This is page numbers 701 - 746 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th 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 community.

Topics

Members Present

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

-- Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 701

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, it will be my pleasure later today to introduce a bill to amend the Workers' Compensation Act. There have been no major amendments to this act since it became law over 25 years ago. This bill will be the first of two phases of amendments that will give the people of the NWT an entirely modern and effective workers' compensation system.

Members will recall that a legislative panel was appointed in 2000 to make recommendations for changes to the Workers' Compensation Act and the Safety Act. Made up of representatives from both the NWT and Nunavut, the panel's report Act Now, was received by me and the Minister responsible for the WCB in Nunavut the Honourable Kelvin Ng in January 2002, a little over one year ago.

The Workers' Compensation Board of the NWT and Nunavut is unique for both jurisdictions as it is the only remaining shared institution between the NWT and Nunavut. Although we have a shared board of directors, however, both jurisdictions maintain their own legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is no easy task to develop legislative amendments for the workers' compensation system. First of all, as mentioned, the WCB serves two jurisdictions. In order for the board to maintain a unified legislative base, all amendments made to one government's act, should be reflected in the other jurisdictions. Secondly, by its nature, the legislation also serves two main interest groups - employers who pay for the system and employees who must access the system when an unfortunate incident occurs.

I would also like to note that this bill presents a first for both our Legislative Assembly and that of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. The content of the legislative proposal was developed with input from both governments. The bill itself was drafted by the GNWT Department of Justice, with French translation provided by the Government of Nunavut. I am also pleased to report that the Honourable Kelvin Ng and I were able to discuss and agree on a number of issues, which have been included in the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise the House that the amendments I will be introducing later today, address over 70 percent of the 85 Act Now recommendations calling for legislative change. Many of the remainder of the panel's recommendations addressed operational and other issues not requiring legislative change.

Accountability is key for any system to work effectively. These amendments will clearly establish the roles and responsibilities of all the players in the system so that the public will know how it is to work and who is responsible for making it work.

The amendments will also establish, in legislation, the office of the worker's advisor to help injured workers with their claims. The appointment of the workers' advisory will change from the board to the Minister, as will the workers' advisory's reporting relationship. This will create a direct line of communication and accountability from the workers' advisor to the Minister.

When workers are injured, they need quick access to effective treatment so that they can return to work as quickly a possible. The proposed amendments will mandate the workers' healthcare provider, the worker and the WCB to cooperate in the process of the worker's recovery through early assessment, diagnoses and the development of a treatment plan.

From time to time, Mr. Speaker, there can be differences of medical opinions with respect to the treatment plan for an injured worker. The proposed amendment mandate is a cooperative, consultative approach to help resolve these differences. This will remove some of the adversarial nature of the current process.

The proposed amendments will also clarify major sections of the act and make it easier to read and understand. The amended Workers' Compensation Act will be much more user friendly.

As I mentioned earlier, this bill will address over 70 percent of the recommendations that were made in the Act Now report. These amendments will go a long way to improving the workers' compensation system in the NWT and Nunavut, but the bill we will introduce this afternoon is not the end of the process. A second phase of legislative amendments, including a complete rewrite of the Workers' Compensation Act, is needed to address the remaining Act Now recommendations. I expect these amendments to be ready for introduction early in the life of the next government; and I hope that the Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly will continue to support the completion of this important work.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, who spent a great deal of time reviewing the legislative proposal. Our discussions with AOC were constructive and helpful and I thank them for their contributions to this bill. In closing, I would like to thank the members of the Legislative Review Panel who provided the foundation for the amendments that will be introduced later today. Mr. Speaker, they are Louise Vertes, chairperson; Shona Barkley, Dan Halldorson, Steve Petersen, David Simailak, Alex Stuit and Don Yamkowy. I would also like to thank the board and staff of the WCB and the Department of Justice for their diligence in developing this first set of amendments and the Government of Nunavut for their cooperation in ensuring that his bill would be ready to go forward during the life of our respective governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger will be absent from the House for the remainder of the week to attend the Ministers of Social Services meeting in Toronto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Colleagues, before I proceed to the next item on the order paper, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize in the visitors' gallery some members of the Esteem Team North program. They are touring the Northwest Territories, particularly the Beaufort-Delta region a little later on in the springtime, this week perhaps. With us, we have Mr. Joe Dragon, former Pittsburgh Penguin draftee, Ms. Sharon Firth, an Olympic cross country skier from the Delta; Mr. Jamie Taras, former BC Lions football player; Chris Wilson, Esteem Team Canada executive director; and, Mr. Rob Meckling, the Esteem North coordinator for Sport North. Please welcome them to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause

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

Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 702

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all know the importance of infrastructure in our communities, especially our recreation facilities. Mr. Speaker, we've heard a lot about ensuring that we protect the government's assets, infrastructure, protection of people and assets, but, Mr. Speaker, coming from a small community, sometimes we lose sight of how important our recreation facilities are, especially with regard to the community of Aklavik. The Sittichinli Recreational Complex is an important place not only for meeting, dancing and other activities such as hockey programs. This facility is presently under threat because of the condition of the building. The roof is leaking and also they have done an in-depth report of the Sittichinli Recreation Complex in Aklavik with regard to the technical status evaluation. In that report, they've found there is damage to the recreation complex and there is violation of the fire marshal's code and the Canadian Building Code we have to follow.

Mr. Speaker, we heard a lot in the House about certain reasons this government had to replace certain buildings and also accommodation for certain constituencies. Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that we have to keep in mind that we do represent some 30 communities and that we have to be fair. Mr. Speaker, it's important that we know, as a government, we are not above the law and whenever we find ourselves violating building codes and are in contravention of the fire marshal codes and orders, that we follow them. I feel that in this report that has been done with regard to the Sittichinli Recreational Complex, it's important that this government does something to not only protect this asset, but to ensure we extend the life of this asset in the community of Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs about the Sittichinli Recreation Complex in Aklavik.

Sittichinli Recreation Complex In Aklavik
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 Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, the Minister of Renewable Resources stood in the Assembly and said that a comprehensive review of the Wildlife Act had been underway for a year. Here we are, 11 years since the review started and a new Wildlife Act has not been introduced. In fact, Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development told the House, in answer to a question by Mr. Krutko, that a new wildlife bill would not be introduced during the life of this Assembly. Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Mr. Speaker, since the last election, no fewer than three Ministers of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development have promised we would see new wildlife legislation done in a timely way by this Assembly. After the last election, the consultation process was started again by Mr. Kakfwi, who was the first Minister responsible for RWED. It was carried on by Minister Handley after he took over and lastly by Minister Antoine during his tenure. Mr. Speaker, all three Ministers have noted that one of the main driving forces behind the need for revision was to deal with provisions of settled claims. Well, as Mr. Krutko noted, it's nearly 10 years since the Gwich'in claim was signed, nine years or so since the Sahtu Dene-Metis claim and here we are, nearly at the end of another four-year Assembly mandate with no legislation coming forward.

Mr. Speaker, last year, I brought forward a private Member's bill that would have reduced the waiting period for NWT residents to apply for hunting licences. That bill was killed by Cabinet when they refused to let it come out of Committee of the Whole. The reasons? The Minister said it was because a comprehensive wildlife bill was coming forward within the life of this Assembly and items like my amendment should be dealt with as part of the overall review. So, since the review was underway and it would result in new legislation in the fall of 2002, the private Member's bill should not receive consideration. Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Krutko noted, the government has promised for a long time that we would see a new Wildlife Act. Now, they say we have to wait for a new Assembly. I have tried to deal with the issue of a two-year for resident hunting licences in the 12th, 13th and now the 14th Assemblies, to no avail. I am always told that, since a new Wildlife Act is coming forward, I should be patient and wait for changes as part of that new act. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Krutko expressed the frustration that he and his constituents feel over the time it has taken to see this new legislation. My constituents are frustrated as well. It's now been more than 10 years since I raised the issue. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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

Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, the only positive note that I can point to is that in the latest progress report on new wildlife legislation sent out by the Minister of RWED in January, I see the government proposes to reduce the residency requirement for a hunting licence to one year. A flicker of hope, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I guess I am going to have to confer with my colleague from Mackenzie Delta on this issue. Perhaps we should collaborate on a new private Member's bill to move the whole process along. Perhaps we could bring it forward in June. At least one Cabinet Minister said he would support my private Member's bill if a new act wasn't going forward. It may be time to put that commitment to the test. Mr. Speaker, given the speed with which this process is moving, that may be the only way that we will see any action on a new Wildlife Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Amendments To The Wildlife Act
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Steven Nitah Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to talk about something good for a change in this House.

