Debates of May 28th, 2018

This is page numbers 3965 - 3988 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was tourism .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Summer Highway Rehabilitation

Labour Market Programs

GNWT Tourism Investments and Tourism Week

Tourism Week

Taxation in Fort Liard

Campsite Expansion

Taltson Hydro Dam

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Meetings in Sahtu

Northwest Territories Tourism Week

Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

Hay River Family Support Centre

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Valerie Gendron

Ryan Fequet

Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Taxation in Fort Liard

Campsite Expansion

Taltson Hydro Dam

Tourism - Visitors Centre

Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

Dominion Diamonds Ekati Mine Layoffs

Taxation in Fort Liard

Cannabis Education Plan - Funding

Dredging in Hay River Harbour

Bill 5:

An Act to Amend the

Summary Conviction Procedures Act

Tabled Document 187-18(3): NWT Small Communities Employment Strategy

Tabled Document 188-18(3): Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget

Tabled Document 189-18(3): Guideline for Hazardous Waste Management, Revised October 2017 Tabled Document 190-18(3): Guideline for the Management of Waste Lead and Lead Paint, Revised October 2017

Tabled Document 191-18(3): 2018-19 Health and Social Services Authority Budgets Tabled Document 192-18(3): Annual Report 2016-2017: Tlicho Community Services Agency

Bill 13:

An Act to Amend the Securities Act

Bill 15: Document Formalization, Service and Notice Reform Statute Law Amendment Act

Bill 14: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018

Bill 16:

An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act

Bill 17:

An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act

Bill 18:

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

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

The House met at 1:30 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 3965

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Minister's Statement 74-18(3): Summer Highway Rehabilitation

Ministers' Statements

Page 3965

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is following through on its mandate commitment to strengthen connections with public and private sector partners and work to secure funding to advance planning and construction of transportation projects and invest in strategic transportation infrastructure across the Northwest Territories. These partnerships have resulted in investments to improve the quality of the Northwest Territories' highway system, which increases public safety and ensures efficient delivery of essential goods and services for communities.

This summer, the Government of the Northwest Territories, through the Department of Infrastructure, will oversee the delivery of a total of $46.4 million in rehabilitation of transportation-related projects across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide a brief

summary of these ongoing improvements, starting with Highway No. 1, a

section of which will undergo embankment rehabilitation and drainage improvements. In addition, 76 kilometres of this highway will be chipsealed, including the Fort Simpson and Kakisa access roads.

Sections of Highway No. 3 will also receive rehabilitation, and 84 kilometres of that highway will receive chipseal resurfacing. Additionally, a number of culverts are being replaced in an effort to address drainage issues. The Deh Cho bridge embankment remediation work will also be completed by the fall.

Highway No. 4, better known as the Ingraham Trail, will see embankment reconstruction and culvert installations, as well as additional improvements to drainage and guardrail installations where appropriate, over the summer.

Fort Resolution Highway No. 6 will undergo similar embankment reconstruction and drainage improvements, in addition to chipseal resurfacing at various kilometres, which will result in a fully chipsealed surface for this highway by the fall of 2018. Highway No. 7 will undergo resurfacing, repairs, and drainage improvements to mitigate impacts on the highway's water-susceptible soil.

Work will also be done on the Dempster highway over the summer and will include gravel hauling, crushing, and stockpiling, and the replacement of steel pipe culverts. In addition, the Inuvik airport access road will receive highway rehabilitation work. Mr. Speaker, the department is also making ongoing improvements to our inventory of bridges across the highway system. Work this summer includes the rehabilitation of two truss bridges on Highway No. 5 that have reached or surpassed their 50-year mark.

Rehabilitation of the Buffalo River bridge is scheduled for completion this year, while work on the Hay River to Pine Point bridge will be tendered this summer, in time for construction work to commence in October 2018.

Pre-engineering work in support of moving the existing Oscar Creek bridge located along the Mackenzie Valley winter road onto the future alignment of the all-weather Mackenzie Valley highway will also take place. This work will also include geotechnical investigations and hydrotechnical, wildlife, and fish studies. Construction will commence in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. In addition to rehabilitation work on our major highways, construction will continue on the Canyon Creek all-season road south of Norman Wells and is expected to be complete by fall 2018.

Mr. Speaker, highway construction and rehabilitation of Northwest Territories highways are made possible through federal funding provided through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Plan for the Government of the Northwest Territories' first two bundles of highway capacity improvement projects.

As announced in Behchoko in January, the federal government has approved a third bundle of projects, which will build upon the improvements of Bundles 1 and 2 and support job creation and economic growth across the territory. This bundle will provide $95.5 million for additional improvements to the NWT highway system starting in 2019-2020. That includes 75 per cent of costs from the federal government, with the GNWT contributing the remaining 25 per cent. All of this work is providing important economic and employment opportunities for local and northern businesses.

Mr. Speaker, highway rehabilitation safeguards these important infrastructure assets which provide critical connections for people and communities. This government is committed to continuing enhancing the quality of our highways and to increase our resiliency to the unique challenges of our climate so our residents and visitors of the Northwest Territories feel secure in the reliability of the transportation system. As always, I am pleased to see these improvements continue and look forward to the progress of work as we will see through the territory this summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 74-18(3): Summer Highway Rehabilitation

Ministers' Statements

Page 3966

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Minister's Statement 75-18(3): Labour Market Programs

Ministers' Statements

Page 3966

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, a strong labour market is critical to the Northwest Territories' economic future. We know what jobs are in demand, and we are focused on preparing residents for those opportunities.

Through our Skills 4 Success actions, we are seeing progress in developing an educated, productive, and thriving labour force that will meet the needs of the territory's economy and meet our mandate commitment to improve labour market outcomes.

Mr. Speaker, a total of 25 former programs have been consolidated and streamlined into 10; program names have been simplified to be more intuitive and easily understood; and program offerings have been categorized into supports for individuals, employers, organizations, and communities.

Labour market programs have been redesigned to be more client-focused and reduce duplication. Program staff have streamlined programming, updated program guidelines, and updated intake forms for easier access by individuals, employers, and organizations.

These redesigned programs will help employers to find and train the workers they need, and they will assist individuals in accessing the training, skill upgrading, and supports they need to secure employment and advance in the labour market.

Mr. Speaker, communities understand their local labour market needs. They are key partners in bridging employment and training gaps for their residents. We want to work with communities and support them in finding innovative ways to enhance employment opportunities and outcomes.

For this reason, the Small Community Employment Support Program has been redesigned to provide funding through contribution agreements between the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and specific local designated authorities.

The program will now provide small communities and regional centres with the flexibility to establish their own priorities and work with employers to support local employment opportunities. I will be tabling the Small Community Employment Strategy later today.

