This is page numbers 183 - 236 of the Hansard for the 15th 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 health.

Topics

Members Present

Mr. Allen, Honourable Brendan Bell, Mr. Braden, Mr. Delorey, Honourable Charles Dent, Mrs. Groenewegen, Honourable Joe Handley, Mr. Hawkins, Honourable David Krutko, Ms. Lee, Honourable Michael McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Pokiak, Mr. Ramsay, Honourable Floyd Roland, Mr. Villeneuve, Mr. Yakeleya, Honourable Henry Zoe

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 183

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Before we begin the orders of the day, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors' gallery of the Honourable Jobie Nutarak of the Nunavut legislature.

---Applause

Also, the Honourable Peter Kilabuk, who is the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs and Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Welcome to the House.

---Applause

Also, the Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, welcome to the House.

---Applause

Also, from Cambridge Bay, Mr. Keith Peterson. Welcome to the House.

---Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements.

Minister's Statement 14-15(3): Wise Women Awards
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month we recognized International Women's Day. That is the day when countries around the world celebrate the achievements women have made to improve the quality of life for all.

Twelve years ago, the NWT Status of Women Council established the Wise Women Awards. These awards are in recognition of the dedication and commitment NWT women have shown to the communities in which they live.

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize this year's recipients of the Wise Women Awards: Mary Teya for the Beaufort-Delta; Albertine Rodh for the Deh Cho; Beverly Masuzumi for the Sahtu; Besha Blondin for the North Slave; and Marilyn Sanderson for the South Slave.

These women represent the many dedicated individuals in our territory who work to advance the rights of women and their families. Their contributions allow us to reflect on the many contributions northern women have made to all of our communities. The recent passage of the NWT Human Rights Act and the Protection Against Family Violence Act are examples of how individuals and grassroots organizations can contribute to the legislative agenda of this government.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to working in partnership with grassroots organizations in efforts to address the social, economic and political challenges that lie before us.

I would like to recognize the work of the Status of Women Council of the NWT, the Native Women's Association and the numerous community groups and individuals who have worked so tirelessly on women's equality issues. Their help, their advice and their expertise contribute to the growth and development of the North. On behalf of this government, I express my sincerest gratitude for all that these groups have done. Thank you.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 14-15(3): Wise Women Awards
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Support For Independent Living In NWT Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in every community in the Northwest Territories, there are people with disabilities and special needs. The level of support they require to maintain a good quality of life varies from individual to individual. Some challenges are physical and require logistical support like barrier-free access, specialized equipment and modifications to their homes. Some challenges are intellectual and require different types of support.

Recently my colleague, Mr. Delorey, and myself met with a group of concerned citizens in Hay River who are interested in formalizing an association to support persons with disabilities in Hay River. It's hard to believe that, in this day and age of awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities, a community the size of Hay River doesn't yet have well-defined resources for persons with disabilities. Because of this, two things have occurred in the past. People either didn't get the help they needed and their circumstances would deteriorate to the point where their needs would become much more complex and more costly solutions would be required; or, people would have to relocate, often away from the support of their family and friends, to find the programs and services which would meet their specific needs.

An emerging need in Hay River is support for young adults who are typically finished their formal public education, who need some independence from living at home with their parents but aren't quite able to cope without some level of structure, mentoring and supervision. In Yellowknife, for many years there has been the Yellowknife Association for Community Living, which is an example of an organization which could

facilitate the support of such clients. Here and in many other jurisdictions in Canada, there are homes and networks of homes which are like any other home in a residential area, but the family inside, however, might consist of two or three adults with assisted-living needs and a live-in or rotating staff which provide the necessary support and companionship.

Without a formal organization or a specific program, it has been difficult for Hay River MLAs to solicit the support of government departments or agencies for resources and infrastructure needed to get something started. But getting started is exactly what we plan to do. I very much appreciate the recent visit to Hay River by representatives of the Yellowknife Association for Community Living. I also appreciate the representation of the NWT Housing Corporation, the Hay River Housing Authority, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre, the Department of Justice and concerned citizens who initially met to discuss this need. I understand that since then there has been another meeting.

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

Support For Independent Living In NWT Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Support For Independent Living In NWT Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 184

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we are going to be looking for support from NGOs and government to move ahead the agenda of this new association. We have people motivated at the community level and they are motivated to identify the needs and to formulate the required responses. Our job as Hay River MLAs is going to be to act as advocates on behalf of these efforts, so later today I will have questions for the appropriate Minister with respect to that support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Support For Independent Living In NWT Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 184

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 184

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday during question period, on page 272 of the unedited Hansard, I asked the Minister of RWED a question as to whether the government will develop an intervener-status type of approach in the regulatory regime in which the Minister replies that he needed a little more information.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, last week the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board began its hearings on the proposed pipeline in Norman Wells. This is a landmark event for the people of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. Not since the Berger inquiry have we embarked on a process like this and yet, at this crucial time in our history, the Government of the Northwest Territories was nowhere to be seen. When other environmental assessment hearings were held on the diamond mines, the government was there making presentations and stating its position. This was the responsible thing to do in the demonstration of leadership.

