Oral Questions, Climate Change — 3 June 2021 (19th Assembly, 2nd Session, pp. 2819–2866)
2021-06-03, 19th Assembly 2nd Session, pp. 2819–2866
Northwest Territories — Debates (Hansard)
Debates of June 3rd, 2021
This is page numbers 2819 - 2866 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.
The word of the day was mrspeaker .
Topics
Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Marine Transportation Services
Training and Apprenticeships
Pandemic Anxiety
Nursing Human Resources
Government of the Northwest Territories-NWT Chamber of Mines Working Group
Con Mine Dock
2021 Nunakput Graduates
Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
National Infrastructure Assessment
Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
Recognizing Flood Response Support from Businesses and Individuals
Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Public Health Emergency Orders
Con Mine Dock
Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
National Infrastructure Assessment
Public Health Emergency ORders
Nursing Human Resources
Cancer Pre-Screening
Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Tabling Of Documents
Establishment of the Electoral Boundaries Commission
Guidelines for Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission, 2021
Bill 33: National Indigenous People's Day Act
Bill 34: Supplementary Appropriations Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Tabled Dcoument 412-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022 - Motion to Amend Economic Diversification and Business Support
Tabled Document 412-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022 - Motion to Amend Minerals and Petroleum Resources
Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 412-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 34: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022
Recorded Vote
Orders Of The Day
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie , Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge , Hon. Paulie Chinna , Ms. Cleveland , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Hon. Julie Green , Mr. Jacobson , Mr. Johnson , Mr. Lafferty , Ms. Martselos , Ms. Nokleby , Mr. O'Reilly , Ms. Semmler , Hon. R.J. Simpson , Hon. Shane Thompson , Hon. Caroline Wawzonek
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
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---Prayer
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Prayer
Prayer
Page 2819
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
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Minister's Statement 170-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Ministers' Statements
Page 2819
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, June 3rd marks the two-year anniversary of the release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and its demand for a world where First Nations, Inuit, and Métis families can raise their children in an environment that offers the same level of safety, security, and human rights as non-Indigenous families.
To mark this date, I will be tabling the first annual report addressing the government's actions to respond to the calls for justice.
Mr. Speaker, following the release of the final report by the national inquiry, the GNWT committed to review and analyze the 231 calls for justice and assess the current programs and services they offer. In the past 18 months, we have conducted a careful and thorough review of existing programs and services, and we are currently finalizing the details to carry out preliminary engagement with key stakeholders and partners in advance of the development of the GNWT's action plan to respond to the calls for justice.
While we work towards developing a comprehensive response to the calls for justice scheduled for release in the fall of 2021, the annual report I am tabling later today describes some of the steps already being taken by the GNWT to begin to address these actions that are called for in the calls for justice.
Some of these actions include: increased core funding to the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council; the establishment of a new gender equity division in the GNWT to expand the work of the women's advisory unit to address gender equity, gender-based violence, family violence, and women's economic empowerment; the creation of a gender equity grant program to complement the women's initiatives grant program, to enhance gender equity across the Northwest Territories; and provide support to community-based projects that benefit people of all genders; and, the development and implementation of the Indigenous cultural awareness and sensitivity training program which is mandatory for all GNWT employees and is available to the public free of charge.
A number of announcements and events commemorating this day will taking place across Canada today, including the release of a national action plan. The level of interest and participation by provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous governments, and Indigenous organizations and communities shows that the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls will not be allowed to gather dust on a shelf. The GNWT commits to, and looks forward to, collaborating on the implementation of the national action plan.
Mr. Speaker, here in the Northwest Territories, we continue to have the second highest rates of violence against women in the country. This violence has, sadly, become normalized in our communities and it often leaves victims and their families to suffer in silence. This is a reality we are not proud of. It is one we have a moral obligation to work to change.
I had the privilege of attending the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and I heard stories of families and survivors from the Northwest Territories who experienced the tragedy of a missing or murdered love one.
At the hearings, many families and survivors not only bravely shared their truths about the loss of their loved ones but also presented recommendations on what they felt could be done so that others do not have to endure through the same pain they endured. It took immense courage to share their stories. We have a duty to honour that by doing all we can, individually and collectively, to create a society where all Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people feel safe, respected, and have equal access to a quality of life.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge and remember these women and girls and their families. Survivors and families deserve not only our respect but also our help, and the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to support them in their healing journey. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 170-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Ministers' Statements
Page 2820
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Minsters' statements. Minister responsible for Infrastructure .
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Minister's Statement 171-19(2): Marine Transportation Services
Ministers' Statements
Page 2820
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, five years ago the Government of the Northwest Territories took responsibility for the tugs, barges and marine facilities that have served our communities for decades. Since then, Marine Transportation Services, also known as MTS, has evolved and improved and provides reliable and professional marine shipping service while supporting the Northwest Territories' economy and workforce development.
In 2020, MTS delivered more than 6300 tons of cargo and 28 million litres of fuel to the communities on Great Slave Lake, the Mackenzie River, the Beaufort Delta, and the Arctic Coast. Millions of litres of fuel were delivered to 20 coastal north warning radar systems on behalf of the Department of National Defence.
Mr. Speaker, planning for the 2021 sailing season, our fifth season, is on schedule. The first barges are expected to depart Hay River in mid June. This is the first of 16 tows scheduled for the season. With a robust COVID-19 mitigation plan in place to protect our communities, residents can ship and receive their cargo safely. Thanks to funding provided by Canada, four new double-hulled barges joined the MTS fleet late last year. These barges will be in service this season, carrying deck cargo and petroleum products to our communities and customers.
For the past two summers, adventurous teenagers from Ndilo, Dettah, Lutselk'e and Yellowknife have joined a unique research expedition to help scientists conduct a bathymetric study of Great Slave Lake, the deepest of any lake in North America, and to install moorings in Christie Bay. These young people worked with researchers using cutting-edge technology and shared traditional knowledge of the water they grew up on. They shadowed the captain and the crew of the vessel, learning about exciting and fulfilling career paths they might never have otherwise considered.
This collaboration between young Northerners and world-class scientists took place on the MV Nahidik. The MTS vessel is leased to the Arctic Research Foundation, a non-government organization that collaborates with northern and Indigenous communities to support scientific research in the North.
I had an opportunity to visit the vessel and meet some of the students when it docked at the end of last season. I toured the vessel, was given a demonstration of some of the equipment they used, and most importantly met some of the students who had just completed this exciting expedition. Our association with the Aurora Arctic Research Foundation supports infrastructure projects and northern youth, and by advancing northern science we may better understand the effect of climate change on northern waters.
MTS also supports the Canadian Coast Guard's navigational aid program in NWT waters, performing annual inspections, overhaul, repair and maintenance to the Canadian Coast Guard's vessels Dumit, Eckaloo, and the GNWT Hay River shipyard. This essential program places and maintains buoys and range markers each year, facilitating the safe passage of commercial marine traffic on the Mackenzie River and the Great Slave Lake.
