This is page numbers 1231 - 1274 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman.

Topics

Members Present

Honourable Roger Allen, Mr. Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Mr. Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, Ms. Lee, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Honourable Jake Ootes, Mr. Roland, Honourable Vince Steen, Honourable Tony Whitford.

-- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. Our first order of business is Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Youth, Mr. Allen.

Minister's Statement 83-14(5): Youth Corps Program
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to provide an update to Members on the establishment of the NWT youth corps program.

The youth corps program is designed to assist in the development and delivery of specialized projects to support NWT youth as they develop their skills and contribute to their communities. To date three projects have been approved:

  • • the Sahtu trapping industry training project
  • • the Beaufort-Delta youth entry level skills project; and
  • • the Inuvik fur trapping training project.

The Sahtu trapping industry training project is a partnership between the youth secretariat, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Human Resources Development Canada, the Sahtu Divisional Board of Education, the Fur Institute of Canada and local community groups. In this program participating youth will have an opportunity to learn trapping and trapping industry skills, as well as gain educational upgrading and other personal development training. Most importantly, the program provides youth with a valuable experience of traditional culture.

The youth secretariat and the Beaufort-Delta District Education Council are sponsoring the Beaufort-Delta youth entry level skills project. Youth from around the region will have the opportunity to receive training in computer technology, the oil and gas industry and tourism, as well as educational upgrading in preparation for re-entry into the school system or job market.

The Inuvik fur trapping training project will allow youth in open custody to learn valuable skills related to trapping, on the land survival and basic safety so that when they return to their communities they will be in a better position to contribute to their own growth and development.

Discussions are underway to finalize projects in the Deh Cho, North Slave and South Slave regions.

Because this is a new initiative of this government, we are paying careful attention to how well each of these different approaches work in achieving our objectives of developing youth skills and leadership. The youth secretariat will be working closely with each of the project sponsors to evaluate project outcomes.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to advise Members that 19 smaller projects have been approved under the youth contributions project. This project provides support for small projects of $5,000 or less that assist youth in a range of development opportunities. Projects funded to date include support for students traveling to the Dream Catchers Conference, youth role model tours and junior ranger projects.

Mr. Speaker, our youth need strong support, good role models and the positive involvement of caring adults. With the youth secretariat, I am pleased to be able to assist in these areas and to provide NWT youth with support towards a stronger future for all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Minister's Statement 83-14(5): Youth Corps Program
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Launch Of The United Way Foundation
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to be able to participate, along with dozens of other Yellowknife residents, at the launch of the United Way Foundation here in Yellowknife. This launch was kicked off last Wednesday, October 15, at the Fire Hall. The NWT it the 125th member of United Way Canada, Mr. Speaker. This provides another option for each of us to make the NWT and the times we live in a better place.

I would particularly like to commend the many volunteers who work to bring this very valuable part of our community to reality, particularly two constituents of Great Slave, Doris McCann and Bob Haywood. I also want to congratulate Lowell Ann Fuglsang, Don Babey, and Roslyn Smith, the new president of the United Way board, who are all instrumental in making this happen. I think a special thank you goes to former mayor Dave Lovell, who is the honourary campaign chairperson and a consistent believer.

This moving to the NWT would really not be possible, Mr. Speaker, without the cooperation and support of the federal and territorial governments. In this, I want to commend the Minister of Finance and his people for working with the United Way supporters to bring this opportunity to the GNWT's 2,500 employees. Contributions to United Way can mean financial support for agencies in the NWT, in Yellowknife, or any registered charitable organization in Canada. The payroll deductions approach can enable individuals and program participants to better plan their support for community social programs.

Mr. Speaker, we are among the most generous givers in Canada, and here is an even better way for people to plan their giving, help good causes, and even get those much-appreciated tax breaks. The first United Way fundraising campaign comes to a close at the end of this week, Mr. Speaker. I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality here in the North. Thank you.

-- Applause

Launch Of The United Way Foundation
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Capital Infrastructure Concerns In Mackenzie Delta
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, communities depend on improvements to our infrastructure and capital in our communities. In most cases, infrastructure is old and needs to be replaced. Mr. Speaker, there have been several capital items in my riding, which seems to be ongoing and not really in construction phase but in the planning phase. Constituents in communities I represent are concerned in regard to how soon can we see these capital items come on stream and see them constructed in regard to budgets that have been presented to this House.

Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the community of Aklavik's curling rink proposal, which has been brought forth to this House. The money has been approved in the capital budget of this government, but yet, Mr. Speaker, very little progress has been done in that area. The other project that comes to mind is the Tsiigehtchic water improvement program to improve the water in Tsiigehtchic for the residents of Tsiigehtchic by way of $100,000, which has been approved in last year's budget and a million dollars next year.

Mr. Speaker, there again, the community is waiting to see exactly where the plans are on exactly how soon can this project be implemented.

Mr. Speaker, the other project is in Fort McPherson, where they have requested that the fire truck in Fort McPherson be moved in the capital items, which was for 2004-2005, and also wanting to know if it has been reallocated for the years 2003-2004.

Mr. Speaker, as communities and as leaders of our communities, they are concerned in regard to the financial situation of this government. I think, Mr. Speaker, it is crucial that those projects succeed and be carried forth and completed in a reasonable time.

Mr. Speaker, we hear of capital projects in this government that are being fast-tracked to the detriment of small communities. In small communities, we do not have the human resources, engineers and what not, yet the government has access to those people. I think it is appropriate that this government does whatever it can to speed up these projects and see them come to light. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs questions on this matter.

-- Applause

Capital Infrastructure Concerns In Mackenzie Delta
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Beaufort-delta Leaders' Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week in Inuvik, the Beaufort-Delta leaders are once again meeting to go over issues of importance and further discussions on processes with self-government and work with this government, so I wish them the best in their deliberations and what they are doing. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be there as we are taking part in session here and I look forward to see the results of their meetings and the motions that would come out of them, and hopefully pursuing implementation of those motions with this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Beaufort-delta Leaders' Meeting
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors on their continuing efforts to improve community support for the health of seniors.

Mr. Speaker, this association, otherwise known as YACCS, has been working for more than 19 years with partners, including the NWT and Yellowknife Seniors Society, and other agencies to do this work. Mr. Speaker, seniors over 50 are the fastest growing segment of the Northwest Territories population. We number 6,000 out of the NWT population of 43,000. I say we because, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I have joined that group. It is interesting to note, though, that on this side of the House, there are I think only two of us who are there, but we have many Members on the other side who are...

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Some Hon. Members

Many, many!

-- Laughter

...among the seniors. Mr. Speaker, as we age, 8 percent of us can expect to become afflicted with Alzheimer's or dementia in our lifetime.

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

A hundred percent on the other side of the floor!

-- Laughter

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

That's right -- 100 percent over there!

-- Laughter

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, that is no laughing matter. Mr. Speaker, in Yellowknife alone, I am told there are 31 individuals meeting the definition of dementia. Apparently, with an additional 35 seniors showing early signs.

Mr. Speaker, this condition means losing awareness while your body still functions. These seniors deserve a caring and compassionate level of care, and the government has an obligation to support them properly. The Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors are anxious to partner with the government in their quest to provide that care. Through Aven Manor and Aven Court, YACCS has been providing care for residents and patients with long-term care at Aven Manor. Mr. Speaker, they are full and they cannot properly meet the special care requirements of dementia and Alzheimer's patients. These patients need increased levels of care. There is no place for these seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Minister of Health and Social Services on that department's contribution of an initial $50,000 in planning funds, but I would like to remind him, Mr. Speaker, that this is only a beginning; there is still a long way to go. It is critical that the government plan to put real dollars towards the care of individuals in the North who have been the cornerstone by which this Territory was developed. We owe them that reasonable level of care. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Support And Caring For Seniors
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have stated in this House many times that I have worked closely with the Hay River Seniors' Society since being an elected almost three years ago. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a program administered by the NWT Housing Corporation. That being the Senior Citizens Home Repair Program.

Mr. Speaker, the Senior Citizens Home Repair Program is a program that provides financial assistance to seniors who own and occupy their own homes. The forgivable loan of up to $20,000 is to be used to repair or improve the condition of the client's home in order to make their home safer and enables seniors to maintain an independent lifestyle.

