coaching And Volunteer Symposium

GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Hydraulic Fracturing

Aspirations Of The K’atlodeeche First Nation

Institution Of A Mineral Tax

Yellowknife Power Rates

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Residential Power Rates In The NWT

Status Of Negotiations With K’atlodeeche First Nation

Review Of Trucking Regulations

Institution Of Mineral Tax

Tabled Document 147-17(4): Northwest Territories Economic Opportunities Strategy

Tabled Document 148-17(4): Excerpt From Robert Hawkins, MLA For Yellowknife Centre, Facebook Page

Tabled Document 149-17(4):

Summary Of Members’ Absences For The Period May 29, 2013 To October 16, 2013 Tabled Document 150-17(4): Annual Report Of The Equal Pay Commissioner For The Period July 1, 2011, To June 30, 2012 Tabled Document 151-17(4): Annual Report Of The Equal Pay Commissioner For The

Universal Affordable Daycare

Bill 28: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2013-2014 Bill 29: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2013-2014

Bill 26:

An Act To Amend The Legislative Assembly And Executive Council Act

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Amendment To Clause 15

Amendment To Clause 26

Amendment To Clause 48

Amendment To Clause 26.1

Amendment To Clause 62.1

Amendment To Clause 98.1

Amendment To Clause 167.1

Amendment To Clause 173 (Z.6)

Amendment To Clause 173(1)(Z.26a)

Amendment To Clause 173(Z.54)

Report of Committee of the Whole

Bill 17:

An Act To Amend The Protection Against Family Violence Act

Bill 18: Apology Act

Bill 19: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2013

Bill 21:

An Act To Amend The Dental Profession Act

Orders of the Day

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Miltenberger .

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Point Of Order

Prayer

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I once again rise on a point of order under 23(

k) and (l).

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House you ruled on a point of order that I raised in this House last week, in which you found that I did have a point of order and Mr. Hawkins was asked to withdraw his comments.

It has come to my attention and I am rising on the first available opportunity and I will table this document at the appropriate time today. It has come to my attention that a Facebook electronic missive was sent out of this House literally minutes after your ruling, that says, “Well, the NWT Speaker ruled against me and he felt my words were too harsh for the Minister of Health .

“First off, I am happy to withdraw them fully. But it should be said it is difficult, if not enormously challenging not to be passionate about the job we are doing here. And when the Minister cannot do his job, I question why they are left there at the cost of all Northerners.

“One serious challenge for me is, should it not be my job to call the Minister out when he won’t or cannot do his job.”

Those are direct references, once again, that you ruled and required a withdrawal. He closes by saying, “And at the same time, isn’t it in many ways the greater crime to ignore that fact.” which I would only take as a reference to the ruling.

Mr. Speaker, the point of order is I see this missive as no different than a note, where in the past notes have been written in the House and it becomes public and gets tabled. This one, we have on one hand Mr. Hawkins speaking in this House saying he withdraws his comments and apologizes, and then in this House he sends out a Facebook that

basically repudiates that and, in fact, challenges the findings of the ruling.

I believe the point of order is still relevant because when you look at these two contradictory messages in the same period of time in this House, one of them is accurate and one of them is not. I think this type of technology, this type of communication now is going to be a challenge for us. In this case, I believe Mr. Hawkins still has to clarify whether, in fact, he does withdraw his comments, given his mixed messages here that he’s sending, one saying yes, one saying no and, not only that, but challenging the ruling of the Chair. Thank you.

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Point Of Order

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . I will allow Mr. Hawkins to reply to Mr. Miltenberger ’s point of order. Mr. Hawkins .

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Point Of Order

Prayer

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the job that the House Leader has to do and I say that with great respect. He’s doing his job. As far as his challenge under 23(

k) and (l), I think he’s in error and I’ll say why.

In the House yesterday, I will quote from unedited Hansard, “That was my intent when I said I apologize to this House sincerely and fully, and with that, I withdraw my remarks. My apologies for missing that last piece.” Of course, it also goes on, “It was not intended in any other manner.”

Yesterday I pointed out to the public who’s following this particular issue, yes, I did post on Facebook, so I will take ownership of that. That’s the only way to do this. One must be accountable. Mr. Speaker, I pointed out, following one of the posts by our NWT politics sites, which I attached there, to help explain it further, appreciate or understand my perspective. So, Mr. Speaker, I, first off, am happy to withdraw them fully and that’s where I explained the remarks. What I do now is further elaborate to explain to people the enormous challenges about being passionate in this job. Of course, I explain the serious challenge before this particular thing which has led us to these problems.

In this Chamber, I fully respect this ruling, I did so and will continue to do so. In this House you will continue to hear that in the context of how I phrase my words, my statements and my questions. I believe it’s an illusion to say I am attempting to challenge the Speaker’s ruling. I once again say I am respecting your ruling.

I feel that my job is to get out there and communicate why and what has led us to this ruling issued by you, and again, I respect it. The public has a right to know and they are concerned and they are contacting me and they demand that I continue accountability with this government well within the rules and your oversight.

If I do not do my job, which is demand accountability by people, it makes it very challenging for why they sent me and many other of my colleagues here. Expressing my opinion outside the venue of this House does not contradict your point of view, it further explains what has led me to why I took the statements I made last a week and I continue to accept your ruling and decision of them. It doesn’t change my internal passion for the job and, yes, it is challenging to do this job.

Sometimes you get heated under the collar, but nothing has changed since yesterday, which is I fully accept your opinion and your direction to this House and your ruling. That said, I was trying to help people understand what passion and energy had led me to where I was.

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Point Of Order

Prayer

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . I am not going to allow debate on this issue. I’m going to take it under advisement and I will bring it forward to the House more than likely tomorrow or the next day. Thank you, colleagues.

Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment , Mr. Ramsay .

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Minister's Statement 90-17(4): Economic Opportunities Strategy

Ministers’ Statements

Kam Lake

David Ramsay

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

Mr. Speaker, shortly after taking office, as we considered the economic opportunities, realities and challenges that lay ahead for our territory, the 17th Assembly

highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy to guide our economy though this time of unprecedented political and economic change. Today I am pleased to inform Members that the Governance Committee has completed an Economic Opportunities Strategy for the NWT, which I will be tabling later today.

The settlement of land claims, self-government agreements, and especially the pending devolution of governance responsibilities for lands and resources will soon give our territory a greater degree of self-reliance and decision-making.

Further, the lingering impacts of a world-wide economic recession and the finite nature of our territory’s diamond mining sector underscore the need for a made-in the-NWT approach to guide and increase economic growth, diversity and certainty. Economic opportunities are the key to getting our

people working, freeing them from poverty and helping them to reach their full potential.

This NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy has been created with the direct input of NWT residents, governments, organizations, industries and businesses. The drafting of the final strategy has been overseen by the Strategy Governance Committee, which is a collaborative partnership with the NWT Association of Communities, the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, Canada’s Northern Economic Development Agency and the GNWT.

