This is page numbers 861 - 906 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Members Present

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

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

Page 861

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Good morning, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Before we begin, I would like to wish everyone in the Northwest Territories a Happy Valentine's Day.

---Applause

Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Minister's Statement 67-15(5): Dialysis Treatment In The Northwest Territories
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

Page 861

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am present...

---Laughter

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Services in partnership with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, has established dialysis treatment services at the H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital.

---Applause

This new Hay River dialysis service is part of the territorial Dialysis Program also available in Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The new dialysis service in Hay River began in January 2007. This is the result of a strong partnership between the Department of Health and Social Services Authority, the Department of Public Works and Services and medical staff. I would like to thank both Hay River MLAs for their ongoing interest and support of this project.

Community partnerships on this project should also be recognized. One of the three new dialysis machines was purchased with the support of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Elks and the Hay River Community Health Board Foundation.

This project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the primary community approach of the integrated services delivery model. Providing this service for clients closer to their home community improves timely access for people living with kidney failure. Another important factor is patients now have the support of family and friends. Overall, this proximity of treatment greatly reduces stress on clients and their families.

The new dialysis treatment now offered in Hay River is timely as the need for this treatment is growing, in part as a result of increasing diabetes rates. Dialysis treatment is directed toward this growing need as an effective

treatment for people with kidney failure associated with diabetes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 67-15(5): Dialysis Treatment In The Northwest Territories
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Minister's Statement 68-15(5): Doi T'oh Territorial Park And Canol Heritage Trail Park Management Plan
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after careful deliberation by all parties, I am pleased to announce the completion of a management plan for the Doi T'oh Territorial Park and Canol Heritage Trail.

---Applause

As agreed to in the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, a joint committee consisting of representatives of the three local land corps and the GNWT prepared the plan.

This plan describes initiatives which will guide the conservation and management of a proposed territorial park along the Canol Trail and Dodo Canyon in the Sahtu region, the mighty Sahtu region, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The plan also includes a protected areas agreement that articulates the impacts and benefits of the park for claimants.

An internationally known hiking challenge for the extreme enthusiast, park visitors will continue to enjoy:

  • • dramatic wilderness scenery and watching wildlife such as sheep, grizzly bears, moose and wolves;
  • • extreme wilderness hiking in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter along the Canol Trail's roadbed;
  • • heritage interpretation of Canol trail remnants, and
  • • cultural interpretation of the Mountain Dene.

The park is accessed by road from Yukon in the southwest and, Mr. Speaker, by air from Norman Wells in the northeast. The plan calls for partnerships with the private sector to develop additional aircraft landing sites. Summer ground transportation will be limited to organizations associated with the park.

Mr. Speaker, improved visitor safety is a priority of the plan. Safer river crossings will be introduced where needed along with proper trail signage and bear safety

information. The venture will offer opportunity for direct/indirect employment, business development for local people and organizations.

On the formal transfer of these Crown lands by DIAND, ITI will present a proposal to this Assembly for formal park designation and a new claimant corporation will formed to develop, operate and manage a new park under new contract to ITI. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate point later today, I will be proud to table the management plan for the Doi T'oh Heritage Park and Canol Heritage Trail. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 68-15(5): Doi T'oh Territorial Park And Canol Heritage Trail Park Management Plan
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Socio-economic Agreements With Diamond Mines
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today being Valentine's Day, I thought it would be a good day to talk about diamonds. They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend. However, I would like to say that the diamond mining companies that produce them in the Northwest Territories are quickly becoming the Northwest Territories' best friend.

My committee recently had an opportunity to sit down with the diamond mines to talk about the provisions of their socio-economic agreements. Mr. Speaker, these agreements are required of the mine by the GNWT. They stipulate conditions such as targets for training, employment and business opportunities.

The diamond mines have come up under a lot of scrutiny in this House for various reasons in the past, Mr. Speaker, but I have to tell you I was very impressed with how much the mines are doing to attract people to the North, have them open businesses, buy homes and raise their families. This is over and above the corporate contributions that they make to the communities.

Mr. Speaker, the diamond mines are offering various significant incentives to southern employees if they will live in the North. Northern resident employees are also offered enhancements and incentives, which recognize their residency in the North. Some of the mining companies have helped start businesses and joint venture with northern companies, plus, Mr. Speaker, they actively encourage their southern suppliers to move north.

Mr. Speaker, the mines are meeting the terms of the socio-economic agreements and adding millions of dollars to our northern economy while they do that. Mr. Speaker, who is ultimately responsible for recruiting and retaining professionals in our communities? Where is the campaign? Where is the information about that effort? Who is going out and saying have you ever thought about living in the Northwest Territories and here are some of the advantages and some of the pluses. I don't know if we are actually fulfilling that role in an organized way and we do need to do that. We need an organized, overarching effort between industry, communities and the GNWT. Everyone has their role to play in this.

Mr. Speaker, the mines are doing their part for the economy of the Northwest Territories, but they do face challenges in terms of meeting their socio-economic agreement because of the nationwide labour shortages. I would encourage this government to work closely with all industry to attract a qualified labour force to the Territories and to keep working on and supporting the initiative in support of our northern workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I will just close by saying that I think that these diamond mining companies, BHP Billiton, Diavik and De Beers Canada, are very good corporate citizens and I look forward to working with them more closely in the future. I very much look forward to our meeting with De Beers in Hay River to acquaint them with our community in the next few weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Socio-economic Agreements With Diamond Mines
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Groenewegen. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Construction Of A Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to wish a Happy Valentine's Day to my wife Amanda, and to my constituents.

On January 6th, Mr. Speaker, I lost my grandmother, Mary Donovan, to a disease that is not entirely new to my family. It's a condition that affects one in every 13 people in Canada over the age of 65. That disease is Alzheimer's. I say it's not entirely new because just last year my uncle, Edward Johnson, died of Alzheimer's, and four years before that another uncle, his brother, Robert Johnson, also died from Alzheimer's disease. This disease has hit my family full on and I'm very scared that my parents, my brothers or other family members may also be at risk of being afflicted with this horrendous disease. Fortunately, for my grandmother and my uncles, they were able to get the care and the services that they required at a dedicated facility in New Brunswick. The ability to get help and care for the disease was so very, very important to their families who loved them dearly.

This dreaded affliction is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects the brain and eventually all aspects of a person's life, from mental abilities, emotions and moods, to behaviour and physical abilities. If my grandmother and my uncles were residents of our territory, they would not have received the same level of care or service that Alzheimer's and dementia patients require. That, Mr. Speaker, is the sad truth.

In the Northwest Territories, sufferers are housed in hospitals and other facilities that do not meet their needs. Our residents deserve to have a facility like the proposed dementia facility currently being undertaken by the Yellowknife Association for Concerned Citizens for Seniors. This much needed care facility is long overdue, Mr. Speaker. Today I will stand again in this House and encourage this government to do whatever it can that's necessary to move the plans forward to build a dementia facility here in Yellowknife. There is obvious need for this facility as it will specifically cater to those affected with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The facility will also give much needed relief to the caregivers

who are in desperate, desperate need of respite programs during the day. Please, Mr. Speaker, I am implore the government today to again move this project forward and get it built sooner rather than later. Mahsi.

---Applause

Construction Of A Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the Behchoko housing review. It is clear from the number of questions I get from my constituents in...I will be talking about the views of my people. Later on, it would be good if they can clarify this. (Translation ends)

From the number of questions that I get from my constituents in Behchoko, there is not a clear understanding of the programs available through the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, there is also confusion over roles between the local housing authority, the North Slave District office, and also the headquarters in Yellowknife. There is also a need for the corporation and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to work with the people with rental arrears. Some people with arrears are in this situation because their rent was recalculated higher at some point and was not recalculated when their income dropped, Mr. Speaker. We need to identify a fair amount that people in this situation owe and work out a repayment plan for all clients with rental arrears.