My problem with this project, Mr. Speaker, is that it is not offered to all seniors. Like most government programs, there is an income threshold in effect. A senior cannot qualify for this program if their household income is above $37,500 and this, Mr. Speaker, is a combined household income. Mr. Speaker, this government has spoken volumes about how our elders are one of our most precious resources and how much we value our elders. Well, Mr. Speaker, apparently we value seniors as long as they have not saved too much money for their golden years.

Mr. Speaker, I have stood up in this House on many occasions and criticized other government departments for the income thresholds they have in place as a prerequisite for their programs. I have always, Mr. Speaker, advocated for a sliding scale on government programs whereby if a person is over the income threshold they might not receive 100 percent of the program benefit but they could still receive a slightly reduced amount.

Mr. Speaker, seniors aged 60 and over represent approximately 6 percent of our population and in 20 years this figure is expected to double. Mr. Speaker, the economic spending power of seniors is something this government cannot afford to ignore.

Mr. Speaker, in June of 2000 the Legislative Assembly passed a motion recommending that the GNWT undertake a review of all programs and services offered to seniors in the NWT. As a result, Mr. Speaker, it was determined that seniors programs and services exist in a complex service environment and government departments have varying eligibility criteria which is confusing for seniors.

Mr. Speaker, our society encourages individuals to be productive and to go out and earn a living to provide for their families. Our seniors have saved...

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. Delorey, your time for Member's statement is up. Mr. Delorey, you have the floor.

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Delorey, you may continue.

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, our society encourages individuals to be productive and go out and earn a living to provide for their families. Our seniors have saved all their lives and have been productive members of our society. Mr. Speaker, when they reach retirement these same seniors quickly find out that they do not qualify for government programs for seniors because they have worked hard and followed all the rules. They are damned if they do and they are damned if they don't, Mr. Speaker.

I commend the Minister of Education and his departmental officials for this year instituting a sliding scale for the Seniors' Fossil Fuel Subsidy. It is very welcome news for both myself and the constituents that I represent. Apparently someone is listening. I certainly hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Minister of Housing is listening to the needs of seniors and that he agrees to take the measures to allow more seniors to access the Housing Corporation's Senior Citizens Home Repair Program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Senior Citizens Home Repair Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Addictions Treatment In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted today to talk a bit about addictions treatment in the Northwest Territories. We know that most recently the Minister of Health commissioned a study that was recently made public, called A State of Emergency, Mr. Speaker, and it was done by Chalmers and Associates I believe out of Saskatchewan. It speaks to our current state of affairs and condemns, I guess, the current system that we have, so much so that it says we cannot simply add bits and pieces to what we have. We have to start at the ground level and rebuild the whole community addictions program system, and to simply add resources would be counter-productive.

I think intuitively all of us recognize this and I think that I have said over the past number of years that our legacy as a government and the last government has been that of closing addictions facilities. That has certainly not been an acceptable answer to what is indeed a state of emergency, Mr. Speaker. I think that we all know step one is to identify the problem but more importantly, Mr. Speaker, step two is to do something about it. We seem to feel the need to commission studies from consultants who are paid by the thousands and thousands of dollars and if we cannot put a price tag on something, Mr. Speaker, we seem to not take it seriously or devalue the kinds of things that the common people of the Northwest Territories have been telling us for some time.

Mr. Speaker, clearly we need to listen to the people who have been yelling at us over the last number of years to take action and to do something. Very recently, Mr. Speaker, there was an inquest in town at the Explorer Hotel to look at the suicide of a young woman in Yellowknife, a very tragic situation, and clearly I think, Mr. Speaker, preventable. Six very common sense local people got together to form a list of recommendations to bring forward to, among one of the parties at any rate was the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, as I go down these, and I will read them, they are very common sense and I think things that we should pay close attention to. They talking about widening the scope of services available through the existing treatment centres to include programs that focus on drug addictions. They also talk about funding the establishment of a medical detox facility...

Addictions Treatment In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mr. Bell, your time is up for Member's statement. Mr. Bell, you have the floor.