The strategy gives particular attention to tourism, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and the traditional economy; it provides a plan to grow and diversify the NWT economy, creating an environment in which our residents can envision, pursue and realize their economic opportunities at the grassroots level. These benefits will carry over into all of our communities and regions, resulting in an enhanced quality of life for our residents.

To build this vibrant economy, we will need to secure its foundation in resource investment and population growth. Our territory’s people and communities must be prepared to maximize the benefits of the incredible economic opportunities that lay ahead. This will be achieved, in part, by the Mineral Development Strategy that will also be released within a couple of weeks.

The Economic Opportunities Strategy is built on four themes, each a cornerstone for a 10-year approach to building our economy: A Climate for Growth, Building on our Success, Regional Diversification, and ensuring our people are “Opportunity Ready.”

Each theme identifies targets and objectives. From these, the Governance Committee has recommended 117 actions to fulfill the vision of a strategy that will guide the development and realization of economic potential in all regions of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, as much as this strategy document reflects the completion of a critical planning process, it also marks the beginning of a longer-term plan to address and deliver its actions. We are already working on the GNWT’s implementation plan to get this strategy in motion.

Federal transfer payments and the resource royalties the Government of the Northwest Territories will receive through devolution depend greatly on the size of the territorial economy.

We need to grow and diversify the economy to help ensure that sustainable resource development benefits our people well into the future and supports long-term prosperity for the entire territory. We have great potential here in the North, but we cannot take that potential for granted. To maximize the

opportunities in front of us, we need the kind of vision this plan sets out for creating a robust economy that all residents can benefit from.

I would like to thank the members of the Governance Committee, the project’s advisory panel and the many NWT residents who have informed and contributed to the development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy. I look forward to updating this House on its ongoing implementation and success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 90-17(4): Economic Opportunities Strategy

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . The honourable Minister responsible for the Anti-Poverty Strategy, Mr. Abernethy .

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Minister's Statement 91-17(4): Anti-Poverty Action Plan

Ministers’ Statements

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, one of the goals this Assembly set out to achieve almost two years ago is a healthy, educated people free from poverty. To move towards this goal, the Premier committed to the development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy.

In June I had the pleasure of tabling Building on the Strengths of Northerners: A Strategic Framework Toward the Elimination of Poverty in the NWT. This framework provides a roadmap for us to work in collaboration with our partners, to eliminate poverty in our communities.

The development of this document was a joint effort led by a steering committee made up of representatives of the private sector, NGOs and governments. It incorporates input received during several years of consultation across the North, and reflects the complexity of poverty and its links to the social determinants of health. The framework targets five priority areas, with a focus on children and families, healthy living, safe and affordable housing, sustainable communities and better integration of services.

The development of this framework was merely the starting point for our efforts to eliminate poverty in the NWT. We are now at the stage where we must develop and implement comprehensive action plans.

Work on this has begun. My colleagues in the social envelope and I are working together to develop an integrated, cross-departmental government action plan that will pull together the actions already being taken by all departments as well as identify further actions needed and funding required. This comprehensive plan will be ready for presentation to this Assembly in the new year.

But the elimination of poverty is not a goal that can be achieved by government alone. We need to work with communities, Aboriginal governments and non-government organizations, as well as the private sector, to develop a truly comprehensive,

territorial action plan. To kick-start this work I will host a roundtable next month to which representatives of all sectors will be invited.

None of us have identical goals. All governments and agencies have different mandates and priorities, but we have more in common than we have differences. We can see where we might work together to achieve our common goals and identify steps each of us can take. We’ll start there. Together, we will set shared actions and ensure long-term benefits for all our people. Government alone cannot eliminate poverty, but if each of us commits to doing whatever we can within our respective mandates, I am confident we will succeed.

Many groups and communities are already working towards our shared goal of elimination of poverty. I recently had the honour of speaking at a workshop designed for communities and non-government organizations to share their ideas, challenges and successes in addressing poverty. This workshop was organized by the No Place for Poverty Coalition with financial support from the Government of the Northwest Territories. It brought together over 50 people from across the NWT, all of whom had experience in living with poverty or dealing with its impact.

This gathering is a demonstration of the commitment of many people to our shared goal, and conclusions and recommendations from the workshop will be brought forward for consideration at the November roundtable.

Mr. Speaker, together we can build a strong, sustainable future for our territory. I look forward to continuing to work with Members of this Assembly, Aboriginal and community governments, NGOs and representatives of business and industry as we develop, and then implement, a comprehensive action plan that will move us closer to our goal of a truly poverty-free territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 91-17(4): Anti-Poverty Action Plan

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Minister's Statement 92-17(4): Aboriginal Health And Wellness

Ministers’ Statements

Tu Nedhe

Tom Beaulieu

Minister of Health and Social Services

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to a goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. Improving the health status of the Aboriginal population in the Northwest Territories is one way the Department of Health and Social Services is accomplishing that goal.

Clearly, if we want to make meaningful change, we have to focus our efforts on the areas of greatest need. We must stop designing “one size fits all” solutions and start listening to communities about what will work.

Aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories are suffering from an increased burden of chronic diseases and the trends are worsening. Their cancer rates are higher, Type 2 Diabetes is a growing concern, and they are more likely to be hospitalized for mental health or addictions-related issues.

It is a sad fact that 95 percent of the children in foster care in the Northwest Territories are Aboriginal. These are troubling statistics and we must take action to improve the health of our Aboriginal residents. We know that better promotion of healthy lifestyles is one of the keys to improving this situation. It is obvious to me that we must change the way we do business in order to effectively reach out to our residents.

We need to develop prevention and promotion programs that will be effective and culturally respectful.

We need to work with our health centres to create a welcoming environment where Aboriginal people feel respected and supported.

Mr. Speaker, our new Aboriginal health and community wellness division is working towards that goal. We are changing the way we do business.

Regionally-based community wellness planners will be working more closely with community groups and Aboriginal governments to help them identify their priorities and develop appropriate responses. This helps provide better programming and is consistent with the government’s Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.

I will enhance the mandate of Stanton’s Elders Council so that their valuable expertise may provide guidance in developing territory-wide solutions.

By exploring how to make our system more responsive to Aboriginal patients and clients, we also create the potential to incorporate traditional healing into primary care.

Mr. Speaker, the government cannot make people healthy by itself. People also have to take responsibility for their own health by making good decisions and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eating well, getting exercise, not smoking and avoiding alcohol abuse are steps that every individual can take to improve their health. With the assistance of the many programs and services this government provides and our new approach to doing business, people have a lot of power to choose lives free from disease and illness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 92-17(4): Aboriginal Health And Wellness

Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On the housing front, the Nahendeh region is one of the regions in the Northwest Territories with the highest core need. Housing needs are evaluated in terms of suitability, adequacy and affordability. Suitability means having the appropriate number of bedrooms for the number of occupants; adequacy means running water, indoor plumbing, and isn’t in need of major repairs; affordability means that housing costs consumes less than 30 percent of the household income. A dwelling with problems in two or more of these areas – suitability, adequacy and affordability – gets placed in the core needs category.