Through the Marine Training Centre and with the support of Transportation Canada, our partnership with the Nunavut Fisheries and Marine Training Consortium supports marine-related education and training in the Northwest Territories creating long-term and fulfilling employment opportunities for NWT residents.
Mr. Speaker, through MTS, the GNWT will continue to pursue opportunities with public and private stakeholders, and our hardworking MTS crew will continue to deliver essential supplies to our communities. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 171-19(2): Marine Transportation Services
Ministers' Statements
Page 2820
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Minsters' statements. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .
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Minister's Statement 172-19(2): Training and Apprenticeships
Ministers' Statements
Page 2821
Paulie Chinna
Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, like all of us here today, I recognize the importance and value education and its role in creating long-term success for our residents and our territory. I am pleased to say the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, through its apprentice program, also reflects this value while also working hard to improve housing for many Northwest Territories residents.
It is important to highlight providing opportunities like the apprenticeship program does not happen without collaboration. The NWT Housing Corporation works with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment on this initiative, providing an opportunity to highlight successes that can be achieved.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation aims to hire 12 apprenticeship positions to work with the local housing organizations across the NWT. These apprentices are obtaining valuable classroom training while also being mentored by certified trades professionals. These apprentices are already making valuable contributions to the people of the NWT. They are working diligently to learn and build up their skills.
In addition to supporting apprenticeships, assignments at the local housing authority organizations, the corporation is also asking general contractors bidding on new housing contracts to support at least one apprenticeship over the lifetime of that project. From April 2020 to May 2021, this approach has already supported 13 apprentices working on a variety of construction projects throughout the Northwest Territories.
I am a firm believer in the work these apprentices do and I have seen the impact of their work firsthand in many small communities across our territory.
Being an apprentice is often one of the first steps in a lifetime of work in the trades. Since 2007, 19 apprentices that have worked with local housing organizations are now journey certified. This includes a plumber in Behchoko, an oil burner mechanic in Deline, a carpenter in Fort Smith, and a housing maintenance serviceperson in Paulatuk.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the role the Housing Corporation has played in the careers of these journeypersons. I want to see more of this important work, I am pleased to note that under the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation four-year business plan, we intend to increase the number of Northwest Territories journey-certified apprentices by ten through the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation continued partnerships with ECE, our general contractors and others.
I look forward to coming back to the House and providing an update on the apprenticeship program to further highlight the successes of this program. I am confident that we will continue to increase the number of certified apprentices and celebrate the skilled tradespersons of the Northwest Territories. I also want to thank the staff in the local housing authorities and associations of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation who have worked diligently to develop and insure the certification is acquired and the maintenance of these programs to further extend the lifetime of our public housing units. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Minister's Statement 172-19(2): Training and Apprenticeships
Ministers' Statements
Page 2821
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South .
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Pandemic Anxiety
Members' Statements
Page 2821
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to discuss pandemic anxiety. Mr. Speaker, I have been receiving numerous calls from constituents who are feeling overwhelmed by the pandemic, are tired of self-isolation, tired of the relaxation of public health orders that appear to benefit others but not them, those that are in extended care that are feeling isolated and alone, grandparents and children and grandchildren feeling the anxiety of not being able to visit family outside the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, anxiety, tension, apprehension, concern, fear, change and hope are all aspects of this pandemic that need to be recognized and dealt with in a manner that allows one to continue on with living. It is difficult when one finds that what was once predictable is not any more, what was once controllable by each of us is not any more; and, what is important and accessible to each of us is just out of reach now.
Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this pandemic, fear set in and most of the world agreed action had to be taken as people were being hospitalized and dying. Our CPHO and this government took swift action by limiting travel in the NWT and providing public health orders that were there to protect us all, and we praised her for that.
Mr. Speaker, now Northerners watch the news and hear that southern Canada is planning to loosen restrictions and provide more freedoms. Sentiment is now changing on how our CPHO and government is handling this phase of the pandemic. Many of our residents, who have been vigilant throughout, want to see further relaxation of restrictions. The people in the northern part of the NWT now have access to the Yukon while people in the southern NWT, who have done their part and who are fully vaccinated, continue to feel the impact of the restrictions and want to know why not us?
Mr. Speaker, we are at a moment in time where we have to look at our legislation and ask if we are reaching a point where we may be subjecting this government to potential court challenges now that a vaccine is available, data is available, and the majority of people are conscious of safety protocols.
Relevant wording we have to look at in the Public Health Act states that a public health emergency means the occurrence of imminent threat or a public health hazard or disease that presents a significant risk to the public health. It further states that the public health officer may take reasonable measures as he or she considers necessary.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The questions this government has to ask are based on the fact that a majority of people in Canada and the NWT are vaccinated and restrictions in many parts of southern Canada are being lifted. These two questions are:
Do COVID-19 and known variants pose a significant risk? Do the orders continue to provide reasonable measures based on the current risk? Thank you Mr. Speaker.
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Pandemic Anxiety
Members' Statements
Page 2822
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
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Nursing Human Resources
Members' Statements
Page 2822
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
MS. SEMMLER ; Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nurses are the course of the NWT health care system. Without nurse, we would have no one in the communities, no one to care for our patients in our hospitals, no one to provide nursing care for our elders, no one to assist our new mothers, no one to provide health education to our youth in many communities, as well as many other things that they do. Nurses are essential. Our health care system absolutely could not function without them. What does it mean -- this mean, Mr. Speaker?
It means that there -- when there is a pandemic, the entire territory is ordered to stay home; nurses have to continue on like nothing has changed. It means that if working in a hospital and they wish to request time off from work, it gets denied due to operational requirements if there's no one to cover for them. This happens on normal times and not just in pandemics. It is unfortunate that given how much nurses do, they are not treated the same. It was recently raised that indeterminate nurses are tired of being treated differently than short-term locum nurses.
It causes a weaker morale in the workplace, as mentioned in the same article. Yes, there is a nursing shortage in the country, and, yes, it's hard to attract people to the North due to the cost of living. Many may not know that term nurses do receive the northern living allowance as it's added to their hourly wage. They also get their flights and their subsidized rent. Indeterminate staff don't. Some say well, they get a pension plan. Well, in my experience as a past manager, that wasn't on the top of the list for many. The world is changing, Mr.
Speaker, and our younger generations don't think like the past - to work, work, work, get that pension and retire. It's more about work-life balance. Work, work, work for the things you want to do, and enjoy life.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister stated in a news
article on May 25th, 2021, that the health authority is meeting with the UNW to investigate those concerns. The nurses are not going to complain to the hand that feeds them, and the health authority needs to send out independent persons to hear from them so that they can voice their concerns without feeling like they may get retribution for saying the truth. This government is committed to increasing the number of resident indeterminate health care professionals. I know that many will speak up in confidence given the opportunity to do so, to-- the real issues are brought-- so the real issues are brought forward, and only then will we be able to fix the issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Nursing Human Resources
Members' Statements
Page 2822
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes . Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .
