Debates of March 8th, 2019

This is page numbers 5299 - 5332 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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 women . View the webstream of the day's session.

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

International Women's Day

International Women's Day and Women's Representation in Politics

International Women's Day

Recognition of Janelle Bruneau

International Women's Day

Yellowknife Public Hearing by the Special Committee on Increasing Women's Representation

International Women's Day

Honouring the Words of the Late Elise Gargan

Recognizing Youth Advocate Chukita Gruben

Community FireSmart Funding

International Women's Day 2019 and the Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Grants and Contributions

Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Significant Discovery Licences

Significant Discovery Licences

Tabled Document 379-18(3): Letter from President and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice regarding Genetics and Insurance, dated March 5, 2019 Tabled Document 380-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 619-18(3): National Energy Board Regulatory Authority in the Northwest Territories

Bill 44: Forest Act

Bill 45: Corrections Act

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Recorded Vote

Bill 43:

An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Concurrence of Tabled Document 322-18(3): Main Estimates 2019-2020

Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 31: Northwest Territories 911 Act - Expanded Cellular Coverage

Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 31: Northwest Territories 911 Act - Municipal Implementation Plan

Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 31: Northwest Territories 911 Act - Response within 120 Days

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Hon. Glen Abernethy , Mr. Beaulieu , Mr. Blake , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Ms. Julie Green , Hon. Jackson Lafferty , Hon. Bob McLeod , Hon. Robert McLeod , Mr. McNeely , Hon. Alfred Moses , Mr. Nadli , Mr. Nakimayak , Mr. O'Reilly , Hon. Wally Schumann , Hon. Louis Sebert , Mr. Simpson , Mr. Testart , Mr. Thompson , Mr. Vanthuyne

The House met at 10:01 a.m.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

---Prayer

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Prayer

Prayer

Page 5299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Minister's Statement 167-18(3): International Women's Day

Ministers' Statements

Page 5299

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge International Women's Day. International Women's Day is held annually on March 8 th to celebrate women's social, cultural, and political achievements throughout history and across nations. International Women's Day also provides an important opportunity to showcase commitments towards women's equality, to raise awareness, and to highlight initiatives towards gender parity.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Better the Balance, Better the World." As the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I am committed to achieving gender equality throughout our society. To me, the theme "Better the Balance, Better the World" means having women at the table making decisions that affect our everyday lives for the benefit of all. Women make up half the population of the Northwest Territories and the world. It is only reasonable to expect that half the people in a position of power should be women.

Mr. Speaker, gender equality is something many nations aspire to. Far too often, we fall short of achieving that goal, but it is not impossible. We have to work together to get there. Here in the Northwest Territories, we are taking steps towards gender equality. When we passed a motion in March 2018 to increase women's representation in the Legislative Assembly, we collectively said we support this initiative. When we set up the Special Committee to Increase the Representation of Women in the Legislative Assembly, we demonstrated our willingness to work together to improve the gender balance in this House and to open important public discussions on how best to do this.

There are many exciting initiatives both within and outside government right now: the Trail Blazer event, campaign schools, Ted Talks, and various leadership events.

Our young women and girls have great potential to be our future leaders. We need to provide them with the support and tools to reach that potential. Providing better access for women to education, affordable housing, healthcare, employment, and childcare helps women, but it also helps build a sustainable economy and benefits our society as a whole.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that women continue to face gender-based barriers and discrimination. These obstacles make it difficult for women to get an equal footing. We must continue to work together to develop and implement strategies to eliminate these barriers, prevent violence against women and girls, update policies and programs to promote the development of women in leadership positions, and continue the momentum to take action to achieve gender equality.

I thank all Northwest Territories' women for their invaluable contributions to our society today and throughout the year.

Mr. Speaker, I invite each Member of the Legislative Assembly to join me in recognizing International Women's Day. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Minister's Statement 167-18(3): International Women's Day

Ministers' Statements

Page 5299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. Here with us today is Lynn Turcotte from Gameti. With her are Anita Turcotte and also Bridget Huff, both from Toronto. Welcome to the Northwest Territories and welcome to our Assembly. [Translation] We also have Violet Camsell-Blondin here with us in the gallery. Welcome. [Translation ends] Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day and Women's Representation in Politics

Members' Statements

Page 5299

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today we celebrate International Women's Day. The purpose of this commemoration is to bring attention to and advocate for the advancement of women in all areas of our society. On this day, we acknowledge gender inequalities and celebrate the empowerment of women. According to the official website for International Women's Day, this year's theme is "Balance for Better," which is a call for action for improving gender parity across the world.

In honour of this theme, Mr. Speaker, I would like to discuss the issue of women representation in electoral politics. This issue has been studied by many bodies, including the United Nations, the Parliament of Canada, and our own Legislature of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations determined that, in order to achieve significant policy change in government, all parliaments must attain a 30 percent threshold for women.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, our current Legislative Assembly in this Assembly does not meet that threshold. Our legislature consists of just 10.5 percent women. However, there are other political arenas within the NWT that have exceeded 30 percent, and I would like to highlight some of them today. For example, in our last 10 federal elections from 1988 to 2015, five of 10 elections were won by a woman, and that candidate was named Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

More presently, Mr. Speaker, since 2015, our capital city of Yellowknife has had a city council consisting of 37 percent women. In addition, as of 2018, four of the most populated communities in the NWT all elected women as mayors, with Rebecca Alty in Yellowknife; Kandis Jamieson in Hay River; Natasha Kulikowski in Inuvik; and Lynn Napier-Buckley in Fort Smith.

In addition, there are five Dene communities where they are currently led by female chiefs, which includes April Martel of K'atlodeeche, Becky Cayen of West Point, Wanda Pascal of Tetlit Gwich'in, and Bernice Furlong of Inuvik Band and Freida Martselos of the Salt River First Nation. Mr. Speaker, I speak unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day and Women's Representation in Politics

Members' Statements

Page 5299

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi. Also, two of five of the regional grand chiefs within the Dene Executive Council are women, with Bobbi Jo Greenland as Gwich'in Grand Chief and Gladys Norwegian as the Deh Cho Grand Chief.