Mr. Speaker, I will be seeking a commitment from the Minister that he and his officials work with the families who have rental arrears, to work out a reasonable repayment plan based on what should have been charged for the rent over the years.

There is also a need to provide plain language summaries in English and in Tlicho so that people can figure out whether they should be talking to a local housing authority, the North Slave District office, or the headquarters to resolve these outstanding issues and housing problems, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has announced a program redesigned for the NWT Housing Corporation that is supposed to make it less complicated for residents to access housing programs. This is great news, Mr. Speaker. Let's work with it. This is a new beginning that can be used as a starting point to address the housing problems in Behchoko, and improve communication and clearly define the roles. I ask the help of the Minister and the corporation in accomplishing this issue. Mahsi.

---Applause

Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Benefits Of Midwifery Services
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for many years babies were born only in Inuvik and Yellowknife. After over 10 years of lobbying and pushing and encouraging of government by many of the women in Fort Smith, and support by the department, and support across the North for this service outside of Yellowknife, in 2005, midwifery legislation was passed and was made an insured service. We've had the benefit of two very skilled, dedicated and committed midwifes: Ms. Leslie Paulette and Ms. Gisela Becker, who were part of the initiative over the years to get this service provided outside of Yellowknife and Inuvik.

This is a very good news story, Mr. Speaker. In 2005, when the service first started, five births took place in the community. In 2006, that number was 14. As of today, the midwifery program provides care for the majority of childbearing families in the community, and the number of community births continues to rise. In 2006, 41 babies were born to Fort Smith families and the projections are that this number could increase to as much as 48 babies in 2007.

Currently, 32, or 70 percent, of the 41 babies born, and their mothers, are followed by the midwives. Prenatal visits average 16 visits per client, or 512 visits per year. Postpartum visits average 13 visits per client, or 416 visits per year. Newborn visits average 11 per client, or 352 visits per year. This averages out to 40 scheduled visits per baby and mother per year, or a total of 1,280 visits. Mr. Speaker, these are quality time visits and average about 45 minutes per visit; a type of care that mothers are very appreciative of, and doesn't happen through the normal course of events where no midwives are involved.

Mr. Speaker, three-quarters of the world use midwife services. We know that there is an obstetrics crisis in the country where there are not enough doctors around. The Northwest Territories had the foresight to pass this legislation. Fort Smith played the key role in pushing this because of the women and the midwives in the community. However, Mr. Speaker, I would submit that this is a service that every community and every region in the territory would benefit from. I would like to thank the department and the government for their support. This is a case of money well spent. Thank you.

---Applause

Benefits Of Midwifery Services
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I don't think there could be enough talk about the caribou crisis here in the NWT. Instead of reiterating reasons why the current interim measures will only result in the extinction of an industry, let alone a species, I would just like to broaden the view of the current public perspective on our wildlife management in this government.

Besides the fact that the resources dedicated to the caribou alone will not be sufficient enough to determine what numbers are actually out there, the good reason being is that our land is so huge and that counting caribou has to be done over a short period of time in order to be more accurate. This, along with many other legitimate challenges which will require more money, has to be part of a big plan to reorganize and reprioritize our wildlife

management in this government. We need more money to determine and confidently guesstimate what levels all our principal wildlife food sources are at for residents of the NWT. We need more money to determine accurate moose populations in all regions. We need more money to determine woodland and Mountain Caribou populations in the Akaitcho, Deh Cho and the Sahtu regions. We need more money to determine what our bear populations are at, more money into researching and understanding our small game cycles of abundance and scarcity.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow our wildlife to be viewed as expendable or simply renewable items during our government's planning and budgeting process. Mr. Speaker, we all have to learn from this caribou crisis. Our lesson being the fact that we need more money and wildlife management, monitoring and conservation if we want to retain any type of wildlife to manage for our future. Period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, reading the Hansard of the Minister's answers yesterday, I'm wondering if we should change the name of the Department of ITI to Department of Some Industry, Some Tourism and Some Investments, because, Mr. Speaker, it appears that not all industry is equally deserving of his attention and commitment. Even though, arguably, all industries, whether they be for oil and gas, diamonds, or outfitters, have adverse impacts on our wildlife, it's always a question of balance.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the big ticket industries, the Minister does not hesitate to trot off to Alaska, Washington, London, Calgary and Ottawa, and back again, to lobby other governments. However, for the outfitters industry, which is literally on its last leg, the Minister says he's planning to help them with developing their position they're making their presentation to the Wekeezhii board. Mr. Speaker, what exactly is the Minister's level of a commitment to the outfitters industry? I see no evidence so far that he has played any active role while Cabinet was deciding on the virtual end of this industry.

Mr. Speaker, as well, we are all very aware and, as the Member for Monfwi reminds us, we now have a self-government in our neighbouring jurisdiction of Tlicho, and we know that the management of caribou and other environmental matters will largely fall within their jurisdiction. However, this doesn't mean, Mr. Speaker, that we have no influence or relationship with these governments. If that were the case, why are we burning up gas visiting governments of the U.S., England and Canada? Mr. Speaker, what this means is that the outfitters issue now is an intergovernmental matter, just as oil and gas and diamonds are. Then why is it that for this industry, the little guys don't get the same support the big guys in the oil and gas and diamond industry get? Where is the voice and presence of the Minister of ITI before the Wekeezhii board, and in intergovernmental meetings with the leadership of our neighbouring government of Tlicho?

Mr. Speaker, it may be that the Tlicho Government may find it in its interests, and their people, and their land, that there be no sport hunting in the Territories. But I also believe in fair treatment and fair opportunity, and the last opportunity for any industry or any person on their deathbed for that matter, to have their say in what their positions are.

The ENR has put their proposal to the Wekeezhii board; I will wait for ITI to make their position clear in writing for the Wekeezhii board to consider. As well, I respectfully request that the Minister come forward with an action plan on what he's prepared to do for the industry...

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Ms. Lee, your time for Member's statement has expired.

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. May I seek unanimous consent to finish my sentence? Thank you.

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As well, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request that the Minister come forward with an action plan as soon as possible on what he's prepared to do for the industry to prevent its demise, if possible, and to deal with the consequences in the event of the end of this industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Support For The Caribou Outfitters Industry
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Importance Of Caribou Decisions On Small Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to say Happy Valentines to my lovely wife who is somewhere here in Yellowknife. I certainly love her.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the importance of caribou, and caribou that's from our region in the Sahtu. As the Minister of ITI has expressed in his Minister's statement, as the mighty Sahtu, I say that with great pride and honour. Some of the other Members will talk about their own region and give their own praise to their own region. I want to say something about the caribou in terms of the importance of the caribou here.

We are talking about caribou that's been here for thousands and thousands of years. It has its own way of life. It has its own laws...self-manages themselves over years and years until we started to get into the human management of it. We really haven't taken into consideration...If the caribou was right in front of us, what would they say to us on how we're taking care of them? How we're having arguments with them, and different views of how we see them? The outfitters, how they see them for the economic benefits of their industry? For the aboriginal hunters. Talk about the little guy? How about the four-foot guy in Colville Lake? Taking care of the people in Colville Lake who really understand that caribou? Or the people in Deline and the profits they talk about our caribou? The aboriginal hunters? You know, we really need to look at this very carefully. That is our

life that you're talking about. As it's been expressed by other Members, that's the life of the industry, the outfitters. But our life is a little deeper and it goes a little further. Here we're arguing about a very important commodity, different views from different people.

The caribou, Mr. Speaker, is very sensitive to our people. That is our life. As Mr. Bell talked about, the Canol Trail, we saw one caribou on that trail and we looked at it and appreciated it by the people. Mr. Speaker, the youth learned a lot on that trail.