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Government of the Northwest Territories-NWT Chamber of Mines Working Group
Members' Statements
Page 2822
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. On March 4th, 2021 during the review of the ITI main estimates, I asked questions about the core funding received by the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines. The ITI deputy minister said “we meet with the Chamber every two weeks in a working group. We are working on our competitiveness. We are looking at actions. They are contributing to the critical metals action plan. There is a lot of good work.”
This got me thinking. What could the Chamber of Mines and ITI senior staff possibly be talking about that requires meetings every couple of weeks? I'm not aware of any other economic sector that has that kind of privileged access to this department. So I filed an Access to Information request to find out what was happening.
What I got back appears to be an incomplete set of GNWT-Chamber of Mines COVID-19 recovery working group meeting summaries with numerous redactions that I tabled in the House yesterday. I encourage all of my colleagues, the media, and the public to review these meeting summaries. What was supposed to be a working group focused on economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID pandemic has transitioned into a high-level bimonthly lobbying campaign behind closed doors.
Notes reveal ITI taking actions well beyond economic recovery, or COVID. The economic and financial interests of the mining industry appear to be driving actions by ITI. Regular MLAs don't get this kind of access.
Working group members have been reviewing and editing ministerial correspondence, including letters to co-management boards, reviewing and changing work contracted through public procurement processes, and pushing for land withdrawals that support land rights' negotiations to be lifted or stopped. Political advice in dealing with the federal government is freely shared and exchanged. Efforts are being coordinated on a federal minerals plan with GNWT pushing to have diamonds and arsenic considered critical. Nothing seems to be off limits in these lobbying meetings.
This is not about whether mining is good or criticism of the Chamber of Mines. The chamber does a very good job representing its interest. However, these interests are not the same as the public interest. This is about the appropriateness of these meetings, held behind closed doors, that have expanded well beyond economic recovery. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment . Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Government of the Northwest Territories-NWT Chamber of Mines Working Group
Members' Statements
Page 2823
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake . Members' statements. Member for Great Slave .
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Con Mine Dock
Members' Statements
Page 2823
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, call me biased but I believe the community of Great Slave is lucky to have some of the most beautiful spots in all of Yellowknife. Residents of Great Slave enjoy an abundance of nature at our doorstep. Tin Can Hill, Rotary Park, and the former Con Mine site are all great places to walk your dog, launch your canoe, go skiing, or just allow nature's beauty to soothe your soul.
Over the past few months, I have been trying to get information on what is happening at the former mine site and, specifically, at the dock. I've approached different levels of government, as well as different departments, and from what I've been able to ascertain is that there will be no building developments happening on the mine site proper in the short term. However, there appears to be a lot of interest in what is going on at the end of Robertson Drive; in particular, by the Department of ITI as part of their Great Slave fisheries revitalization program.
Once the snow had melted, I visited the dock to see what my constituents had been contacting me about. The dock is badly in need of repair and ongoing maintenance. Rebar tie-offs are twisted, sinkholes are forming, and sediment is eroding into the lake, something that could lead to environmental damage. The approach down to the dock is steep and rutted, also showing signs of sediment migration into the lake.
It is clear that the dock is routinely used by the public as a boat launch, for my constituents accessing their houseboats, and as an entry point onto the lake for recreational enjoyment year-round.
If plans are being made to change this site, it's imperative that area residents be given a say and their needs be incorporated into any design. Will there be energized stalls and parking available for the house-boaters? Will the dock be widened and commerce areas set up for farmers markets or the like? Will there be areas for picnicking or trails established? What I'm really getting at, Mr. Speaker, is will the public be able to continue to utilize and enjoy this area unfettered and will the final design meet their needs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Con Mine Dock
Members' Statements
Page 2823
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave . Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .
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2021 Nunakput Graduates
Members' Statements
Page 2823
Jackie Jacobson
Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, graduation's across the territory and my communities in Nunakput. With the end of the school year approaching I would like to extend congratulations to Nunakput's class of 2021 graduates in our communities. I'd also like to give a special thanks to the teachers and the school staff and our local DEAs, family members, and other role models in our communities who assist our youth to succeed and achieve their goals.
Graduating is a monumental achievement and dedication to study and perseverance in graduation in the North. This year is a bigger deal because we had to deal with so much in our small communities, such as COVID-19. Through the pandemic, they had such a -- to go through quite the process. But they did it.
Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk has seven graduates this year: Cassandra Kuptana, Brennan Wolki,, Savannah Beaulieu, Janelle Pokiak, Medric Lavallee, Natasha Ross, and my daughter Mikayla Jacobson. I'm really proud today, in regards to that. She did it.
---Applause
Yeah, my daughter, she's really special to me, because that's my youngest daughter. Now I only got one more to go.
---Laughter
He's eight years old but I got a few more years.
Mr. Speaker, in Ulukhaktok at Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School in Ulu, we have one graduate, Tyrell Kuptana. His graduation ceremony will be held on June 11th.
Angik School in Paulatuk is celebrating their graduation. We would like to congratulate Figgues Krengnektak, Grace Nakimayak, Shannon Green, and Jorgan Ruben.
Graduation is a significant milestone in a young person's life and it marks their entire entry into the adult world to pursue bigger dreams and pursuing trades, move to post-secondary education and entering the workforce. The sky's the limit, Mr. Speaker.
Our grads represent the future leaders in our communities and address the complex challenges we face as a territory. To all graduates across the territory, we are all very proud of you and we wish you the best in your future endeavors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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2021 Nunakput Graduates
Members' Statements
Page 2824
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput . Members' statements. Member for Thebacha .
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Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Members' Statements
Page 2824
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, I've spoken several times about the importance of what the Taltson Hydro Expansion represents for the future of the NWT. I speak passionately and frequently about this issue for a number of reasons. Primarily, it is a great opportunity for the NWT economy and all people of the NWT. This project is of great importance because it will bring the NWT into a prime state of development for the future growth of the diamond industry, mineral industry, non-renewable and renewable industry, and is a green energy project at the highest level.
Mr. Speaker, in the eyes of some, this project is either considered too big or not good enough to address our territory's needs. Well, that all depends on which needs we're addressing first. For me, my focus is the economy and helping people to better themselves and not just to survive, but to thrive. Right now businesses are hurting which means that people are hurting. I want to see people with stable jobs, a steady income, and that people are fed and housed appropriately. However, in order to achieve those things, we need to have a strong economic base with a variety of jobs available for people to work.