Mr. Speaker, as of 2009, when the most recent housing survey was released, 35 percent of the homes in the Nahendeh region fell into a core needs category. For hundreds of my constituents, this housing situation is really grim.

A related problem is there are only a few family violence shelters to serve the entire Northwest Territories. Many women are trying to escape bad relationships, but because they can’t find safe, transitional housing, they end up back with their abusive partners.

The ugliest side of the housing crisis is homelessness. Homelessness leaves people in a constant state of stress; it’s linked to higher rates of unemployment, substance abuse and suicide. Homeless people are at higher risk of contracting HIV infection, Hepatitis C and sexually transmitted diseases.

Taken together, homelessness and inadequate housing are also significant barriers for people attempting to recover from addictions. It is often impossible to find suitable accommodations where they won’t be exposed to destructive activities and get sucked back into addictive lifestyles.

Whether we are considering Fort Simpson, Fort Liard or the smallest of my communities, there just aren’t enough shelters or other measures to provide relief. To be sure, the Housing Corporation is making great strides to improve public housing and respond to homelessness, but I would like to see facilities for homelessness and transitional housing for Nahendeh.

I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . The honourable Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the government, we continue to try to regulate rather than make common sense. I am talking about getting our elders their traditional foods in our health centres and facilities, like serving fish, moose or caribou, or even a rabbit at our health facilities. Mr. Speaker, our elders are starving for their God-given foods. I want to state why we are falling short in helping our elders and how we can help in the long run.

What are our policies about serving Aboriginal traditional foods to our elders in our health facilities? It is reported that at one time we had 65 percent of patients at Stanton Hospital that were Aboriginal. Some long-term care facilities are struggling to serve Aboriginal foods.

Aboriginal foods to our elders is like fish to water. They need it to survive. It’s part of who they are. Mr. Speaker, there is a solution. Vital Abel Home or the Larga Home can help with this problem. We can have Vital Abel or Larga be the place where Aboriginal traditional foods can be cooked and delivered to Stanton or Aven Manor in Yellowknife. Communities can donate fish and meat to these centres.

Mr. Speaker, we need to do the right thing. Feed the elders. It is not too much to ask for all that they have done for us and continue to do for us. I ask this Minister and this government to commit to an action plan that will have traditional foods served up to 90 percent in our health facilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Accountability Of Northern Politicians

Members’ Statements

Robert Bouchard

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk today about us politicians. Obviously, nowadays there’s quite a bit of controversy in the political news about politicians and some of us politicians are all being painted with the same brush.

I want the NWT public to know that, as Members here, we hold our jobs very seriously and the accountability that we hold is to a very high standard. When I first got here at this job a couple of years ago, I found out the NWT has some of the most stringent regulations for expenditures for MLAs. Our regulations require all MLAs to go

through all our purchases and be vetted through corporate services. We have to account for all and get approval before we spend any money related to our constituency budgets.

When I first got here, I found this very cumbersome. I found it frustrating, but now I know these rules and regulations are in place to protect us Members, but also to ensure the integrity of this Legislative Assembly.

All MLAs must complete an annual residency assessment. That, as well, is held in high standard in the country. Corporate services attends annual events and often gets requests from jurisdictions to see our regulations both on our expenditures and the residency assessment, Mr. Speaker.

I know the politicians’ expenditures are a hot topic around the water coolers and at the coffee shops, but I just want our constituents to know that the NWT Legislative Assembly has some of the most stringent regulations in place and that we hold these regulations in high regard, not only for our Members but also for the public’s expenditures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Accountability Of Northern Politicians

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard . The honourable Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Achievements Of The Det’on Cho Corporation

Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last Saturday night the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce named Det’on Cho Corporation Business of the Year.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. This comes right after another achievement. In June, Profit Magazine included the Det’on Cho Corporation on its list of the 500 fastest growing Canadian businesses.

Twenty-five years ago, Det’on Cho started out with a $15,000 grant. Over the last five years, their revenues have nearly quadrupled and they now have four fully owned subsidiaries and interest in 12 other local businesses. The company directly employed more than 360 workers this summer. Perhaps most impressive is that nearly 90 percent of their employees are from the North. That is more than double what the diamond mines are reporting. Det’on Cho is showing that a northern business with northern employees can be successful.

And all those northern employees are contributing to our community, not only through the income taxes they pay but by shopping locally, volunteering and raising their families here.

Det’on Cho’s most recent project, the 5.9 kilometre bypass around Giant Mine, is being technically challenging and its completion will be an impressive achievement. It has been a great opportunity to

enhance local technical capacity, such as with the intersection with Highway No. 3, and the design and construction of a bridge over Baker Creek. They have provided work opportunity for 11 northern companies on the project. The bypass road is expected to open in time for the winter road traffic. Given that the highway travels over the height of land in the area, I look forward to being able to see the entire Weledeh riding spread out before me.

The success of the Det’on Cho Corporation says a lot about the leadership they have. CEO Roy Erasmus Jr. has put a lot of passion and energy into it and the results speak for themselves. Congratulations

to Yellowknives Dene First

Nations, Roy and all the Northerners who work at Det’on Cho. Mahsi.

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Achievements Of The Det’on Cho Corporation

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Sport North Coaching And Volunteer Symposium

Members’ Statements

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend the Sport North Federation held a coaching and volunteer symposium with representation from all across the Northwest Territories. The theme was Every Step Counts. Coaches and volunteers are the backbone of our communities, our regions and our territory. They are also strong role models, mentors and even counsellors. I applaud Sport North and their efforts in supporting and building the capacity within our communities and our people, our coaches and our volunteers.

The symposium focused on physical activity and nutrition as well as, in team management, team dynamics and other fundamental and advanced coaching techniques and tools. I was also very pleased to see a session that was focused on disabilities and inclusion in sports.

Although I was not able to attend, I do appreciate that the coaches and volunteers took time out of their busy schedules, as well as their personal lives, to work and continue to hone their skills for the benefits of people of the Northwest Territories.

At this time I would just like to appreciate and recognize the dedication, hard work and commitment of all our volunteers and coaches across the Northwest Territories as well as the Sport North Federation and what they have demonstrated over the years in the development of northern coaches, volunteers and athletes. Although Sport North did put this symposium on, it is a collaborative approach in building the capacity in our communities and the people of the Northwest Territories. We have a lot of great organizations out

there that are putting in the efforts to building capacity in the community and also increasing our skills and skill sets that will enhance our youth as well as our elders and people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Sport North Coaching And Volunteer Symposium

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk today about something announced recently by our Minister of Human Resources , Mr. Glen Abernethy . On October 23rd ,

in a press release, Mr. Abernethy laid out a new Regional Recruitment Program. If I could just briefly quote from the press release: “The GNWT actively recruits Northerners to fill vacant positions, especially in the regions. At any given time there are approximately 150 to 200 vacant regional positions available within all departments, boards and agencies in communities. The Regional Recruitment Program will assist to place Northerners into these vacancies. This program is a tool that will help with decentralization efforts.”