Mr. Speaker, while these stats have improved over the years, both within the territory and across the country, I know that our society can do better. In fact, in our upcoming territorial election, I hope to see women running in every single of the 19 ridings in the NWT. Even better, I hope to see at least six or more women elected to our Legislative Assembly to meet the 30-percent benchmark that all parliaments should aspire to attain. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day and Women's Representation in Politics

Members' Statements

Page 5299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5299

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like most of my colleagues, I want to say something in respect of International Women's Day. In past years, for International Women's Day, I have spoken about my mother. She was an independent businesswoman, a single mother, and I couldn't imagine there was anything my mother couldn't do. When you grow up in that kind of household, there is no doubting how capable women are.

We are fortunate in the North, Mr. Speaker, that we have plenty of strong examples of women in leadership. I am not just talking about the women in this room or the women who were chosen as mayors and chiefs in elections last fall. Certainly, they are important role models and examples of successful women, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. I am talking about the strong, articulate visions that were presented at the independently organized TEDx conference in Yellowknife just before Christmas.

Visions of academic and professional achievement and success, visions of strong balance between roles in family and leadership in the community. I am talking about the strong representation that emerged through the public consultations of our Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women. Those hearings identified some of the inherent barriers to increased participation of women in politics, barriers we must all be aware of and commit to confronting. Our role as leaders should be a look forward, Mr. Speaker, and to imagine: what is the best that we can do?

What is the best that our family, our community, and our territory can be? Once we have a vision of what that is, Mr. Speaker, it should be on us to design a means to get there. I believe our territory will be stronger, fairer, and more capable if we have more women in positions of leadership and power.

It is an election year, Mr. Speaker, both in our territory and across the country. Maybe that is an opportunity to take some steps forward in representative democracy. Maybe it is a chance to get a little more balance on the ballot.

Mr. Speaker, on this International Women's Day, I would like to encourage more women to get involved, get to the meetings, share your ideas, put your name forward. It is time for every level of government to more accurately reflect all the people we serve. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition of Janelle Bruneau

Members' Statements

Page 5300

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak about a very special young lady from the Nahendeh riding. I have had the pleasure of witnessing her grow and develop into a leader since she was in grade seven. The person I am talking about is Janelle Bruneau. She is a daughter of Doris Pellissey and Daniel Bruneau. Her mother is from Wrigley and her father is from Fort Smith. She is very thankful for their continued support and guidance.

After graduating, she wanted to see what Canada had to offer, experience a different culture, face new challenges, and meet new people. McGill University gave her all this and more. Janelle is in her fourth year and is taking Geography as her major. She explained it is a diverse program that focuses on the physical and social environments that shape people's lives. She finds the courses very interesting. Her minor is in Indigenous Studies. It is about critical engagement in the Indigenous topic. It is about how Canada engages with Indigenous people and about the diverse history of all Indigenous people across Canada.

Beyond her studies, Janelle has been part of a group that is trying to make the campus safer and more inclusive for Indigenous students, since the university is well-known across the world for their programs. Unfortunately, sometimes a university doesn't seem to understand the difficulty Indigenous students face.

Another thing the group is trying to do is change the men's varsity team's name, the Redmen. The group has been working on this for the past year or so. It is about educating the masses about how offensive the name is for Indigenous people. Because of her advocacy, she has faced pushback from alumni and the varsity teams. Despite the reaction to this initiative, they have been successful in the principal of the university seriously looking at their concerns. A decision will be made in April.

Janelle feels that there is a need for more support for students who choose to study in the South. The support is vital for success in academics and essential for students to return to the North as effective members of our northern society.

Janelle encourages all students to have the strength to face adversity while chasing their dreams so you can become successful and proud of yourself. I wish her all the best and look forward to seeing her become one of our future leaders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition of Janelle Bruneau

Members' Statements

Page 5300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5300

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is March 8 th , and that means it is International Women's Day, which gives us a clear opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women. As an ally, I do not wish to put words in the mouths of others, but wish to stand behind and support the actions, initiatives, and fights that are being led by women leaders from coast to coast to coast and around the world. Our society, cultures, country, and lives are enriched daily by the tireless efforts of women with whom we co-exist. Today is a chance for all of us to celebrate the achievements of the all-too-often unsung heroines in our lives and to renew efforts to achieving greater gender equity and equality.

I want to commend the honourable Members of this House for making women's political equity a top priority of this government, and in particular recognize the ongoing leadership on this and so many other issues by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre and the honourable Member for Range Lake .

The political lives of women have often been fraught with challenges. In the Canadian context, I must note the work of five incredibly strong Albertan women for speaking truth to power, Canada's famous five. Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, and Emily Murphy fought tirelessly for many issues, but their most long-lasting and wide-ranging struggle was for women to be recognized as persons under Canadian law. Now, this might seem quaint today, but the struggle is not over. It has merely become more nuanced. I want to thank and show my reverence to the battle these women fought for their common-sense acknowledgment that yes, indeed, women are persons.

In more recent news, the honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould is in the middle of her own battle. The truths and facts are battling out, and we have seen here many of the same talking points by her opponents as we have heard in the past. Whatever the outcome, Ms. Wilson-Raybould's belief is she is "always willing to speak truth to power" is a lesson that we can all use a reminding of. It is not easy to stand against one's colleagues, but it is important to stand one's ground, have your perspective heard, and to work tirelessly for meaningful action for change.

Mr. Speaker, I will conclude my statement today in the words of another woman who advanced her understanding of radiation and who ultimately paid the price for her work, and I hope that that serves as a reminder to us all that the road to progress is long and must be fought for. Madame Marie Curie: "I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Yellowknife Public Hearing by the Special Committee on Increasing Women's Representation

Members' Statements

Page 5300

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. On the occasion of International Women's Day, I would like to speak about what we are doing to promote women in leadership. I attended the lively public hearing in Yellowknife on January 17 th by the Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women. There were about 30 participants, including media, and I would like to commend everyone for the respectful dialogue and the ideas that were put forward.