Mr. Speaker, I know the Taltson Expansion has the potential to spur further economic growth for the people of the NWT. I'm confident that this project can and will create spinoff industries within the NWT. Let's also address the elephant in the room. This project is crucial if the NWT has any intention to advance any future mining exploration projects. We all know the cost of living is going up every year for everything we buy but so is the cost of doing business in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, we need to start creating the right conditions to attract and retain business and investments in the NWT once again. Our economy is on life support right now and is in dire need of a kick start. For example, in January, Statistics Canada published a report on economic activity in Canada for 2020, which found out that NWT experienced a decline of economic activity by 12 percent in 2020. Moreover, another recent Stats Canada report from last month states that the NWT experienced the highest decline in gross domestic product of any jurisdiction in Canada for 2020.
In total, GDP fell by 10.4 percent in the NWT for 2020, amounting to the most severe economic decline for the NWT in 40 years.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, as our territory and country moves toward an economic recovery in the post-pandemic world, our government needs to seize this moment and secure permanent funding for the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project. The federal government has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in programs, services, and in key economic sectors hardest hit by the pandemic. This is a ripe time to work with the levels of government to finally get this project off the ground with permanent funding.
In times of economic decline, we must think big and long term, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion must be included with that discussion. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
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Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Members' Statements
Page 2825
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .
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National Infrastructure Assessment
Members' Statements
Page 2825
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Mr. Speaker, given the GNWT's strategic potential to the rest of Canada, our infrastructure deficit is truly shocking. We sit on top of some of the country's most valuable resources, but many can barely put food on the table, and our assets from roads to ports to community social infrastructure, do not reflect the needs of the 21st century economy or of the quality of life we aspire to.
In this House, one of the infrastructure deficits we speak of the most is housing. Housing needs bold leadership as it struggles between affording its legacy while figuring out how to pay for its future. Declining CMHC contributions make the government's need for real action imperative. By 2038, CMHC's contribution to the operations of public housing will be zero, and the value of today's GNWT contribution to the Housing Corporation will barely cover the operations and maintenance of NWT public housing, let alone fund new housing stock in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the world is in the cross-hairs of crisis - pandemic crisis, mental health crisis, and climate crisis. We need to transition to greater resilience in our economic systems, social institutions, modern wellness practices, and industrial technologies. The transition we face is a trillion dollar economic opportunity for northern and Indigenous businesses or a relapse to obsolete ways of solving problems. In short, Mr. Speaker, we are at a point of transformative opportunity.
The federal government is doing its first nation-wide infrastructure assessment called Building the Canada we Want in 2050. The national engagement sets out three main priorities: assessing Canada's infrastructure needs and establishing a long term vision, improving coordination among infrastructure owners and funders, and determining the best ways to fund and finance infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, there isn't only a potential to, again, signal desperate need for housing infrastructure; it is an opportunity to transform the definition of nation building infrastructure to include forward-looking social infrastructure that the North needs. This includes public transit, high speed broadband, freedom from diesel dependancy using clean energy to power homes and businesses, waste management, child care, community, cultural, and recreational centres that build more inclusive and liveable communities, and housing that supports and empower a meaningful life.
This is an opportunity for stable, predictable, long-term infrastructure investments that train people in 21st century skills, create jobs, grow the economy, and build cleaner, more equitable inclusive communities.
Mr. Speaker, the deadline for this initial submission to this assessment is June30th. I will have questions for the Premier to ensure this government is ready to meet that deadline. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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National Infrastructure Assessment
Members' Statements
Page 2825
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .
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Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
Members' Statements
Page 2825
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the Yellowknife department of motor vehicles to be open a few extra hours a week on either evenings or weekends. I believe this would make life a little easier for those who can't get time off to make an appointment.
Mr. Speaker, I brought this up in this House before. I made statements and questions. I made statements to two different Infrastructure Ministers through two different deputy ministers. Let's see if today is the day.
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Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
Members' Statements
Page 2825
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .
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Recognizing Flood Response Support from Businesses and Individuals
Members' Statements
Page 2825
Shane Thompson
Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, two of the communities from the Nahendeh Region are hurting right now. Our people are heartbroken and displaced, and many have lost everything they own. While we are dealing with the flood, I was amazed and awed of the residents and businesses inside and outside of our two communities who made donations of funding, food and services, cleaning supplies, and clothing during this difficult time.
Mr. Speaker, this is my way of reaching out to those who helped us in their own way. I want to tell you how much we appreciate your kindness and willingness to come to our aide, so please accept this Member's statement from all of us in these two communities as I say "thank you”.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to try to keep my thank you short. There will be appendixes in the statement which I would like to have deemed as read.
On Sunday, May 9th, I received a call from a friend in Yellowknife saying that he had spoke to Walmart and Walmart Canada, both Independent grocery stores (Rochi and Glen), YK Motors, Shoppers Drug Mart and Northern Food Services. Working with a logistics coordinator, there were four planes of food and water during the flood period. The two airlines, Air Tindi and Buffalo, helped get the food and supplies to Fort Simpson.
The Gwich'in Tribal Council purchased four brand new 14-cubic foot freezers and stocked them with meat supplies for the residents of Jean Marie and a similar amount to the community of Fort Simpson. The community of Deline had a fishing derby and shipped the caught fish to Fort Simpson for the residents of Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River to enjoy. As well, they provided two deep freezers, tarps and four coolers.
We had over 800 pounds of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pepsi and chips shipped to Fort Simpson. Talk about lifting the spirits of the community. 101 buckets of chicken fed over 300 families.
We saw groups, such as the Jean Marie River support group and the Fort Simpson support group formed to hold auctions to help raise funds. Thanks to the businesses and individuals who donated products to bid on. There was GoFundMe page that was also set up. We saw an anonymous donor donate 55,000 pounds of food and water for the community of Fort Simpson. The Dene Nation provided supplies to both communities as well as other communities.
I realize I have missed businesses and individuals, and I am sorry for this. However, please realize my praise goes out to all of you and I thank all donors for their generosity and kindness that was shown to both communities. God bless you all.
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Recognizing Flood Response Support from Businesses and Individuals
Members' Statements
Page 2826
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh . Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2826
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .
Yesterday, I tabled meeting summaries from the GNWT-Chamber of Mines COVID-19 recovery working group. Can the Minister tell us whether she was aware of and authorized the full scope of discussions being held between senior ITI officials and the Chamber of Mines throughout these meetings. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2826
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for FrameLake. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment .
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2826
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this group was set up, if you can think back now a long 12 months back to June, when we were still just fresh coming out of the lockdown and we were still a long way from having the Business Advisory Council or Emerging Stronger or any other type of document, when the Department of ITI then reached out to the industry representatives that represent almost a third of our GDP to start to talk about COVID recovery, COVID relief, and, really, economic recovery and economic relief more generally.
So I can't take credit for the decision to get that going at that time and to get that work moving, but I've certainly have been aware that that working group exists. And I have often asked, you know, what the reaction of the group has been and what work they're at. I have certainly received briefing notes, which I think were included in this some-hundred page document that I received yesterday.