I would like to applaud the Minister for this announcement and for this program because, as you know, the MLAs for Hay River at least, are extremely interested in government positions in regional centres. It’s one of our favourite topics lately.

Later today I’m going to have some questions for the Minister of Human Resources about how that vacancy rate compares in the regions compared to in headquarters. I also have an idea that I would like to throw out there that has to do with regional positions.

Quite often, when we talk about decentralization, we hear about deputy ministers and senior departmental staff getting together and trying to imagine or think of activities, positions, secretariats, government activity that can be decentralized to the regions. I have an idea that might help in this effort. The conventional thinking is that nobody would want to leave Yellowknife to go to a regional centre. That’s the thinking that’s out there, and that’s, I think, the thinking of the bureaucracy. Like, oh, we could never force people to move to a community like Hay River.

So here’s my idea: Why don’t we survey people who are working at headquarters, who might be interested, who might confidentially share, through a survey, that they might be interested in going to a regional centre?

When you look around the public service in Yellowknife, my gosh, it has to be a collection of people who originated from a lot of these regional centres and they may have family ties, connections, traditional activities that they used to be involved in,

perhaps in the region that they came from. So I think we should ask them. Rather than trying to do everything from the top down, perhaps we should survey the employees themselves and find out people who might be interested in relocating, with the job that they have, to a regional centre. That’s just a suggestion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . Member for Frame Lake , Ms. Bisaro .

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Hydraulic Fracturing

Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve heard a lot about fracking in the last few weeks and months, and I haven’t had much to say to date, but I feel it’s time for me to speak out.

I have been following the statements and exchanges in the House, the media reports and so on. The Economic Development and Infrastructure committee has been at the forefront of the fracking issue for the House, doing the research, considering the pros and cons, and monitoring the exploration and development in the Sahtu. I’ve tried to stay abreast of the info flowing to and from the committee, but it’s a challenge, given my other committee work.

As of today, I’m not sure where I stand on this issue. I’m not sure if I support fracking or oppose it. I know that the Sahtu and the NWT need an economic shot in the arm and I know that the proposed development in the Sahtu will provide that boost and I’m not against development, but I do believe, very strongly, that it must be controlled development. The pace of development must be a measured and a conservative one. The all-out do-it-all do-it-now approach that apparently is happening in the area of the Bakken shale deposits scares me. I do not want that kind of development for my territory.

As well, I have a major concern with the lack of knowledge about our subsurface environment in the area where fracking will occur, particularly our lack of analysis of aquifers. Our water tables are unknown and unmapped. Fracking will have two huge impacts on our water supply: the amount of water used in, or needed for, the fracking process and the potential contamination of our groundwater through the injection of the used fracking water back underground.

We don’t get a do-over on our land, Mr. Speaker. If we use it up or contaminate it, it’s gone forever.

Another major concern for me is just what contaminants or chemicals will be used in the fracking process. Current regulations don’t require full disclosure of the products used. The companies have promised they will disclose, but without any legal requirement to do so, how can we be sure they will?

This government must do everything it can to put those requirements in place so we can effectively control the environmental liabilities which can result from fracking.

In my mind, there is the potential for the Sahtu to become a situation akin to Yellowknife’s Giant Mine, a monstrous environmental liability. Let’s not go there. Thank you.

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Hydraulic Fracturing

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Aspirations Of The K’atlodeeche First Nation

Members’ Statements

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, the Anne Buggins Wellness Centre on the reserve was named after the respected elder, known for her strong spiritual leadership. Public health, home care and social services staff are no longer cramming the band office. They now have a modern facility to work in, which offers a more comfortable environment for community residents seeking treatment.

I want to congratulate Chief Roy Fabian and the people of the K’atlodeeche First Nation for their vision and hard work, which helped this community wellness centre become a reality. The wellness centre stands as a model of how governments can work together for the good of their people. We need more cooperation like this.

As an MLA, it is distressing for me to hear my constituents say there are people who struggle on the reserve while people across the river, in town, enjoy easy access and benefits of our government. Perception is reality, and the people of K’atlodeeche First Nation do not enjoy the same quality of service as other NWT residents because they are governed under different legislation.

The Hay River Reserve was created under the Indian Act of 1974, which means that the people of the KFN have a different relationship with the federal government. Although the KFN is the key governing body of the reserve, there is a confusing mix of jurisdiction between the GNWT and the federal government and the K’atlodeeche First Nation. While preliminary discussions have been underway since 2005, the K’atlodeeche First Nation is in limbo. It is time to fast-track this process and put greater control in the hands of the K’atlodeeche First Nation to govern their own people so that they can see more success like the Anne Buggins Wellness Centre. Mahsi.

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Aspirations Of The K’atlodeeche First Nation

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Institution Of A Mineral Tax

Members’ Statements

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank our Minister of Finance for going into the communities with his recent round of budget dialogue with Northerners. I am pleased that his open and honest approach with residents on how we should deal with our devolution monies and our Heritage Fund has been discussed.

But – and this is where I depart from the mild-mannered Member for Range Lake – I am extremely disappointed and, most of all, infuriated at this same Minister who in last night’s budget dialogue with Yellowknife residents refused to take responsibility in responding to the question if we were capturing our fair share of economic rent for what we call, sometimes in this House, resource taxation, or commonly known as mining tax.

Before I go on my rant, let’s back up the bus first. The Department of Finance back in 2009 concluded that any such extra tax would be viewed as a double taxation. To that, I say hogwash. Then they proceeded to say such tax would be a disincentive to new resource development. I only need to say two things: Danny Williams and Newfoundland. Enough said.

Finally, my favourite, that this new resource revenue sharing with the federal government would be strained. This is where I yawn. That’s what I put in my Member’s statement.

The GNWT currently collects a corporate tax, a fuel tax, a property tax and a payroll tax from mining companies. While most provinces levy a mining tax in addition to the basic royalty rate, the NWT chooses not to. This is a fail. This mining tax is a standard practice in many jurisdictions and there is absolutely no reason to believe that such a tax would cause the mineral industry to suddenly stop exploring profitable opportunities in the NWT to favour other areas.

Let’s face it, our first two major diamond mines were able to pay off their capital construction costs in less than three years, and with both of these mines net profiting over $37 billion annually, I hardly believe they would be poverty stricken with a mineral tax.

Furthermore, we have a golden opportunity if the GNWT would institute, today, a new mineral tax. Even with devolution, these revenues would not be clawed back. The territorial funding formula provides incentives for the GNWT to raise as much revenues as possible on its own. Any new revenues from new taxes are exempt from clawbacks for at least one year and after this period, 30 percent of the revenue raising ability is exempt.