Mr. Speaker, we are working hard to develop a labour force that will meet the needs of the Territory's economy now and in the future. For some occupations, this includes attracting qualified individuals to fill critical labour shortages. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program helps support employers to fill workforce gaps with skilled foreign nationals when there are no local or Canadian workers available.

Mr. Speaker, this suite of programs has aligned its goals under the Skills 4 Success strategy. We are focused on matching training and education with the labour market in the Northwest Territories; we are ensuring small communities have the programs and supports they require to build the programs they need; and we are attracting people with critical skills to the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 75-18(3): Labour Market Programs

Ministers' Statements

Page 3966

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Minister's Statement 76-18(3): GNWT Tourism Investments and Tourism Week

Ministers' Statements

Page 3967

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, May 27 th to June 2 nd is Tourism Week across Canada. Tourism Week provides an opportunity to highlight the tourism sector and the economic opportunities that accompany it. Tourism is a key part of the Government of the Northwest Territories' commitment to advance regional economic growth and diversification.

This week, events and activities across our territory will bring people together to celebrate the places and experiences that encouraged 100,000 visitors to join us North of 60 last year.

Mr. Speaker, the heart of our booming tourism industry is its people, NWT residents who make visitors feel welcome and foster our international reputation for friendliness and warmth. This year, the Government of the Northwest Territories, through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, is shining a spotlight on these individuals with our NWT Host contest.

Mr. Speaker, we know that it takes more than just recognition to foster a thriving industry. It takes investment. To this end, we are investing in a number of tourism-related businesses, training, and initiatives to support our industry and to ensure there continues to be good news worth celebrating year after year.

Through our destination marketer, NWT Tourism, we will invest over $3 million to heighten awareness and interest in travel to our territory. In this Canada China Year of Tourism, this includes the targeted marketing opportunities in South Asia and our participation in the up-and-coming federally led trade mission to Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

Our parks are another focal point of investment. This year, we will be spending roughly $7.2 million to ensure they continue to be world-class. As we move into the camping season, visitors will already notice the highlights, like the new loop at Prelude Lake and the new overnight rental structure at Blackstone. Later this year, we will begin the construction of lake access roads in the Gwich'in Territorial Park.

Mr. Speaker, we are investing $1 million in projects designed to attract new visitors and build on tourism offerings across all five regions; $200,000, through our Community Tourism Infrastructure Program to help build transformative tourism infrastructure in small communities; support of Indigenous tourism initiatives to help share our vibrant cultures with the world; and investments to support new opportunities along our Arctic coast as the road to Tuktoyaktuk and the growing cruise ship sector continue to bring visitors into the far reaches of our North. Mr.

Speaker, the value of our tourism industry has grown from $94 million in 2010 to $201 million last year. In the same period, the number of visitors passing through our territory has skyrocketed by more than 40,000 annually.

This suggests that our investments and efforts to increase tourism is working. This is good news and demonstrates the possibilities as we move towards a broader, more diverse economy. I am pleased to see these results, and I look forward to more success in our territory's second-largest industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Minister's Statement 76-18(3): GNWT Tourism Investments and Tourism Week

Ministers' Statements

Page 3967

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Tourism Week

Members' Statements

Page 3967

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the start of Tourism Week in Canada and to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of the tourism industry here in the Northwest Territories. We can all talk at great length about the need for further economic diversification into new industries in the Northwest Territories, but nothing compares to the sheer potential of our tourism markets. While I still believe that national resource extraction will continue to be the economic bedrock of the NWT, we must look toward other opportunities that can bolster our economy in times of low commodity prices and create economic growth, new jobs, and higher wages for Northerners.

Only recently, I had the opportunity to travel to the Sahtu region and witness the pristine beauty and unique culture there. From the majestic Mackenzie Mountains to the splendid waters of Great Bear Lake, it all left me with a vision for the future. I imagined ski chalets perched high in the mountains, streets lined with five-star restaurants and high-end stores with names like Prada, Givenchy, Swarovski, and even a Ferrari dealership to take advantage of the soon-to-be-completed Mackenzie Valley Highway. Why not, Mr. Speaker? When it comes to our tourism industry, the sky is the limit and there is no end to our potential.

Why do I bring up the Sahtu? Well, the Sahtu is isolated, Mr. Speaker. It needs a highway. Yellowknife is not alone in its challenges for the high-cost destination to travel to, and yet Yellowknife has become a destination city, a place of choice, that has led to the growth of a massive tourism economy, and, despite the enormous cost of doing business and travelling to our capital city, people from all over the world are still coming. For example, in February of this year, we saw a 4.6 per cent increase in hotel occupancy compared to 2017.

In March of this year, we saw an astounding 8.3 per cent increase in occupancy compared to the year before. Mr. Speaker, it is clear our capital is a safe bet for investing in our tourism sector. With the GNWT funding a visitors' centre in Dawson City, it is time that we prioritize getting a stand-alone visitors' centre here in the capital.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot rest on our laurels and assume that the economy will take care of itself. We must make the right choices and invest strategically and build an economy that works best for our industries and best for tourism. The sector will never replace the mining sector, but it will create jobs. It will create new opportunities for work that will preserve what we also cherish so dearly, our unique culture, our language, our people, and our land. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Tourism Week

Members' Statements

Page 3968

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Taxation in Fort Liard

Members' Statements

Page 3968

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Monday, March 19, I had the opportunity to attend a public meeting in Fort Liard that was being put on by the Departments of Lands, Municipal and Community Affairs, and Finances. The topic was about land and taxes.

I would have to say, overall, it was a good meeting. The staff did a great job of getting the information out to the people who were present. However, it did raise a number of concerns about how land taxes were collected for the Hamlet of Fort Liard.

Unfortunately, a number of individuals were told not to pay their taxes. This has caused a big mess for those people, the band, the hamlet, and the GNWT. I spoke to people who are wishing to pay the taxation bill, but they cannot because of their credit rating. The matter has been turned over to a third-party collections company, who are not very nice and tell the residents that they need to sell their homes to pay off this debt.

A couple of things that surprised me during the meeting:

The government decided that they would impose an interest rate at 15 per cent for all non-paid taxes. The rationale was to scare people to ensure people would pay their taxes on time. This didn't seem to be working.

Due to government cuts, the government had to go out to a third party to try and collect the taxes and interest.

After the meeting, I had to discuss with a number of residents about this issue, and I would like to share a couple of their stories with you.

One person had inherited his father's home but included a $15,000 debt in taxes and, astonishingly, another $55,000 in interest, for a total of $70,000.