Mr. Speaker, what is this government's position? If this government supports a pipeline, why isn't it getting up in front of the board and sending a clear message to industry and to the public? Mr. Speaker, it's time to set up and demonstrate that we will try to influence the process that leaves no doubt in the minds of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, industry and the federal government that sending NWT gas to southern markets remains a Canadian priority. I will be asking the Minister questions related to this important matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Process
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 184

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Chief Albert Wright School In Tulita
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member's statement has to do with education and the school in Tulita. Mr. Speaker, we continue to speak about supporting our children to receive most of their educational training in the North. This starts in your home community, in a school that provides us the necessary space and opportunities for our children to lay a good foundation for success at the post-secondary level. Our children require a safe and enjoyable place to learn and to grow in their learning.

Mr. Speaker, right now in my riding of Sahtu, the school in Tulita is in desperate need of replacement. I have personally walked through this school and talked to the teachers, parents, and the students about the Chief Albert Wright School and the state of the structure, and also with regard to possible health concerns related to poor regulations. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I was made aware that students in grades 10, 11 and 12 were overcrowded in the current school.

Mr. Speaker, the school children and the people of Tulita deserve a safe and enjoyable learning environment, and I am pleased to say that the government has started the process of replacing the Chief Albert Wright School in this year's infrastructure acquisition plan. Roughly $12 million will be spent over the next four years, and I would like to thank the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the government for recognizing the needs of the children of Tulita and for moving quickly to replace the Chief Albert Wright School. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Chief Albert Wright School In Tulita
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 184

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Disability Action Plan
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about the disability action plan. In May of 2001, the former Premier, Stephen Kakfwi, tasked the Disability Steering Committee Partnership with developing an interdisciplinary and multidimensional framework that would guide the development of effective programs and services and promote the full inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout the Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the partnership had representation from the GNWT and a myriad of non-government organizations

and aboriginal organizations, including Health and Social Services; Education, Culture and Employment; Municipal and Community Affairs; NWT Housing Corporation; the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities; the YK Association for Community Living; the YWCA of Yellowknife; the Dene Nation; and, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. I am happy to note, Mr. Speaker, the partnership started with 100 needs and concerns, and they have distilled all of the issues into five building blocks and now it has been turned into a disability action plan.

The five priority areas that were identified in the action plan are as follows: under education, to ensure that barrier-free, lifelong learning opportunities that maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities are realized; under the heading of employment, to enhance the employability of persons with disabilities, encourage entry and re-entry into the labour market and support more work opportunities; under income support, to design a system that is responsive to the needs of people with disabilities, and to provide for an income safety net which rewards individual work efforts to the greatest extent possible, but which provides financial assistance if self-support isn't possible or insufficient to meet basic needs.

The fourth item, under independence, is to ensure that disability supports provide for active participation at home, at school and in the community, and that they maximize personal and economic independence. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, the action plan deals with housing issues: to ensure that persons with disabilities will be provided with a range of housing options that are affordable, accessible and that maximizes independence.

I do believe, Mr. Speaker, the government has the final action plan of this and I am in full support of the findings and the plan under this action. I would be looking to the government to make sure that they follow up on this plan and implement them as much and as early as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Disability Action Plan
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 185

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government and the public entrusts a number of critical programs and services to boards and agencies. Many of these boards and agencies are required by law to prepare annual reports. This may seem like a formality to some, however, it is an important and necessary tool that we have to hold our boards and agencies accountable.

Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that in the case of at least one board it has been several years since an annual report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly, despite a clear requirement in the law. This concerns me greatly. How are the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the public to know whether government money is being spent responsibly?

If a board can't get it together to submit an annual report, how well are they managing their other responsibilities? Moreover, how is it that a board has been able to get away with breaking the law for several years in a row? I find it very disturbing, Mr. Speaker. If one board can get away with it, how many others out there are doing the same?

Mr. Speaker, with the fiscal situation we're in, it's more important than ever that we look carefully at the results we're not getting, not only from government departments, but also from boards and agencies. For a start, I expect annual reports from the public bodies that are required by law to make them and I expect the Legislative Assembly to start making them. I will direct questions to the appropriate Minister later this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Item 3, Members' statements. The Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Maximizing Pipeline Employment Benefits
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 185

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the election campaign, I spoke to my constituents about the need for preparation for the proposed Mackenzie gas pipeline. The pipeline discussions have been on the agenda for a number of years in the Beaufort-Delta, and many of my constituents are concerned about the training that will be available. Many of our young people need to be prepared for the anticipated influx of jobs, which will come with the pipeline. The Department of Education should take the lead role in ensuring our young people are trained for the many jobs to come, even though some of these jobs may be really short term.

