This is page numbers 39 - 64 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 1st 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 agreement.

Topics

Mr. Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Bromley, Hon. Paul Delorey, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Krutko, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Sandy Lee, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Michael McLeod, Mr. McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Ramsay, Hon. Floyd Roland, Hon. Norman Yakeleya

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. Welcome, colleagues, as we resume the session of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Although we have all been very busy over the past five or so weeks absorbing departmental briefings, setting up constituency offices and arranging for staff, becoming familiar with new portfolios, as we have also had an opportunity to work together as 19 Members to examine issues facing the residents of the Northwest Territories, I sense that we are filled with energy and resolve. We are fortunate and honoured to have been elected by our constituents to guide the Northwest Territories through the next four years. Today, as we sit together in this House, I would like to remind all Members of the words in the Code of Conduct which you adopted at the last sitting of the House. Members vow to fulfill your duties with integrity and honour and I will hold each of you to that vow. It is my duty as Speaker to do no less.

There are many decisions made in this House and although we may not always agree with these decisions, we must always remember to treat each other with respect, dignity and understanding. There is room for lively debate, for thoughtful comments and questions, and for informed and careful decision-making. With you, I look forward to the next four years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend the condolences of this House to those who have lost loved ones in recent weeks. We have lost the guidance of several respected beloved elders and of aviation and industry pioneers. We will miss the knowledge and love of the land they all possessed, as well as their commitment to the people of the North. They will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and communities.

With that, colleagues, let’s begin our work. Orders of the day. Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Minister’s Statement 1-16(1): Sessional Statement
Item 2: Ministers’ Statements

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to stand here today as the Premier of the Northwest Territories. I appreciate the confidence and trust Members of this Assembly and people across the territory have placed in me. Along with the members of my Cabinet, we commit to all northerners that we will take decisions with a view to the future, anchored in a profound sense of responsibility for the kind of society our children and grandchildren will inherit. I am confident we will tackle the difficult choices necessary to position our

territory to have a prosperous and sustainable future, which means looking far beyond a four-year horizon.

As I stand here today, I’m struck by how much has changed in the recent history of our territory. I have often spoken of my father, how he knew the traditional subsistence life was changing to a wage-based economy. His life was about day-to-day survival to meet his family’s basic needs. Like so many of our elders, his life was defined by a strong bond to the land; one that provided shelter and food to feed his family. His life was all about giving his children the tools to succeed in what he knew would be a very different future.

Today, our lives are vastly different: snowmobiles, airplanes and ice roads; office buildings, computers and cell phones; diamond mines; exploration for oil and gas and the potential of the Mackenzie gas project; children going to school to get a formal education, helping them compete in today’s ever changing labour market; small businesses building their future in communities across the NWT; and tourists coming here from around the world.

The change has been dramatic and yet there is a strong thread that weaves its way through our history to where we stand today, on the brink of unprecedented opportunity. We have not forgotten our history or our traditions. We have not lost our attachment to the land and our respect for each other and for the gifts of our environment. We have created a very special place here in the North. In the midst of the challenges we face, that strong thread will anchor our vision to the future and guide the decisions we make.

As we look to the future, I’m filled with hope and confidence about what we can achieve if we work together. Like all parents, we want to leave a better place for our children and their children to come. We can build a strong and prosperous territory; a healthier future where our young people will not suffer from the devastating impact of alcohol and violence that has ruined far too many families, and a stronger, more sustainable economy across the NWT. We can also protect and preserve our environment, our traditions and the values and culture that define us.

All of that is achievable, but only if we make the right choices today. Only if we agree that it’s time to act, and act together.

I said that our territory is on the brink of unprecedented opportunity. I don’t think I’m overstating where we stand today. We are blessed with a wealth of resources; resources that can be tapped to build a balanced and diversified economy. The Mackenzie gas project, continued activities in the diamond and mineral industry and hydro power, all part of our great potential. It is time for us to turn this potential into economic opportunity in all 33 NWT communities, jobs for our people, contracts for

northern businesses, and self-reliance of our communities.

Our young people are becoming more educated and skilled. The health of our people is improving. This means residents are better able to take advantage of the opportunities before them.

We have demonstrated we can govern responsibly and make good use of our resources. There is growing recognition, not just at the territorial level, but nationally and internationally as well, that the wealth of NWT resources will soon be a critical component in the strength and health of our nation’s economy.

Against that backdrop of opportunity, let’s be clear about some of the challenges we face. There are high and unrealistic expectations that our government can be all things to all people and solve all problems. This dependency on all levels of government stifles creativity and ambition and keeps us from moving forward. As self-governments are established, all governments should have the capacity to meet their responsibilities as part of an affordable and sustainable system of governance. We need to balance maximizing benefits from resource development with supporting other opportunities for economic diversification. We know our environment is fragile. Communities have yet to see the full impact of what warmer temperatures could bring. We continue to be too dependent on the federal government. We still have to work out a deal that will allow us to manage our rich resource potential and flow development dollars into the NWT.

Addressing those challenges and seizing the opportunities to build a better future for the NWT must be the primary focus for this 16th Assembly. As Members of this

Assembly, it is our duty to chart the next course, to respond to the dreams and aspirations of our constituents and, most important, to make decisions and move forward.

That means making some difficult choices. Last week, Members of this Assembly met and talked about our vision, goals and priorities. There is a clear recognition among Members that we must sharpen our focus, develop a set of priorities and act on those. As was commented on during the discussions, “If everything is a priority, nothing is.” I could not agree more.

There are difficult but essential questions we need to address. What are the most pressing priorities? Where can we have the greatest impact, not just over the next four years, but for the longer-term future of our territory? And toughest of all, should more of our existing resources be focussed on our highest priority areas?

I look forward to working with Members to finalize the vision, goals and priorities for the 16th Legislative

Assembly. These priorities will be supported by specific actions and initiatives to be set out in our strategic plan, and based on sound and responsible fiscal management. It is my intention to table the government's strategic plan, based on the Assembly's vision, goals and priorities, early in the new year.

It is important that we are an effective and efficient government. As a Member of this Assembly and now the Premier, I'm proud of what we have achieved over the years. But the reality is, we are spending over a billion

dollars a year and we need to assure people across the territory that we are spending those dollars on the right priorities and achieving the best possible outcomes.

There is no end of worthwhile initiatives we could fund, but we risk reducing our effectiveness if we don't target our efforts where they can have the greatest impact.

To improve effectiveness, we need to recognize the connections between individual decisions and programs, between health and education, or economic developments and environmental impacts. We need to also broaden our view to look out 10, 20 or even 50 years from now and engage Canada as a partner as we build a sustainable future for our territory.

It is critical for our government to support people where they live. We all know about the challenges in our communities. It's time to address those challenges and take action: to create opportunities for people to work and build businesses, to reduce the high cost of living, and to provide the infrastructure and services so many Canadians take for granted.

An ongoing commitment to protect and preserve our environment must guide every decision and choice that we make. Of all the gifts we have been given in the North, our environment is one of the most precious.

Development must continue to be undertaken in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The health and wellness of our people is a pressing concern. Instead of continuing to focus solely on reaction to the social issues in our communities, it's time to shift the focus to prevention. We should encourage people to stay healthy, take concerted actions to prevent illness and injury and help build a healthier future for our children. One of the most important steps we can take is to make sure all our children get a sound start in life, that their first five years are healthy and positive. Children should begin school ready to learn and able to keep learning through high school and beyond.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we need to tackle the fiscal challenges of our territory head on. We have been too dependent on the federal government for the past 40 years. But that's not what we want for the future. We want strong individuals, families and communities. We want to take full responsibility for our future. We must be able to manage, control and make decisions to govern resource development and to benefit from its revenue in our territory. With that, we will be able to take a stronger place at national tables where key issues affecting our territory and the rest of Canada are addressed. We want to partner with Canada on many initiatives, including major infrastructure projects. We can only do that from a position of confidence, of fiscal strength and independence.