An elder went missing, and the government told the family that they had to wait until he was legally declared dead before they could do anything. The waiting period is 10 years. However, the government still wants the family to pay the taxes. This is crazy.

This issue has been going on for a long time, and we need to come up with a solution to deal with it properly. It isn't going away and we can't remain silent on it any longer. These are the people we were elected to represent, and we need to do a better job. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Finance later today.

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Taxation in Fort Liard

Members' Statements

Page 3968

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Campsite Expansion

Members' Statements

Page 3968

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when you get a chance, you like to get outdoors and be adventurous. Many of us in this House do.

Mr. Speaker, a recent editorial in the Yellowknifer newspaper had a peculiar headline. "No Room Outdoors," was what it said. No room? That's a strange concept for NWT residents. With just a few of us scattered across this vast land, the idea of "no room" for people who want to get outside to fish, hike, camp, or just enjoy the outdoors, that's an odd concept, given where we live.

Mr. Speaker, the editorial was reflecting on the very high demand for serviced campsites in NWT parks. Every year, the first day of online bookings is busier than the year before. This year, we saw a 17 per cent increase over 2017. That's a great increase, but it also points out a weak spot in our parks system. Mr. Speaker, the number of reservations that were made and the reaction from people who couldn't make one make it clear: we need to expand our parks and provide more serviced campsites to meet the demand. That, or we need to start talking to partners who can.

Mr. Speaker, we take pride in showing off our pristine surroundings. Tourism is one of the bright spots of economic growth and diversity that we highlight in our mandate. We invite residents and visitors to experience the "Spectacular NWT." Heck, we even advertised as much on TV during the Olympics this year.

Imagine if you're someone from Ontario or BC or maybe even California. You saw that ad on TV during the Olympics, and now you're thinking about visiting the NWT. You go online, click on NWTParks.ca, follow the links, and there are no campsites to be had. Well, you'd probably spend your vacation and your money somewhere you can be sure to find a campsite. For the NWT, that's a lost opportunity for exposure, lost income for parks, and most definitely a loss for the economy.

Mr. Speaker, over 35,000 campers enjoyed NWT parks last year. We want that number to grow. We want to invite people to learn about and enjoy our spectacular homeland, but, Mr. Speaker, first we need to be able to offer them a place to pitch their tents and park their campers. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of ITI . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Campsite Expansion

Members' Statements

Page 3969

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Taltson Hydro Dam

Members' Statements

Page 3969

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I will speak about the Taltson River Dam. Mr. Speaker, in the mid-1960s the Taltson River Dam was built to provide clean and renewable energy to the Pine Point mine, a mine that operated for about 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, there are many people in my riding who are closely linked to the Taltson River, as this river was a lifeline for many people who lived along the river, which was mainly in the community of Rocher River, which had a population of about 150.

Mr. Speaker, many of the people from Rocher River believe that, when their school burned down in 1960, it was not rebuilt because of the government's desire to move people out of Rocher River and into nearby communities such as Fort Resolution, Lutselk'e, and Yellowknife. I, Mr. Speaker, am one of the children whose parents decided to relocate to Fort Resolution. I was four years old.

Once people began to move, the resistance posed by the chief of Rocher River had diminished, Mr. Speaker. There was no consultation or an environmental impact assessment. There was no regard for the social well-being of the people who depended on the Taltson River to sustain their families and livelihoods.

Mr. Speaker, imagine what would happen tomorrow if the school in Sambaa K'e was to burn down and the government decided not to build the new school and the people were suddenly told that they must move on their own to the communities of Fort Liard, Nahanni, or Fort Simpson and start from scratch in those communities.

Well, Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what happened to the people of Rocher River in the mid-1960s. Mr. Speaker, the government of the day had no regard for the people of Rocher River whatsoever. Some of the Treaty people moved to Fort Resolution and got small houses with no continuous heat, no running water, and no electricity, while the Metis people were left to their own resources to build themselves homes. Fortunately, there existed family ties between these two communities.

Mr. Speaker, as of today, the people of Rocher River have fully integrated into the community of Fort Resolution. However, many people feel that the main reason their school was never rebuilt was to make way for the construction of the Taltson River Dam. Ironically, Mr. Speaker, many people in Fort Resolution cannot afford the high cost of power.

I strongly feel, Mr. Speaker, that it is time for this government to acknowledge that the people of Rocher River have been significantly impacted by this series of events. Granted, Mr. Speaker, some of the people from Rocher River did okay, as they got educated in Fort Resolution and were able to continue to provide for their families. However, Mr. Speaker, not everyone was so fortunate; many people died on the streets here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Taltson Hydro Dam

Members' Statements

Page 3969

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Meetings in Sahtu

Members' Statements

Page 3969

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur Ie President. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and the Environment met in Norman Wells May 8 th to the 10 th , my first visit in about 25 years.

We met with the Sahtu Secretariat Inc. and the Norman Wells Land Corporation. I learned a lot about the implementation of the Sahtu Agreement. We met with the Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce. While there is a strong interest in the Mackenzie Valley highway, people are also interested in economic diversification, particularly tourism and what the Doi T'oh Territorial Park and Canol Heritage Trail can bring to the region.

We met with Imperial Oil representatives, including some officials via video conference from Calgary. They said the company intends to continue production once the pipeline is fixed later this year. There are also some tremendous opportunities with remediation of the Imperial Oil facilities. The NWT has the potential to build a remediation economy if this is done right, with coordinated community oversight and capacity building.

We also had a visit of the new Sahtu Got'ine Regional Health and Social Services Centre that includes a long-term care component. It is a fabulous facility that will employ 70 people when it is fully operational, more than the Imperial Oil operations at Norman Wells.

We also had a tour of the new Canyon Creek road, the beginning of the Mackenzie Valley highway from Norman Wells. This project has been spaced out over two years to allow for the region to take better advantage of the employment, training, and contracting opportunities. This is the kind of road development I can support.

The standing committee also conducted some strategic planning, given the pre-glacial pace of bills from our Cabinet colleagues. Our committee has had only two bills to deal with in over two years. We need to set our own priorities to accomplish something for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Committee will be addressing procurement practices, considering ways for developing a knowledge economy, exploring options for improving the NWT's resource revenues, and more.

Thank you to everyone for sharing their issues and concerns with us. In particular, I would like to thank the Sahtu MLA for help with many of the arrangements and connections we made. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Meetings in Sahtu

Members' Statements

Page 3970

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu .

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Northwest Territories Tourism Week

Members' Statements

Page 3970

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A small follow-up to my colleague from the Kam Lake riding.