This is a windfall, but the clock is ticking.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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Institution Of A Mineral Tax

Members’ Statements

Daryl Dolynny

Range Lake

The public owns its mineral resources on Crown land in the NWT. Our job, government’s job, the Department of Finance’s job and the Minister of Finance ’s job is to capture a fair share of economic rent from mineral companies to ensure the public is appropriately compensated and that companies have fair returns.

Clearly, someone in this government didn’t get this memo and it’s clear that this current government is leaving money on the table at a time when they preach fiscal responsibility and accountability. This is shameful. Thank you very much.

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Institution Of A Mineral Tax

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny . Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Yellowknife Power Rates

Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said yesterday, Yellowknife is number one; the Northwest Territories is number one. What was that again? We’re number one. Power rates continue to be the highest.

If you take 1,000 kilowatts here in Yellowknife, you have to pay over $300; 1,000 kilowatts in Iqaluit, $275. We continue to be number one and we get dwarfed by Whitehorse where a thousand kilowatts only charges you $146. We’re number one, thanks to the Premier in his old job when he re-engineered the power rates. He engineered the communities’ rates, which I am certainly happy that he did help them, because as I said yesterday, if you’re not on the hydro, I don’t know how you afford your power bill. But why didn’t we engineer some of Yellowknife power rates like we did?

We must find a way to make the cost of living liveable here in the Northwest Territories, certainly here in Yellowknife. It’s not an insurmountable problem. Find a way. Rather than being bureaucrats sitting on the seven stumps across the way, let’s be politicians, let’s be daring, let’s connect with our constituents on issues that matter to them. Even in talking to the Economic Opportunities Strategy, the Governance Council even recognized the fact that power rates hold Yellowknife back. It is seen as a negative, certainly not as a positive.

Thirty cents per kilowatt cannot help sustain our population. They cannot help the everyday blue collar worker. The working family suffers from this day after day after day as they try to get by. We’ve heard about rising fuel prices. No action. We need these costs of our power to come down to what is considered normal. Why spend millions and millions of dollars and on Come Make Your Mark? Who wants to live here at 30-some cents a kilowatt? People are leaving. The exit sign is certainly getting well used. I have heard this from countless people who leave the Northwest Territories because they

can be paid the same types of dollars elsewhere and certainly cut their cost of living easily in half. Every day we struggle. Every day working families struggle because of the cost of living. It is time we stop talking about this and demonstrate that as politicians we’re willing to do something.

I started off by saying we are number one. Yes, we beat Whitehorse, we beat Iqaluit and we lost 83 people from last year’s census third quarter. We peaked out. We lost 83 people since then and people are leaving. Why? Because the cost of living is killing Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s time to do something.

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Yellowknife Power Rates

Members’ Statements

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake , Mr. Ramsay .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

David Ramsay

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a few people in the gallery I would like to recognize today. Earlier today we had a press conference releasing the Economic Opportunities Strategy. With us today in the gallery we have Kathy Gray, the president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Kevin Lewis, the regional director with CanNor; and also a former mayor of Yellowknife, Gord Van Tighem, a member of the advisory panel. Welcome, folks.

Also with them is Ms. Kelly Kaylo, the assistant deputy minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. I also want to recognize my colleague over in the Yukon Territory, the Honourable Wade Istchenko. He’s the MLA for Kluane and also the Minister of Highways and Public Works with the Yukon government. Welcome.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay . Mr. Beaulieu .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize a couple of constituents of mine, Elizabeth Anne Mackay from Fort Resolution and her daughter Karen Lafferty from Hay River. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Mr. Blake .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Brittany and Lucyanne Kendo, originally from Tsiigehtchic. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Premier

Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize a relative, my sister-in-law Karen Lafferty. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m really glad to recognize my partner Lucyanne Kendo and step-daughter Brittany Jewel Kendo. You guys are my heart. Mahsi.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Mr. Bromley .

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize our past mayor of Yellowknife and resident of Weledeh, past mayor Gordon Van Tighem. Thank you.

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Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . I would like to welcome here my good friend Wade Istchenko. We worked together for the last 10 years with the Rangers and Junior Rangers, and if people only knew how many hours and months he put in with the Junior Rangers in the Yukon and all the good that you do, not only that but the work that you’re doing in making sure our Dempster Highway is always in good condition. Thank you, Mr. Istchenko. Welcome to the House.

And my good friend Beth Anne Mackay, president of NWT Dogsled, that she’s been putting in for so many years and trying to make dogsledding not a dying sport, and pushing forward to make it one-way transportation. Thank you, Beth Anne, for coming today, and your daughter, welcome.

I’d like to also wish my good friend Gord Van Tighem, with all the years that we worked together in the past, welcome to the House. It’s always good to see you.

To everybody here, thank you for taking interest in our proceedings today.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh , Mr. Menicoche .

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I spoke about so many housing issues, transitional housing and homelessness, and I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation some questions.

I’d like to know if the Housing Corporation has been working on any plans for transitional housing options for the regions and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche . Minister responsible for NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member had mentioned before on the core needs study that was done in 2009, and since 2009, as a government, I think we’ve spent over $151 million across the territory to try and

address some of the issues contained in that report. There was $17.5 million in Nahendeh alone, plus an additional $5.7 million, I think, we’re debating this year and I’m glad for that.

As far as working on transitional housing goes, we are currently looking at a new initiative where we’ll identify some communities that could possibly have one of our housing units there converted into a bit of a transitional home. It’s a start. It’s not going to address all of the concerns, but we need to start somewhere and we feel that’s a good start. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Certainly, that last report was in 2009. As I said, great strides have been done with that to take care of the housing that’s in core need. But for this House, one of our challenges is, of course, to address homelessness.

I know that the Minister is working with the Social Envelope Committee, but can he tell me a little bit about the strategy and what we’re going to do about the homeless, especially in the small communities?

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we have a homelessness coordinator who was hired in August. She is actually planning on going to all regions in the Northwest Territories, compiling some data, a bit of a report, and then we’ll take that report and look at that as possibly a future way that we can allocate more funds into some of the communities again.

The pilot project I spoke of is a start. Once we hear back from our new homelessness coordinator, we look forward to working with the Members and seeing what we can provide to some of the communities that are most in need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

I certainly look forward to working with the homelessness coordinator as she tours my communities.

I’d like to ask the Minister, in terms of homelessness, I know that here in Yellowknife, of course, it’s a much larger centre and they’re able to have O and M to address homelessness.

Is this the type of thinking they will be having when they go out to the communities and have their scoping sessions? Thank you.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, Yellowknife is a much larger community and a lot of people do come here and end up homeless. We recognize that. We work with some of the organizations in Yellowknife and provide some type of funding. Most of it is on the infrastructure side, but we make contributions. It’s starting to be recognized that out in the communities it is getting to be more and more of a problem. We have replacement public housing units we’re hoping to put into some of these communities. I think we’ve

identified 14 for the Nahendeh this year, but that still is not going to address the homeless.