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

Importance Of Caribou Decisions On Small Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Importance Of Caribou Decisions On Small Communities
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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the youth, when they saw that caribou, they saw it in a different light as our guide from Ottawa saw the caribou. We had two different views, two different perspectives on how that caribou should be looked at. I just wanted to remind that that is very key to our discussion here. Thank you.

---Applause

Importance Of Caribou Decisions On Small Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Electrical Power Rates In Nunakput Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to send Valentine's greetings to my wife, since 1988, back in Tuktoyaktuk.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, prior to me coming down to this session, I received a number of complaints regarding the recent power bills that they received for January, December and January. A number of complaints that I received in excess of $1,800, $1,200-plus, $650-plus, $450-plus. One of the reasons that they talked about, Mr. Speaker, is that recently, in October and November, there was a contract in the community of Tuktoyaktuk that actually went out and changed some of the meters. They are wondering if that might be one of the reasons why.

Mr. Speaker, presently in Tuktoyaktuk, as an example, we pay 61.61 cents per kilowatt per hour. After the first 700 kilowatts it's subsidized. On top of that, Mr. Speaker, we also incur another cost of 13.73 cents per kilowatt per hour. That's very costly. We talk about trying to become homeowners in the communities a lot and with the cost escalation of the power right now and the fuel rider, it's going to discourage the people to maybe even consider that.

One of the things I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, as a homeowner myself, we do enjoy being private homeowners, but at the same time with the cost of the power and the fuel rider on top of that, you know it's discouraging. I would like to say that another example, in Sachs Harbour, Mr. Speaker, they are paying 97.75 cents per kilowatt an hour, on top of that 13.73, so these kinds of rates are very discouraging.

Just in closing, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to say I'm going to have a question for the Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation in regard to the power rates. Thank you.

---Applause

Electrical Power Rates In Nunakput Communities
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 865

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Martin Luther King once said I have a dream. I, too, Mr. Speaker, have a dream. I have a dream that someday the residents of the Northwest Territories will be connected by a series of highways so we can be connected from coast to coast to coast.

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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An Hon. Member

Ooh, big vision. Hear! Hear!

---Applause

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I have a dream that the people of the Beaufort-Delta can walk hand in hand, or vehicle to vehicle, with people from the Sahtu and the Tlicho...

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Some Hon. Members

Hear! Hear!

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

...and Yellowknife.

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear! We have a dream.

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

But it is just a dream, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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An Hon. Member

A pipe dream.

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

It is just a dream, but we have the means to make it a reality.

Mr. Speaker, in 1977, they halted construction of an all-weather road because of the uncertainty of the oil and gas industry. Who drives the Territories, Mr. Speaker? Is it the oil and gas industry, is it industry, or is it the needs of the people in the Northwest Territories?

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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An Hon. Member

Good question.

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I think we have to get that in perspective and do what's best for the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT is ranked fourth out of 65 countries worldwide, surveyed by the Fraser Institute, but we're ranked last in terms of infrastructure and the quality of our infrastructure and this has a significant impact on the development and the investment in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, $90 million is spent annually in the Northwest Territories in tourism. We can double that with a highway, Mr. Speaker. All the small communities along the way would benefit from it; people in the Northwest Territories would benefit from it. We have to continue to lobby Ottawa to get what's right for the Northwest Territories.

They have a Canada strategic infrastructure fund and it's directed to projects of major federal and regional significance. Now, this project is of major significance to the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. It also says it enhances the quality of life of Canadians. We are Canadians. It would enhance our quality of life and it's something we should seriously look at. The budget 2006 announced an additional $2 billion going into the funding, which brings the total to $6 billion. Where's our share of that? I don't see it, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to know what the other provinces are getting.

I think we have to quit dreaming, Mr. Speaker, and have this highway become reality because it's something that we do need. Thank you.

---Applause

Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Valentine Letter To Prime Minister Harper
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is Valentine's Day and I would like to share with the Legislative Assembly this morning a letter that I wrote to the Prime Minister on this day, and it starts out like this: Dearest Prime Minister, or may we say Steve?

---Laughter

We pen this valentine with trembling hand and heart all aflutter with deepest affection for the 40 years of almost wedded bliss we have shared. Yes, Dearest, it's been four long decades since you lead us to the alter of constitutional consummation with your passionate promises of provincehood, your breathless whispers of fiscal fulfillment, your shameless wooing that one day our relationship would blossom and we would live together happily even after. Oh, Stephen.

---Laughter

Ohhh, Stephen. How we fell for you, lusting and pining and panting for the day when it all might come true. Was it only last summer when you stood before us here in our own humble parlour and professed yet again your solemn pledge that if we behaved ourselves and if we kept faith, we could be just like our big sister Alberta, and rein supreme and rich and bear many children in the bosom of our untold wealth. But, darling Stephen, our long-distance relationship is troubled.

---Laughter

Troubled. We grow restless. Your seductive temptations that once fuelled the wild beating of our heart are alas sounding empty and hollow, and cold as the Arctic tempest that blasts across our fevered brow. The truth is, Dearest, the many children of our union are getting out of hand. They demand so much. What with doctors' bills, power bills, fuel bills, grocery bills, day care bills, legislative bills, are we getting through? Then there's the matter of that diamond engagement ring. Beloved, may we remind you that we were the ones who found it. We mined it. We cut it. We polished it. But it's like you're taking all the credit and we're the ones still paying for it. Will the day come, Beloved, when we will consummate our relationship? Oh, Stephen, what's gone wrong? Where is the love? Where is the heart? Where is the happiness? Signed, With great expectations, the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Valentine Letter To Prime Minister Harper
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 866

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 866

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, wish it acknowledge it's Valentine's Day to my wife and my two lovely monsters. Before I left for work this morning, the three boys, including myself, made a card for my wife. It reminded me why we're here, Mr. Speaker, because the important things we're here to do is to help people who are in need.

Mr. Speaker, employee pension plans in the Northwest Territories are regulated through the Federal Pension Benefit Standards Act. Currently, we have no ability to make changes to our pension rules that affect the NWT retirees. Most provinces have enacted their own pension legislation so they can be more flexible and responsive to the needs of their constituents. For example, people who leave their jobs before they're eligible for pensions can convert the transfer value to a locked-in vehicle such as a life income fund or a life retirement income fund. Like RRSPs, locked-investments have maximum annual withdrawal amounts.

Under federal legislation, and until recently, under most provincial legislation, retirees who find themselves in financial hardship are not allowed to exceed the maximum withdraw of their life income fund no matter how much they need to access their money, Mr. Speaker. Many provinces have recently amended their pension legislation to allow extra withdraws for low-income retirees and those experiencing financial hardship. Alberta recently changed its legislation to allow people to unlock up to 50 percent of their money and roll it into an RRSP or a RIFF, which offers more flexibility in terms of investment choices and withdraw decisions, Mr. Speaker, which can be useful for first time homebuyers and people wanting education plan money.

Mr. Speaker, these are examples of how our own pension legislation would give us flexibility to make life easier for our average citizens, Mr. Speaker. I believe the government should seriously consider pursuing northern pension legislation, and later today I will have questions for the Minister of Finance to that matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 3: Members' Statements

Page 866

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

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

Page 866

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Elva Arsenault. Alva is a sister to Carmen

Moore, our chief of protocol. Alva is visiting from Prince Edward Island, so welcome, Alva.