Mr. Speaker, this is NWT Tourism Week, and I acknowledge the unique and pristine attractions our territory offers to world travelers in developing this emerging and continuous industry. Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu contributes to the thriving and emerging industry to access the region's 26 per cent of the NWT Land Quantum, and the Great Bear Lake's 31,153 square kilometres of water mass providing world-class trophy fishing.

Providing the NWT with competitive advantages toward offering other world destinations is to further develop affordable connections. Mr. Speaker, Spectacular NWT, a tourism initiative under the direction of the Department of ITI providing promotional materials, has captured the unique residential cultures and tourism destinations of this significant area of Canada.

Our success, Mr. Speaker, is measured by the volumes and amount of visitors from other parts of the world to our destination. The last two surveys will conclude an increase, as previously mentioned by our respectful Minister. Mr. Speaker, later I will have questions to the Minister on a different subject. Mahsi.

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Northwest Territories Tourism Week

Members' Statements

Page 3970

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

Members' Statements

Page 3970

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Tuktoyaktuk road. Come the thaw, we have all heard the sad stories of the road closure. Major stretches of the road have dissolved into a slushy mess. An Inuvik Drum headline offers the optimistic forecast "Highway to remain open in the summer," and the best flattery from an engineer responsible for the project is that it won't "go to snot". Air service to the community was re-established last week as motorists took flight from a highway they can't depend on, despite it being an all-weather road, to get them there or get them home.

The RV grapevine will be sending out red alerts, not just on the road closure, but on the conditions. So much for the tourism government is promoting this week. Once again, the government is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with poor messaging.

The Minister recently provided us with an update, indicating that, depending on the weather, the road will reopen tomorrow after a 17-day closure. The Minister says some sections haven't been completed, are "susceptible to saturation," and require final gravel overlay and grading. He refers to these actions not as construction but as "repairs."

We know the government cut back on the originally designed depth of topping put on the road in order to keep the road on the predicted budget. It looks like we are going back to Plan A, depth of topping, begging the question of when construction under the projected budget ends and when the long bleed of mega-maintenance begins. The problem is the government's own making. They announced the road was complete and set those associated expectations, when clearly the road is not complete.

I am not looking to embarrass the government, but I've continually said that roads as an economic engine policy is wrong, especially when it leaves many of our residents living in squalid housing for want of money spent on roads. The $300 million bulge of roads spending has passed, and I see no economic bonanza commensurate to the expense. In fact, new tourism-related businesses that the government has invested in may now be floundering because of the condition the road is in.

The road to Tuktoyaktuk could join the Deh Cho bridge as a quagmire of failed fiscal management, just at the time we turn our budgets towards the Tlicho road. If the government is stuck on this course, they have to get the projects right. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

Members' Statements

Page 3971

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

Members' Statements

Page 3971

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, in the fall session last year, I raised concerns about the state of the health centre in Tsiigehtchic. The health centre was built in the mid-1980s and is in dire need of repairs, or better yet, replacement. Last year I stated that, in two years, the health centre had its pilings adjusted twice. When I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services if Tsiigehtchic was getting a new health centre, the Minister stated that Tsiigehtchic was in the 20-year capital plan, but that it was a ways out yet.

Mr. Speaker, in April the Department of Infrastructure put out a contract in the community to level the building again. However, this time, the health centre sustained substantial damage. This has resulted in the staff being forced to relocate to the Aurora College building because no one was allowed back in the health centre. Supplies were also moved to Aurora College. Staff in Fort McPherson and Inuvik were a great support to Tsiigehtchic to ensure that the community had all the medical supplies it needed for the spring.

Summer is fast approaching, and luckily there are no classes scheduled, but clearly it is not ideal to provide health services out of Aurora College, although the new building would be great.

Mr. Speaker, it is concerning for my constituents to get the essential healthcare they need out of an old building that is in such bad shape that it is now off-limits. The community needs a safe and functional health centre. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services on this topic later today. Thank you.

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Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

Members' Statements

Page 3971

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Members' statements. Member for Hay River North .

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Hay River Family Support Centre

Members' Statements

Page 3971

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the kick-off of the Hay River Family Support Centre's fundraising campaign. The event was put on by a great group of volunteers, as well as centre staff who, I'm sure, were more than volunteering at the time. The event included a breakfast by donation, musical performances, face painting, as well as the official unveiling of the Family Support Centre's new branding and Facebook page. It was really quite impressive and a lot of fun.

The reason for the fundraising campaign is one that I've brought up numerous times in this House. The Family Support Centre's previous facility, which was in operation since 1992, is in dire need of replacement. The building can no longer be repaired, and has been closed. The centre is now working out of a temporary space. There are blueprints for a new building on the existing site, but work can't begin until the old building is removed. I am happy to say that the GNWT has stepped up in support of the abatement and demolition of the old site, but the federal funding hasn't come through yet.

In the meantime, the centre's board and staff are trying to raise funds for a new building, attempting to expand their outreach, and developing a new shelter renewal plan, all while continuing to carry out their core functions.

I have argued before that the Family Support Centre and the other family violence shelters provide an essential service, yet the funding and support that they receive from the GNWT do not reflect that fact. Just look at how the centres are funded. By the Minister of Health's own admission, they are funded arbitrarily. There is no funding formula, and it has been that way for decades.

Apparently, there is a funding formula in the works, but there is considerable concern about the lack of consultation being done with the shelters in its development. It was nearly a year ago that the Minister announced that the formula would be developed, yet, to date, no one outside the GNWT has seen any progress that I am aware of.

It was 20 years ago that the GNWT began developing guidelines for family violence shelters, but as far as I am aware, they are still in draft form. I am starting to believe that the GNWT doesn't share my view that family violence shelters are an essential service, and I am hoping that they change my mind.

However, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to end this on a negative note. The Family Support Centre in Hay River continues to do good work despite the challenges they face, and the event I attended this weekend gave me great hope for the future. Now we just need to get the government on board. I will have questions for the Minister of Health . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Hay River Family Support Centre

Members' Statements

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3972

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize Yellowknife North resident Ruth Bowen. Welcome. Thank you for being here.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3972

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of the Great Slave riding, Mr. James Wong. Welcome.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are we missing anyone in the gallery? Thanks for being part of our audience. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi.

Acknowledgements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Acknowledgement 6-18(3): Valerie Gendron

Acknowledgements

Page 3972

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, presented the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers to Valerie Gendron of Fort Simpson on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Rideau Hall.

The Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across Canada. Valerie Gendron has been a speed skating coach, a minor hockey coach, a soccer coach, and a mentor with local athletic clubs for more than 17 years.

Val has always been an outgoing and engaging member in our community, and we applaud her dedication to the youth. Thank you, Val, for everything that you have done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Acknowledgement 6-18(3): Valerie Gendron

Acknowledgements

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Member for Frame Lake .