There are many reasons that people could be homeless and it’s a cross-departmental exercise that we’re going through with my colleagues on the Social Envelope Committee. So we have to identify some of these situations and see what we can do as a government to try to assist them.

Again, the new initiative we have is a start and we’re hoping to build on that. Thank you.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

As we move towards this, can the Minister indicate who would be the proponent in this case? Will he be working with the band councils or else any interest groups out there that want to do a ground-based proposal that are interested in providing this kind of service? Thank you.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. We’d be more than willing to listen to all proposals that come in from the community. As I said before, we’ve made contributions in the past to some of the infrastructure side of it. The O and M, we haven’t made too many contributions to that. With the new initiatives, again, we’re looking at a partnership with a local organization and we will provide the infrastructure again, and we’ll work with them to see if there’s an agreement we can work out where they provide kind of the supervision of the place.

So as we roll out the details on that, I will be sharing it with committee members and we still haven’t made a determination as to where the pilot projects are going. I think we’d look at some of the communities that are most in need and work on that. Some of the larger regional centres we’d look at too.

So we look forward to working with the Members and we’ll update them as we make progress. Thank you.

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Question 388-17(4): Nahendeh Core Housing Needs

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement on the Regional Recruitment Program and the good efforts of the Department of Human Resources to look at opportunities for filling vacant positions in regional centres, I do have a few questions.

In the same statement or press release that Minister Abernethy put out, it says that the Department of Human Resources will provide support to managers through a new decentralized, regional recruitment officer position. Could we have that in Hay River, please?

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen . The Minister of Human Resources , Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that we’re looking at a location for that and I think right now I believe we’re looking at Fort Smith and I think we’ve already got somebody who has been identified as a reasonable and suitable candidate. But I will confirm, for the Member, that information. Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you. I’d like to ask the Minister, how does the vacancy in GNWT positions rates compare in Yellowknife versus regional centres. If he knows, I’m not sure if that’s something he would know off the top of his head, but just curious. Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you. I don’t have the exact vacancy rates for anywhere in the Northwest Territories directly in front of me, but what I can say is that we know at any given time there’s about 380 to 400 vacant positions in the GNWT that we’re trying to staff and fill. Approximately half of those are in Yellowknife and half of those are in communities and regional settings. So about 50/50. Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you. In an effort to identify people who might be willing to fill positions vacant or otherwise in regional centres, in my Member’s statement I mentioned an idea of perhaps surveying people who might be interested in relocating, because my sense is that there is a bit of a mindset that that’s not the direction you want to go.

But I want to tell you that I can’t even tell you the number of people who come to Hay River for business, perhaps with the government, perhaps with private sector and look at our amenities, look at our housing prices, look at the community, the lake, the river, the sports, all the other things that are there and say, you know, I could live here. But how would they communicate that to their employer if it’s the GNWT and how could we look at someone who has a job that can travel, that can relocate? Is a survey a possibility? Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you. Certainly an intriguing idea and if it’s something committee wants us to look at I’m certainly willing to.

Having said that, the Regional Recruitment Program that we’re talking about here is actually a program designed to help people from the communities and the regions obtain employment with the GNWT and it will be a valuable tool as we devolve positions throughout the Northwest Territories because it will help those individuals who feel or may not qualify for jobs. They’ve developed the on-the-job training and skills they need to get jobs, but with respect to Mrs. Groenewegen ’s question, if it’s something committee wants us to look at, I’m absolutely happy to take a look at that and discuss further with committee. Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that I have kind of mixed a couple of things here and I know that that’s not the letter of what this Regional Recruitment Program is about. That is to fill existing positions in regional centres and I’m kind of mixing that in with creating positions at regional centres. But I just want to say that I think the people should be advised of this and the program as it’s laid out for trainees and job shadowing, the $15,000 allotment, I think the whole thing is a really, really good idea and a great program.

I would like to know how people are going to be advised on a broad scale of what those positions are. We see positions advertised in newspapers and ads and so on, but can we get an inventory of vacant positions community by community? Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you. The list is evolving and we have people coming into positions, people leaving jobs. It changes on a fairly regular basis. We do know that we run about 400 in the Northwest Territories at any given time that we’re trying to staff. How we’re planning to let people know, is we’re looking a little outside the box, we’re not just going to rely on our advertising and communication. We do know in the communities that there are a lot of people who have been going through career development officers and other mechanisms to find opportunities for themselves.

So to make this work, we feel it’s critical to have a departmental collaboration with Education, Culture and Employment and the career development officers, who are individuals that a lot of these people looking for work go to. So we’re developing that relationship, we’re making sure that the career development officers are on board, they’re part of the team to communicate the message to residents of the communities who would be eligible for these training opportunities.

I will commit to sharing, with committee and the Member, an analysis, as we go, of the types of positions that we’re getting uptake on and what communities throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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Question 389-17(4): GNWT Regional Recruitment Program

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . The Member for Sahtu , Mr. Yakeleya .

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I talked about the traditional foods at the health facilities in the Northwest Territories. I want to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services , other than the Aboriginal Wellness Program, the Stanton Elders Council, are there any types of discussions happening to increase the amount of Aboriginal foods that are served at the Stanton Territorial Hospital and possibly at the Aven Manor?

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya . The Minister of Health and Social Services , Mr. Beaulieu .

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Our environmental health unit has, in the past, worked with the various institutions that are run by Health and Social Services or the authorities to try to get traditional foods into these homes. In addition to that, recently the Member has brought to our attention that perhaps we should start looking at institutions that are under our authority that already are providing traditional foods on a regular basis and start working with them to see if they can expand the traditional food by delivering it to other institutions in town where traditional foods are not usually served on a regular basis.

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you. Certainly, the Minister is correct of our discussion. I want to ask the Minister, is that something that could be within this fiscal framework, to look at the various solutions to increase the Aboriginal foods, say, at Aven Manor? I understand they serve traditional foods only twice a month and at the Stanton Hospital they serve traditional foods every Friday at lunchtime. At Stanton Hospital, the last report indicated 65 percent of patients were Aboriginal people. So I want to ask if the Minister would look at some of these types of solutions to help our elders and our Aboriginal people in these health facilities to get their traditional foods.

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Like I had indicated, we are now reaching out to the organizations. Immediately after my conversation with the Member, I had asked the department to talk to the two organizations that he is referring to. We have done that. All we need to do is find the various ways within our policies on traditional foods, the various ways we can legally provide traditional foods in that type of institution. Thank you.

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I’m looking for a commitment from the Minister of Health and Social Services to direct his department within the next couple of months. I’m looking forward to seeing some type of policy, a direction, where this is going to happen. Can the Minister give that commitment to me?