There were three main themes presented. One idea was to run elections for a woman and a man in each riding in the NWT to ensure that half of the MLAs are women. This is an interesting idea, but would probably not work, because not everyone identifies as binary.

Several presenters said that guaranteed representation of women through temporary seats raises issues of tokenism, may not address the root causes, and may lead others to request guaranteed representation.

Last and not least, some participants endorsed the idea of temporary special measures, where guaranteed seats is the only way to create the revolutionary change that is needed to ensure that women take their rightful place in decision-making here in the Northwest Territories.

There was also some discussion of how we can make the Legislative Assembly a friendlier place for those with young families.

This special committee has its work cut out for itself, and I thank all of the Members who have volunteered to serve on it during this last busy stretch of this Assembly. I participated in some of their meetings and truly appreciate the work being undertaken by the Members who have volunteered to serve.

The special committee is still accepting written submissions. I look forward to their report and encourage further input from Frame Lake residents and everyone in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Yellowknife Public Hearing by the Special Committee on Increasing Women's Representation

Members' Statements

Page 5300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5300

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is International Women's Day. This day was first recognized as a global event by the United Nations in 1975, but its origins go back to the early 1900s, as women fought for the right to vote.

It is a day for celebrating the socio-economic culture and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for gender equality. It is a day to acknowledge and support women's rights and to celebrate their many significant achievements.

Over the last 100 years, women in many countries have made advances towards gender equality by fighting for labour rights, protection from violence, access to sexual and reproductive health, equal pay for equal work, as well as reaching the highest positions of leadership.

However, there is still a long way to go. As of 2017, there were only 15 female world leaders. While the number of current female leaders has more than doubled since 2000, these women still represent fewer than 10 percent of the 193 UN member states. According to the World Economic Forum, 33,000 girls under the ages of 18 become child brides every day, and women in rural parts of Africa spend 40 billion hours a year collecting water.

At the current rate of progress, they estimate that it will take 108 years to close the gender gap. This is a notable statistic, given that the theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Balance for Better," which acknowledges that everyone benefits in a gender-balanced world. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, there is some positive progress to take note of. More girls than boys now complete their secondary education in 32 of 34 OECD countries. We are seeing a growing interest for women in all aspects of society.

In this past October 2018 territorial municipal election, four of six mayor positions were taken by women. I hope to see more women serving as elected MLAs in the House by this time next year. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge all women in the NWT and their important achievements on this International Women's Day. Mahsi.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day

Members' Statements

Page 5301

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Honouring the Words of the Late Elise Gargan

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

These are quotes from Elise Gargan. Elise Gargan was born on March 12, 1926, up river from Fort Providence:

"When I was young, I really loved the elders. I used to wash their clothes and heat water for them so they could wash, just as if they were the parents I never had. I believe that, for every cup of tea I placed before them, I gained one more day on this earth for myself. I enjoyed doing these things for them out of love.

"No one ever taught me to work. I watched others, then I'd try. If I didn't sew something properly, I'd undo it and try again until I could do it. If you keep on trying, eventually, you'll succeed.

"I married when I was 15 and really had a hard time struggling to survive. Nowadays we live in luxury compared to how it used to be.

"Life was especially hard for the woman. When the man is away, the woman had to feed the children. No matter how cold it was, I had to check the snares. Before I left the children, I had to tie a leather thong around the waist of one and tie the end to something stable, put another in their swing cradle, and leave the elders to watch them all. That's how we used to live.

"The low points of my life were hunger and sickness. We didn't know how to help each other when there was sickness and there was no doctor. Sometimes we boiled herbs. Sometimes just thinking of getting better helps you overcome.

"When you're out in the bush, you sometimes experience real physical pain. It was especially difficult giving birth. Sometimes you didn't know what to do, and you're very thankful if your child is alive."

"The land gives less now. Once it was so new and very beautiful. I wonder if our children will ever have the experience of living on the land as we did, but the loss of this way of life has come in their generation. Education will give them a chance at another way of life now that many of them are no longer able to survive in the bush." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Honouring the Words of the Late Elise Gargan

Members' Statements

Page 5301

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognizing Youth Advocate Chukita Gruben

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a youth advocate from Nunakput.

Ms. Chukita Gruben is a 24-year-old Inuvialuk from Tuktoyaktuk who loves her culture, family, and the people who call this northern region home. Chukita comes from a very culturally oriented family who taught her the values of her traditional lifestyle, yet the importance of education that is needed in today's world. She recently completed a two-year term in December with the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation as a director, and during that time, she was working with the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk and for the Tuktoyaktuk District Education Authority. This young woman used these opportunities to grow and learn, utilizing her young voice and taking action.

Mr. Speaker, Chukita has helped contribute in tourism development projects with the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk and has done a lot of work around climate change by collaborating with scientists, researchers, politicians, and the media to showcase the impacts of climate change and how it is affecting their lifestyle, causing them to adapt. There is now a community-based monitoring program that was recently launched by the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation to help educate the people and be a part of the environmental concerns, adding into the Mangilaluk School curriculum and colliding traditional knowledge and western science data together.

Mr. Speaker, this young woman with her passion has had a lot of support and help to make these initiatives possible. Chukita has also volunteered a good amount of her time to visit schools and inspire youth to take advantage of opportunities that come up in this region. She has supported them by filling out paperwork and helping them to fundraise to travel for youth conferences in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, Chukita herself knows that these positive initiatives and knowing her cultural identity make an impact and are meaningful. She has travelled to many places in Canada and abroad to Alaska attending meetings. Mr. Speaker, in 2017, she was our youth representative for the Canada C3 expedition that went from coast to coast to coast for Canada's 150 th birthday. She was on leg 12, and the ship left from her home town, Tuktoyaktuk, and ended in Prince Rupert, BC. Ms. Gruben has sailed for 20 days, stopping along communities to help build relationships, connect and educate Canada on key themes such as diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, youth engagement, and the environment.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank her for her remarkable contributions to our society. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognizing Youth Advocate Chukita Gruben

Members' Statements

Page 5301

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Community FireSmart Funding

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources works with communities on plans to reduce the risk posed by summer wildfires. Implementing these plans is really important. We all know of communities where residents had to be evacuated when the fires were burning too close.