Mr. Speaker, our government believes that this 16th Assembly will be a turning point for our territory. We will approach the choices we need to make thoughtfully, as partners with the people we serve, and with our eyes focussed firmly on the future of the NWT.

As Premier, I will do my part to keep our work focussed on a bright and prosperous future for our children and their children to come. My Cabinet and I will work with Members of this Assembly and all northerners to make the necessary decisions, knowing how difficult that may be at times. We will work hard to ensure taxpayers' money is

spent wisely and for the benefit of individuals, families and communities across the territory.

Together we can shape a proud new vision for the future of our territory. We can make our ancestors proud and maintain the strong thread of traditions, culture and values that weaves through our lives today, connects us to the past, and shapes the way to the future.

It is an exciting time to be a Member of this Assembly. It is an exciting time to raise a family, create a business, seize an opportunity, and build a better future for our territory. And now, Mr. Speaker, it's time to get to work. Quanami.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Minister’s Statement 1-16(1) be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Minister’s Statement 1-16(1) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Ministers’ statements. Members’ statement. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to speak today of day care matters. Yes, Mr. Speaker, day care matters to families in the North and in particular to my constituents.

We have to take a serious look at the state of affairs for our children and their care, Mr. Speaker. How do we provide day care in the NWT? Do we do sufficient work? Do we provide sufficient standards to make sure that they’re safe in that place? Do we provide appropriate training? Do we provide access to training? Do we provide appropriate funding? We need to take a serious look at how we fund these agencies and organizations that provide safe and secure places for our kids to go during the day.

Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure it’s affordable, because our average hard-working family is finding this to be a difficult and daunting task. Good and affordable day care, Mr. Speaker, is a foundation of an appropriate investment to all of our futures. I fear without that investment, this is an area where we are punishing the working family, Mr. Speaker. We need to allow people to work, earn a living, and still be confident that their children are receiving the head start that they deserve. We cannot afford to contribute to another crisis to the working family.

Eight hundred dollars per child per month is really out of reach for the average family. This government has seen the signs and the signals, but it’s time that they act.

Mr. Speaker, in the 2006-2007 fiscal year only 92 families in the entire Territories receive funds through the childcare user subsidy. How can this be? With 4,500 children in the NWT under the age of five, are parents unaware of this program or is the threshold just too high for them to qualify? We need to have a serious look at how we support our day care options. Funding based on daily attendance rates does not make sense. There are fixed costs that these operations must adjust for, given registration and capacity issues. The onus is placed unfairly on the shoulders of these operations to make sure that everything works okay; but when it doesn’t, it certainly goes down the toilet quick.

Formulas must find middle ground, Mr. Speaker, because we must make sure, we must ensure that these operations are always open and always able to take kids. Last month we had a crisis in Yellowknife where they had to send kids home because they could not afford to keep those doors open. That cannot happen again.

Mr. Speaker, this government needs to respond by making sure that their options for good…

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Mr. Hawkins, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

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

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, the government must make sure that day care is accessible and reliable to all her citizens and definitely our parents, because we have to be providing programs for those we care about most.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later today, because day care matters, truly matters, to my constituency and the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Day Care Matters
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recent announcement in regards to regulatory reform in the Northwest Territories by the Minister of Indian Affairs, Chuck Strahl, on November 7th .

Mr. Speaker, the Minister appointed Neil McCrank, a person from the South again who is involved with the regulatory agency out of Alberta. But yet, Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s time that the North took its place in managing its own resources, its own regulatory system, but, more importantly, looking at what we already have and seeing exactly what’s working and what’s not.

Mr. Speaker, it’s nice to hear that Ottawa is taking the issue in regards to the interest of the people of the Northwest Territories. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act -- the land claims have been settled in the Northwest Territories -- was basically implemented through federal legislation. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit Environmental Impact Review Board, the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act implements the regulatory boards up and down the Mackenzie Valley. But yet, Mr. Speaker, nowhere in the Northwest Territories has the federal government lived up to its obligation under existing legislation by way of ensuring that the regulatory boards and agencies have the tools to make decisions based on fundamental factors.

Mr. Speaker, one of the points I’d like to raise is land use planning. Mr. Speaker, under the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act, land use planning is an integrated process for decision-making. Yet, Mr. Speaker, under the Northwest Territories environmental audit in 2005, the main report states less than one-fifth of the area covered in the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act is protected largely by establishing land use plans.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has the tools already in those legislation. It just takes a little bit of commitment and will by the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories to enact those regulatory responsibilities for the people of the Northwest Territories, to protect our lands, resources, our environment, for the benefit of all northerners and future generations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of the Environment. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

I have been talking in my language about the need to provide recreation opportunities for the youth in the communities of Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution. Youth in the larger communities have an opportunity to be involved in a number of activities. Opportunities for our youth in the communities I represent are limited. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, one of the problems that smaller communities’ councils have in meeting the needs of the population is in making those hard decisions on how to spend money that is provided by the territorial government.

Giving the communities the power to set their own priorities and plan for their own infrastructure need is a noble concept in empowering the communities. However, Mr. Speaker, I would argue that the amount of money that flows to the communities that I represent is barely enough to deliver the programs that they are required to do, let

alone build infrastructure that could keep the youth out of conflict with the law.

Mr. Speaker, the youth in my communities need youth centres to hang out in; places where they could access programs and services like tutoring or study help while being supervised in a safe, sober environment. MACA has come up with the money for a youth centre in Lutselk’e, but the youth centre in Fort Resolution is still not operational. I believe that if we keep the youths' minds and bodies busy with sports, academics and social opportunities, they will be less likely to get into trouble.

The government has a responsibility to future generations. The New Deal, in my mind, downloads the decision-making process on funding for infrastructure to the communities, thus making them the bad guys instead of the Government of the NWT. This works for larger tax-based communities who have the ability to leverage money from banks to complete needed infrastructure projects in a timely manner. Smaller community means smaller block funding, smaller pots of money, meaning that it would be unlikely the bank would get involved with those communities.

Later on today I will have questions for the Minister of MACA on the adequacy of block funding in smaller communities and just what the department is doing to help the community meet their needs, infrastructure needs in relation to youth. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2005, the 15th Assembly released a declaration on volunteering

which demonstrated the government’s commitment to work with organizations that represent the diversity of the voluntary sector and support the voluntary sector through active partnerships and leadership on such programs as the NWT Volunteer Support Initiative, which is the VSI, and the related finance action group.

Volunteering in organizations within the voluntary sector supports community wellness and helps all northerners build the kind of communities that we all want to live in, for both families and individuals. Through the voluntary sector, people have had the ability to come together, take action, and come up with solutions to the common problems that improve the quality of life for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

The sector is broad and includes voluntary organizations which support the arts and culture, actively engage youth and adults in organized sports, and provide social programming to northerners in need and/or crisis. The sector includes organizations that are purely volunteer-based, as well as non-government organizations which employ staff in order to provide administration and respond to the wishes of their membership. All add to the strength of communities. Given the nature of the sector, organizations within it are able to respond to community and individual needs far quicker than the government.

As part of the government’s declaration, it was recognized that helping others is a shared tradition of northerners and that open, informed, and sustained dialogue with the NWT voluntary sector was, and is, required between the sector and government. As such, in compliance with the government’s commitment to support the voluntary sector, the GNWT appointed the Minister of MACA as the Minister responsible for addressing voluntary sector issues and accounting for the NWT VSI. Unfortunately, although MACA has done some work with the Volunteer Support Initiative and the finance action group, the sector continues to struggle and their ability to provide services to meet local needs and advocate for the marginalized and under-represented individual groups and their cause is being compromised.

Many of the organizations within the sector feel that the lack of progress may be related to the lack of the GNWT staff dedicated to this area, as well as the lack of government-wide approach on supporting the sector itself.

May I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The catch is now figuring out where I was. Alright.

Further, they feel that some of these challenges may be overcome by assigning the responsibility, mandate and accountability for implementing the government’s commitment to the Executive under one Minister.

Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon I’ll be asking the Premier some questions regarding the effectiveness of having the responsibility for the voluntary sector under the Department of MACA and how the government intends to move forward in order to provide the support committed to the voluntary sector in March 2005. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Free-Roaming Bison Near Fort Liard
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about the ongoing problems with buffalo in Fort Liard. The community of Fort Liard has had serious concerns about the free-roaming buffalo in and around their community. The buffalo roam right through town and through the schoolyard. They are in the middle of the roads. They destroy people’s gardens and yards. We are just lucky that nothing has happened to any children and no one has been hurt. The airport is there, Mr. Speaker. The safety is at stake because animals roam right through the airport runway and they’re not even scared anymore being chased away, and there’s a high risk of passenger safety.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is not new, since I started bringing it up in the 15th Assembly. The community and residents

have not seen adequate action and the community of Fort

Liard has been looking for solutions to their bison problem. The government has been there. Action plans were developed. But what’s still missing, Mr. Speaker, is the action.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources committed in its framework for action that the Deh Cho communities develop a bison management plan. This plan is supposed to address the expanding population and also public safety concerns of my constituency. Last year, in June, the department even reported that they have project teams in place that will develop a bison plan for the Liard herd by the fall of 2007.

Mr. Speaker, fall of 2007 is coming to an end, yet the community of Fort Liard is still struggling with the same bison problems without a management plan. I urge the Minister to take immediate steps to rectify the bison problems in Fort Liard before an unavoidable tragedy happens. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Free-Roaming Bison Near Fort Liard
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity to profile an organization of benefit to all NWT residents. Forty years ago, two far-seeing and forward-thinking northern leaders had an idea for a sporting event for northern athletes. With the assistance of Alaska Governor Walter Hickel, then-Commissioners Stuart Hodgson of the NWT and James Smith of Yukon developed the idea into a concept and the Arctic Winter Games were born. The very first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970.

Members should all be aware by now that Yellowknife and the NWT will be invaded in a few months as the Arctic Winter Games return to Yellowknife for a 20th anniversary

games and homecoming celebration hosted by the 2008 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

The games have grown considerably over the years from 500 participants in 1970 to 2,000 in 2008, from three jurisdictions in 1970 to nine in 2008, from only northern North America in 1970 to the northern world in 2008. There are five Canadian contingents: one from Alaska, the one from Russia in the area of Yamal, and Greenland, and the Sami of Finland and Norway.

The catering contract for these upcoming games provides for 23 meals for 2,200 people for eight days. During the week of March 9th to 15th , 2008, not only will Yellowknife’s

population swell by the number of participants, but the games will bring in 200 or more media, 500 or more VIPs and corporate sponsors, and anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors and spectators. About 2,500 volunteers, both local and visitors, will ensure that the games go off without a hitch.

The NWT will showcase the athletic and cultural talents of our young people. The economy will boom for several weeks as Yellowknife’s temporary residents spend their money in the NWT economy. Our young people will strive to do their best, have new experiences, meet new friends,

meet old acquaintances, and the benefits to our communities from this event are absolutely undeniable.

So, Mr. Speaker, I say to all Members of this House, and indeed to all northerners, that this unique celebration of northern sport and culture is one which is best enjoyed when immersed in it. I encourage all Members to take part…

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Ms. Bisaro, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement, please, Mr. Speaker.

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I encourage all Members of the House to take part in these 20th Arctic

Winter Games as a volunteer. It’s easily done. Go on-line to the Arctic Winter Games website -- www.awg2008.ca -- or, better yet, join the Host Society in a volunteer drive this weekend. You can get a taste of the games Saturday at the Multiplex. You can meet the 2008 Host Society members. You can see Foxy the mascot in action, and you can sign up right there to be a volunteer.

As has already been referenced, the voluntary sector has been invaluable to our communities and ultimately our economy. I urge you to become a part of that sector; be an Arctic Winter Games volunteer. I look forward to volunteering with my Member colleagues on March 9 to 15. Thank you.

---Applause

2008 Arctic Winter Games
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, providing a quality of life to the residents of the NWT so they can become independent, self-reliant individuals has to be a priority of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Mr.

Speaker, on November 15th , I had an opportunity to meet

in Inuvik with some families of people that are confined to wheelchairs, quadriplegics. As I sat there listening to their concerns and the frustration that they had with some of the programs, lack of services and lack of support, I felt their frustration, Mr. Speaker. I truly felt their frustration and when constituents have that and they come to you, it is something that you have to bring forward.

Coming out of that meeting, I planned on speaking to a certain individual in particular and the challenges that she faced being confined to a wheelchair for the last four years. I had documentation that I was going to bring forward to present on her behalf. But, sadly, Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, this individual passed away. I feel, Mr. Speaker, like I owe her and her family…I have to bring their concerns forward because we have other quadriplegics living in Inuvik. I feel like I will let them down if I don’t bring their concerns forward.

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have to listen to the concerns of the people. The only thing that I know of that is written in stone is the 10 commandments, Mr. Speaker. Everything else can be changed. If it is programs that have to be changed, if wording has to be changed, then I think we should be flexible enough to change them. If the delivery of the programs is the problem, then that might be something we may have to look into, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that the delivery of the programs is benefiting those across the Northwest Territories, not just in Inuvik.

We have made a commitment, and I will make it my personal commitment to these families that I will continue within the next four years to bring their issues forward and have their issues heard. Cabinet, you have made that commitment to hear these issues and between you folks and us on this side, we should be able to address these issues, because the bottom line is the well-being of the residents of the Northwest Territories. It has to be our top priority and nothing else. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to welcome my colleagues back to the House. Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure and an honour to be back here in this building working with you and the other Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, on November 7th , at 9:58 a.m., my wife,

Amanda, and I welcomed into the world a son.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. His name is Malachi David Ramsay. He weighed just under five pounds at birth and came to us five weeks ahead of schedule. He was born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and had to spend 12 days there before we could bring him home with us. Both my wife and my son are doing great. We are beginning a new journey together as a family.

Mr. Speaker, nothing gives me any greater pleasure than seeing the two of them together. Having a child wasn’t easy for my wife and me as she had to spend nine weeks in Edmonton prior to his birth, confined to a hospital bed in order to carry him. For all the commitment she has shown, not to mention the numerous pokes with a needle, nine weeks of hospital food, 16 hours of labour and a cesarean section, I will be forever grateful to her. I wanted to thank the doctors and nurses involved in her care, both in Edmonton and in Yellowknife, and our son’s care while he was at the Royal Alexandra. Special mention to Dr. Jonathon Tankel who delivered Malachi, Dr. Bing Guthrie and Dr. Rob Krushel who were instrumental in the early stages of our pregnancy, and to Dr. Shawn Mattas, our family doctor, who has helped us maintain a positive attitude through the face of adversity. To all the nurses who helped Amanda and Malachi along the way at Stanton and at Unit 39 at the Royal Alexandra, the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Alexandra, and now the public health here in Yellowknife, thank you very much. I wanted to also thank everyone who has

offered their support, their prayers and their thoughts the past few months. It has helped us immensely. I thank you so much.

In closing, I wanted to thank both my wife’s family and my family who have been lending support to us, especially my mother-in-law, Catherine Fabien, who has been giving us so much loving help and support. Mr. Speaker, both my wife and I are really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead with parenthood. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a matter has arisen so soon that will test our Premier’s leadership and his commitment to transparency and accountability. On October 19th , I stood in this House

and asked questions about the extent of our government’s liability with respect to the Deh Cho Bridge project. During the life of the 15th Assembly, many questions and

concerns were raised by Members on this side of the House regarding the bridge acquisition process. Our concerns, for the most part, were unanswered. On August 31st , the 15th Assembly was dissolved, leaving

Ministers in place to maintain the status quo of government operations.

At the first available opportunity, I sought an update on the status of the Deh Cho Bridge project and the level of commitment by the GNWT to this project. I am not a difficult person to understand, so imagine my surprise yesterday when I learned that a concession agreement with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation had been signed on September 28th , three days before a territorial election

when the Members of the 16th Assembly were elected.