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to look at the requirements of handling uninspected wild fish and game. This is really the key issue, is how traditional food is brought into these residences for long-term care, hospital or any residential type of facility where there is a requirement to serve food. We have to discuss an effective and consistent way of getting uninspected wild fish and game into those places as part of the menu. Thank you.

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

That’s what I said in my Member’s statement. How do we try to regulate something that is just common sense in our small communities? We should see some of the places where we store our food and wonder, gee, it must be quite the challenge to cook it up.

What makes something that is common sense in our small communities so unexplainable when it comes to our health centres? Why do we have to go through all these processes? How can the Minister help me with the existing facilities we have now so Aboriginal people and elders can get their traditional foods in these facilities?

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, the Food Establishment Safety Regulations under the Public Health Act lay out what we can do legally when we provide traditional food into the long-term care centres or the hospitals. One way that we are thinking about getting around that specific issue is that because fish and game can be donated by individuals that have a general hunting licence or individuals that have the right to hunt and donate food.

A lot of that has been done at the Vital Abel where they are serving traditional food, and the Member talks about how we would be able to work with the Vital Abel to provide food at Avens and the hospital, as an example. Considering that we do have contracts with those individuals, as well, we had to talk to all of them to make sure that we’re not trying to offload work on somebody without having that discussion first. I can assure the Member that we’re moving forward with this and that we’re trying to find a solution. Thank you.

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Question 390-17(4): Availability Of Traditional Foods In Health Facilities

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu . Member for Weledeh , Mr. Bromley .

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs on the subject of unauthorized occupation of a small point of land in the Weledeh riding. I’m talking about the houseboat that has been pulled up on shore at the point in Willow Flats. I appreciate that there were three originally; we are down to one. I have been getting complaints from constituents since this boat arrived in June and these complaints are escalating as we learn about the poor treatment of a pet chained now at the point.

Would the Minister explain who has what jurisdiction over this situation and on that piece of land and water? Mahsi.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley . Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs , Mr. McLeod.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have jurisdiction over that. It is

Commissioner’s Lake that land is called. We have been trying to locate the owner of the houseboat so they can be served and have that houseboat removed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for that. This is a favourite spot for families to gather for picnics, to swim and to walk their dogs throughout the winter, or should I say, they used to do those things.

Would the Minister be able to explain how or if this jurisdiction arrangement will change with devolution? Mahsi.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, if it’s Commissioner’s land, I don’t foresee much change. Once devolution happens we’ll still be responsible for that land within the boundary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, could the Minister explain when and how the City of Yellowknife could apply for jurisdiction over this area and if this could help manage situations such as the one we are faced with today?

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we will be more than willing to sit down with the City of Yellowknife and discuss the jurisdiction of the lakebed.

Again, the Member is right; from the correspondence that I have been getting, it is a favoured spot of a lot of people that use the trail. There is some concern, and I have received e-mails directly, about the houseboat that is there. We are looking at trying to, again, locate the owner and have the houseboat removed from the area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Bob Bromley

Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope the Minister does understand that there is a standing offer from constituents to assist the Minister. They know where this person is. The Weledeh residents have been asking for something to be done about this all summer, so we have lost a summer of swimming and picnicking and so on. Can we expect it to continue all winter as well?

What is the current status of the process of removing this trespasser? And, incidentally, the log structure that is in the ice just to the North is a dangerous barrier to travel during the dark parts of the winter. Mahsi.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I know there has been an attempt to serve the owner of the houseboat. I believe the sheriff has even gone out with a boat and tried to locate the particular individual. I can assure the Member that we are looking by the end of the week if we can’t serve these papers, then we might have to look at other options. My understanding is that once we do that, if there is a

concern that boat is going to be there next spring, to make a bit of a commitment that once we get all the proper work done, then the boat should be removed. If it happens to be this winter, it will be this winter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 391-17(4): Unauthorized Houseboat Residence In Weledeh

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have questions for the Minister of Human Resources . I just want to talk a little bit about termination of employment within the GNWT because there have been some cases in the Inuvik region and in my community where people have retired or who have resigned from the job position and had trouble getting their ROEs, or records of employment. I would like to ask the Minister, in terms of getting a record of employment, what’s the process. Is there a timeline from when an employee is terminated from a position to the time they can actually get their record of employment to either seek income assistance or some other form of payment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses . Minister of Human Resources , Mr. Abernethy .

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A record of employment is required after many situations. If an employee has interrupted earnings of over seven days, they are required to be provided with a record of employment. When an employee’s salary falls below 60 percent of their weekly earnings, they are supposed to be provided with a record of employment. When an employee declares bankruptcy, a record of employment is required, and there are a lot of other reasons why a record of employment is required.

The requirement is that a record of employment is provided within five calendar days of the last day of the pay period in which they are last paid for, so it’s five days from the end of that. I know the Member and I have had some conversations about this and had shared concerns of constituents that there is a bit of a backlog on the ROEs and we haven’t always hit our five days, and this is important. We have to fix this.

The department is looking at their processes right now, trying to identify the barriers on these and barrier on making the five-day commitment, and we’re looking at re-engineering and some streamlining to fix this problem that the Member has brought to my attention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

The Minister did hit a few things on the head there in terms of some challenges that we

have in getting these ROEs passed to government employees.

Can I ask the Minister what some of these challenges and barriers are? Would it be dealing with HR training, development? Do we need to put more training within our HR staff or is there more capacity that needs to be in that department such as more personnel to cover such processes? Can the Minister identify some of these barriers and whether or not our HR department needs more human resources themselves or more funding sources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, at this time we hope that through the review of this process, we can identify and answer some of those exact questions. Right now we feel that we have enough positions established, but we also do have turnover and some vacancies within our own shop and it’s difficult to find people who are capable of doing this work.

One of the real challenges is just the sheer quantity of these ROEs that are required. Today there are about 382 that are required. Between April 1, 2012, and August 30, 2013, just by way of example, we processed 3,653 records of employment. If you break that down to the workday, that’s 10 ROEs a day that this unit is processing.

When you actually consider that each ROE involves an audit of the file to verify all sick days, annual days, special leave days, make sure they’ve been paid what they’re supposed to be paid and that all that information is properly tracked so that we can provide an accurate ROE so that the individual can get EI, there is a little bit of time involved for each of these files.

But I get the Member’s point. We do provide training to our new staff that come in. They mentor and sit with experienced staff so that they can become familiar with the processes. Once again, those are the processes we have today and we’re looking at those processes to see if there’s any way to streamline and improve them so that we can meet our commitment of five days after the final pay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a lot of ROEs that need to be addressed. I understand the Minister has talked about streamlining the process. I’d just like to ask the Minister, for somebody who needs an ROE and requests an ROE maybe for EI, is there any way for a person to get higher up on the list or more of a priority? Is there a process that this person could take, rather than having to wait a period of time to receive an ROE? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, one of the things I encourage all staff to do when they know they’re coming up to the end of their

employment is obviously to have a discussion with the benefits officer. If they have a discussion with their benefits officer prior to their last day, they can usually streamline the process a little bit so that people know how urgent it is; this person isn’t going to be having a job, they’re going to be going on EI. I would encourage all employees of the GNWT, when they know that they’re coming up to their end date, to talk to their benefits officer so that we can get these dealt with in a timely manner and have the five-day turnaround so that they’re not affected for EI and other benefits. So, talk to your benefits officer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy . Final, short supplementary again, Mr. Moses .