It is typical for communities to cut a firebreak around the community, which is a widely accepted way to reduce the risk to both life and property. Cutting firebreaks is especially important in our small communities, which have limited resources for fire departments, let alone capacity to take fast action to defend against wildfire moving in.

The department knows of this, Mr. Speaker. In 2015, its review of the previous year's terrible fire season resulted in a number of recommendations. One of the most important was the need to encourage communities to fire smart to protect their valuables at risk. I want to be clear. The valuables at risk are lives, homes, businesses, community halls, offices, schools, and gyms. There are a lot more, but you get the idea.

It seems that it is far easier for communities to get encouragement than it is to get money to actually do the work. The reality is that the fire smarting of a community costs money, and our communities do not have it.

Mr. Speaker, I am told that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources used to fund communities for fire smarting but now expects the communities to use their capital funding to do it. I want to say the department passed the buck on this, but it is more like the department is not passing on any bucks to do the job.

We all know about the huge shortfall or the funding gap that communities have faced for years when it comes to capital funding. Communities are already being short-changed on funding to meet pressing infrastructure needs. Telling communities to cover the cost of fire smarting is just adding insult to injury. It won't get the work done. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Community FireSmart Funding

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

This leaves communities scrambling for dollars through funding proposals to various outside governments. This is a haphazard, high-risk approach to protecting lives and property, Mr. Speaker, and I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Community FireSmart Funding

Members' Statements

Page 5301

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day 2019 and the Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women

Members' Statements

Page 5301

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This year's International Women's Day comes at a time of heightened interest in the role of women in politics. This interest started at the time of the last presidential election in the United States, when the most qualified candidate ever to run did not win. It has continued to the present day, when Cabinet Minister resignations in Ottawa have highlighted the highs and lows of political life for women. None of this has gone unnoticed by the women of the Northwest Territories.

The Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women in our own Legislative Assembly has had great turn-outs at its community hearings. Women want to know how they can take their place in this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, there is a pool of women in the Northwest Territories who are eligible, qualified, and willing to run. Meeting the eligibility is simple. Women need to be 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of the Northwest Territories for a year. They are qualified to run by virtue of their life experience. "Just come as you are, ladies," said a friend of mine recently elected to the Yellowknife city council.

None of us came here knowing everything we needed to know to do this job, but, since women worry about whether they are qualified, it's worth mentioning that women in the Northwest Territories graduate from high school in greater numbers than men and are more likely to have a university degree. For most women in the Northwest Territories, the biggest consideration is being willing to run.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about why it's worth running. I ran after many years as an advocate for housing and women's issues. I wanted to talk about those issues in this House and push for change. Research says other women often run for the same reasons. They are advocates, and they want to pursue those policy issues that are important to women, issues that are not being discussed as often or even at all by men. That does not mean that women cannot or will not talk about economic development, financial policy, or land management. Of course they can, but their male colleagues are less likely to talk about pay equity, universal access to family planning, or violence against women.

Mr. Speaker, this is where women's voices can make a difference, and the more the better. Research indicates elected women promote gender equality and strengthen democratic institutions because women are often willing collaborators. Women also make substantive contributions to the consideration of government spending and population health. In short, women can change the world, not only for women, but for everyone. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day 2019 and the Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women

Members' Statements

Page 5302

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, women have a right to be in this Chamber, whatever their priorities. They have a job to do shaping policy and making change, but, perhaps most importantly, by being here, they show other women what's possible. If you can see it, you can be it. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

International Women's Day 2019 and the Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women

Members' Statements

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to recognize Arlene Hache, who is a constituent of Yellowknife North who is also a very well-known and very well-recognized social advocate, and especially for women. I just want to welcome you here and say thank you for being here on this International Women's Day.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to recognize the attendance of the board of the NWT Status of Women Council and their executive director here in the House today: Ms. Violet Camsell-Blondin, our president; Rita Arey, vice president; board members Catherine Mackeinzo-Taylor, Andrea Steed, and Arlene Hache; as well as the executive director, Louise Elder. I would also like to thank them for their ongoing contributions to improving the lives of women in all of our communities and for being here today, along with the other women in the gallery, to help celebrate International Women's Day. Your presence is very much appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize my friend, Violet Camsell-Blondin, and I have had the pleasure of working with Violet for probably 30 years. She now serves as the chair of the Status of Women Council, and I thank her for her public service. I would like to recognize Frame Lake constituent Louise Elder and thank her for her work as executive director of the Status of Women Council. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I recognized a couple of Pages who we had from Inuvik Twin Lakes. Today, I would like to recognize their chaperone. Blair Conley brought them down here. I would also like to take a minute to recognize Rita Furlong Arey from Aklavik, who I affectionately call Rita B. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the lady leaders of the NWT Native Women's Association in the gallery, and also Kathy Mackenzie-Taylor from Deline and Rita Arey from Aklavik and my CA, Corrine Ferdinand. Mahsi.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a Thebacha constituent, Andrea Steen.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a couple of the Pages for Hay River North who have been helping us out through some of these long nights, Ms. Taylor Giovanetti and Ms. Lizzy Rimer. They have been with us all week, and I really appreciate their assistance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Rita Arey from Aklavik, my constituent and also vice-president of the Status of Women, also a retired social worker after many years of service. I thank you for that and all the work that you do. Mahsi.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three Pages from Yellowknife South, Tyson Lafond, Janica-Lei Silverio, and Ryley Steinwand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Ms. Violet Camsell-Blondin. We have run into each other at a lot of Indigenous events and organized working groups around the territory. I appreciate the work that you do. Also, to our friend Arlene Hache, welcome to the Legislature. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we are missing anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . The federal government has introduced Bill C-92,

An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children, Youth, and Families. The purpose of the act is to acknowledge that Indigenous governments have the right to create their own laws to regulate child and family services. I realize this legislation was introduced only a week ago. Can the Minister tell us how Bill C-92 will apply in the NWT, if at all? Thank you.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has had the legislation for about a week, and we have been going through and trying to determine how it will impact here in the Northwest Territories. I think there is still more work that needs to be done on that analysis. However, through our early analysis, it is not expected that the proposed legislation will significantly impact how CFS is currently delivered here in the Northwest Territories. It is important to note that the key principles in their legislation remain generally consistent with the principles set out in our NWT Child and Family Services Act, as well as Building Stronger Families.