And, again, you know, certainly well aware that that work is ongoing and intended to look at where industry and private industry can come together with government to find overlap to discuss efforts for economic recovery and regrowth of the mineral resource sector in keeping with the mandate of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2827
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. The records of these meetings show that the chamber, and even ITI staff, are been pushing to stop or remove land withdrawals, most of which support good faith negotiations of Indigenous land rights. Can the Minister explain why her department is pushing to stop or remove land withdrawals in light of Cabinet's commitments and mandate to settle and implement Indigenous rights? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2827
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, no one department has a position or an opinion about land withdrawals. There is a position of the Government of the Northwest Territories on land withdrawals, and that alone is the position, not one offs or, you know, statements made out of context, perhaps in these notes. Although on that note, Mr. Speaker, I received this only yesterday. I have also gone through it. I've gone through the unredacted version.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear to me-- and it shouldn't be any surprise-- industry, indeed municipalities, have long said that the lack of certainty around land is a real barrier in the Northwest Territories. And it should be no surprise that solving and-- land claims, resolving the land claims and moving those negotiations forward is a mandate of this government for a very good reason. There's nothing new there. That is very clear to every department, and it's clear to the Department of ITI.
It is also not a surprise that industry continues to ask what is being done on that and they advocate for a solution to that challenge, but the solution is going to be a whole-of-government one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2827
Kevin O'Reilly
Frame Lake
Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. She may need to discuss this matter further with her staff.
But the
summary seemed to indicate that the Chamber of Mines is having direct input into ministerial correspondence in changing the work done by a consultant hired through a public procurement process. Can the Minister tell us how much access the Chamber of Mines has been given to ministerial correspondence and the draft work of publicly hired and funded consultants. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2827
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's no impropriety in the sharing of information that-- again, I've reviewed both of the redacted and unredacted versions and I spoke to the department. And it's very clear that when there's correspondence going between levels of government, between governments, between government officials, while we may well want to share the efforts and the work that we are doing, for example in a remediation economy, a number of letters were I believe tabled here in the House in order to put forward the kind of advocacy that is happening between governments.
That correspondence and that sharing is just that, it's sharing. They're certainly not going to be editing any materials. Or if they are writing, if industry is writing on their own lobbying efforts, it may well be to their benefit to share that with the government. And that's a benefit of having working groups like this, whether it's in the mineral resource sector, the fisheries sector, in the remediation economy, that is the kind of work ITI does, and it's the same level of access that's being provided here.
With respect to the work of consultants, I think I have a hunch as to what exactly the Member is speaking to. You know, and, again, at this point, it's-- I suspect, Mr. Speaker, although I haven't had an opportunity to speak to the Member about this document that was tabled, there is a study that was commissioned. It involved all three territories and CanNor around how to increase investment in the Northwest Territories in the mineral resources sector. And that work indeed did look at the position of the Chamber of Mines, because they represent the industry that we are trying to increase investment in accordance with the mandate.
I'm happy to speak to the Member further about that work, but where it's at, it is progressing. Again, it's tri-territorial, Mr. Speaker. And as tri-territorial but knowing that we are looking to increase investment in private sector. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2827
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Frame Lake .
MR. O'REILLY ; Merci, Monsieur le President. Thanks to the Minister for that response. Now that this information on these meetings has been made public, the Minister has several options as I see it, and they are not mutually exclusive. She could stop these meetings, confine them to their original and stated purpose of economic recovery, allow other interested parties to observe and/or participate, make complete summaries of these lobbying meetings made public, and afford other economic sectors and nongovernmental organizations the same opportunity for consultation and lobbying.
What, if anything, is the Minister prepared to do about these GNWT-Chamber of Mines COVID-19 recovery working group meetings that have moved well beyond their original purpose? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think as I said at the beginning, this is an industry that contributes one third of the GDP of the Northwest Territories, over 1300 direct jobs in 2019, not to mention indirect jobs, over $813 million is spent in procurement. That's supporting all the other industries. If the Department of ITI wasn't having regular meetings with the industry representation, I would be facing very difficult questions in the House to explain why we aren't. There are regular working group meetings with the fisheries sector right now. I have regular meetings with Northwest Territories tourism, as is the department working often very closely with them.
The list of options that the Member has proposed, I have not seen. I don't have it in front of me. But every industry should have access to the Department of ITI. That is exactly the role of ITI, and certainly the sector that is the size of the mineral resource sector should have a role with the Department of ITI. It should always be focused on the well-being of the Northwest Territories, on the economy of the well-being-- the well-being of the economy of the Northwest Territories, and always in keeping that there is work that can be done in the private sector and work that must be done in the public sector.
And where we can find common ground we move forward and where we cannot, so be it, both parties still need to advance, because, again, I think at the end of the day, we're all working for the same thing, which is really the growth of the Northwest Territories and our betterment of our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 756-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Working Group
Oral Questions
Page 2828
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha .
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, the Taltson Hydro Expansion is setting the groundwork for future development of industry and ensuring that the power rates across the territory are more reasonable. Therefore, this is probably the number one mandate item for development in our list of priorities. Does the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha . Minister responsible for Infrastructure .
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree. The Taltson Hydro Expansion is one of four major infrastructure projects as a priority of this government. And in no particular order, but it's the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Tlicho All-Season Road, the Slave Geological Province Energy Communications and Transportation Corridor. Also, Mr. Speaker, this is a mandate to advance any of the infrastructure projects as Minister of Infrastructure . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, the snowball effect that the Taltson Hydro Expansion will have for our economic recovery will be enormous since we know, that by 2030 all major auto companies will be going electric for their vehicle lineups. We cannot wait until the last minute to plan, assess, and complete this major consumer change without this project. Does the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree again. The Taltson Expansion Project is a critical piece of our strategy to connect ten of our communities around Great Slave Lake to one hydro grid that will stabilize the cost of energy for all residents and also set the stage for more of a sustainable resource development so that we can rely on green energy to be able to grow our economy for the next 50years. In our time between the Snare and the Taltson system will provide essential green energy, infrastructure to fuel the clean electrification of the transportation sector here in the Northwest Territories for the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, the Minister must mediate a truly strong agreement with the Indigenous groups with majority ownership if possible. We must start walking the talk and show concrete action that the major shareholders are the Indigenous groups that are affected. Does the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, this is three for four perhaps. I agree. And we are doing this. You know, we have the Akaitcho Dene First Nation, we have the NWT Metis Nation, and the Salt River First Nation have signed off on an MOU to work together on this project, which is very important milestone in moving forward to be able to engage with Indigenous groups along-- you know, along this project.
So we are in the process of shifting our focus to the implementation of the MOU and also a key area of focus on the commercial structure and the business case for this project and ownership opportunities will certainly be available to our Indigenous partners, but we need more time to define the overall costs, the risk of this project, and also all the parties to the agreement that are prepared to accept this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha .
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2828
Frieda Martselos
Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, to conclude, the Taltson Hydro Expansion will be and should be one of the major priorities in our recovery plan for the Government of the Northwest Territories after the pandemic. The Minister should be asking the federal government to fund this project 100 percent to stimulate the economy of the North and to ensure our Indigenous shareholders will benefit from this project. Does the Minister agree with that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2829
Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
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Oral Question 757-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Oral Questions
Page 2829
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .
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Oral Question 758-19(2): Public Health Emergency Orders
Oral Questions
Page 2829
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has created much anxiety and this has affected the mental wellness of the population. We're at a crossroads where it is possible to expect court challenges based on the premise that the public health emergency declared does no longer meet the test for "significant risk" and therefore the orders may be fine and reasonable.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice confirm his department's participation in reviewing those public health records created due to the current public health emergency to ensure they meet all legal requirements, and how far does that participation go with the Department of Health? Thank you.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Minister responsible for Justice .
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Page 2829
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Justice has a division called legal division and that is essentially the GNWT's in-house law firm, and legal division provides legal advice and services to GNWT departments and entities such as the Office of the chief public health officer. And since the beginning of the pandemic, the legal division has been working with the chief public health officer to provide advice in respect of the drafting of-- they will suggest wording. There's probably, I'm sure there's been some back and forths to ensure that, you know, the wording is what it should be.
With that said, ultimately the final say on what an order says is that of the chief public health officer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 758-19(2): Public Health Emergency Orders
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Page 2829
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister speak to whether or not the department has reviewed the relevant sections of the Public Health Act to determine what constitute and is the legal definition of "significant risk" as it relates to the current COVID-19 public health emergency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2829
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So in the Public Health Act, a public health emergency is defined as something that presents a significant risk to public health, and determining whether there's a significant risk to public health is the determination of the CPHO. The Department of Justice's lawyers do what they can but ultimately, they are not medical professionals and there's a lot of science involved in determining risk and so ultimately they of course have to defer to the chief public health officer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2829
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister speak to whether or not the department's reviewed the relevant
section of the Act to determine the legal definition of "reasonable measures" as it relates to the current COVID-19 orders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2829
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you can imagine, this has been a focus of the department for over a year now and the Public Health Act has been reviewed, other pieces of the relevant legislation, the ever-evolving case law, Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So, yes, all of these have been reviewed. And, again, this is similar to the "significant risk," the definition, this determination is made by the chief public health officer.
The department does provide advice on the risks associated with specific measures and orders, that is to say the legal risks. But in terms of the risks and what is reasonable in response to those risks in terms of the public health orders, that is, again, under the authority of the chief public health officer. But Justice does examine those and provide advice and opinion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2829
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South .
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Page 2829
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it appears the risk of COVID-19 and variants have subsided due to the introduction of vaccines along with the health safety measures in place. Can the Minister confirm if his department has considered the possibility that a rights infringement court challenge may be forthcoming that seeks to have the court vacate the public health emergency and on all related CPHO orders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2830
R.J. Simpson
Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sure government lawyers are always worried about court challenges coming and so, yes, they have definitely considered the possibility of a court challenge since day one. You know, this is a very unique situation and no one knew how far orders could go at the beginning. There has been case law around Canada, not necessarily in the territory, that has tackled some of these issues and the department is watching that. But it's always on the radar. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave .
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
Oral Questions
Page 2830
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of ITI . Can the Minister confirm whether ITI has applied for a reserve on the lease containing the Con dock?
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, indeed, ITI has applied to Lands for as a reserve of the Con dock mine area and the purpose being to create a new boat launch and the associated docking facility mentioned with respect to the commercial fishing industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does part of that, then, also include the fish transfer facility itself, or will that be located elsewhere? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just by way of preface, there's still a lot of work to be done in terms of any kind of design, the final design, which could look a variety of different ways. But in short, the main access, or the main interest area, indeed, is to create a fish collection station so that fishers can offload from the lake and have it shipped down to the, but then, hopefully, constructed plant in Hay River. And as such, this will be one of the associated sites that fishers around the lake can be attending. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, so I'm glad to hear that it is about maintaining the public access. I'm going to throw the Minister a little bit of a curve ball here. There isn't a lot of room down at this location and the area adjacent to the dock and the access point for it was a former tank farm, tank fuel facility. So, maybe the Minister will have to get back to me but I'm curious to know if the plan is to expand, then, into the old fuel tank facility area, and if so, is that area remediated? And she can get back to me if she needs to. Thank you.
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Page 2830
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's always nice to have a bit of an out, to be able to get back to the House with respect to detailed information. What I can say, Mr. Speaker, at this point is that any of the work that's involving the lake is going to have to involve the Department of DFO for the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, small craft harbour specifically.
And at this point, what I understand they are looking at is at least three different potential designs and as such that it-- my understanding of them, not being someone who's designed this type of facility, is that it likely will still be surrounding on the dock area specifically and not into the tank sites. But what I can do is say that once they are ready to have that feasibility study done, that work done, we'll make sure to communicate that with the Members so they can understand what they will entail. And last comment, Mr.
Speaker, I understand too that the fact of us seeking this land is actually out for a public consultation right now. So there certainly is more available information with respect to the land that is at issue, and there will be more information available once we are at a further advanced stage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Katrina Nokleby
Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has provided me with a lot of information. I did hear somewhere in there then it sounds like the dock is actually going to get repaired then. If they were going to put all this facility down and not in the fuel tank area, then that means a large expansion for the dock would be my guess. So I'm very excited for that to come and be part of my constituency. I guess the Minister has mentioned-- and again I am a little off script here, the Minister's mentioned to me or mentioned that there's public consultation ongoing.
Could the Minister commit to providing me with the information where my constituents could then be involved in that? I understand that they are meeting with the City of Yellowknife however I'm not sure if I'm constituents understand, or I understand, how they can feed into that stakeholder engagement. And also, will the Minister commit to coming and having a meeting with residents in that region? Thank you.
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Oral Question 759-19(2): Con Mine Dock
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Page 2830
Caroline Wawzonek
Yellowknife South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there have been meetings with the city already, between the city and ITI, and I understand that those discussions have been positive. I understand there is public consultation now, I suspect with the Department of Lands so I'll certainly confer with my colleague and get that information out to be sure we can share it publicly. And then lastly, Mr. Speaker, it would be again with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans who would have the final sort of critical role to be playing in terms of the repair work at the Con Mine dock.
But indeed have been engaged with us thus far and have recently corresponded to confirm that they'll be working in collaboration with ITI. So, again, we will ensure that that information gets out to. And I would be more than happy to walk down the street and meet with the folks in the riding of Great Slave. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2830
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .
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Oral Question 760-19(2): Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
Oral Questions
Page 2831
Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it was yesterday in the House, the Minister of Justice was talking about integrated service delivery and the goal being to, you know, make government processes designed for the people and not necessarily what is easiest for government. For almost a year now, the Yellowknife department of motor vehicles has not accepted walk-in appointments. You have to get an appointment. I've had numerous constituent issues regarding this. So my-- I believe this is clearly easier for the department to run it that way but not necessarily the public. So my question for the Minister of Infrastructure is when is the Yellowknife DMV going to be reopened for walk-ins?