---Applause

I would like to congratulate a constituent of mine, Grant Giroux who partnered with Carter Industries to provide a unique opportunity to work towards his journeyman certification. He started a joint venture company to provide heavy equipment training in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, in this unprecedented time of development, this kind of entrepreneurial spirit is what's going to make sure that we, as a society, benefit the most in our non-renewable resource development. They joined forces to offer people in the North a heavy equipment operation journeyman apprenticeship program; Grant, a certified heavy equipment trainer, and Carter Industries, a northern company that has been operating for over 30 years in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I am glad to also inform the House that our government has participated a great deal in this area. The departments of RWED and Education, Culture and Employment have supported this joint venture. It's this kind of collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit that's going to make their model a reality. Their motto is "Together we can Make a Brighter Future for the People and For the Business of the NWT." Mr. Speaker, they offer a program where, instead of going to Fort Smith, they will come to you. If you have a project in Lutselk'e, Wha Ti or Tsiigehtchic, and you want heavy equipment operation trainers, they will come to you. This is the beauty of this business. They will provide a service, they make money and they provide viable training and apprenticeship hours, so our northern workforce are certified and benefit to the maximum that's available to them. I would like to congratulate Carter Industries and Mr. Grant Giroux. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Mahsi, Mr. Nitah. Members' statements. The honourable Member for North Slave, Mr. Lafferty.

All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I mentioned that the proposed Bathurst Inlet port and road would have a serious economic and environmental impact on the Northwest Territories. I have always felt that my region was overlooked in this government's transportation studies and strategies and I also know that nothing much has happened with these initiatives because of the lack of territorial and federal dollars.

Mr. Speaker, an opportunity is before us to create our own road into the Slave Geological Province and the time to act is now. Mr. Speaker, along with developing our own road into the Slave Geological Province, I think it is critical that we ensure that territorial concerns about the Bathurst Inlet port and road are heard. In my region which is rich in minerals, a gold mining company is looking for all weather roads and the opportunity to access existing hydro power in the Dogrib region. As I've said in the past, I think we need to look at connecting the communities and hydro and the mines. The clock is ticking and we can no longer delay decisions on an all-weather road and hydro activity in our territory.

I realize that a coalition of Northern businesses is currently lobbying the provinces as well as the federal government for infrastructure funding. The problem with this is that this lobbying is based on the Corridors for Canada document. This government document does not benefit or address the opportunities in the Dogrib region. I'm sure that residents within my region would love to have input into creating this road if an independent household survey was done.

As I mentioned yesterday, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs is going to decide in the next month which type of environmental review will be given to the supply routes. I think this government needs to ensure that a federal and environmental review process known as a Part 6 is undertaken and I think we better get moving on our own road to resources through the Dogrib region. This government could make a powerful statement by just putting an all weather road into Wha Ti. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

All Weather Road To The Slave Geologic Province
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 703

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Greonewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, recently given second reading, proposes to toughen up our drinking and driving laws by reducing the legal limit to .05 percent. This is an important step towards the goal of reducing traffic fatalities in the Northwest Territories. However, Mr. Speaker, I believe in order to make this law more effective the public must be aware of the lower blood alcohol limit and what this new limit really means.

We've all heard the ads that equate one beer to one glass of wine to one ounce of liquor. In the past we have done a fairly good job of informing the public about how much the average person can consume while safely being below the limit of .08 percent level. With the new limit on the horizon, the public must be informed on how the new rate reduces what can be consumed before getting behind the wheel of the vehicle. If the public isn't familiar with the new limit, the benefit to public safety that this bill was meant to provide won't be realized and that, Mr. Speaker, would be a tragic waste.

There are many ways to get the message out. Increased presence of the RCMP, perhaps including more frequent road side breathalyzer testing, is one possibility. But it is critical that we find ways to get the word out before someone gets behind the wheel. Setting up breathalyzer equipment in a few bars could be an eye opening experience for many. Other possibilities include informative posters or signs for display in all businesses that serve or sell alcohol and other key locations; stickers or messages on cans, bottles, and paper bags; a mass mail out informing the public of the new limit and what the change means; or perhaps an insert in any government mailing. Public service announcements targeting youth and a notice of the lower blood alcohol limit could be provided at the same time as driver licenses or vehicles are registered.