As the Member said, the purpose of the proposed legislation is to affirm the rights and jurisdictions of Indigenous peoples in relation to child and family services and sets out some principles applicable at a national level to the provision of child and family services to Indigenous children. I would like to note that the Government of the Northwest Territories, both before this legislation and after this legislation passes in Ottawa, has been and will continue to be in support of Indigenous governments exercising jurisdiction in the area of child and family services when they choose. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

It seems that the reserves in the Northwest Territories and the Tlicho Community Services Agency may be the most likely entities to want to implement this bill. Does the government plan to provide any particular help to these organizations or Indigenous governments in order to put themselves into a position to implement this act if passed?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Currently, there are two different Indigenous governments that actually have the power and the authority to draw down child and family services today. We are working with all of our Indigenous partners. If these Indigenous governments choose to draw down those authorities now, we will certainly work with them in cooperation with Canada to ensure that those services are drawn down and devolved in a way that gives them the ability to provide high-quality services for all their residents.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5302

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

I wonder what this legislation might do to federal transfers for health to the NWT. Would transfers to specific Indigenous governments go via the GNWT, or would they go directly to the Indigenous governments?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Honestly, we can't answer that question yet. One of the issues that has been raised at the national level about this legislation is that there are no dollars tied to it. If dollars come in phase 2, and I believe that is where the federal government said money might come, we would be happy to work with them, with our Indigenous partners. The bottom line is we all want the same thing, which is fewer Indigenous children in care. We want to build and support stronger families. I think we are all trying to do the same thing. We are prepared to work together.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the responses from the Minister. It is my understanding that the bill allows Indigenous governments to negotiate coordination agreements with provincial and territorial governments as well as Ottawa. Is this an approach GNWT will work with if the bill becomes law? Mahsi.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Our current legislation requires us to work with the Indigenous governments and Indigenous communities here in the Northwest Territories if a child from their community were facing apprehension. We are committed to continuing to do that. If the Indigenous governments choose to draw down these responsibilities, of course, we want to work with them and with Ottawa to make sure that those responsibilities are transferred effectively.

At the end of the day, we want the same thing. We want a system that supports families to stay together where it is appropriate. Where children have to be apprehended, we want to make sure that it is done in such a way as to maintain connections with culture, community, and residents. We all want the same thing. We are prepared to work together with all of our partners to make it a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 665-18(3): Bill C-92 Impact on Northwest Territories

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recently read the 2017-2018 ITI Grant and Contribution Report. I was happy to read that $17.6 million was provided to more than 500 individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and groups with an economic interest in our territory. Can the Minister of Infrastructure, Tourism and Industry explain how they report on the use of these fund? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure, Tourism and Investment .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ITI supports the economy in a bunch of different ways. The grants and contributions document is a testament to that. It is a roll-up of various ways that we invest in industry, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the Northwest Territories. That said, we also have appropriate but different ways of reporting out of each of these funding areas. We presently have various accounting spending in this House. I have tabled the BDIC report in this House, community futures, investments in the Northwest Territories Tourism Marketing Plan.

Staff and myself regularly get out and talk to the chambers across the territory to be able to talk about some of these documents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Can the Minister verify if these individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, and groups need to apply yearly, or can they get multi-year funding through this program?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

For the most part, applicants to the ITI programming, like the Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy, do have to generally apply each year.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I noticed that, on page 4, table 2, "Contributions by clients exceeding $100,000," the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines received $190,600, and on page 8, the table "Contribution funding by major program activities for 2018," there is $100,000 for Aboriginal Development Support Program and $90,600 for the NWT Chamber of Mines. Can the Minister advise if these funds are the same funding?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

That is a fairly detailed question. I don't have the document in front of me. If I remember right, we list by client, by region, by sector, by program area, and so on in the document, but I think that I can confirm that there are two different accountings of the same funding.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister giving the answers here today. My final question is: from what I understand, the NWT Chamber of Commerce is responsible for providing funding for the Aboriginal Development Support Program. Can the Minister explain why the department uses a third party, the NWT Chamber of Mines, to allocate these funds? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

This is something that I can talk about for hours, how we are trying to build capacity and participation of Indigenous governments in the mineral resources sector in the Northwest Territories. One of the ways that we are doing that to help grow our economy is through their participation in a number of these industry events. I particularly participate in Geoscience AME Roundup and PDAC. In fact, at PDAC just last week, the chamber hosted an investment event at PDAC.

That included presentations and different discussions with Indigenous business leaders and representatives in the mining project sectors across the Northwest Territories by the Chamber of Mines. This is one of the reasons that we have done this through the chamber. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 666-18(3): Grants and Contributions

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a few questions for the Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources . I would like to ask the Minister: what is the department doing to make sure that communities can implement and fund their Wildland Fire Protection Plans? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we know, we have issues with fire around some of our communities, and ENR tries to work with the communities to deal with it. Through, I think, the community access program through MACA, there is some funding there that the communities can use if they want to fire smart their communities.

During this past fire season, it was a fairly quiet fire season for us, so we actually had some members of our fire crews, just to keep working, do some fire smarting around the communities, cut some brush. As we are able to do, we will assist them, but there are some monies out there, I think, through the small community fund that comes through the rural and remote committee. There is funding available there, too, so if a community wants to do some more fire smarting, they have access to some funds. I think we greatly enhanced those funds during this session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

I mentioned earlier today that ENR used to fund fire smarting in the NWT communities, but has since offloaded the burden onto the communities themselves. Why was this decision made?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Actually, I don't think that we have offloaded that onto the communities. I think that the communities have taken the responsibility for that on, because who knows the communities more than the community, Mr. Speaker? It is not another pot of money that we have. The small community employment fund had, I believe, about $4.2 million, of which $3 million went to a lot of the smaller communities. Through the process that we are going through right now, we have added more money onto that because it has been such an important tool for a lot of the small communities.