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North . Minister responsible for Infrastructure .
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Oral Question 760-19(2): Yellowknife Motor Vehicles Office
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Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife DMV office, like all government offices, has an approved exposure control plan in place to be able to protect the staff and the general public. So this plan was-- was limit the number of clients allowed in the DMV office, are no more than eight at a time. So in order for us to ensure compliance with this exposure plan, the Yellowknife DMV had to implement appointment-only service and have a security person on-site. The DMV will not be able to reopen to walk-ins until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, or even reduced.
The chief public health officer-- we are very hopeful that the updated Emerging Wisely plan document will be able to address this or at least provide us with some timelines so that we could be able to be reopen to the public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I'll save some of my questions for Dr. Kandola when we can reopen the Yellowknife DMV.
During COVID, the DMV was completely closed for a period. But they were actually-- offered more and more services online and some of the traditional in-person services were being done by email. I guess my question to the Minister of Infrastructure is what is preventing all services from being offered online? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has a robust online service menu, which includes things like renewing and replacing driver's licences, general ID, book/cancel/reschedule driver exams, renew/print/cancel vehicle registration, commercial truck permits - the list goes on. So because of the nature of these-- some of these services, they cannot be completed online. Transfer of a driver's licence or ID card, obtaining new vehicle registration require in-person verification of documents for the authenticity of the-- as well, just to be able to identify person requesting this service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I guess I one day hope that there's a path forward where the Yellowknife DMV can look to do what most capitals across Canada and most, you know, government service officers in other jurisdictions do, which is have a portion of their hours be available, either on evenings or weekends, just for a small few hours for those people who cannot get time off work to make normal 9-to-5 hours. Is there any possibility of that happening, Mr. Speaker?
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Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have reviewed the possibility of extending hours of the YK issuing office. As the Member mentioned, he's been trying to get this office open evenings and weekends for the past year and he has not had any success with several DMs and several Ministers. Because, and I want to say that there are many different factors considering, including the costs, staff safety, cost of services. Also the UNW Collective Agreement. Opening-- we did analyze the cost of opening on Saturdays and it was about a $170,000 a year.
So these costs would have to be passed on to the clients, resulting in increased fees, and no one wants that. We also would be able to require to have a client program officer in headquarters be able to provide overrides or authorizations as well as require system support from the Department of Finance. The staff at the issuing office have to deal with sometimes irate clients on, you know, perhaps a regular basis, and these clients are usually dealt with by the manager. So that means the manager would have to be on-site after hours as well, so putting additional stress on some of our staff.
And, this is very important, the UNW Collective Agreement defines a regular workday as Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 5. And any change to this requirement would mean that the union-- it would be an agreement with the union and the employer.
So I'm sorry, I mean, I agreed plenty times with the previous MLA but this time, there is no plans to extend the hours of operation at the Yellowknife issuing office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North .
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Rylund Johnson
Yellowknife North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Costs, irate clients, union barriers, that could have been an answer to pretty much the reason why we can't do anything in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. I guess -- I would like to speak to costs.
Right now the DMV is not even open 9 to 5. It closes at 4o'clock or 4:30, depending. Is there a possibility where we actually reduce the weekday hours to be open part-time on weekends? I think we could actually reduce the overall hours, or give some people a window outside of that time, and maybe we can go-- we have a new Collective Agreement coming out, maybe there's some sort of path to allow flexible hours, you know, for our workers. Is there some sort of path forward where we get around the cost obstacle by changing the hours of the DMV? I'm settled to being closed Monday and open Saturday; whatever is possible here, Mr. Speaker.
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Diane Archie
Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member's very adamant to get this office open. He's even willing to settle for less weekday for hours for half a day to be open, thinking it's still not going to cost us money. It's going to cost us money, Mr. Speaker. So however, you know, on a flip side, we are looking at, you know, willing to direct some of the department to look at options perhaps, as a path forward to be able to increase hours during the work week. But any potential solution for this, Mr.
Speaker, would be dependent on discussions with the UNW and our employees and the department to see if we can make this work. Little light at the end of the tunnel but not yet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .
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Oral Question 761-19(2): National Infrastructure Assessment
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Page 2832
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Premier . My first question is will the Premier commit to an all-of-government response to Canada's first national infrastructure assessment engagement called "Building the Canada we want in 2050" and will the Premier commit to sharing the GNWT's submission with standing committee?
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake . Honourable Premier .
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Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, whenever we do any submissions to Canada for such projects, we try to do an all-of-government approach. Right now, currently, our departments are reviewing the Canada's engagement paper and will be consolidating and submitting a formal response to that. But I do want to highlight as well, is that's not the only chance that we get.
This government has taken a strong stance in building partnerships, relationships with the federal government. Every chance we get, Mr. Speaker, we are lobbying the federal government to increase our infrastructure, not only the amount of infrastructure but the cost of infrastructure for us. And we will continue that throughout this term. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT's housing deficit, and given that the NWT has a large housing deficit and that housing is a priority of this government, will the Premier commit to highlighting housing within the engagement response to ensure we continue to moving the housing needle in the NWT? Thank you.
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Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing was identified within our priorities at the beginning of this government. It's always been a priority of mine and many colleagues around the table, how housing was an issue for. I've heard housing over the last year and a half coming from the other side of the House constantly.
The pandemic actually, we had -- we didn't have enough housing before, and the pandemic brought it to the forefront that we don't have enough and we're moving backwards instead of frontwards. So, yes, absolutely, housing has become a priority for us. It's one of our main priorities. In fact, we're working on it. So not only are we bumping up the staff within the housing departments, one position specifically, to look at the federal engagement and to look at our policies within the housing thing. We've also been working with our federal government.
We've -- earlier this year, the GNWT proposed to the federal government to establish an intergovernmental working group of officials, with Canada, that would bring together all players in housing, including Infrastructure Canada, Innovation Canada, CanNor, Indian and Northern Affairs, Indigenous Services Canada, and CMHC. Now, this is kind of a new thing that we haven't tried before, but I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that Canada is on board and has agreed to doing this working group with us.
So we are-- if we're all at the table and we're meeting with them regularly, I am hopeful that housing will be a priority in the GNWT for the federal government as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2832
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, this engagement is about transforming of technologies and thinking outside the box for what we want our communities to look like here in the Northwest Territories. How will the Premier ensure that departments integrate their approach to infrastructure? Thank you.
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Page 2833
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier, all departments get together, and we talk about our infrastructure needs. When we put in the request to Canada, it's various. It's not only on ideas like this, such as the public engagement on the national infrastructure assessment. We meet with them. In fact, through COVID we're meeting with them every two weeks, usually, with the Prime Minister and all Premiers. At those tables, we talk about the deficits and the infrastructure needs. We search -- every Minister here works on their infrastructure needs with the appropriate Ministers.