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Acknowledgement 7-18(3): Ryan Fequet

Acknowledgements

Page 3972

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a constituent, Ryan Fequet, for receiving the 2018 Outstanding Volunteer Award in the Individual Category.

Since 2007, Ryan has served on the boards of NWT Soccer, Canada Soccer, the Yellowknife Adult Soccer League, Sport North, Yellowknife Slopitch, Folk on the Rocks, and the Ravenscourt Condo Board. He is estimated to have contributed 6,800 hours of volunteer service. That is two hours of volunteering a day for 10 years. We all owe Ryan a big thank you.

Please join me in saluting this incredible contributor to the quality of life in our community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Acknowledgement 7-18(3): Ryan Fequet

Acknowledgements

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Item 6, oral questions. Member for Hay River North .

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3972

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just made a statement about the Family Support Centre in Hay River, so I will forego a lengthy

preamble.

I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services about the funding formula that he committed to have developed. He stated that they would begin developing this a year after the Territorial Health Authority was amalgamated, and that was last August. We are about 10 months from that, now. I would like to ask the Minister: what is the status update of the funding formula for family violence shelters in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3972

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we continue to work on the development of the funding model that we hope will strengthen the ability of existing shelters to deliver services in an equitable manner throughout the Northwest Territories.

The department does remain in close contact with the shelter network about the work being done, and hearing their perspectives on that process and the formula, as well. Department staff did attend meetings with the shelter staff within the last couple of weeks, where we had an opportunity to discuss the formula, as well as the operational standards.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to move forward. Any funding implications with respect to adopting the standards and the model will be considered in the upcoming business planning process for next fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

I know that the funding formula is being drafted right now; they are still looking at it, but if you look at the way that the department is organized, I believe there is a family violence prevention position in there. There is funding through the Family Violence Prevention Program.

Shelters are tertiary care. They're not really prevention. With this new funding formula, will there be a focus on community outreach and education as well as just a place for people to go to flee violence? Will there actually be a focus on prevention as well?

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

At this time, the formula that we are talking about is funding the shelters to actually provide safe housing for families fleeing violence.

With respect to the other work, campaigns that we are doing to break the stigma, to help get people educated, to create more awareness, to create more discussion, those are being done with other groups, such as the Status of Women and other groups across the Northwest Territories and, at this point, does not anticipate providing advertising or communication dollars to the shelters. With the shelters, we are focusing on housing.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

That is a bit disheartening, that they are not going to the people who know the most about this to do some work on prevention.

How is the government working with the Hay River Family Support Centre to acquire a new building? I know that there is federal money out there, but it is not always easily accessible. There are a million different applications you can fill out. There are a million different pots of money. There are all of these things going on, and it is difficult for one organization to navigate this world. How is the GNWT assisting the Family Support Centre in getting their new building?

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Just to provide some clarity to the last response, of course, we are working with the shelters, because they usually have a significant impact on supporting families that are dealing with or fleeing violence. They have certainly got a lot of information to help us get good information out there into their hands, but when it comes to some of the individual programs we are running to create that awareness, currently, we are investing $477,000 as a territory for campaigns like What Will It Take and other means to get the information out there. We do work with the shelters closely because they are a great source of information.

With respect to the shelter in Hay River, the Minister of Finance , during the budget session, indicated that, should the shelter obtain or get to a position where they can acquire some money from the federal government, we are prepared to come to the table to support that process. If it requires money, the Minister of Finance could say that we would find it, but as far as leading that process, we are not doing that.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North .

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned that there have been guidelines drafted up for the family violence shelters, and I think they are in their third decade of draft form. Has the government committed to finally finalizing these draft guidelines and taking this issue seriously? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

The draft operational standards have been developed and are being reviewed to ensure they represent the safest and most sustainable approach to the delivery of family violence shelters. Our goal is to formally adopt those service standards over the coming year, and as I indicated previously, these standards will help us formulate a formula for funding, because it has to be based on something. It should be based on the standards that we work together with our shelters to develop. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 302-18(3): Funding Formula for Family Support Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3973

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3973

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you heard me talk about the taxation issue in Fort Liard, and I have questions for the Minister of Finance . My first question: as a department, how did they come up with the mill rate for the Community of Fort Liard? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Finance .

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Fort Liard's mill rate is the general mill rate which was first established in 1988 and over time has increased, as decided by the Minister of Finance . As part of the new deal in 2005, general taxation area communities were able to request increases to their general mill rate to raise additional revenues to pay for community services. Beginning in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the general mill rate has been escalated by the inflation rate.

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister please explain to us: what is the percentage that the GNWT keeps from collecting the taxation for the community?

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, the property tax invoices are broken down into three sections. You've got the general tax, school tax, and any interest. The school tax is approximately 48 per cent of the property tax invoice for the current year, and all the interest charged is revenue for the GNWT to fund schools and other government programs. The general tax portion is approximately 52 per cent of the property tax invoice for the current year and is currently granted back to the communities through the MACA Property Tax Revenue Grant Program under the new deal once an invoice for the years of 2004 to present has been paid off.

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for that answer. In my Member's statement, you heard me say that the interest rate is coming out at 15 per cent, and it seems to be very high. Was the community consulted or engaged in coming up with this rate?

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

I am not sure what type of consultation they had in 1988 as far as the mill rates go. The Member mentioned the interest rate of 15 per cent, and I believe he mentioned in his Member's statement that there was one outstanding tax of, I think it was, $50,000 plus interest; or I am not sure if that included interest, but plus interest would have come out to about $100,000. We do not want to see anybody get that far in debt to the Government of the Northwest Territories. That is why we encourage people to try pay their property taxes.

If you look territory-wide, we have about $9.7 million in outstanding taxes that should be coming to the Government of the Northwest Territories so we can in turn reinvest that money into providing services. That is why we continue to encourage people to enter into repayment plans or try to make sure that their taxes up to date, because, $50,000 taxes, that would be like not paying your taxes for about 20, 25 years.

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that information. Yes, it was a $15,000 taxation, but, you know, you add $55,000 to it, it all becomes a $70,000 tax bill, and some of these people are inheriting these from people as their parents or families are passing away. I guess my understanding is that the Government of the Northwest Territories was a collection agency for these municipalities that are not tax-based, but all of a sudden, you know, they are collecting it, and 48 per cent of it is going to school and 52 per cent to the hamlets, which is great, or the municipality.

My question, though, is: it's my understanding that this 15 per cent interest rate happening, of non-payment, is actually going to the GNWT and not to the municipality, so can the Minister explain to me why that 15 per cent interest rate is going to the Government of the Northwest Territories?