When repeatedly and specifically questioned about the commitment and liability to our new Premier on October 19th , he did not take the opportunity to share with

Members of this House that a very significant milestone on the Deh Cho Bridge process had been passed. So what is the significance of this concession agreement in relation to the liability? If the outstanding conditions of permits, financing and equity are met, the GNWT’s liability changes very significantly. I am not asking Premier Roland to be accountable for the actions of the previous government; however, I will ask him to account to this House and to the public for not making any reference to the concession agreement signing when questioned in this House.

The concept of a Deh Cho Bridge project is good, but the process has been flawed and failure of this information coming forward has added insult to injury for me as a Regular Member. I will have questions for the Premier later today so that he can tell us why he didn’t mention the signing of the concession agreement when questioned about our government’s commitment and liability on October 19th .

Leadership, to me, today, would be to say from him that he should have said this when questioned on October 19th . Thank you.

Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Passing Of Respected Nunakput Elders
Item 3: Members’ Statements

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has been a very difficult month for the people of Nunakput. It is with great sadness that I inform the Assembly of the loss of three very respected elders: Mrs. Sarah Kuptana from Sachs Harbour, Mrs. Alice Carpenter from Tuktoyaktuk, and Mr. Bobby Gruben also from Tuk. All of them will be greatly missed. Bobby Gruben is well known across the North as an ambassador for the people of Tuk. The whole community looked up to him. He was always there to lend a helping hand and give me advice, for which I am grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my condolences to Rosemary, Robert and Roger Kuptana and their families; Willie Carpenter and his family; and Jean, Mervin and Eddie Gruben and all of the Gruben family from Tuk. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and with the Nunakput people at this time of sorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Passing Of Respected Nunakput Elders
Item 3: Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. I am sorry. I can speak on behalf of the whole House. We pass our condolences on to the families involved. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to government support for the volunteer sector. We know that there are many demands on government resources and that we need to stretch those resources to meet as many of those demands as we can while still fully meeting all of our goals. There are essential services that must be delivered effectively and efficiently and government cannot do it all. These services affect the well-being of all citizens in the NWT, services that deal with homelessness and poverty, substance abuse, youth justice, environmental education and protection, sport and recreation and the list goes on.

Fortunately, our government has able and willing partners to meet these needs, partners collectively referred to as the voluntary sector. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly thinking here of those working for the good of all, the common good. The annual economic value of volunteerism here in the NWT is almost $70 million. That is every year. This valuable contribution is worthy of wise investment and support by this government.

To quote the YWCA, "The voluntary sector is essential to the democratic process." Like the marketplace which creates economic wealth in our society or the government which protects institutional memory of how to effectively govern ourselves, the voluntary sector creates and expands social capital. Social capital refers to the values and networks that enable coordination and cooperation at the community level building trust, mutually beneficial relationships, inclusion and tolerance. The voluntary sector includes all self-organized groups of people committed to the betterment of human life and has a key role in the advancement of human well-being. It is all

about citizen participation and engagement in community betterment.

Mr. Speaker, while the 15th Assembly committed to

implementing the Volunteer Support Initiative, only modest progress has been made. While many or all of our departmental mandates overlap with the areas in which volunteer groups are active, responsibility for supporting this sector seems lodged in only one department, that of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for maximum benefits here, our government and the voluntary sector must work closely together, more closely than we have in the past. We must ensure a clear line of communication between ourselves and our partners at the decision-making level. We must ensure government policy and support is developed together with those who can draw on much front-line experience. Importantly, Mr. Speaker, we must ensure government-wide coordination and integration in implementation of the Volunteer Support Initiative and in all of our dealings with the voluntary sector. A joint GNWT voluntary sector working group under the Department of the Executive may be the best way to achieve this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Members’ statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Sahtu

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the president of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, Dan Costache. I would also like to recognize Greg Debogorski, executive director of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize a long-time resident of Yellowknife but originally from Tulita, Paul Andrew is in the visitor’s gallery. Paul has been a recipient of the 2008 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for media and communication.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent, Mr. Greg Debogorski, who is with us today. He does a tremendous amount of work on behalf of seniors here in Yellowknife and in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent who was not able to attend our First Session in October and also happens to be my lovely wife, Marianne Bromley.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Lydia Bardak, coalition team and also a city counsellor, and also I would like to recognize from my riding Therese Pelletier who is the adult educator in the audience. Mahsi.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize today a hard-working staff member from MACA, Beverly Chamberlin. I believe she is accompanied by her father. Welcome.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of the best constituency assistants in the business, Ms. Denise Yuhas and my executive secretary has been with me all of my ministerial days, Ms. Ingrid Hoffman. Thank you.

---Applause

Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Item 5: Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the House. It is always nice to have an audience in here. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Environment in regards to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, which is the federal legislation that was passed in 1989 and came into force. It is part of the condition of that legislation that calls for an audit to be done in regards to the legislation. It was supposed to be done five years after the legislation was passed. Basically it was concluded in December of 2005, which was seven years after the legislation was passed. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the recommendations that the review from that legislation is still not being implemented. I would like to ask the Minister of Environment exactly what his

department is doing in regards to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is meeting its obligations under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act in regards to addressing the recommendations of the NWT environmental audit report that was done in 2005.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member has raised an issue of concern to the Government of the Northwest Territories and that is the broader issue of land use planning as it affects the Northwest Territories and the need to have a better and broader government-wide policy in this area. That is something that we are committed to doing in the coming weeks and months. As well, we are going to be working with the regions to follow up on their efforts for regional land use plans. We are looking closely at the recommendations of work yet undone and we will be encouraging the federal government to meet all of their obligations. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources is responsible for coordinating the GNWT’s participation on the environmental assessment process under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. But yet, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister exactly can he tell me how many preliminary screening processes have been conducted through the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act over the last three years? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that particular technical information at my fingertips. I will commit to providing it to the Member. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my constituent, in regards to the Gwich’in settlement region in the Mackenzie Delta, has completed a land use plan that has been in place for several years. Yet, Mr. Speaker, under the environmental assessment regulatory process, land use planning is a critical component of the

decision-making process. But yet, Mr. Speaker, we heard from a lot of other regions throughout the Northwest Territories…

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Do you have a question, Mr. Krutko?

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Environment tell me exactly how many land use plans are in place and exactly how many environmental impact assessment processes were conducted in those areas where no land use plans are in place?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can indicate to the Member that I am aware that the Gwich’in, Sahtu, Inuvialuit and the Deh Cho regions are currently looking at land use planning processes. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. A final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister look at what is the coordination between areas where land use plans have been completed, where the regulatory environmental assessment process is and where areas were called for preliminary screening in regards to those areas where land use plans are compared to those areas where it isn’t? Can the Minister look into that and give me an idea of what the recommendations in regards to the environmental assessment report is and why those recommendations have not been acted on?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll commit to review the Hansard to get a clear understanding of the Member’s questions so we get it right, and I will get that information for the Member. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member’s statement today, I have some concerns about the line of questioning and the, I suppose, answer to the questions that I asked here in this House on October 19th . Now, being very careful to

draw the distinction, I’m not asking the Premier to go back

to the decisions or the actions of the 15th Assembly. But

in this House on October 19, when the 16th Assembly was

in action, when he was the Premier of this government and I sought questions as to the current status of the Deh Cho Bridge project and specifically asked about the extent of our government’s liability, did he know that the concession agreement had already been signed? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question the Member asked is, one, was I aware of the signing of the concession agreement. In the previous Assembly, a decision was made to proceed with that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

On October 19, 2007, when the 16th Assembly was sitting in this House and I was asking

Mr. Roland questions as the Premier, did he know that the concession agreement had been signed with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, as the decision was made by the previous Assembly to proceed. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you. To the issue of the liability of this government with respect to the Deh Cho Bridge project, is the Premier, and was the Premier, aware that the signing of that agreement would necessarily take the level of commitment of this government and the liability of this government to a new stage? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in response to the questions on the 19th of this