---Applause

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

Page 867

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I'd like to welcome everyone in the gallery today for taking in the proceedings. It's nice to have an audience in here. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement today I talked about the significant contribution that the diamond mines have made in the Northwest Territories, the timing at which they came along -- around the time of the decline of the gold mining and the division of the Northwest Territories -- and how much they have played a role in the economy of the Northwest Territories. I want to thank Minister Bell for a recent opportunity to learn a little bit more about diamonds, as we went off to meet with De Beers in London and view their operations. It was very enlightening. I missed the little part of the tour that had to do with the retail, so my husband was very glad about that.

The one area, after hearing some of the reports on the socio-economic agreements and that, that I still think we could capitalize on a great deal is finding ways to attract the workers at the mines who don't currently reside in the North to move to the North. But as I said in my statement, I think that's going to take a very coordinated effort. After hearing about the efforts of the mining industry, I'm quite convinced that they are doing their part to contribute to that. I do think, though, that there are gaps. I think that the GNWT should be doing more. I think that the communities could be doing more. I don't know exactly the way we could go about coordinating that. I mean all of us came to the North. We're either from here or we moved here. We obviously see the benefits of living here, because we love it and we live here, and there's many advantages to living in the North, that's for certain. We need to find a way to convey that to some of the what we call migrant workers who still commute to the Northwest Territories to work. I'd like to ask the Minister if there is any appetite on the part of his department, Industry, Tourism and Investment, to work more closely with industry and communities. I represent a community that has a lot of capacity to grow. We would like more people in our community and we would like to find some vehicle to encourage these workers to locate in the North, in conjunction, in joint effort with industry and this government. Is there any funding available for such a campaign? Thank you.

Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there's a lot of merit in doing what the Member is proposing and, in fact, at the Canada Winter Games we will be rolling out this Pan-Northern Strategy, the three territories, to talk about not only promoting the North in southern Canada as a tourist destination, a tourist attraction, but also in terms of business and employment opportunities. We've had some discussions, the other Ministers and myself, about how we carry this strategy forward, how we move it along. There's a lot of legacy potential here in the work that we're doing, and it makes sense for us to continue to pursue this course. So I'm open to suggestions about how we best do that. I think, and the Member made the point, that we certainly do need to do a better job of linking what we're doing in this overall Pan-Northern Strategy and bringing it right down to working with communities who, in effect, will be the deciding factor as to whether or not people are coming north for these employment opportunities. So a very good suggestion. I'd like to take the Member up on that. Thank you.

Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the present time, we do have quite a few people residing in Hay River who do work at the mines and we would like to see that number increase. What we need is a point of contact or, again, like I said, some kind of a vehicle to ensure that we can attempt to sell our communities. We're not asking the government to do this. We need to take that responsibility ourselves, to try and promote things like the cost of living and the amenities that are available in our communities. Yellowknife can do the same thing, but I'm speaking of Hay River specifically now. But when a person gets hired on by a diamond mine and they live in southern Canada, I don't have any sense right now of whether there is a package they're given, if there's information, exactly what they are provided with that would give them pause to think about residing in the Northwest Territories. I know we don't have a diamond secretariat, but we need some point of contact. We need to organize this. Does the Minister have any suggestions in that area? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 867

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will talk to my staff about that and find out what currently is provided to employees in the South. I know the mines are very much interested and would prefer to have these employees live north. It's cheaper for them; they don't have to endeavour to do the same kinds of things to get them to and from site. As well, we know there's more continuity and people tend to stay longer if they reside in the North. So this is something that we can talk about.

I would applaud the community of Hay River, though. I think they're going about this in the right manner, inviting De Beers to come down to the community, tour the community, understand what the community has to offer. I think that's the kind of approach that's necessary. But I'll

find out what information goes out to employees that would help to entice them north. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you. We in Hay River would like to know how we could plug into that kind of a campaign. The program that the Minister referred to earlier is kind of a "come to the Northwest Territories," it's more general. But I think communities should also have an opportunity to do a very community-focussed, specific pitch to promote their community, and right now I don't believe there are any funds available for such a campaign. I think it would be money well spent, and I would ask the Minister if he would consider working with us to try and perhaps locate a program that would facilitate that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Yes, Mr. Speaker, I think that makes a lot of sense and I would like to come to committee and talk about what might be done as we go forward in the business plans. I'm thinking now currently about our efforts. I will make sure that our website, these pan-northern websites and the links to the Northwest Territories also contain links to our communities. I think that's vital. We can't have a disconnect between this broader marketing strategy and then the actual information that people need to make decisions about where their families will live, and where they'll go to school, and what kinds of jobs and employment would be waiting for them. So that's a very good suggestion. I think we could pursue this further with committee and talk about what we do going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Question 309-15(5): Programs To Encourage Northern Residency Of Resource Sector Employees
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland, and again it goes back to my Member's statement of earlier today and it is the dementia facility and its construction in Yellowknife. I want to start off with saying this facility was a key plank of many Yellowknife MLAs and potential candidates in the election in 2003, to have this facility built in Yellowknife. We're almost four years later, and it was talked about even before 2003. Here it is 2007; we're still trying to plan it and coordinate how this facility will be built, and we can't go back and point fingers on why it hasn't been built. All we can do is deal with today and the future; and the future of this community, Mr. Speaker, I believe deserves a dementia care facility, a dedicated dementia care facility. I'd like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services where exactly the department is in relation to the construction of this much needed care facility here in Yellowknife. Mahsi.

Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of the dementia facility is one that the department has been involved with. Initially, as Members are aware, the YACCS group had approached the department and Members for support at looking at a dementia facility. The department came up with some funding for planning and that planning has progressed with the group. Just recently, as I took over as Minister of Health and Social Service, I sat down with the YACCS organization and department representatives to go over where the plan was and a need to coordinate between the department and YACCS, and we have done so. The working relationship has been very cooperative in that area. An RFP was just recently put out to look at the costing of that facility. Once we have that costing, we will then be able to sit down and see how, as a department, we can put it into our infrastructure plan. Thank you.

Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope that it is included in the infrastructure plan in the very near future. Another thing I mentioned in my Member's statement was the obvious difference between care and level of services that one with Alzheimer's could receive here in the Northwest Territories as opposed to if you're in Edmonton or if you're in another province. I'd like to ask the Minister, in terms of level of service, does the Department of Health and Social Services have a policy on care of Alzheimer's patients here in the Northwest Territories? Mahsi.

Supplementary To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of Alzheimer's in the Northwest Territories, through the department, as the Member had highlighted in his Member's statement, we do address that through our existing facilities in hospitals that we do have in the Northwest Territories. We continue to work with, for example, with YACCS about the new dementia facility and what can be incorporated in that. But at this point forward, we are delivering that service through our existing facilities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 868

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that. I think if a study was done or if somebody took a real look at the level of care and

services, there's a big difference between being hospitalized and in a dedicated facility where your relatives and people can come and visit you, not to mention those caregivers who want to look after their loved ones at home have an opportunity through day programs to bring their loved ones to a day program. So I'd like to again ask the Minister if his department would take a look at the level of service. What is available in a care facility in, say, Edmonton or in Ontario, and what is currently available for a sufferer of Alzheimer's here in the Northwest Territories? Is there a difference? I think there is. Mahsi.