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know this is my fourth question here, but one in particular was medical termination. When we do have a GNWT employee that does have medical illnesses and can’t continue with their job, can the Minister give me a timeline when somebody who is on medical, when they’re going through their termination, how long is that process to get a person terminated from the GNWT when they’re going through medical termination? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, that’s a very difficult question to answer because every situation is going to be different. Obviously, we want to work with our employees and find ways to bring them back into the workforce, rather than having to go to that final step of termination. So we tend to work with our employees, try to accommodate them where appropriate, reasonable and feasible. If all things fail and the person has to be terminated or let go based on their condition, we work with the employee to try and figure out the best way.

But at the end of it, an ROE is still five days, so we still have to find a way to make sure that we can get those out within the five days of the last pay period that the employee is working on.

Once again, we’re reviewing the processes and trying to streamline them to make sure that we get these things out when they’re supposed to get out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 392-17(4): Termination Of Employment With GNWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

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

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources . I’d like to follow up on my statement and ask him some questions with regards to fracking and the requirements that will be required of companies that are doing fracking.

Recently, the National Energy Board put in place new requirements for companies, but I’d like to, first off, ask the Minister… I mentioned in my statement, these requirements don’t force the companies to reveal the components of the fracking fluid, but I’d like to first know from the Minister whether or not the requirements from the NEB and/or any of the requirements that this government is thinking about implementing, whether they would include a monitoring or an oversight of the fracking in the Sahtu. Something similar to the Independent Environmental Monitoring Agency that exists for the Ekati Diamond Mine. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro . Minister of Environment and Natural Resources , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intention is to work with the NEB and with the Sahtu Land and Water Board to look at the new requirements, and review and assess the various proposals and projects as they come forward. We, as well, after April 1st , are in the

process collectively of contemplating and planning for what type of regulatory regime we want to have. We want to have a northern-based, northern-driven, northern-controlled regulatory process. We want to make use of the technical skills of the National Energy Board, and we want to be clear, as we go forward, that we have northern control of the process. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for the information. I didn’t hear an answer to my question, so I guess I’ll have to phrase it a little differently.

I’m pleased to hear that the government is going to be working with various organizations. One of the things that is in place is the Sahtu Land Use Plan and I’m not exactly sure how the government will use the Sahtu Land Use Plan and consider that in terms of fracking development. So there’s that and there’s also the question about whether or not there will be an independent environmental monitoring agency such as we have for Ekati. Will there be that for Sahtu? Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

We’re currently in the exploration stage. As we move forward and if the Sahtu oil play proves out and becomes a producing field, those discussions, on an ongoing basis, will be there. In the meantime, there will be monitoring throughout the approved projects, the requirements that they have to adhere to in terms of the monitoring, the disclosure, the information that they have to share, the issue of fracking fluids. All those are going to be addressed in a way that fits industry best standards. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister. I’m pleased we’re going to try to achieve industry best standards. He’s mentioned several times the word “monitoring” and we’re going to be monitoring, and

that’s part of my concern, is the scale of development, the pace of development> I need to know from the Minister how we’re going to determine that, how we’re going to slow things down if things are going too quickly, speed it up if maybe we think they’re not going fast enough, which is unlikely.

How are we going to measure, how are we going to monitor? It goes to my question about an independent oversight agency. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

One of the functions we are taking over from the federal government that has some funding attached to it is a Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program. We have that venue and process that we will be looking at, as a government, in terms of providing the monitoring that’s necessary. We’ll also work with the land and water boards. At this point, there are no plans for an independent monitoring body at this juncture. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . Final, short supplementary, Ms. Bisaro .

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro

Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister for that response. I would urge the government to consider, very seriously, establishing an independent oversight body.

My last question has to do with the fact that we’ve talked a lot about the Bakken formation, the people that visited there and so on, and it sounds as though we are thinking about putting in place the same sort of system that exists in the Bakken. However, the Bakken doesn’t have permafrost and doesn’t have melting permafrost. So what are we thinking about doing differently, to accommodate fracking in a permafrost zone? Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

We are different than the Bakken in many ways. The intensity of development, the speed and pace of development are different; we have a different regulatory regime that requires environmental work to be done prior to any project proceeding. We have a lot of monitoring done in the area of groundwater monitoring and mapping in the area of where they plan to work, wildlife baseline information needs to be taken. We are going to make sure, through the best practices, that we allow and account for what the topography and geography is going to look like, including permafrost.

The big issue for us is the different regulatory regime, and the pace and intensity in the Northwest Territories is something we have to control and has to fit in with the broader planning for ourselves as a government and the people of the Sahtu with their land use plan. Thank you.

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Question 393-17(4): Monitoring Or Oversight Provisions Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing In The Sahtu

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger . The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre , Mr. Hawkins .

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Question 394-17(4): Residential Power Rates In The NWT

Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement both yesterday and certainly today, I talked about why Yellowknife is number one and certainly the Northwest Territories is number one when it comes to power rates. I’d like to ask the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corp what relief he can provide Northerners for power bills. It is well beyond the reach of the normal working family who struggles through this.

What immediate relief can he start doing, especially in the Yellowknife region where power bills are costing people everything? Thank you.

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Question 394-17(4): Residential Power Rates In The NWT

Oral Questions

The Speaker

Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins . The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation , Mr. Miltenberger .

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Question 394-17(4): Residential Power Rates In The NWT

Oral Questions

Michael Miltenberger

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of clarification, for a commercial customer using 2,000 kilowatts in a five-kilowatt demand in Iqaluit and Yellowknife, in Yellowknife the total bill would be $476.53 and in Iqaluit it would be $953.73. Yellowknife to Iqaluit is lower by $477.20. At the residential level, there is a significant subsidy provided to residential power users in Iqaluit versus Yellowknife. Our rates are higher than Whitehorse, but clearly when you look at Whitehorse, they have the majority of their population living very, very close to the city. They have road access to all their communities except one.

They have a hydro plant right in the middle of the city, so they have different challenges than we do with 33 communities in 1.3 million square kilometres that we have to manage and provide services to.

So we’ve done a number of things to cushion the rates. We’ve put in almost $34 million to cushion the rate increases, because there had been no rate increases for five years. We’ve spent or we revised our rate structure to, in fact, provide greater relief to small communities where rates were as high as $2 a kilowatt hour. We’ve standardized the rates in the thermal zone and hydro zone.

So we’ve done a number of things and we’re working hard on additional things like liquid natural gas in Inuvik, th