October, looking at the issues there, as I responded, the liabilities on our government remain the same as long as the conditions hadn’t been made, there’s no final contract on this project when signed. They’re waiting for a number of factors to be settled yet. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the working of a consensus government is based on our credibility on this side of the House to ask questions and to receive accountable and transparent answers from the other side. That’s the whole basis of this debate in the House. I mean, Mr. Roland can split hairs about this, but he knows the intent of my question and some of my colleagues was to find out what had transpired and where our government sat in terms of commitment. My question is to the Premier. In retrospect, was the signing of the concession agreement not a very key piece of information that he should have shared that day? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, whether we’re splitting hairs or not, I responded to the questions that were given to me about the liability, about some of the commitments that we’ve made. Yes, I know it is a sensitive issue, but a decision had been made. In hindsight, I could go back and say, if the question was asked of me, I would have to respond in the affirmative, and maybe I should have at that point, but I was taking questions from every Member on every portfolio. So I apologize if I wasn’t sincere enough or clear enough, but, as Hansard would show, I was responding to the questions that were directed at me, and I think I had done that on that day. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Premier. Given that the voluntary sector is diverse and provides support to all areas of a community, there is merit in having the mandate for supporting the voluntary sector transfer to the Executive. Currently with MACA, the mandate is for sport, recreation and youth, and does not give them the knowledge, expertise and whatnot to reach out and address issues of voluntary groups such as justice and arts and whatnot. As Premier, would you commit to supporting the voluntary sector creating a clear and logical singular point of contact and allocating the responsibility for supporting this sector to the Executive? This will send a message that the GNWT values the voluntary sector and is committed to voluntarism and developing an open, informed, sustainable dialogue with the NWT voluntary sector.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of the volunteer sector has played a prominent role within the government and a number of departments. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs now has that area of responsibility and the Minister in charge has been working with a number of departments. So there are a number of initiatives that have worked their way into the system, maybe not to the level as groups would like, and if it’s the will of this Assembly that we re-look at that, where it sits, be prepared to review that scenario, I can say now that just because it would sit in the Executive doesn’t mean that we would change our answers; we’d have to look at the whole process of changes or the requests that are being made case by case. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Abernethy. Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya. They get back to the Deh Cho Bridge project and the concession agreement that was alluded to earlier and was signed on the 28th of September, three

days prior to the territorial election on October 1st . I’d like

to ask the Minister of Transportation, what was the communications plan with the public on detailing the concession agreement? When they went to Fort Providence with the shovels and the photo op, that was when the limited approval was signed off, the concession agreement, an integral part of the Deh Cho Bridge project, and should have been something that was mentioned. It hasn’t been mentioned and it was two months ago. I’d like to ask the Minister when the department was going to mention that publicly. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT, in its discussions with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation members, will discuss the public release of the concession agreement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering that the concession agreement was signed on September the 28th , I’m wondering how effective the negotiations

between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation could have been when, if in fact they were working on an October 1st deadline, how

could the government negotiate a fair agreement if October 1st was the deadline to negotiate? At the 11th hour, the agreement was signed on the 28th of September.

It’s two months later and no word from the department on the signing of that document. I think that’s absurd, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to ask the Minister what is the communications plan going forward with that concession agreement and what the liability is for the Government of the Northwest Territories on that project? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement has been signed on the 28th of September, as Members know. The

concession agreement, there are still 12 schedules and appendices that still need to be finalized. We have to have that discussion with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation; we have to have that discussion with Members here. Mr. Speaker, once that is done and we feel confident with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation releasing public documents, we will do that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’m wondering why the government would sign the concession agreement on the 28th of September -- a multi-million

dollar deal, a multi-year deal -- without, again, the approval of the Members of the last Legislative Assembly. It looks like the project is full steam ahead; the concession agreement has been signed. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if he would entertain a full public inquiry as to the decision-making process on this project. I think the public deserves to know…

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Thank you for your question. Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement is still not finalized, so we are unable to have any type of discussion in terms of public relations. Mr. Speaker, there are many factors involved in this complex agreement with the many parties involved. Until we have the discussions, the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and our government here, in terms of how we’re going to release that document, I am going to say that it’s confidential right now and there are other factors that need to be considered before I have any further discussion with any type of advancement of the concession agreement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m not a lawyer, but it would seem to me the first question that I would ask is why would a government sign a document with 12 outstanding issues? That’s foolhardy, Mr. Speaker. That’s why I think we need a public inquiry as to why that concession agreement was signed on the

28th of September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the

Minister commit to a public inquiry? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Minister of Transportation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the concession agreement still needs to be finalized. Mr. Speaker, this department is still confident that this bridge is a good project and that this deal will be good for the Northwest Territories. I will still hold to our process with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation in terms of finalizing the concession agreement before it can get released to the public. Again, I say, there are many factors involved in putting a complex project like this together and I will do so when I have the confidence of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation to release the concession agreement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement to the Minister of ENR. Like I mentioned in my Member’s statement, the buffalo issue in the community of Fort Liard, they’ve been trying to address it for some time now. I’d just like to ask the Minister, is he aware of any current or existing meetings or initiatives to address the buffalo issue in Fort Liard?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the department has indicated to me that they are working on the paperwork to increase the number of tags for Liard from one to six so that we can, if necessary, have animals taken down. DOT has indicated that they are looking at putting a heavy-duty fence around the airport to keep the animals out. As well, we’re working with ENR on a pilot basis with some electrified fencing to see if that will work. We are still committed, although it is late, in coming up with a broader plan that’s going to allow us to address this issue where it exists not only in Liard, in the Member’s constituency, but other areas as well. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I know that the word bison management plan has been used before and the Minister didn’t really refer to that in his answer. Is there going to be a specific bison management plan for and around the community of Fort Liard?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, that is the intention. The intention was to have it completed, as the Member indicated in his Member’s statement, by this fall. That timeline has now been advanced to winter. I will keep the Member fully apprised as we get a draft of that done that can be shared with him. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Does this plan also include meeting with the community and/or having public meetings in the community? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the community will be consulted both in the evolution and development and completion of this plan, but, as well, as we move to go from one tag to six, there’s also a consultation component required there to be worked through with the community and that will take place, as well. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to…If the Minister can commit to advertising the meeting well in advance. There was a previous meeting last year but it wasn’t well attended because of last-minute notices. If they can plan the meeting much more in advance, Mr. Speaker. Thanks.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I acknowledge the Member’s good advice and will commit to make sure that the meetings are advertised with enough advance notice so that people have every opportunity to attend. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the question that I have is for the Minister of Justice for the community of Sachs Harbour. Can I have an update on the timeline of the arrival of the RCMP in the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our detachment with the Justice department have been working closely with Sachs Harbour and along with the other two communities that we’ve been focusing on, Gameti and also Wrigley. With respect to Sachs Harbour, the proposed plan is to have the detachment in place. The money has been allocated and the detachment itself, we’re still waiting on the federal government on their part of the share of 30 percent, because we, as GNWT, pay 70 percent towards the cost of the facility. Our government has committed our contribution towards the RCMP in the community. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister fill me in: Is the federal government behind this process of the RCMP, sir?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department has been working with the federal counterparts on this particular issue with the Sachs community, and also with the other two proposals. Yes, they have committed; they have set timelines for the three communities. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister would get me a copy of that so I could forward it to my people in Sachs Harbour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we’ll certainly provide as much information as we can to the Member. Just so the Member is aware, I have been working with my department as well and we will be visiting his community, his riding, so there will be more ongoing discussion on this matter. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary, Mr. Jacobson. Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment this afternoon. In my statement today I spoke about the challenges working families have and are faced with day to day with trying to find competent, affordable, quality childcare. Mr. Speaker, we only have about 1,200 childcare spaces in the NWT and families are not able to afford them. I’d like to know what the Minister is doing, if he’s aware of this problem, and what initiatives is he taking on to follow up and deal with this problem of childcare spaces and affordability of those spaces. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the childcare issue is very important for our department and also the Government of the Northwest Territories. We are recognizing that there is a need in the communities. There are plans in place. There is consultation that will be taking place with the day care facilities identifying concerns, issues and the gaps, and also what the main issues are with respect to what the Member is requesting. We have our childcare consultant in place who is dealing with the department and also the consultation process. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s time for an independent review of the situation. We have the affordability in the sense that parents can’t afford to pay for day care, we have the affordability sense…