Supplementary To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think there would be a difference in a couple of areas. One, the level of service or dedicated program to people who suffer from Alzheimer's as well as other dementia issues. That's one for sure we've been working on. In fact, we continue to work with the YACCS organization and integrating a respite program for families that help deal with other family members, we're working and moving that ahead as soon as we can. In fact, this fiscal year we started doing some of that work with them. The other side of it -- and I think it's one of the things we look at here in the North -- is that when it comes to not only the level of care but the cost of providing that care in the Northwest Territories, in the Northwest Territories we, as a government, pick up the large part of that tab whereas in the South individuals and families are paying for that service themselves. So we have to come up with an appropriate balance, both on the level of programming as well as the cost of that programming in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 310-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the power rates in Nunakput. One of the problems that they're having back home is the cost of it. I have a question for the Minister of the NWT Power Corporation in regard to that. I think first of all I'd like to ask the Minister, Tuk being the size of over 1,000 people they don't have a full-time power engineer operator in the plant. At the same time, they have a contractor that just goes out there and does his meter readings on a monthly basis. I'd like to ask the Minister, my first question for the Minister, Mr. Speaker, is what sort of training do these people get, the contractors get in regard to the operation of the power plants itself and also in regard to the meter readings when they do go out to read the meters, meter readings? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Power Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in regards to our individual employees, we do provide training to our employees when they're hired on and ensure that they have the abilities to carry out those responsibilities. But in regards to meter readings, like the Member mentioned, they are done on a monthly basis in which the individual goes around checking the meters in the communities. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the meters that we do have, there's an issue about changing out meters, but I think we are a regulated business. The meters that we use are also regulated. I think it's important for everyone to realize that in order for us to get an adequate reading, we do have to do it physically. We are looking at upgrading our meter system so that we can be able to have these electric meters read through a computerized program so that we know that the data is there. But again, we are able to work with our employees to make sure that they do have the training and also have the ability to carry out the responsibilities as employees of the Power Corporation.

Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned before, you know, a few years ago Tuk did have a full-time employee for the Power Corp and got the contract, but I understand the Minister's response. But one of the questions I'd like to ask the Minister is in regard to the...Like in Tuk, like I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, 61.61 cents per kilowatt hour and then 13.73 cents after that for the diesel rider. I'd like to ask the Minister...and I'm sure that we can get an explanation in regard to how do these rates come up. I understand that we are subsidized for the first 100 kilowatts from Yellowknife and then on top of that we're paying these other costs. So I'd like to ask the Minister to explain so my people in Nunakput understand the reasoning behind the cost of the 61.61 and also the 13.73 cents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 869

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, we do all have different rates for different communities. We have a hydro rate. We also have a utility rate, which are for diesel communities. Through those rates that basically have been in place are based on the actual costs to generate power in that community. In order to offset the high cost of power in communities, we implemented a program to subsidize power in diesel communities for residents up to 700 kilowatts. But again, Mr. Speaker, we do have to be able to show that through the power bills that we do put out it does show on the bill how much of the subsidy you're receiving for that particular month and how much your cost is in regards to the power that you consume. I think the residents have to realize that they also have to ensure that the power that they do use is the power that they have to be able to manage as part of their responsibility to pay that portion. I think we hear it a lot of time where people say my power bill's jumped this much, but I think

we also have to realize the majority of when you see the highest cost of those power bills is usually during the coldest months of the year and the winter months is when you see the biggest spike because you're using more power. So again, Mr. Speaker, we have a system that's being fair to diesel communities and residents in our small communities, but also ensuring that the consumer also plays the role in the amount of power they consume. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Pokiak.

Supplementary To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree that the residents have to understand the consumption that they use per month, but as a private homeowner, Mr. Speaker, I do know exactly what we use a month. I know what the consequence is going to cost for me to operate my unit. So the question I have for the Minister is, can he provide information in regard to the public house users that actually go over and above versus the residential homeowners, private homeowners? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have a database that we do track all the invoices, the meter readings from all communities for all residences regardless if it's private or commercial. So we can provide that information to the Member to show exactly how much individuals use. Also, as residents of our communities that do have concerns on the power rates, I would like to direct them to take their issues either to the regional staff or even to myself so that we can look into these issues and especially when it comes down to questioning the power bills. We are able to explain to the residents how their power bills are being read and how exactly is there a dispute there so that we can try to find a way to resolve it. Either change out the meter, put in another meter. But by working together we are able to do that. So I'm willing to provide that information to the Member. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Question 311-15(5): Electrical Power Rates In Isolated Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Just getting back to my Member's statement and stressing the importance of the issue of our caribou crisis here in the NWT and the reorganization and reprioritization that needs to take place in order for our caribou to bounce back from these low numbers that we have, I just have some questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources on the department's wildlife management funding. He knows and I know and everybody here knows that the $1 million to try and make some changes is not going to do it. We need more money in all areas of wildlife management here in the NWT. I know that a lot of that funding we rely on the federal government to provide to carry out a lot of our monitoring programs and caribou initiatives. I just wanted to ask the Minister, since '05-06 we've had the barren-ground caribou monitoring project funded at 60K, but now we have nothing in this budget for that. The Dahl sheep studies, there's nothing in this budget for that. The bird breeding surveys, the wildlife research projects, the Sahtu resources board to conduct wildlife studies. All these research projects have been sunsetted, Mr. Speaker. There's absolutely no funding in this budget to address all of these ongoing issues. I just want to ask the Minister what kind of lobbying efforts has he been doing over the last year to reinstate a lot of these programs that we depend on for funding? Thank you.

Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if it's a point of privilege, but the matter the Member's referring to is in the budget document. It's tabled, it's in Committee of the Whole, and I think that it's correctly dealt with there. Thank you.

Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. There was nothing in the Member's statement or question that I heard that would prevent the question from being asked today. It has already been tabled in the House, so...The budget has already been tabled in the House, so I think the question was addressed to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

---Interjection

Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Okay. Sorry. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was considering having to table the budget again, but we're going to be talking about the budget, which will be in Committee of the Whole. There's a number of things that we're working on and have been working on and we have also developed over the last while an action plan that covers the years from 2005-2006. There's three areas of the whole action plan that we've really moved forward on and that is really in line with some of the reports that have come forward and recognized that we've done some of this work, including the NWT species, the report for 2006-2010, which gives the general status of a lot of this information that the Member is asking us to go back and do further studies. We recognize that we need to continue to do that. We have some initiatives under way that will allow us to do that. However, some of the areas that we've completed are the forest management information system. We've also worked on the accord for protection of species at risk in Canada and outlined a number of things that fall under that category from the NWT side. There is not a huge concern in the NWT, however, across Canada there is starting to be a mounting concern. Mr. Speaker, the document that I'm referring to is called plan for action. Framework for Action, I apologize, 2005-2006. I will be tabling this document for the Members in this House at a later date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 870

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to ask the Minister again, with all this INAC funding that we're just not receiving in this year and moving forward in the oncoming years with respect to wildlife studies and wildlife research projects and caribou monitoring initiatives, what has the Minister been doing over the last year on the federal government side to ensure that this funding is not being taken out of our funding which we rely so heavily on? What action hasn't been done over the last year to get the federal government onside with us in order to keep that money in our budget? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's difficult to outline my actions for the last year when I've been in this position for three months. But, Mr. Speaker, a number of things have taken place since I've assumed this position. We've been having discussions and drafting correspondence to the federal Ministers that are in charge of a lot of the programming. We have been talking to the different jurisdictions that we share concerns with and our boundaries meet up with, including Alberta and Saskatchewan and B.C. and the Yukon. We've had some discussions with the federal Ministers. We plan to have more. We have identified some additional resources that we can access that I guess will come forward in terms of a supp. I'm not sure if I'm in a position to comment on those. But those are some of the things that we've been doing. We continue to push forward. We need to find more resources to do more baseline studies, as the Member has indicated, and we'll continue to press on with those issues. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Robert Villeneuve

Robert Villeneuve Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the Minister's plight and the challenges that the Minister's going to have with getting the federal government onside with our caribou crisis and our wildlife management, but, Mr. Speaker, I know that we have just over a billion dollar budget here. We're looking at a $44,000 surplus. Mr. Speaker, we do have money that could be made available for something as important as this. I just want to ask the Minister, if we can suddenly throw a half a million dollars to do some courthouse renovations, I don't see why we can't just find a couple more million dollars to put into caribou management, wildlife management, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, we certainly agree with the Member. We never can have enough money to do all the surveys and all the baseline studies that we need. This year we have some new monies in the budget. We have money for caribou analysis or surveys. We have some of the biophysical money that's there. We are also targeting to have some new initiatives put in place or at least put the proposals forward for consideration when we discuss some of the surplus dollars that the Member has referenced. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Question 312-15(5): Improving GNWT Wildlife Management Practices
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just earlier in my Member's statement on the importance of resolve the arrears, the issues that we are faced with in Behchoko, I spoke of people with rental arrears and the need to clarify the actual amounts that are owed and work out a reasonable repayment plan. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation, can the Minister inform this Assembly whether he is willing to direct his officials to begin such a process on this reasonable repayment plan in Behchoko? Mahsi.

Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, yes, I have already talked to the officials in the Housing Corporation about doing this to come up with a plan that is reasonable, that enables people to keep up with the current amount and pay something on the arrears, as small as it might be, but to work out and hopefully those people with arrears will cooperate with us and continue to make regular payments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there certainly is a need to have a clear communication dialogue, whether it be the North Slave District, the Behchoko Housing Authority, and also the headquarters. It is important for Members to clearly understand the process and services that are available to them. I'd like to ask the Minister, is he willing to develop plain language summaries of programs, rules and responsibilities and have them translated into Tlicho version? Mahsi.

Supplementary To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 871

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I listened with interest to the Member's statement this morning, and the suggestion to put it in the Tlicho language is a good one. I'll talk to our people about whether or not, how long it will take to do that. But we will endeavour to do that. Plain language version, I've asked them to also have the documents that we have written in as plain English as possible. No bureaucratese, or

whatever it's called. So we will do that as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess the next question will be, when can we see this happening? Can we see this happen by this summer? Mahsi.

Supplementary To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Joe Handley

Joe Handley Weledeh

Mr. Speaker, certainly by this summer and our people from headquarters as well as from the North Slave region and ECE are meeting with the LHO, with the administration, with the clients, at a meeting on the 22nd of February. We won't have it then, but hopefully I think there are going to be translators there, and as quickly as we can we will get on the translation in plain Tlicho language. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Question 313-15(5): Repayment Plan For Tenants With Rental Arrears
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to, I think, switch gears and ask questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services in follow-up to the questions asked by my colleague from Kam Lake. It's in regards to the dementia centre. Mr. Speaker, the YACCS in Yellowknife have been working on this project for at least 20 years and this project has received good support from this House. It has mentioned, the support of it has been included in the Standing Committee on Social Programs' reports for every report within this Assembly, but obviously the progress has not been that quick and the project got some planning money. The thing is, the cost of the project has been going up for various reasons and I'm glad that the Minister has taken a look at this. I know that in principle he supports the idea of doing that, it's just a matter of scoping out the work of the project and the amount. So I'd like to know from the Minister if he could give us sort of a time frame on what the YACCS has to do to be able to bring this forward as a completed project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess for those listening, when we refer to YACCS it's the Yellowknife Association for Concerned Citizens for Seniors, and the Member is right. The issue has been brought up for some time. As a department we have dealt with the issue of, as I stated earlier, around existing facilities we had and services and trying to work in a program area. Ultimately, as the RFP has gone out here in January, the RFP closes on the 19th of this month and at that point we will review the information or, as the RFP closes, the information will be awarded and the work will begin on looking at the review of existing information and seeing where we can come in line with some of the costing issues as the Member raised. Thank you.

Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the last number that was floating around was that the cost would be somewhere around $20 million, but the Minister has given leadership to the project to suggest something a lot less or something more manageable. The department officials and YACCS are working toward that. But the thing is this YACCS board and the staff are very small. They are volunteer-based, and the executive director of the association has his full-time job. The Minister has mentioned giving additional resources where necessary so that they can get the work finished in order that the project could be, at least the documentation could be forwarded to the Minister in time for the upcoming business plan session. So I'd like to know if the Minister could commit to providing those resources where necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, the department has looked at the organization and realizes it's a small organization and we have committed to, as this review process is, do it internally. There's a committee that was formed in December and Public Works, the department itself, and YACCS representative are part of that. We will continue to work around the issue of costing and be looking at that without impacting the YACCS organization itself. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final, short supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the need to find some other partners to fund this project, in order to pay for the project, and also given the fact that this has been in discussion for so long and I know that the Minister is committed to seeing this possibly by the BP plan this time, could I ask the Minister whether that is still his plan, that he would like to work toward having something come before him in time for this upcoming business plan session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 872

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my intention, once we have a more solid idea of the numbers, the type of facility, would be to carry it forward as part of the Department of Health and Social Services' business planning process. Ultimately that would

have to meet with all other departments in the sense of our limited capital dollars and that's why, in fact, we've gone back to the process of this RFP is to try to come in line with where the costing issues are and see where we can bring this project into our plan. But it will ultimately have to compete with the capital dollars from other departments. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Question 314-15(5): Construction Of Dementia Facility In Yellowknife
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice, the Honourable Brendan Bell. It has to do with the wilderness camp pilot project in our region, Sahtu region. I've asked the Minister if he would consider from his department developing an after-care program for those inmates that are in these wilderness camp programs, that they have solid support once they are released back into the communities or back to institutions once they finish their time on the land? Thank you.

Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, yes, we would and I don't want to get into the debate that we'll have around the budget, but Members do know that there are additional funds for community justice committees. This is the kind of program that would be envisioned. Thank you.

Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think the questions I asked and so the people in our region, the people who are concerned about this program, can hear from the Minister that there is work being done on it, there is some consideration by his department, and so they can let their own people know. Mr. Speaker, have I asked the Minister, would he look again, would his department look at other facilities in the Northwest Territories, such as the Tl'oondih Healing Society up around Fort McPherson on the Peel River that has a good facility? We visited there a couple years ago. They had inmates in there. We haven't heard anything, at least I haven't heard anything as to what happened to the program, how it was received, some of the things that went on in that program that would make useful, sorry, that would make some benefits to the people that would look at this type of facility. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly the reintegration program that we have needs to be bolstered. I think much of this can be done through our community justice committees. I think we've had a number of successful programs. The Tl'oondih Healing Camp, we have done a review of the programming that was carried out there and I would certainly be prepared to come and discuss that and share that with committee members if they are interested in those specifics. I felt for some time that we have been under funding community justice committees and that these justice committees could play a much larger role in terms of programming, not just focussed on diversions from court, but also on reintegration and other types of programming. That's what we intend to do and I want to send a message to all the people of the Northwest Territories and certainly the Member's constituents. This is a priority for us. We think it's important and we will continue to support it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the Minister's work on the community justice in our communities. I want to ask the Minister to help me through this process here and help the people who are listening in my region for offenders that are up before the community in terms of crimes they committed, how this would work in terms of having this offender moved to a camp somewhere in the region that would be more beneficial than to serve time in one of the institutions in Yellowknife or Hay River. How can that work? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, there are a number of different ways and a number of different scenarios with many variables, but currently we are looking at bringing people out of the institutions and into the on-the-land camps. It could be envisioned that people, upon sentencing, end up going and doing some work right in the camps on the land. As I discussed yesterday, there are a number of criteria, a number of tests that need to be met. The inmate has to want to go and participate and it has to be deemed to be safe. But all these things, all of these considerations can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. I think we are certainly prepared to come and talk to Members more about how we can ensure more of our inmates are on the land and getting programming there as opposed to in our institutions. I think it has a lot of merit. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Question 315-15(5): On-the-land Rehabilitation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Before I go on to the next Member, I'd like to draw the Members' attention to the visitors' gallery and the presence of a former Member of this House, Mr. Leon Lafferty.