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

Oral Questions

Page 3974

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

The Member is correct. All interest charges that are collected remain with the GNWT, and we keep the money because we bear the cost of collections, so that is why we keep the money. Again, I have to make the point that we do not want to see people getting that far into tax arrears.

A few years ago, I think there was an initiative to try to have the communities themselves set their own mill rates, collect their own taxes, and use it, but most communities, other than these tax-based communities which already do it, did not want that option because then they in turn would have to deal with the non-payment of taxes and the interest that is collected. So, we would like to enter into repayment plans with anyone who wants to come forward and have a discussion on the repayment of their plan.

As far as the interest rates go, I mean, that money still stays with the government, and it may have to be a broader discussion. One of the things I am concerned about is, if we do it in one community, start forgiving the interest, then we have to do it territory-wide and we send the message that, if you don't pay your taxes, don't worry about the interest; we are going to write it off. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 303-18(3): Taxation in Fort Liard

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Page 3974

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

Oral Questions

Page 3975

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister mentioned in his statement that it is Tourism Week. My questions today are for the Minister of ITI . As we know, tourism is having a big impact here in the North, all year round now, and NWT parks experienced 35,000 visitors in the last year, and campgrounds seem to be booked year over year, so I would like to ask the Minister: can the Minister please give us an update on what the GNWT's investments are expected this year, maybe even next year, for the purpose of expanding campgrounds or maybe even building brand new campgrounds? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

Oral Questions

Page 3975

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I did in my Minister's statement, I said that ITI is going to be spending $7 million on parks infrastructure in this coming year, which is a significant investment across the parks system. One of the things that we need to make quite clear: we are almost a victim of our own success here around tourism, because the growth has been so substantial and the pressures put on the system have been enormous. I commend the department for all of the hard work they are doing. As I said, we are spending $7 million on the parks system this year, which includes a lot of money in all the regions.

We have six regions that we have to look after, even though Yellowknife probably has the most pressure right now, with the amount of people who are using the parks in the NWT, especially on a daily basis.

Like I said in my Minister's statement, we are spending $1 million on project design to attract the visitors across the Northwest Territories in this coming fiscal year. We are spending $200,000 around community tourism infrastructure programs to help build transformative tourism infrastructure in small communities, so, with the limited amount of funds that we do have, I think the department is doing a great job. As I have said, I think we are a victim of our own success.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you to the Minister. Yes, we indeed are blessed with great tourism opportunities. I guess maybe what I should have done was be a little bit more specific. I would like to ask the Minister if there are any plans for investments with regard to the campsites up and down the Ingraham Trail, as it relates to specifically expanding campgrounds to meet this high demand and/or even look at opportunities to build new ones? I know that, last year or the year before, the department did do a new loop out at Prelude main, but are there plans in the capital plan for the next five years, 10 years, to help meet this demand by building more campsites on Ingraham Trail?

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As I said, we are spending $7 million on park infrastructure this year. In my notes, just in the North Slave, I think going forward for this capital year, we are going to spend roughly $1.384 million in the North Slave region. There is going to be money spent at Fred Henne Park, Prosperous Lake boat launch, Powder Point Territorial Park, Fred Henne kitchen shelter, Prelude Territorial Park boat launch, North Arm Territorial Park in the Monfwi area, and Prelude Lake Territorial Park loop D needs to be finished up, as well.

So there is significant money that is going to be spent in the North Slave region, and we will continue, as we go forward in the next capital budget cycle, to look at our needs assessment as we look at all the parks across the whole system and what investments we need, and, with the help of this House, where we are going to target those investments.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you to the Minister for that reply. Everybody is grateful for the contributions and investments that the government is making. In particular, the residents of Yellowknife North are grateful for the investments on Ingraham Trail, or all Yellowknifers and visitors here, quite frankly.

I mentioned in my statement that maybe it is time to reach out to potential partners to further exploit this great tourism opportunity, and I am just wondering: can the Minister tell us if he or his department staff have had any discussions with, say, the City of Yellowknife, a private enterprise, maybe even non-profits, the Yellowknives Dene, about opportunities to partner or building and maintaining additional campgrounds?

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

If those types of conversations took place, they would have taken place at a level below me. I could certainly have a look at that. I think that one of the things going forward, something that has crossed my mind is particularly the Fred Henne Park, which is right here in the City of Yellowknife. I think we need to have a discussion of maybe the city wants to take that over or maybe the YK Dene or somebody. There is an opportunity there, I think, for either one of them to latch onto that, and we can have a discussion around that.

As far as expanding new parks across the system, I am not aware of any conversations that have taken place so far.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3975

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, indeed, I believe that there are possible opportunities, but the conversation has to start somewhere. The Minister did mention the City of Yellowknife and the potential for Fred Henne. I mean, thinking also of Folk on the Rocks, maybe with the Yellowknives Dene down at the Yellowknife River, some things along those lines, but we have got to start somewhere with these conversations, because there is definite need.

With that said, talking about earlier, there is demand all year round now for tourism in the Northwest Territories, and particularly Yellowknife. I am wondering if the department has given any consideration to opening up some of the campground sites in the wintertime, like actually ploughing some snow and making it accessible, say, at Fred Henne and maybe Prelude Lake to allow some of the aurora tourism to take place in those places instead of being parked in every ditch and nook and cranny on Ingraham Trail? Is there an opportunity for this sort of thing, Mr. Speaker? I would like to ask the Minister. Thank you.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3976

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Yes, I believe those conversations have taken place, and the department is looking at what we can do particularly around opening up some of these parks, particularly on the Ingraham Trail around the wintertime. It is a serious safety issue, I believe, with the amount of traffic that is on there, with the amount of loads that are going to the mines.

We have a number of tourists. Operators are well aware of the situation. They are trying to run safely and look after their customers, but one of the concerns is these independent tourists, if we want to call it that. They come here, they rent a vehicle, and they go out on the Ingraham Trail. They want to see the northern lights, and they park on the side of the highway.

That is a concern of ours, and we are trying to address that through signage and communications around that, but I think the department is looking at bringing something forward where we can open up these parks in a more meaningful way to get these people off the road system, particularly in the wintertime. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 304-18(3): Campsite Expansion

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Page 3976

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I made a Member's statement on Taltson Dam, but I am not exactly sure where to direct my questions, either Infrastructure, ITI, or the Power Corporation. I will ask the question and maybe the government can provide me a response.

Discussion has started on the expansion of the Taltson Dam again, and there is a plan, I believe, to do something with the dam. I am wondering if any of the discussions have included the Indigenous people of Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e at this time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Who would like to take on the question? The Honourable Premier .