---Interjection

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Yes, I do. Mr. Speaker, we have the affordability sense from the day cares of being able to have stable funding. So would the Minister be able to initiate a review to look into this problem to make sure funding is stable for these organizations and that parents can afford this? Will he look into this and create a review of this current state that we’re having? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, there is consultation that will take place with the day care facilities. With that, the outcome will be what’s needed and what’s demanding at the facilities. So we will be looking into that as a department with all the

day care facilities in the Northwest Territories. So Yellowknife will be included in that, as well. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister says there will be a consultation. I’d like to know what “will” means and who it’s run by and what’s the mandate being provided to whoever that “will” is in this particular case that’s doing this review. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, ECE is spearheading this with a childcare consultant that we have in place. They will be working with the parents and also the facility, and that information will be shared with our colleagues, Social Programs especially, because any changes that comes to this House, there’s always consultation that takes place with the Members, as well. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister be willing to share the proposal that this person has for marching orders to find out what the issues are, as well as when does he expect this report to be finalized and presented to the House or to committee? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, that information, upon being delivered to our department, will certainly be available for consultation with our fellow colleagues. That is still a work in progress. So once it’s finalized, then we will be sharing it. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

---Interjection

---Laughter

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know I’ve been here for a while, but I didn’t think I was an MLA for Yellowknife now.

---Laughter

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement before I spoke to the fact that I believe that we failed this individual by not providing them with the quality of life that they so rightfully deserved. I think we have an opportunity now to maybe right some wrongs. I’d like to direct my line of questioning to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I’d like to ask the Minister, whose decision is it as to who is eligible for motorized wheelchairs? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I’d just like to thank the Member, who is also the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, for asking me the very first question as Minister of this government.

Mr. Speaker, in terms of the decisions about who gets access to health equipment, it’s provided by the health authorities that govern the health programs in our regions, along with the advice from the medical advisor.

Specific to the constituent that the Member mentioned earlier, I just want to express and send our condolences to the families. It was really hard to hear from the Member this morning that this constituent had passed away on the weekend.

So I think that’s the answer, in terms of how one could get the equipment. This lady did receive approval for equipment in 2003 and 2004. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

I’d like to ask the Minister, what’s the criteria that individuals have to meet to receive a wheelchair? Would it be a recommendation from a rehabilitation centre in Edmonton that they may have just come from? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the information that I have is that Mr. McLeod’s constituent was approved for a wheelchair -- first a manual one and later on an electric one -- and it was with the support of the medical advisor, the doctor, as well as the health authority. There was a lot of support for this constituent to have that wheelchair equipment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think if we dig a little further, we’re going to find that this motorized

wheelchair was removed from this individual. But I would like to ask the Minister if Glenrose Rehabilitation Centre in Edmonton is an expert and they deal with a lot of NWT residents that do sometimes get confined to wheelchairs. I would like to ask the Minister if she would request Glenrose do a review of the wheelchair accessibility in Inuvik and recommendations that they might come up with to take care of some of these problems. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can advise the House that, in fact, the Member has asked for this request to have involvement of Glenrose and I’d be happy to make that commitment to do that. Specific to the Member’s constituent, however, Mr. Speaker, I could advise you that I think the reason why the electric wheelchair might have been taken away, or not taken away but it was out of service, is because of the incident that there was in a long-term health care facility where the electric wheelchair was seen to be dangerous to the facility and it was a policy that was made. But I am willing to look at that again. But that was the reason why it was recommended that a manual wheelchair be used, and there were some other health issues involved that might have contributed to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to quote from the Hansard, unedited Hansard of October 19th . I was questioning Premier

Roland about the extent of our involvement and commitment to the Deh Cho Bridge. I asked about the point of no return, and at that time the Premier responded that “I am not prepared to sign a blank cheque.” If the Premier was not prepared on the 19th to sign a blank

cheque and understanding that our level of financial commitment has now significantly changed with the signing of this concession agreement, if the conditions are met and this government wants to pull back, which is the point I was trying to get at when I was asking the questions when I talk about the point of no return, will the Premier agree that having signed the concession agreement now, the extent of our liability is no longer in our hands? It’s in fact in the hands of the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, their ability to comply with the conditions of the signed agreement? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would state the same thing I stated when the question was asked in the form it was asked, that there are some key, as an out quote from unedited Hansard of October 19th , “There are some key issues that are still left

out there and one of those that was in the paper for public interest was that navigable waters permit. So that’s one of

those things, and a final financing deal that comes down.” So there’s a number of factors. Right now we’re liable for the loan guarantee that’s in place until these requirements are met. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the conditions are met and if, for some reason, through political wishes or direction of this 16th Assembly, we don’t

proceed, we are considerably more at risk of an unquantified, at this time, liability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct. If all conditions are met, then the Government of the Northwest Territories' liability, if we decided for reasons of our own as the 16th Assembly

to pull back from that project, the liability can grow significantly if the liabilities or the conditions have been met by the other parties. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that was the case exactly on the day that I asked these questions, yet no reference was made to the concession agreement having been signed, putting this government at that potential significant, greater liability should the conditions be met.

In response, in another question, the Premier states, “it’s not too late. The 16th Assembly and its mandate has not signed a deal on proceeding forward...” I’d like to ask the Premier how he could reconcile that to the fact that a concession agreement had been signed. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, although the Member doesn’t want to go back to the history, the question does go back to the history. A decision was made by a previous government. We’re in a place where there are a number of factors that have to be met for us to honour that agreement. There is no contractual signing for steel or construction. That will be done through the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation once they have all their pieces lined up. That’s where we are right now with the project. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Okay. Let me ask this then, Mr. Speaker. The concession agreement lays out conditions that the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation needs to meet in order for this agreement to proceed. There are deadlines contained as in any agreement. There would be timelines included in that agreement. If those conditions are not met within those timelines, could I please have this Premier’s commitment that this government will not embark on any further extensions or changes to those timelines should the conditions not be met? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the conditions aren’t met, and there is a time limit to the conditions being set in place, if they are not met, then I will commit, as Premier of the 16th Legislative

Assembly, before any further decisions are made on this that I will work with committee members. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I spoke about the fact that block funding under the New Deal does not meet infrastructure needs for smaller NWT communities. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for a community like Lutselk’e to build infrastructure, like their recently completed arena, under the New Deal. Can the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs inform this Assembly how a small community could build a large piece of infrastructure, like a swimming pool, under the New Deal? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the New Deal is proving to be a very good deal.

---Applause

The whole concept of the New Deal, Mr. Speaker, was an initiative to promote greater autonomy of the community governments and allow communities to set their own priorities. The calculation that was used for the formula took into consideration the replacement value of a basic package of infrastructure for the community and looked at replacing all of that infrastructure over a 20-year period.