I carry those forward at the Premier 's table. And we also look at ideas of when the federal budget just came out. We become as flexible as we can. We look at our needs and we look at their mandates, and we try to make them work together. So that's-- Canada has a win and the NWT has a win. And that's what partnerships is and that's about being flexible, and you need to be flexible when you're working in anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2833
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, the honourable Premier . Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Kam Lake .
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Page 2833
Caitlin Cleveland
Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, case studies show that on the failures of infrastructure strategies, the focus is on governance and regulatory regimes that don't keep pace with technical and social capacity or our needs. One example of that, Mr.
Speaker, here in the Northwest Territories, is we can say we're sitting at all these table and that we're partnering together and we're really working forward -- or moving forward in order to make change, but then we can't make policy changes at the basic levels of our departments to make people work together and make our policies work for the people of the Northwest Territories. So I'm wondering how does the Premier intend to respond to transformative technologies with modern governance structures that allow us to evolve to the North we want to be? Thank you.
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Page 2833
Caroline Cochrane
Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not aware of the case studies that the Member is speaking of so I can't really speak on those studies per se. But what I can say, Mr. Speaker, is that the GNWT has learned very quickly to be very flexible in technologies. Climate change's impacting the North more than any other jurisdiction in the world. So with climate change, we're looking at all of our infrastructure, our oil fields, our housing projects, everything. And we bring those forward to the federal government at all asks, so. So we need to be flexible, Mr. Speaker.
And we need to be aware of the impacts and the technologies that will help us to deal with the impacts. We've been doing that for many years because of climate change and we will continue to do it as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2833
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, honourable Premier . Oral questions. Member for Hay River South .
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Oral Question 762-19(2): Public Health Emergency ORders
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Page 2833
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Health explain to my constituents what does "significant risk" mean to her department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South . Minister responsible for Health and Social Services .
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Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this term is not defined in the legislation. And it is the judgment of the chief public health officer about what "significant risk" is. She is a medical doctor who uses resources from the public health community to determine significant risk, and she advises myself and others about what that risk is and how to mitigate it. Thank you.
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Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain to my constituents what does "reasonable measures" mean to her department? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm getting a working-over as a non-doctor/non-lawyer. So reasonable measures are those measures, as I understand it, that will mitigate the risk of disease and other unwanted outcomes of a public health emergency. Thank you.
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Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm the basis for her decision to continually extend the public health emergency as it relates to COVID? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, public health is about balancing the public health emergency and the risk to the public with the mitigation measures that reduce that risk. That is something that is an ongoing process. It's a judgment. It's based on science but ultimately the chief public health officer has to try to strike that balance. And I heard my colleague, the Minister of Justice , say that they were involved in looking at that as well. What I recognize from my inbox today, and most days recently, is that people are not satisfied with that balance any longer.
They feel that the mitigation measures are too harsh for the risks that are posed now by COVID, especially given the increased vaccination rate. And that's the reason that we are revising Emerging Wisely, or the CPHO is revising Emerging Wisely. We recognize that things have changed and we need to catch up. And so by this time next week, that document will be public and everyone will see how we've addressed that. And no doubt, my inbox will fill up again. Thank you.
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Page 2834
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South .
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Page 2834
Rocky Simpson
Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm if her department, with respect to the public health emergency and orders, is to only provide a rubber stamp with no discussion with-- yes, when the CPHO provides her direction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the decision to renew is the chief public health officer's to provide, and I sign off on it. So the thing is that advises me about what she thinks is necessary and then I agreed up to this point. I guess at some point I could disagree. But the point here is that the chief public health officer has sweeping power under the Public Health Act to evaluate things like risk and reasonable measures and to decide on what kind of public health orders would address those, and so the public health emergency comes out of that.
And I am keen to see the public health emergency retired, and that is something that I hope that Emerging Wisely will point us in the direction of so that we no longer have these states of emergency in place that continue month in and month out. Thank you.
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The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
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Oral Question 763-19(2): Nursing Human Resources
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Page 2834
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker I thought you forgot me. Or are you just favoring my colleague there?
Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, you know, this a long ongoing issue. This is something that I talked about even in my campaign. You know, this is not something that's new with the difference between locum nurses and indeterminate nurses and the unfairness and how it creates this unhealthy workplace. You know, when working with the people and you're having to have each other's back, you know, and you get frustrated.
So I think one of the first questions I have is will the Minister commit to having an NTHSSA hire an independent party to hear from the nurses who are indeterminate, locum, do exit interviews with all health care staff, make that mandatory, and to report back to the staff that have put that information forward and to the NTHSSA on the findings and then make it public so that this House and everyone else can hear it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Page 2834
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes . Minister responsible for Health and Social Services .
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Page 2834
Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes that she is in fact unforgettable. And I do appreciate her advocacy always about nurses. And I'm alive to the issues around job satisfaction. They've been reported to me personally and reported publicly that there is dissatisfaction within the NTHSSA, and some places, about working conditions, compensation, and so on and so forth.
I am very interested in hearing from the nurses. I can say that it is easier to retain a nurse than to find a nurse and get him or her to move here and take that job. We have an overall vacancy rate in the NTHSSA of about 17 percent. So anyone that we can keep rather than see out the door, this is a victory all around.
So we have been trying, in fact, that work in our mandate by saying that we would take measures to recruit and retrain resident health care professionals in the time of this Assembly. So I am going to commit to working with the department to gather the input of the nurses and to find out what we can do to understand why they do leave and whether there are things that we can do that would make their job satisfaction better. Thank you.
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Page 2834
The Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. I believe she was talking about me. Sorry, I messed up on my list so I'll put you on the top tomorrow. Top of the list, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes .
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Page 2834
Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And yes, I was talking about you; that's okay.
So will the Minister also commit to, if we're going to do this kind of work and she's going to talk to her department and hopefully that, you know the thing like I said in my statement, you know, you're not going to bite the hand that feeds you or, you know, and so some nurses fear because, you know, when you live in a smaller community or you're working with a tight group of people, you're all friends, you know. And I managed the nursing units in Inuvik, and they were my friends.
They were my colleagues, they were my staff, so, how do you come forward and really say what you want to say when you can't do it anonymously? So I think that is one of the things that I would like a commitment, if they could come forward and do this anonymously so that their words can get on record as well. Thank you.
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Julie Green
Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the point that the Member is making, and I can commit that information collected will be reported in a way that can't be attributed to any individual. Thank you.
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Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for that to the Minister. I think the nurses in the territory will be happy to be able to provide input into this. And I feel like this is something that should happen sooner than later. When we come back after this session, it will be starting our third-- we'll be going into our third year, right? Yeah, second, yeah, third-- or yeah, we've got two years done. Wow, the pandemic has gotten to my brain. So we are going into our third year. So I would like this work to be done sooner than later, if possible, so that way we can actually try to meet that priority in this government. So will the Minister commit to that? Thank you.
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