They have that opportunity to access that funding, and the communities make the decisions as to what is best for their communities, and they have the funds available to bring some of these projects to life.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

It is good that the communities took on this responsibility, but we are talking in the neighbourhood of $200,000, for example, to do a community the size of Fort McPherson. That is competing with capital projects. What is ENR's estimate of the cost to cut firebreaks around the three communities in the Mackenzie Delta?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

The exact cost, I am not sure, but a $200,000 investment, you would think, would save significant dollars if there is damage to the community as a result of the fire. I know that we are in negotiations with Canada on the disaster mitigation funding. That would be another pot of money that communities would be able to access to help with disaster mitigation. We feel that there is significant investment in this particular area, again, so we leave the authority to make these types of decisions up to the communities. You will find that communities do make good decisions.

Where there are opportunities, as I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, with some of our crews that, thankfully, have had a quiet fire season, they are able to assist on this, as well.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5303

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeing as how the Minister is also the money man in the House, fire smarting can save lives and very valuable property, and the cost of doing it is a lot less than many projects that our government routinely delivers. Will the Minister identify funds that communities can use to implement their Wildland Fire Protection Plans by cost-sharing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I am the Environment Minister , so I will speak with the Finance Minister and see if there are opportunities to access more money, but again, through a number of the programs that we have, such as disaster mitigation, there are funds that we will be able to access to assist with the communities. The communities, again, have those funds at their disposal if they choose to use them to do some fire smarting, with the folks that we have, because of the quiet fire season, assisting them. There are a number of opportunities there with the small community employment fund.

I believe, in one community, they did a lot of fire smarting, and they did a lot of cutting of dead brush around their community. That's a good thing. More than anything, we recognize the importance of saving lives, and I think that the communities do as well. If we can, we will work in cooperation with the communities to try to assist them wherever we can to fire smart their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 667-18(3): Funding for Community Wildland Protection Plans

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for the Finance Minister that I am just going to spring on him. I didn't give him any heads-up. There have been a lot of announcements about funding to examine some of these big projects that the territory is looking at, whether it's the Slave Geological Province road or it's Taltson Hydro. There is a lot of federal money, but we are also putting our money into it as well. When these announcements are made, is there any sort of commitment on the part of the feds that, in addition to giving us the exploratory money, they are going to be paying for major parts of these potential projects? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Finance .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are always prepared when there are opportunities for funding from the federal government. One of the things that I have told this House in the last three years is that a lot of the potential savings that we had so that we can match federal money as federal government money becomes available. A lot of the work that the Member is talking about is building a case for these potential projects. Normally, there is the exploratory building a case to try and access the bigger pots of money. When the bigger pots of money are accessed, then I feel that this government is in a fairly good position to do our cost-share of the project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

I appreciate that answer. I know that, you know, the feds aren't going to come out right and say that they can commit right at the beginning here, but I am a little bit concerned because, as we are going through this budget here, our last budget, I see what the debt limit is. I see where we are at, and we are pretty much maxed out.

It was about a month ago in the south the Minister said he had initiated some talks with the federal Finance Minister about increasing our borrowing limit and about possibly talking about territorial formula financing, and I know that the Minister hasn't had any time in the past six weeks because we have been here, so I know he hasn't met with the federal Finance Minister , but have we set a date for these talks to begin so we can really get into the meat of the issue?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I have, as I said, initiated talks with them. We have not been able to sit down yet. We have been in session for awhile, now, but our next Finance Ministers' meeting, I believe, is in June.

There might be opportunities for me to have a conversation with the federal Finance Minister beforehand and see if we can work on -- we are fortunate right now that, with the borrowing limit that we do have, most of our project, we are able to fit under there, but if there are announcements for bigger projects that might need more of an investment from the Government of the Northwest Territories, then we need to work with Ottawa to increase our borrowing limit. As we stand right now, I think we are in fairly good shape with the projects that we do have.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

I am looking forward to the next Assembly and the Assemblies after that because these are big projects. They are long-term projects. They are not even going to get started in the life of this Assembly and the piggy bank is almost empty, so can we get assurance from the Minister that he is going to have those talks with the Finance Minister in the life of this Assembly so that, going into the next Assembly, we might have the money to complete some of these projects?

Because we are spending territorial funds in addition to the federal funds, exploring this project, but if they are never going to get off the ground, we are just wasting our money. So can we get a commitment that those talks will happen and we should see some results this Assembly?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I said I was going to have discussions with the federal government. I was going to have the meetings with the federal minister. I'm a man of my word, and I will initiate those discussions. I think, with the work that we have done in the last three years in the Assembly with some of the corrections we have made on the budget, I think we positioned ourselves very well to be able to match it.

I take the Member's point, and as I've said a number of times, a lot of the work that we do here has set the table for those coming after us, so they will be in the position, if there are bigger announcements to be made, they will be in a good position to take advantage of that with our matching dollars. If there are discussions, and I will, and I have said I will, I will initiate those discussions, have those discussions with the federal Finance Minister before the end of this Assembly.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we have set the table, then we ate all the food. There is going to be nothing left for the next Assembly. So just so we know what is going on, would the Minister be able to provide us with a list of projections, cost projections, for these future projects over the next five or 10 years, just so we have an idea so that, you know, when people are considering entering politics next year, they know what they are in for? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Most departments have 20-year infrastructure acquisition plans, and as money becomes available, they are able to put those plans in to do the actual building. You know, there are Members who are coming after us and I think we are going to position them to come and realize that there are some decisions that were made in this Assembly, I think, that made their work a little easier, and we hope it is a little easier, and if they are in a good position to match a lot of the federal projects, I don't know what is coming on.