We’ve worked really closely over the last while with the communities to develop long-term goals for infrastructure and also a plan to meet their short-term goals. We’ve really worked towards being very flexible and creating opportunities for governments to provide funding. The community governments have now more opportunity than they did historically. They have the ability to borrow

money. They have the ability to create partnerships, and they also can use some of their capital dollars as leverage to access other funding, such as funding from the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everyone here is aware there are many unforeseen factors that affect budgeting from year to year. Competing priorities relating to health and safety of residents will always trump recreation infrastructure. In better words, if the water truck breaks down before it’s supposed to, it will be replaced. Does MACA help the communities that are facing unforeseen capital costs through no fault of their own through the New Deal?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member brings forward concerns that have been raised to us by community governments and we have committed that we will work with community governments as we move forward with this initiative. We have to recognize, of course, that capital planning and capital projects are in need of constant evaluation and are changing on a daily basis. As part of this process, we encourage our communities to set up reserve pools to replace infrastructure. We’ve also created a lot more flexibility in the capital budgeting by way of if there’s a surplus, for example in operating and maintenance dollars, they could use that to replace the water truck. However, Mr. Speaker, having said all that, we still have our extraordinary funding policy that allows us to deal with emergencies and situations where there was no anticipated cost and the community is struggling to recover the cost. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister let the Assembly know specifically what his department does to help communities access funding from different sources, like the federal government, for their infrastructure needs?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recent years, Mr. Speaker, we worked very closely with the NWT Association of Communities. We’ve also worked with LGANT, the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories, and we’ve also worked with the community governments themselves to look at leveraging dollars from different resources. The federal government is a good example. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has the Green Fund that we’ve helped

communities access. There’s also the impact and benefit dollars that flow to communities that communities have been using to help with some of these projects, including Lutselk’e. They’ve used half a million dollars of their own money to spend on the arena. Detah is doing the same. A number of communities are doing that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is all for the Minister of ITI, I believe, Bob McLeod. The Minister responsible for climate change, perhaps.

---Laughter

I understand the Minister attended a federal/provincial/territorial Ministers' meeting recently where the need to respond to climate change was discussed as a priority and infrastructure in particular was discussed. How will the Minister ensure that infrastructure related to ITI and developed in the North will address the concerns of climate change? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a while there I thought I’d go through this session without a question.

---Laughter

The northern economic development Ministers met in Ottawa Thursday and Friday of last week. In the discussions on climate change and in the three briefings that were presented to the northern economic development Ministers, it was pointed out that climate change is in fact a reality and this is a first instance where the issue of discussions on utilizing infrastructure as it means for adapting to the effects of climate change. This was discussed in the context of a number of different impacts of climate change and primarily with regards to buildings and with transportation. The discussion amongst the Ministers is that initially it will be primarily amongst the individual provinces and territories and their greenhouse gas strategies and as they implement them. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Was it recognized that building infrastructure is an important opportunity to also mitigate climate change? That is, reduce the causes of climate change at the same time as adapting to it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, it was also discussed in the context of mitigating climate change and the opportunities for utilizing infrastructure to do so. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very happy to hear that. On the issue of transportation, of course, a great majority of our greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation. Will the Minister commit to ensuring that all of the infrastructure that your departments have a hand in developing will both focus on the mitigation as well as the adaptation? Thank you very much.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I’ll be working with my colleague, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, who has the lead on dealing with climate change, and will communicate that to him. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley. Thank you. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. It is in regards to several letters that I received concerning the whole area of how we assess an individual’s rent. Most of it is based on gross income. I think what we are seeing is a lot of people are being evicted from public housing and also with the amount of money that individuals are left with after they pay their rent and be able to access things such as food and clothing for their families. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue not only here in the Northwest Territories; it is a problem in Nunavut and other jurisdictions in northern Canada. I would like to ask the Minister if he had an opportunity to review the information that I presented to him in regards to the area of refocusing our assessment instead of looking at the gross but looking at the area of net income? Is that something that the Minister is open to?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for the most part, the Housing

Corporation has become the landlord. Those programs are administered through Education, Culture and Employment. We have been working collectively together to make sure that we come up with a way community by community to do the assessments with a one-window approach. But the issue the Member raised is one that is on the table before Cabinet and will be dealt with by the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the issue of the rent supps that are in place, a lot of these individuals aren’t able to access the social housing subsidy that they were able to get prior to this handing over to ECE. It is becoming a problem. Before they were getting the income assessment by way of the housing subsidy, but yet today they are not. I would like to ask the Minister, is he willing to consider doing an assessment of the program in the Mackenzie Delta riding in regards to ensuring that the programs being delivered as it was supposed to through a transitional process from our Housing Corporation to ECE to see if it is working? If it is, great. If not, let’s fix it.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government shares the Member’s concern. As I indicated, Education, Culture and Employment has been working with the Housing Corporation. We are engaged in a process as we speak, going across the North community by community to make sure that we have a process that fits in every community in terms of doing the proper assessments. The program hasn’t changed, per se, but we are committed to doing that. I am committing to sit down with committee to review how we intend to move forward. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me when he will get around to dealing with the communities in my riding in regards to the Mackenzie Delta in regards to the review that he mentioned?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the timeline that we are working towards is to have it concluded by the end of this week. Every community will have been visited by a team of folks from ECE and the Housing Corporation to talk to the

community folks involved in this program delivery to try to work out a tailor-made approach in each community. When that result is in, we will be coming forward with the plan to committee to show how we intend to move forward on this issue. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. A final, short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I am going to be tabling a petition with 81 names on it. I think 81 names in a community are a lot of concerned individuals. I would like to ask the Minister, in regards to these individuals that have signed a petition making the government aware it is a crisis situation, how soon can he act in regards to ensuring that we do this assessment and we let the public know that we are going to act in regards to this serious issue in our community?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these programs are being administered and delivered as we speak. There have been some rough patches that have been acknowledged and recognized. We are working to fix those. I am aware of the concerns of the Members and the Member for Mackenzie Delta in particular. We are working on the concerns as we speak. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Premier. Again, it relates to the Deh Cho Bridge project and what I see as a rush to sign a concession agreement that was, by most accounts, an incomplete concession agreement signed on the 28th day

of September. That was a Friday. It was three days prior to the territorial election on October 1st . I would like to ask

the Premier if, in fact, he would call for a public inquiry as to the conduct of the previous government in dealing with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation and the signing of this incomplete agreement? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of a public inquiry is one thing, but going back to the question, I guess the decision of a previous government, in a sense, what would that accomplish for us? I would instead say, as the 16th Assembly, and as the Premier of the 16th Assembly, I

would undertake a review of the processes and the outstanding issues around that project. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, governments of all kinds, the federal government and other provincial governments, conduct public inquiries on previous governments all of the time. It happens. Case in point is the Mulroney/Schreiber affair in Ottawa. They are pulling him before a committee of Parliament. It happens, I think, when it comes to public money and the rollout of this project, and by most accounts, this process has been flawed. Again, I would like to ask the Premier, will he entertain a full public inquiry into the Deh Cho Bridge project and the processes that were followed in signing that concession agreement on September 28th ? Thank

you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as in my initial response as Premier, I will undertake to look at this matter of where we have gone at that point, sit down with Members to see what the next steps may be that we may look at as an Assembly. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I feel very strongly that we need to learn a lesson in what happened here. The only way for me to get some satisfaction that we have learned a lesson is to find out exactly what happened, who the players were and why that agreement was signed on September 28th . Can I ask

the Premier to find out why that agreement was signed on September 28th ? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I am able to do, there are some rules that we operate by in looking at previous decisions. But as the information we have and what is outstanding and my commitment to Members of this House is to look at this project and the process that was used. Again, I would be prepared to sit down with Members. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seemed to me that the deadline for the Government of the Northwest Territories to sign this concession agreement was October 1st . It was signed on September 28th and

somebody somewhere has to be held accountable for why

that decision to sign that agreement was done on September 28th . We can go back and forth all we want,

but all the public deserves, and what Members of this side of the House deserve, are some answers. I would like to have some answers from the Premier on why the rush to sign the concession agreement, an incomplete document, was done on September 28th . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge isn’t a new project. It has been in the works since the legislation was first brought in in the 14th Assembly. It has had numerous amounts of

debate in this forum and, once again, in the 16th Assembly, we are having some discussion on that. I have committed to look at the process that was used and come back and sit down with Members and look where we go from there. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about two weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding some disabled constituents of mine. They are looking for some assistance regarding any support programs we have on the books or in existence, because they want to get an assisted dog to help them with their disability. One is in a wheelchair and the second one needs an assisted dog because they can’t walk properly due to a lot of reasons. But the e-mail hasn’t been answered. So I guess the question for today is, will the Minister be responding to my question? Are there any programs available for these two constituents of mine so they can get an assisted dog? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I did receive that e-mail. We’re still investigating the issue and I will make the commitment to get back to the Member as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope that this doesn’t speak to a trend that it takes a couple weeks to respond to me to tell me we’ll get back to you. So the fact is, when can we expect some type of response on this matter? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