There are a great number of things that can be done to inform the public of the new limit and to make the public aware of how the new tolerance will decrease the amount of alcohol that can be legally consumed before getting behind the wheel. This government must do all that it can to get the word out and I hope they will consider these suggestions. Mr. Speaker, laws that are not understood are unlikely to be effective and there can hardly be a more important law than one that helps prevent another death from drunk driving. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have already expressed concern about the desperate housing and cost of living situation faced by low and middle income families many times in this Assembly. I believe it is shown by the almost 500 signatures on the affordable rental housing petition that we do need a better way of looking at the skyrocketing cost of rent and the cost of living. In these replies to the petitions that I've tabled, I'm looking forward to the Minister's positive and hopefully innovative approaches to dealing with the crisis, not only here in Yellowknife but in other NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, in this Assembly in the last few days, we've been grappling with other aspects of housing, namely the harmonization proposal. The redistribution of wealth is an important part of government's job and is very much at the core of this initiative. It is clear that subsidies and supports such as income support and housing are an essential part of our work and these are principles that I won't abandon. This government clearly needs to look at how we support those citizens with the greatest need and balance that with those who can pay accordingly, so that we won't break the bank.

Speaking of banks, Mr. Speaker, housing isn't the only signal of the sustained and increased economic pressure on low and middle income families. Here in Yellowknife this is evidenced by the growing lines at our food bank. Where there used to be about 60 families coming in every two weeks, there are now over 100. Mr. Speaker, this is more people than the population of a number of our smaller communities. Where the food bank spent about $3,500 a month, it is now spending about $4,500. The volunteer board says that at this rate they will run out of funds by June. Is the government's social safety net meeting the needs as it should? What's happened to the increases for the food allowances that we worked so hard to establish?

Mr. Speaker, work goes on to try to address these issues. In fact, in Yellowknife there is a seminar that is put together by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation which is going to look at the current and future situation of housing in Yellowknife. I'm going to be going there, and perhaps tomorrow I will have some more things to say about this dramatic need here in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the continuing challenges facing the recruitment and retention of the health care professionals in the North and in particular, the nursing staff at the Stanton Territorial Hospital. During this budget session, Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has already approved an additional $8.3 million and we will be asked to approve more money under the supplementary appropriations bill later on today. What concerns me is that all of this additional money may not translate into an increased number of positions at the hospital. I must say, Mr. Speaker, it is highly frustrating when, as an MLA, you push hard to get more money to a certain program area and see no visible benefits.

Mr. Speaker, the information I have is that there continues to be a real deficiency in the retention area of the government's recruitment and retention strategy. In fact, the health care professionals have dubbed the latest strategy from the government as the "recruitment" strategy because it lacks the element of retention. Mr. Speaker, we should feel alarmed about this because logic would dictate that, without a meaningful retention effort, any recruitment effort will be fruitless. This is affecting all areas of staffing at Stanton, whether they be doctors, nurses, physio and occupational therapists, X-ray and other imaging technicians or lab technicians.

Mr. Speaker, in the case of the nursing staff, the government's guarantee of jobs for new nursing grads coming out of the school have been a mixed blessing in practice. No one can argue that this is a good thing for those new grads and I appreciate that we will benefit as a society from having northern nurses in our midst. What the government has failed to do thus far is to recognize fully and compensate appropriately the experienced nurses who are already there. Unless the government takes care of retaining the experienced nurses with proper compensation and benefits, we will not be able to rely on them to train and mentor the new grads.

I don't believe, Mr. Speaker, that it is fair and it is not right for the government to expect the experienced nurses to continue to fill overtime shifts and mentor and train the new grads without being properly compensated and recognized for that extra work. Their compensation, as it is, is not competitive in comparison to their counterparts in other jurisdictions. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that the government's objective of guaranteeing all nursing grads placement is laudable in theory, but it must come with the government's commitment to recognize the extra burden it is asking the experienced nurses to take on. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I conclude by saying, the government's objective of guaranteeing all new nursing grad placements is laudable in theory, but it must come with government's commitment to recognize the extra burden it is asking the experienced nurses to take on. Reclassification of current positions is one thing, Mr. Speaker, but this is taking way too long and this will not move far enough to get the nurses to be competitive when it comes to retaining the experienced nurses we have. I know the government is aware of this problem, Mr. Speaker, and I want to put the government on notice that I will be paying very close attention to this area in the coming weeks and months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

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