I mean, we have had some of the projects that we have been working on or we have been proposing, we have been working with Ottawa, and the departments have 20-year infrastructure needs assessment to have plans, so I think the next government, the 19 th Assembly, is going to be well-positioned to take advantage of any federal dollars that become available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 668-18(3): Accessing Federal Funding for Major Infrastructure

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Last week, I made a Member's statement about the great post-devolution resource giveaway, where the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment issued 10 significant discovery licences that tie up petroleum resources forever without any benefits to NWT residents. The original exploration rights were issued by the federal government. Can the Minister tell us whether the federal government made any provision for fees or work requirements in the issuance of those original rights? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Well, it is my understanding that, when the federal government issued those original rights, they made provision for fees to be charged as a rental rate. Perhaps the rental rate wasn't specified, but at least it was in there, so why did the Minister not include any fees or work requirements in the 10 significant discovery licences that he issued?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

The topic of rentals and other STL policy elements, such as terms, have been discussed with all current interest holders in the Northwest Territories and representatives of the intergovernmental council during the development and amendments of the Petroleum Resource Act and Oil and Gas Act.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5304

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for confirming that for me. For a government that says it is open and transparent, consulting only the industry and perhaps Indigenous governments, only consulting industry, I don't think that is a great idea, and I think that is a clear definition of regulatory capture. Can the Minister make public the work requirements and rental rates for future significant discovery licences and the rationale that he used in setting them? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

The proposed amendments that we have put forward for the PRA do include a requirement for the Minister to make the text of any significant discovery licence publicly available, future STL rental rates, and how STL work will be credited. It will also be specified in the future call for bid documents. Whether or not we publicly release the rationale for the rates that we might apply is more of a policy decision at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 669-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to follow up again with the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment . He talked about two different ways of capturing some benefits from significant discovery licences. One is in the initial call for bids, and second, in the actual issuance of the significant discovery licence itself. In the call for bids, has a decision been made by the Minister on what the rates would be for significant discovery licences in the future? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interim, we have laid out some rates that are detailed, and we have shared that information with committee.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for that explanation. Is the Minister prepared to make that information public?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I don't see why we can't do that. We can certainly have a conversation with the Member. I will talk with the department, but I don't see why we would not make those rates public if we are going to impose them on industry.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I thank the Minister for that commitment. Can the Minister give me an idea as to when he expects to make this information public?

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I will have to talk to our officials and see when we can get that out there and let the Member know.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that commitment again. Can the Minister commit also that, when he puts this information out, he is prepared to accept public comments on it? Because he has already made up his mind perhaps about this without any public input, but I would like to know whether he is prepared to accept public comment when he puts this information out. This is about having an open and transparent government and not just consulting with industry in setting these kinds of rates.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I will try to make the afternoon, seeing as it's a Friday. This is an interim measure that we have put in place because we saw there was a gap in this one post devolution. The PRA is going to be taken on the road by the Member and his committee, and there will be input from the public if they want to have input on this. Everyone in the Northwest Territories can have input on legislation that is going to be put out there, amongst consultation with all members of the Northwest Territories, industry, and Indigenous governments, and I welcome all comments back on what we want to do around SDLs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Question 670-18(3): Significant Discovery Licences

Oral Questions

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Justice .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Tabled Document 379-18(3): Letter from President and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice regarding Genetics and Insurance, dated March 5, 2019 Tabled Document 380-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 619-18(3): National Energy Board Regulatory Authority in the Northwest Territories

Tabling Of Documents

Page 5305

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Letter from President and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice regarding Genetics and Insurance, dated March 5, 2019"; and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 619-18(3): National Energy Board Regulatory Authority in the Northwest Territories." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Tabled Document 379-18(3): Letter from President and CEO, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association to Assistant Deputy Minister, Justice regarding Genetics and Insurance, dated March 5, 2019 Tabled Document 380-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 619-18(3): National Energy Board Regulatory Authority in the Northwest Territories

Tabling Of Documents

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 44: Forest Act

First Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha , that Bill 44, Forest Act , be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 44: Forest Act

First Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

Bill 44 has had its first reading. First reading of bills. Minister of Justice .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 45: Corrections Act

First Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

Louis Sebert

Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South , that Bill 45, Corrections Act , be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 45: Corrections Act

First Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Motion carried.

---Carried

Bill 45 has had its first reading. First reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Minister of Finance .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Second Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South , that Bill 42,

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act , be read for the second time.

The bill amends the Petroleum Products Tax Act to impose a carbon tax on petroleum products and natural gas. It makes the amendments necessary for collection and administration of this new tax to be handled in the same manner as the current fuel tax. Purchasers are required to pay the tax, and vendors and collectors are required to remit the tax to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The bill allows the Minister to provide in regulation for rebates and grants and increases the maximum fines and penalties which may be imposed either as administrative penalties or on

summary conviction. Finally, the bill adds provisions for the appeal of an assessment of tax, interest or administrative penalties under the act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Second Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Frame Lake .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Second Reading Of Bills

Page 5305

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I will provide some introductory remarks and then turn to the process used to develop the bill. I will also provide some comments on the bill and concerns with what is there and what is missing.

The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we are already seeing the consequence of global warming, with an increase of 1 degree Celsius in annual mean temperature. There is more extreme weather and diminishing Arctic see ice, among other changes. The report notes that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius would require "rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society." Ninety-one authors and review editors from 40 countries prepared the report, with more than 6,000 scientific references cited.

This is very serious, and, if we wish to save this planet from irreversible damage, we need to act now. The good news is that some of the kinds of actions that would be needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius are already underway around the world, but they need to accelerate.

Canada has signed on to the global agreement to better address climate change. A real carbon pricing system for the Northwest Territories can help us in fighting this emergency. We must pursue legislative and policy changes to ensure the climate change leadership and an energy strategy built on renewables that does not masquerade as an infrastructure funding demand.

The process. The history of carbon pricing during this Assembly has been a convoluted one, at best. Cabinet developed three separate but related initiatives related to climate change. The first and obviously highest priority for Cabinet was the 2030 Energy Strategy, which leap-frogged ahead of the other two initiatives and even has a costed three-year action plan where 44 percent of the greenhouse gas reductions are supposed to come from a billion-dollar Taltson hydro expansion.