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct the question to the Minister of Infrastructure . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

Oral Questions

Page 3976

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have stated before in this House, the Taltson project was one of our pan-Canadian asks around the Climate Change Strategic Framework. This is an important project, we believe, but it is also in the very early stages. I think, once we get a little more information from the federal government, if they are supportive of this project going forward, at that time we will sit down with Indigenous governments and figure out their involvement going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I would like to ask the Minister if he is prepared with his staff, or the appropriate staff, even if he doesn't attend himself, to meet in Fort Resolution and in Lutselk'e to advise the people of what the plan is? Whether the federal government has approved it or not, there is some movement, and it would be nice if the people were there from the beginning, not like what happened the last time. I would like to ask the Minister if he is prepared to send staff into those communities to talk about the Taltson Dam expansion?

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As I have stated, this is a very important project to the Government of the Northwest Territories and residents going forward, and I believe, based on what the Member has just asked me, I would be prepared to send our staff in there and have an early conversation, not just with the Fort Resolution community, but with both Indigenous governments that represent everyone in the community.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

That is good news. I am pleased to hear that. I would like to ask the Minister if the government would possibly do a retrospective environmental assessment on what had occurred prior to the Taltson Dam?

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I would have to have a discussion with my department and get back to the Member on that.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh .

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3976

Tom Beaulieu

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if there is any plan from the GNWT to spend any money on the Taltson Dam expansion this year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3977

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I can get those details for the Member, but I believe, through our infrastructure bilaterals that we signed with Minister Sohi, one of the line items there is to have a look at some of the preconstruction work that would need to be completed for the Taltson project. There is certainly some money there that we are looking at spending on predevelopment work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 305-18(3): Taltson Hydro Dam

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Page 3977

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, visitors centre-related activities here in the City of Yellowknife have been handled by the municipal government, and they have done a great job. They have even gone so far as to reach out to Behchoko and to the Yellowknives Dene to develop a shared tourism product. They are already finding ways not just to offer opportunities here but throughout the Northwest Territories. What they lack is a visitors centre.

I would like to ask the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment how the department is working with the City of Yellowknife to deliver a tourism visitors centre here in the capital? Thank you.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment .

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can update this House that the Department of ITI and NWT Tourism has provided financial support to the City of Yellowknife, and what they are using that money for is to hire a consultant team to determine a long-term model that will work for delivery of tourism visitor information services in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you to the Minister. That is good news. What is the long-term plan for this project? Is it ongoing contribution to support operations until that study is done, or is this the extent of the support this government is providing for tourism services in Yellowknife?

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As I have stated in this House many times, we are continuing to give the ongoing support that we gave to the tourism centre that previously operated, $161,000 annually. That is going on, as far as I know, as long as I am here. What we are waiting to do is hear back from the City of Yellowknife with their consultants what their long-term view of this is.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you to the Minister. I'm glad that that contribution is remaining and is consistent on that. The former visitors centre is still in its previous location on our otherwise pristine capital grounds here. Can the Minister advise on what the plan for the old building is? Are we tearing it down, are we going to salvage the structure, and who is going to pay for it at the end of the day?

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Contractors recently have just been out there welding and levelling the facility to get it stabilized. The Department of Infrastructure is having a look at the engineering requirements around what it is going to take to either replace that, cut off the back half of it, use the front of it, or demolish it.

After that has been completed, we will be reaching out probably within the government departments to see if there is a need for it. If there is no need within the government departments, we will probably be going out to a public call to see if there is a need for it and then have a look at the capability of such people paying for doing the improvements going forward.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3977

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3977

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that update. Finally, as it relates to supporting tourism in the capital or, indeed, throughout the Northwest Territories, the Minister said that the resources are very limited and the demand is outpacing them. Given the needs in Yellowknife and given the needs across the territory, is the Minister willing to bring forward additional financial resources or adjust the budget so we can properly seize on the opportunities presented by tourism? As I said in my statement, Mr. Speaker, they are limitless, but we certainly need to invest in them. Thank you.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

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Page 3977

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As the Member is well aware, we have a process that we follow. We have forced growth. We have new initiatives. We have the budget process. The department recognizes the needs and the pressure on the system and the fiscal capacity that we have to deliver what we can deliver with what we have. I will be bringing something forward for more funding around a whole bunch of initiatives. In due time, we will have those brought to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 306-18(3): Tourism - Visitors Centre

Oral Questions

Page 3977

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu .

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

Oral Questions

Page 3978

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in regards to aviation pilot training. I am very encouraged by the two northern companies merging together to initiate a partnership to address the shortage of aviation pilots in our territory. On May 9 th , Northwestern Air Lease announced on its Facebook page in partnering with North-Wright Airways of the Sahtu and Aurora College to create an aviation school in Fort Smith by 2019. My first question, Mr. Speaker, is: will the Minister be sharing the flying school program details with stakeholders and community leaders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

Oral Questions

Page 3978

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

Oral Questions

Page 3978

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have no problem sharing things, but at this point, we have nothing to share. There was an initial meeting with Aurora College. No commitments were made. At that meeting, Aurora College had asked for a proposal, a business plan, and intensive study, for example, where they are getting funding, et cetera. To date, we have not received any of that information. I can share what I have, which is nothing at this point. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

This is kind of like where I am going, Mr. Speaker. It is all part of the development of the

preamble to the program. Once the preliminary startup details cost, dates of the project or program, will that information be shared? At this point in time, if any, what point in time if we are to meet that 2019 deadline?

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

At this point, like I had said, we have asked them for a proposal, Aurora College did. Nothing has been received. I would have to check in and make sure. I am not sure if things of that nature are actually shared. I could probably share it with standing committee. I am not sure if I would table that document, because it is a private enterprise looking to partner with us.

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Also, as I had mentioned earlier, the two partners with Aurora College to the flying school, one is North-Wright Airways. North-Wright Airways is 50 per cent owned by two of the largest land corporations in Fort Good Hope and Deline. Where I am going with this next question is to see if part of the program would be to transfer the schooling in one of the Sahtu airports, particularly Norman Wells, if that could be viewed as part of some of the discussions. Can the Minister commit to having, say, a revolving school to include Norman Wells training at the airport site there?

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

I am conscious that, when the Aurora College was reviewed, a lot of people had been saying for many years that Aurora College tries to do too much. I think we have to step back and kind of look at what we are doing now. I am interested in seeing a proposal. However, Mr. Speaker, it is important to note that, over the last five years, only 23 students have applied for student financial assistance for aviation. That averages just under five a year, which might be a pretty costly course. Mr. Speaker, I would hate to see things go bad. I would like to see the proposal before I make any decisions.

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu .

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

Daniel McNeely

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I can remember correctly some of my previous discussions in this sector of training pilots, it costs us training fees in the neighbourhood of $40,000, $50,000. If it is going to cost that much for the individual to access their commercial pilot's license, it is a significant amount, not to mention the ground schooling and operating of the aircraft.

All that put together, if a budgetary amount could be developed and possibly even shared with our land corporations during the preliminary stakeholder consultation, some of the land corporations in our Northwest Territories may have a vested interest at that point in time. I just share that with the Minister, to include that in some of the preliminary planning of the flying school. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 307-18(3): Aviation Pilot Training Partnership - Aurora College

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Page 3978

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

That is a long general comment. I will take it as a comment. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3978

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have some precise status questions for the Infrastructure Minister . The Minister told us the road was completed, the grand opening in November, but we also know the depth of the road embankment fill was reduced to cut costs and bring the project in on budget. Can the Minister then tell us why he announced the project was complete when clearly it wasn't? Thank you.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3978

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure .

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3978

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I spoke about the Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik highway last week, we said the road was under substantial completion when we decided to open it in November. I don't have the exact percentage, but I believe it was probably roughly 95 to 96 per cent complete. Based on that and having a look at the situation, as I have stated in this House, about opening the ice road, we took advantage of the situation for the winter months to open this highway. We have had 60 to 70 visitors per day, as I have said in this House, with no issues. The communities of Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik had an extra 45 days based on us opening that road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

The government news release said that this was an all-weather road that was complete and would link Canada from coast to coast to coast. There was no hedging around of "it would be open some of the time" or that it was mostly complete. I would like the Minister to tell us what he thinks the impact of the current status of the road is having on tourist interest, the community grand opening planned for July, and the new business that we created to promote tourism.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I don't think it is going to have an impact on tourism whatsoever. As the ferry situation is not even open yet, it has not impacted access to that road right now from southern Canada. The impact of the road closure right now is between the residents in Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk. They have been very receptive and understanding of the situation that we need to complete this road. The contractors are out there diligently doing their work along with our engineering people. We look forward to the road opening to the general public as soon as it is safe to do so.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

My concern is that the inadequacy of the construction will now be labelled "maintenance" or "repair." Will the Minister tell us the amount of projected maintenance costs in this first season, and commit to reporting on the actual costs at freeze-up?

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

I can see if we can pull those numbers together. As all Members know, we are updating all Members on this tomorrow after the rise of the House, and I will see if I can pull together the numbers around those questions at the time.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate the Minister's commitment to do that. As I have said in my statement, our record of bringing these big construction projects in on time and on budget hasn't been great. Deh Cho bridge, fibre optic line, and now the Tuk road. My more general question is: what evaluation of the project planning, budgeting, execution, and performance is taking place in the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway, and how are we carrying these lessons forward to the other road projects now under consideration? Mahsi.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

Wally Schumann

Hay River South

As with any of these large projects taking place in the Northwest Territories, be it our own projects or P3 projects, there is something always to be learned. There is something to be learned on everyday-to-day life, and these projects are no different. The one thing I suspect going forward on this, to make it quite clear, I suspect because this was a federally funded project by a significant amount, there is going to be some type of federal audit around this project, and we will gladly participate in that, and we will gladly share that with Members of the House if it is done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 308-18(3): Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway

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Page 3979

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3979

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services . Mr. Speaker, just last week, as I travelled here from Tsiigehtchic, our health centre was still taped off like a crime scene because our workers and residents can't access the building because it is shut down. Mr. Speaker, luckily we have the Aurora College, which let the health centre staff operate for the spring here. With break-up happening, who is to say what would happen if that building wasn't available?

I would like to ask the Minister: can the Minister provide an estimate of when the health centre will be open again? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3979

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3979

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member did bring this to my attention literally minutes after the issue occurred, and they did move the staff and the equipment to the college, so I would really like to thank the college for standing up and helping us out with this. I did get an update from the Department of Infrastructure, and they did have an engineer go in this month to do an assessment, and they have indicated that the building is structurally sound and that it is being levelled right now. It is structurally sound, and the life is going to continue. We are hoping to be in there shortly.

I was under the impression that they were going to be starting to move in this month, and hopefully everything will be all right.

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3979

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

I doubt it will be within this month because, as I have said, the ferry is not open. The contract, as I checked on Friday, still wasn't out. There is a lot of work to be done to the interior. They have to do mudding, painting, repairs to the floor, from what I understand. The stairs need to be redone. Mr. Speaker, the list goes on. With so much funding going toward fixing the dated building, has the Minister considered building a new health centre in Tsiigehtchic?

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

I understand that the levelling and other work was already done, so we are just waiting for some of the other things to be done. I will confer with the Department of Infrastructure to find out when they think it will be appropriate for us to move back into that building. As I said when the Member raised this last time, the building is on a 20-year capital plan. There are a number of health projects that are in front of this project.

They have to compete with all other projects, but for the time being, as I have said, a structural assessment was completed this month by a structural engineer, at which time the building was indicated to not have any major structural concerns, and that the life of the building is still there, and that we can provide quality services out of that building until such a time as we can get it in the capital plan, recognizing that it is competing against a large number of capital projects, not just in Health and Social Services, but across the government.

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

It leads me to my next question. As we haven't seen the red flag list here for quite some time, what is the plan for the health centre in the next five years for Tsiigehtchic?

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

As I have indicated, we have a large number of assets in the Department of Health and Social Services that are in the 20-year needs assessment. We try to move forward on those facilities based on the need and the demand and the safety and whether or not we can provide safe services out of the existing buildings. Based on our assessment, we are comfortable that we can provide safe services under the facility in Tsiigehtchic. It is on the 20-year plan, but it's not within, I'm going to have to verify when it actually falls in. I think it is 20 something, so it is in the 20s.

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, the Minister just mentioned that the building is sound and safe. As I just mentioned, it is taped off as we speak. Nobody is allowed in the building, Mr. Speaker. It is taped off like a crime scene, as I mentioned. Nobody is allowed in or out. I mean, in. Even staff can't go in the building without being with somebody, so that is how safe it is as we speak. Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure that our buildings are all up-to-date, and, when we are in a crisis as we are right now, that we act as soon as possible here, Mr. Speaker.

As we move forward, I will be getting the Minister to give updates, hopefully by the end of this week if we have further questions. Will the Minister ensure that this building is safe within the next month? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 309-18(3): Tsiigehtchic Health Centre

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Page 3980

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

We want the same thing. We want to be able to provide services in the community, and we want to do it in a safe building. As I have indicated, the Department of Infrastructure has had engineers go in and do an assessment of that building, and they a