---Applause

Oral questions. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 873

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my dream also included a resource revenue sharing deal.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, Connecting Canada: Coast to Coast to Coast is a very good document. I'd like to ask the Transportation Minister if this was an application given to Ottawa as to why we need a Mackenzie Valley highway. Thank you.

Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Menicoche.

Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Mahsi cho, there, Mr. Speaker. The Connecting Canada: Coast to Coast to Coast document was part of our strategy to seek support from our confederation, Council of Federation Premiers meeting back in August. They did agree to give us support and that's the document we've been using with the federal government to build our Mackenzie Valley highway. Mahsi.

Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. I am glad to hear we have the Premiers', across the country, support. This document is being given to Ottawa. It makes a very compelling argument as to why we need a highway. Has Ottawa responded? What was Ottawa's response to this particular document? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There was no formal response from the federal government. We are looking at some infrastructure announcements. In fact, the Premier along with our northern Premiers that come up with a proposal, I think it was called the Strategic Northern Infrastructure Fund Concept to the federal government, but there has been no uptake on that from our federal departments whatsoever, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we seem to talk 60 percent of the time, 30 percent we are doing documents, 10 percent is action. I would like to ask the Minister, why is Ottawa so reluctant to deal with the Northwest Territories and give us what is rightfully ours? We have to always seem to be making an argument with Ottawa to give us something we need. They say we are going to protect our Arctic sovereignty and all of this other good stuff they are always talking about, but when it comes time to put their money where their mouth is, they back out. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Menicoche.

Further Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The process that we outlayed in the Connecting Canada: Coast to Coast to Coast is a very good initiative. It was based on opening up... Well, based an opening concept up to the oil and gas reserves up in our Far North. That is something that the government was looking at seriously. It has some certainty that there is a project here. They will consider it more and more seriously, but right now what had occurred with our Connecting Canada: Coast to Coast to Coast, we did get support from our Premiers across Canada. But there was a federal election and the government had changed hands just after we developed that proposal for the Transportation Minister at that time. As to why, and I know the Member has been pressing resource revenue sharing that our North is rightfully entitled to, and he is going to get no disagreement from this side of the House, but that is something that we have to continue to press with the federal Minister and the federal government. Mahsi cho.

Further Return To Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Question 316-15(5): Importance Of Transportation Infrastructure
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 874

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions this morning are for Mr. Bell, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. It has to do with some infrastructure development here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, regarding the development of RV park sites. Mr. Speaker, we learned last year that the department is looking at developing a parcel land next to what we know as the Folk on the Rocks site adjacent to Highway No. 3 and the Yellowknife Airport. This is something that I have been watching with a great deal of interest, Mr. Speaker. Has the highway been paved? Potentially, we are looking at a bridge coming in place. The North Slave will be a very good destination for highway travelers who potentially could bring some $8 million in revenue to the NWT by the year 2011.

Mr. Speaker, the choice of this site raises some concerns, principally for the Folk on the Rocks organization. It boxes their site in and limits their opportunities for expansion. I wonder, Mr. Speaker, if the Minister could advise on the status of discussions with the Folk on the Rocks organization, Mr. Speaker.

Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Probably, we could use some context here, but in the interest of time, I won't revisit how we got here other than to say that there is a huge increase in demand for RV sites in Yellowknife. We are working very closely with the Folk on the Rocks organization. I think they have a business interest in being the operator of the park. We are working closely with them to understand if, in fact, that

is possible. There are a number of other steps underway. We have an application in to the city and we struck a deal with the recycling depot here in town that would provide some fill, some crushed glass as fill. It is a bit of a recycling project that would build up some of the site because we have some issues there, some geotechnical issues. So we are working on a number of fronts, but I can tell the Member that very much the Folk on the Rocks crew is involved in these discussions and will be included. Thank you.

Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another concern with this site was its proximity to the highway and especially to the airport, Mr. Speaker. The site is virtually underneath one of the direct flight paths for aircraft landing and taking off with the Yellowknife Airport. It seems that one of the things that we market here is the quiet, solitude and the pristine nature of our land, but we are going to build an RV site right underneath the flight path of Hercules aircraft and 737 jets. I wanted to ask the Minister if this was considered at all in the choice of sites and whether other potentially better sites are under consideration.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there are a number of advantages with that site. Obviously, it is close to town. Many of the people who will be there have an interest in that, right beside the golf course, right on the shore of Long Lake. There are a number of advantages to the site. Yes, there is some noise from the airport, but, on balance, with the sites that we looked at, we considered some expansion at Prelude Lake, but it was just deemed to be nice and quiet, farther outside of town and not having the same advantages that this site would. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has pointed out a couple of strong advantages for this site. However, one of the disadvantages is that it is too limited in expansion. It is a relatively small area. I understand that our projected need over the next decade is potentially for 100 sites for RVs. It is not the only potential site that is close to town. I am wondering if the Minister would reconsider evaluating other potentially advantageous sites for the Yellowknife's RV market. Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, in future, there will be need for additional land. We are discussing this with the Department of Transportation. We have had some parcels of land in the vicinity because we do envision future expansion. We think this site makes sense at this point, but we are always willing to look at other sites. If the Member does want to register objections with us moving ahead now at this point on this site, I will take that back. But I believe the best course of action is to move ahead quickly here, get some RV sites built and ready to go because we have this pressing need, and then look at future expansion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Question 317-15(5): Construction Of Recreational Vehicle Parking Sites
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated today in my Member's statement, I believe the government has a role to ensure all northerners have as much access to their personal money as possible. Mr. Speaker, we need to be responsive to the financial needs of our constituents. A pension legislation may be that vehicle. So in recognition of our current position, Mr. Speaker, that our issue truly does lie with Ottawa, not unlike many of our other problems, I believe we can do something with this problem, Mr. Speaker, fait accompli. Therefore, my question to the Minister of Finance is, has this government ever considered developing its own pension legislation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't speak for previous Ministers that held this portfolio, but under my watch at this time, we have not looked at getting into that field. Thank you.

Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would his department be willing to look into creating a discussion paper that looks at the feasibility of and the requirements of the NWT to have its own pension legislation and advise Members on the results of that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have had a preliminary look at it internally, but I would be prepared to sit down with the Members of this House to go through some of the information we do have to see where we go from there. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Supplementary To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister commit today in this House that he could present some kind of a discussion paper before the Assembly and as well as include that in the future transition document to the 16th Assembly regarding potential pension legislation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, I would be prepared to sit down with Members of this House and go over the information that we have and some of the implications of potential costs, implications of that as well. From that point, we can sit down with the Members and see where we put it. I guess, right now, I am not prepared at this point to see if we can set it out in the transition document. I think we need to have some of our own discussion first to see if that is one of the priorities that we should proceed with. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Members, I have a request pursuant to section 20(1), the rules of the Legislative Assembly, from the Member of Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen, to rise on a point of personal privilege to explain a matter that came out in the media this morning. I will turn the floor over to Mrs. Groenewegen.

Point Of Privilege

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week in this House, I had questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the conditions that I observed at the Stanton Territorial Hospital obstetrics unit. This was reported in the media. I invited Mr. Roland to accompany me on a tour of the facility. He declined. I subsequently invited his deputy, who suggested that I just go and meet with the CEO personally and do a tour of the hospital with her.

Mr. Speaker, this is a Hay River issue because it is called Stanton Territorial Hospital and my obstetrics patients from Hay River have no choice but to go to that obstetrics unit to receive care to deliver their babies. I stand by every observation that I made in this House that day. I don't care if the CEO of Stanton Hospital gets on the radio and refutes everything I said. What I said is true. I have a right and a privilege to stand up in this House and raise those issues. I do not appreciate being contradicted by somebody who works there. I did take the time to constructively go and walk through that unit with her and point out the things that I observed and even offered to come back and assist with redecorating, reorganizing, do something to improve the conditions there.