I believe it only took a second for me to tell him that I’ll get back to him, but it will take some time to review the issue at hand. The program to give or to support people obtaining pets as a means of health program is something that needs, it’s more complex, and there are two individuals involved. We need to find out whether they are eligible or not and how we can accommodate that. So I will get back to the Member as soon as I get that information and we are working on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like the commitment or at least the clear assurance in this House by the Minister that people with disabilities aren’t put on the backburner, that their needs or requirements aren’t put off to the shelf and ignored. So can I get that clear commitment in this House today, because I don’t think that they should be? I just want to make sure that it’s absolutely clear. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Members should be aware that that is an absolute commitment on my part because we have worked on other issues for people with disabilities within the life of this Assembly. Within the last two or three weeks, in fact. So the Member knows that I have a commitment to that. Of course, issues about things for persons with disabilities is definitely in the front of my agenda and I make a commitment again to the Member that I will get back to him on this information probably by the end of the week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the Deh Cho Bridge 3P project, we have an infrastructure deficit in the Northwest Territories. We have a lending limit. Acquiring capital projects through public/private partnerships is something that is not a foreign concept. It hasn’t been a very happy concept for this government, might I say, to date. However, if the government were going to consider this method for acquiring capital infrastructure in the future, I think it would be prudent to have a P3 policy in place for this government, because obviously we’re flying right now by the seat of our pants and we haven’t had very happy experience with P3 in the past with one or two other projects. So I would like to ask the Premier, does the GNWT have a policy regarding the acquiring of capital infrastructure through 3P projects, or 3P, P3 process? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has in the past looked at P3 programs, in fact entered into one project, looking at a number, then moved away from that process. I’ve discussed with a number of Ministers and we’ve set up a Cabinet committee to look at the whole question of infrastructure and how we get that infrastructure. So this will be one of the matters that we will direct them to work on, as well. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of a public/private partnership raises the question of how those kinds of arrangements for projecting an expenditure or committing to an expenditure that goes out 35 years is an interesting anomaly for our government. I’d like to know, I’d like to be able to find out how it coincides with our Financial Administration Act and to do that I need a copy of that concession agreement. So I’d like to ask the Minister, will he table a copy of the concession agreement, even with its unfinished 12 chapters, in this House? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we’re unable to table that concession agreement, as we’re working with the parties involved. As I’ve committed on the 19th , the Minister responsible will sit

with Members around this project. He has done that and provided some information. But the concession agreement itself we’ll not be tabling in this House. The issue of the P3 subject, we’re working with Ottawa to come up with the final parameters of their program and that’s the funding source that was being looked at in that area. For dealing with the Financial Administration Act and the documents that we work with in that area is something that we review every time when projects come forward for approval. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we refer to this as a public/private partnership, but may I suggest that this is a mostly public project. There is very little private in this. We are a public government and we are expending public funds. I think the public has a right to know what it is exactly that we are committing to. The Deh Cho Bridge project is anticipated to come in at $165 million. This is the largest capital project ever undertaken by the Government of the

Northwest Territories. We need public accountability and public transparency on this and maybe we’ll consult with the Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner and find out. This is a public…This is 99 percent a public project. We need the document. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the project is one that is there in its form. We have worked with a number of issues around that. The information about the cost of the project, the fact that there will be a toll fee on this project qualifies it as we’ve had discussions, or the Government of the Northwest Territories had a discussion with the federal government qualifies for what the P3 program is going to be established around. But they haven’t moved far enough on the area of the whole P3 process that they’ve undergone. The fact that individuals and companies will feel that impact because they will be paying the toll fee and, yes, the GNWT is involved through our O and M maintenance, as well as, as is pointed out, the costs that have increased around this project have impacted the commitment by the government in going forward. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The time for question period has expired; however, I will allow the Member a final supplementary. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess, Mr. Speaker, the reason why I’m asking if the Premier will table the concession agreement is because we, as Members of this House, are not privy to this agreement, the public is not privy to this agreement, and certainly it has very big implications for our government regardless of the toll that’s being charged. The suggestion of my colleague Mr. Ramsay that a public inquiry be held also speaks to the issue of the transparency of this. Decisions were obviously made at a level behind closed doors that are not publicly discussable. We can’t bring the Cabinet decisions and the deliberations into the public, and I think that’s wrong. So if it takes a public inquiry to get to that, then I would support that concept. I’d ask the Premier, would he commit to a full accounting of this project? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Roland.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I’ve committed to the Member prior in question period, that I would undertake a review of this process of where it’s at today and be prepared to sit down with Members again once I’ve done that work. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to opening address. Petitions. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of public housing costs in Fort McPherson. Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 81 signatures from Fort McPherson residents. Mr. Speaker, the petition requests that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation change the public housing assessment process and ensure that rent is based on net income as opposed to gross income.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Petitions. Reports of standing and special committees. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Roland.

Tabled Document 3-16(1): NWT Public Accounts 2006-2007
Item 14: Tabling Of Documents

Inuvik Boot Lake

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Public Accounts 2006-2007. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territories Law Foundation Twenty-Fifty Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2007. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Tabling of documents. Pursuant to section 5 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to table the Summary of Members’ Absences for the Period October 18, 2007, to November 26, 2007.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Pursuant to section 23 of the Official Languages Act, I wish to table the 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest Territories.

Tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a transcript of the proceedings of a public meeting to discuss the loss of Constable Christopher Worden held by the Town of Hay River on October 22nd containing many questions to the

departments of this government regarding resources for Hay River. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Item 15: Notices Of Motion
Item 15: Notices Of Motion

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure: Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake; Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta; Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput; Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh; and further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure as alternate Members: Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Item 15: Notices Of Motion
Item 15: Notices Of Motion

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Notices of motion. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations: Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput; Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre; and further that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate Members: Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; and, Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Notices of motion. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures: Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake; Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre; Hon. Bob McLeod, the Member for Yellowknife South; and further that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures as alternate Members: Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe; and, Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Notices of motion. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, November 29, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs: Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake; Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe; Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh; and further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as alternate Members: Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South; Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake; and, Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. Motions. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion she gave notice of earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue with your motion, Ms. Bisaro.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure:

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure as alternate Members:

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh; and

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Item 17: Motions
Item 17: Motions

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion he gave notice of earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue with your motion, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations:

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh;

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations as alternate Members:

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; and

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. The honourable Member for Great Slave Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion he gave notice of earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue with your motion, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures:

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. Kevin Menicoche, the Member for Nahendeh;

Mr. Robert Hawkins, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

Hon. Bob McLeod, the Member for Yellowknife South;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures as alternate Members:

Mr. David Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe; and

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion he gave notice of earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue with your motion, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

WHEREAS Rule 85 requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs:

Ms. Wendy Bisaro, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe;

Mr. Bob Bromley, the Member for Weledeh;

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Programs as alternate Members:

Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. David Ramsay, the Member for Kam Lake; and

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I would like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We have one item to deal with, Minister’s Statement 1-16(1), Sessional Statement. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that we report progress.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will rise and report progress.

Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 20: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Can I have the report of Committee of the Whole, Mr. Krutko?

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Minister’s Statement 1-16(1) and would like to report progress and, Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Item 21: Report Of Committee Of The Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder? The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Third reading of bills. Madam Clerk, orders of the day.

Item 23: Orders Of The Day
Item 23: Orders Of The Day

Principal Clerk Of Committees (Ms. Russell)

Mr. Speaker, orders of the day for Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers'

Statements

3. Members'

Statements

4.

Returns to Oral Questions

5.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral

Questions

8. Written

Questions

9.

Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and

Other Matters

- Minister’s Statement 1-16(1), Sessional Statement

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

---Applause

Item 23: Orders Of The Day
Item 23: Orders Of The Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 15:45.