The poor cousin, the Climate Change Strategic Framework, has languished, still has no action plan, and fails to respond to the Auditor General's report to establish the necessary leadership and authority for climate change success. Finally, there is a carbon pricing scheme which is the subject of this bill and is to be used to fund the GNWT contributions to the energy strategy.

In May and July of 2016, the Premier was in the media opposing a carbon tax. Thank goodness a new government was elected in the Yukon in November 2016 because that seems to have moderated GNWT messaging around carbon pricing. On December 9, 2016, the first minsters, including our Premier , announced the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This would allow Canada to meet its international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

I appreciate that a lot of effort has been put in by Cabinet to work out the details of an NWT carbon pricing system. I just do not agree with their approach. GNWT put pressure on the federal government to ante up money for its favourite energy megaproject, the expansion of Taltson hydro, for export to unconfirmed southern markets and to other unconfirmed and hypothetical users in the Slave Geological Province. A discussion paper on the GNWT's approach to carbon pricing was finally released on July 26, 2017. Public comment closed on September 15, 2017.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations tried unsuccessfully several times to get the Minister of Finance to develop a number of options or scenarios for carbon pricing. He was urged to consider creating a competitive fund for large emitters to reduce emissions, larger investments into renewable energy that would further reduce the cost of living and greenhouse gas emissions, and other ideas. The Minister refused to respond in any serious way to committee's requests.

Almost a year after the release of the discussion paper, the Minister of Finance released Cabinet's final approach to carbon pricing on July 11, 2018. A

summary of the public engagement on the discussion paper was released at the same time, and a federal report on the impact of carbon pricing on the Northwest Territories that had been completed five months earlier was also released to the public. No further comments were invited, and there has been no further public information or engagement since Cabinet's release on July 11, 2018. This government has been dragged to carbon pricing by the federal promise to impose a regime even if we don't create our own regime.

I would like to, Mr. Speaker, move on to the merits of the bill. I have spoken before in this House about Cabinet's approach to carbon pricing, which is what this bill will implement. Individuals and families will get some of the carbon tax back through adjustments to the cost of living allowance. The largest industrial emitters of greenhouse gas emissions will actually get all of the carbon tax back that they pay. It will be individuals, families, and small businesses that will subsidize the GNWT initiatives under the Energy Strategy, not the largest emitters, which are the diamond mines. This hardly seems fair or balanced.

A large part of the carbon tax revenues will also be used to fund GNWT's contribution to the Taltson Hydro Expansion, which I have also spoken against in this House. I have no problem and encourage the use of Taltson power to develop the regional economy on the south side of the lake, and I am glad to get the support of my friends as I speak, but to build millions of dollars' worth of transmission lines to unconfirmed markets is risky and likely to cost a lot more than original estimates. This is what happened with Muskrat Falls, Site C, Manitoba Hydro's Keeyask dam, and many other projects.

Let there be no mistake, Mr. Speaker: Taltson expansion will take money from other needs and opportunities, especially small community energy self-sufficiency.

I would like to turn to some of the problem areas with the bill. There is a precise regime and

schedule for the carbon tax on various fuels. There is no separation of diesel fuel use between motive and non-motive use, as was the case in the July 2017 discussion paper. Butane was also not included in that discussion paper for carbon pricing, but now has a carbon tax rate specified in the bill.

While there is some clarity on the carbon tax to be charged and collected, there is no certainty regarding rebates, which are to be prescribed in future regulations at the total discretion of the Minister. The Minister will also have total discretion to prescribe who will be defined as a large emitter, and the Minister will have unfettered authority to determine grants to be given to such large emitters. It seems to me that there should be some bounds on the Minister's discretion in these matters.

Lastly, there is no requirement for any public reporting of revenues raised through the proposed carbon tax, rebates, or grants that the Minister may hand out, or even administrative costs associated with the implementation of the carbon tax. Given the concerns that the public and Regular MLAs have raised about a carbon tax, its impact on the cost of living, and how it may or may not contribute to greenhouse gas reductions, it is rather astounding that there is so little accountability and transparency around the revenues to be raised, their use, and impacts.

I have consistently raised the need for an integrated approach to monitoring and public reporting of energy self-sufficiency, climate change, greenhouse gas reductions, carbon pricing, and the impacts on the cost of living, and this bill does not address that.

I still believe that carbon pricing is an essential tool in fighting climate change. However, the Minister has clearly been dragged to this measure and has shown very little interest in working with Regular MLAs or the public in exploring different options or scenarios to develop the best approach for the Northwest Territories and our residents with regard to a carbon tax.

In my view, Cabinet's approach is unfair, and with the unfettered ministerial authority over grants to large emitters and rebates, an energy strategy focused on a huge mega project, lack of progress on climate change leadership, and no commitment to integrated climate change monitoring and public reporting, I cannot support the bill as drafted.

I look forward to participating in the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Government Operations to hear what the public and interested stakeholders have to say about a carbon tax in the Northwest Territories, whether they think that this is a fair approach from Cabinet, and whether it will really lead to progress in climate change. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Second Reading Of Bills

Page 5306

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. To the principle of the bill. Member for Yellowknife North .

Please select the issue you noticed * :

Misattribution

Formatting

Missing Words

Other

If Other, please indicate the problem: (Optional)

Submit

Thanks!

We'll take a look into it.

Sorry!

There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later.

Copy Copied

Bill 42:

An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act

Second Reading Of Bills

Page 5306

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is my view on what this bill enables.

First, I want to acknowledge that the views and concerns that people have shared with me I consider very much valid and important, and their opinions are not lost on me. Bear with me as I share with you two perspectives on the carbon tax effectiveness and another that describes what we are doing here in the North.

Let me start with carbon tax. When originally proposed, I agreed that a carbon tax, as a concept, had the potential to be an effective way of achieving the long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, since its introduction by the federal government, the ongoing campaign conducted by its proponents, as well as politicians, including here in the NWT, has allowed it to become so politicized and tainted that it is no longer politically reasonable, and in the meantime, the rising oil prices continue to reduce the carbon tax's socio-economic business case.

While I agree that we need to shift our habits and behaviours, the fact is that, within our current limited technological means, in order to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions enough to meet the Paris Agreement, it would require