Mr. Speaker, I am very sad to say that this individual took the opportunity in the media, which is playing in my community all day today on CJCD Radio, that she went and checked it out and none of the things that I said were accurate or viable. I am sorry. That is a challenge to my credibility and is a contradiction of what I stood and said in this House and I stand by every one of them. Just for the record, I would be happy to go over them again.

I will still ask the Minister, or anybody else who doesn't believe me, to come down there. I should have taken a picture when I had my camera there so I would have a record of it. I don't know what kind of standards we are operating under there. I even told the CEO. I said there were more things that I didn't feel appropriate to bring up on the floor of this House, but let me tell you, there was blood on the wall. There was a plastic bottle in the delivery room from the previous patient covered with blood when my daughter-in-law checked into that room before she ever went into that washroom. I looked at it. My daughter-in-law said, take a picture of that. I said, it is not what we are here about. We are here about a new baby. Let's just keep our cameras poised on her. Anyway, there was blood on the wall and on things left in the washroom for the next patient. There was flaking paint. There were repairs to the wall with drywall mud that had never been sanded or repainted. The curtains were hung on every second hook with half of the hem hanging down. If you weren't depressed when you went to the hospital, you would be by the time you sat there for a few days and stared at that.

As to the issue of the dead plants, I was told that they had a staff program where they allow the staff to winter their garden plants in the hospital to keep them alive until next spring when they can replant them in their garden. She says the plants are watered and they are green. They are not watered and green. They are probably full of bugs. I mean, this is a hospital. Most hospitals don't even allow live plants in a hospital, never mind ones that the staff dug out of their garden that are dirty, mouldy, buggy and sitting in a hospital. That was the one thing that I got a lot of pushback on. I'm sorry. This hospital is about the patients. It is not about the staff.

The housekeeping is substandard. I stand by the fact that the base cove is off on the bottom of the wall. You cannot clean a surface that is just a bunch of glue that there is no base cove on it. The food is substandard. I could go on and on about this, Mr. Speaker, but the point is that I stood here and raised these issues because I am concerned about conditions at that hospital. I have a right. I have an obligation to do that as an MLA, and I do not appreciate the CEO of the hospital going on the radio today and refuting everything I said. I intend to follow up with this. I will again ask the Minister, would he like to provide me with the credentials of his CEO and would he like to...

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I would like to remind Members to not be talking about members outside of this House that are not here to defend themselves. Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen.

---Applause

Orders of the day. Written questions. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to refer back to item 5, orders of the day. Mahsi.

Further Return To Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Question 318-15(5): Need For Territorial Pension Legislation
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Are there any nays? There are no nays. We will return to item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

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

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to recognize Chief Lafferty of Behchoko who is among us today. Welcome. Mahsi.

---Applause

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the budget address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Tabled Document 91-15(5): Doi T'oh Territorial Park And Canol Heritage Trail Park Management Plan, January 2007
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled, Doi T'oh Territorial Park and Canol Heritage Trail Management Plan, January 2007. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Tabled Document 91-15(5): Doi T'oh Territorial Park And Canol Heritage Trail Park Management Plan, January 2007
Item 12: Tabling Of Documents

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Notices of motion for first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Before I go to the next item on the Order Paper, I would just like to remind Members that there is a short reception happening in the Great Hall. Hopefully, when we take a break, it would be a very short ceremony. The Aboriginal Headstart Council is having a launch of their evaluation booklet, 10 Years of Aboriginal Headstart in the Northwest Territories, from 1996 to 2006. Members are welcome to join them in the Great Hall for this launch.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bills 18, 19, 21, Committee Reports 7-15(5), 8-15(5) and 9-15(5), with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

I would like to call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee this afternoon? Mr. Lafferty.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, it is the wish of the committee to consider Bill 21, Appropriation Act 2007-08, specifically dealing with the Department of Health and Social Services. Mahsi.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Does committee agree?

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. Then we will resume with that right after the break. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 877

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

I'd like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We are about to consider the main estimates of the Department of Health and Social Services. At this time, I would like to ask Minister Roland if he would please like to present the department's opening comments. Mr. Roland.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the Department of Health and Social Services' main estimates for fiscal year 2007-08.

The department is requesting just over $277 million, an increase of approximately $12 million, or approximately 4.3 percent, over last year. The funding will be allocated to the following main areas of activity:

  • • $156 million for health services programs that include public health, chronic care clinics, inpatient and outpatient care, and physician services;
  • • $69 million for community health and social programs that promote healthy lifestyles and community wellness, and services for at-risk individuals and families;
  • • $28.2 million for program delivery support, including $12 million for authority administration and $5.9 million for specific recruitment and retention, and training initiatives system-wide;
  • • $18 million for supplementary health programs; and
  • • $6 million for system-wide support.

New investments will be made totalling $2.269 million, including:

  • • $1.1 million to fund enhanced rehabilitation services;
  • • $510,000 for homelessness initiatives including a small communities contribution fund;
  • • $360,000 for the Aboriginal Wellness Program at the four NWT hospitals;
  • • $150,000 for an additional nurse practitioner; and
  • • $137,000 to promote reduced use of tobacco through the First Nations and Inuit Tobacco Strategy.

The department's capital investments of $10.1 million include:

  • • a consolidated clinic in Yellowknife;
  • • renovations to the Fort Smith Health Centre;
  • • technical upgrades for Stanton Territorial Hospital;
  • • funding for continued work on electronic health records; and
  • • funding for medical equipment and workspace upgrades for front-line Health and Social Services staff across the NWT.

The 2007-08 budget for Health and Social Services follows the direction outlined in the department's updated strategic and action plans. We are proposing to focus our resources to improve:

  • • services to people;
  • • support to staff and trustees;
  • • system-wide management and accountability; and
  • • development of the integrated service delivery model.

We are continuing to invest in mental health and addictions services. To date, 77 positions have been core funded to deliver these services. We will continue to work with health authorities, Members of this House, community agencies and aboriginal governments to address the need for mental health and addictions services in our communities.

That concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Roland. At this time, I'll call on the chair of the Social Programs committee, Ms. Lee, if she would bring the committee's overview of the main estimates for Health and Social Services. Ms. Lee.

Department Of Health And Social Services

Introduction

Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 17: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee met with the Minister and his officials on Thursday, September 21, 2006, to review the draft business plan of the Department of Health and Social Services.

Members considered the draft main estimates, including the changes to the budget of the Department of Health and Social Services since the committee reviewed the business plan in September, on January 16, 2007.

Committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $277.395 million in operations expense and $10.109 million on capital projects in fiscal year 2007-2008.

Committee members offer the following comments on issues arising out of the review of the 2007-2008 budget planning cycle.

Non-Governmental Organization Funding

The committee was pleased that the department has provided extra funding for forced growth for some of the first tier non-governmental organizations that provide programs and services to NWT residents. While Members are sure that each affected NGO will be pleased they are receiving additional funding, it is not clear whether the funding will be adequate to meet the actual forced growth costs being experienced by the NGO.

It is the hope of Members that the examination of NGO forced growth requirements would become part of the annual business planning exercise for the department.

Another aspect of our relationship with NGOs is that most operate under short-term, one-year agreements. Many of these are renewed, but only through annual, exhaustive renegotiations and full-blown audits that sap the energy of NGO volunteers and bureaucrats alike, and chew up scarce administrative dollars.

Members and committees have long advocated multi-year contracts where continuous services delivered by NGOs with good track records are the norm. Ministers have assured us that FAA rules do allow it. It is time the government direct its staff to proactively seek out these opportunities and act on them.

At this time, Madam Chair, I'd like to ask the Member for Monfwi to continue with the report. Thank you.