Mr. Speaker, in my community of Tuktoyaktuk, there are two buildings that can accommodate 100 or more people. These buildings can be used as a training base for people in the Beaufort-Delta region. Mr. Speaker, by utilizing one of these buildings, it would bring people from the Beaufort-Delta region into one community that can accommodate training for our young people. Courses for consideration for training in the Beaufort-Delta for residents are welders, heavy equipment operators, heavy duty mechanics, power engineering, and housing maintenance.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for the Department of Education and Aurora College to consider utilizing one of the camps in Tuktoyaktuk as a sub-base for training to get our young people ready for the pipeline and other potential projects that will come down the road, such as the potential mining opportunities around the community of Paulatuk. Aurora College considers sitting down with the two owners of the buildings in Tuktoyaktuk to negotiate a contract to utilize the buildings for training. It is time for the government and all of its partners to take action to address the training needs of the people of the Beaufort-Delta. The community of Tuktoyaktuk has the infrastructure to meet that training need. All we need now, Mr. Speaker, is the foresight to rise to the challenge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Maximizing Pipeline Employment Benefits
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 185

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

The Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 186

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I spoke of the need to stop this government's clawback of the National Child Benefit Supplement. It is a significant topic and I want to speak on it again. One of the prime obligations of government is to improve the living conditions of its citizens, particularly those in the greatest need: those who struggle to get beyond the poverty line and those who want to improve their skills and abilities to function in our rapidly changing society. I believe our citizens want to become more self-sufficient and want to be able to take advantage of the development opportunities that are afforded here in the NWT.

Minister Dent, in his response to questions, is correct in saying that the program has three goals. Reducing child poverty, Mr. Speaker, is listed as the first one, and there is a growing chorus of NWT residents and family advocates telling us that we should indeed be stopping this claw back. It is reinforced by people such as Jane Stewart last year, then the federal Minister of Human Resources Development Canada. She stated during a meeting here in Yellowknife of territorial and provincial Ministers that this territory should stop clawing back the National Child Benefit Supplement.

Further strengthening this position, the United Nations reviewed Canada's compliance with the international covenant on economic social and cultural rights. Its report states that the clawback should be prohibited. The NWT is one of five jurisdictions in Canada that continues to do this.

Mr. Speaker, we shouldn't always rely on federal Ministers or outside organizations to tell us what to do, but we do have Alternatives North, our local non-government organizations, and citizens on income support who have consistently opposed this clawback. It seems like a pretty solid and knowledgeable base of opposition to this government's position. The clawback just digs a bigger hole of poverty for people to crawl out of.

Overall, our income support program, because of the housing investment that we make in it, is a good one. Where we fall down is the adequacy of our food and household living allowances. Can you imagine, Mr. Speaker, trying to get by on feeding two kids for less than $10,000? Some Members will recall, Mr. Speaker, a game we played out here in the Great Hall a couple of years ago. Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 186

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

The Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? No, there aren't. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 186

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The poverty game was an exercise organized by family advocates here in Yellowknife, and it was a fascinating exercise because it caused us, as MLAs, to sit down and go through the motions that recipients of income support would have to go through. We had to get through a month of living on income support. Just about all of us had to do some cheating of some kind or another to get our families and ourselves by on one month.

The bottom line, from my perspective and many others, is that income support levels, given the cost of living in the North, are not adequate. Stopping the national child benefit clawback by this government will make a tremendous difference; an $800,000 difference a year for many families, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

---Applause

Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 186

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

The Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I said in my Member's statement yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I would like to again talk about the importance of seniors and elders in the NWT in the context of retaining our languages, cultures and traditional knowledge.

Mr. Speaker, the elders of the NWT represent a vast wealth of information and knowledge that the residents of the NWT cannot afford to lose, especially at the alarming rate that we have witnessed in the past few years with the passing of many prominent elders. Mr. Speaker, the information and the knowledge of the elders who have passed on, and those who have not been utilized to date will be forever lost if we do not start to develop and encourage the sharing of these resources within our school systems, institutions, and this government.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage this government to be more receptive to development of a database or an institution which encourages the growth and retention of all of the traditional knowledge so that people from all walks of life can enjoy all of the historical knowledge and stories that are passed on to our children, and also some of this traditional knowledge to help them in their daily lives, be it information on traditional medicines used by our ancestors, traditional activities and customs, traditional trails and hunting methods, or just some historical information that is told in the words of the elders who have been directly involved in a lot of the issues that we as northerners are living with today, such as treaties, land claims, northern development, and non-development of our lands and resources.

That being said, Mr. Speaker, I would like to again emphasize the importance of this initiative and, in particular, the growing reliance on our seniors within our society to ensure the success of many of this government's and other governments' programs and services. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker David Krutko

Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.