This is page numbers 341 - 376 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was name.

Topics

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. Yakeleya

---Prayer

Item 1: Prayer
Item 1: Prayer

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the House. Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. McLeod.

Minister's Statement 29-15(6): Richard Popko - Jim Bourque Award
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to offer congratulations to a member of our public service, Mr. Richard Popko, who was recently honoured by the Fur Institute of Canada with the Jim Bourque Award in recognition of his support of the sustainable development of Canada's modern fur trade.

Richard is known for his commitment to the principles of sustainable use of wildlife. These principles include humane trapping practices and furthering indigenous peoples' cultures. He is a good example of the vital stewardship role that trappers play in the conservation of wildlife resources.

Born in the English city of Nottingham, Richard's family immigrated to southern Ontario when he was very young. As a boy, he spent his time hunting, trapping and fishing. His passion for outdoor life and learning about animals led him to enrol in the University of Guelph for a degree in biology.

He began his career with the Government of the Northwest Territories soon after his graduation and was first assigned to posts in the Eastern Arctic. It was here he met his wife, Napatchee. They now have two sons, David and Michael.

After working in the Eastern Arctic, Richard and his family moved to northern Ontario to live out his long-time dream. For five years, they lived on and maintained their own trapline. However, the lure of the North was too much for them and they returned north of 60 in the mid-1980s. They moved to Norman Wells, where Richard took on the position of conservation education and resource development officer. During this time he was heavily involved with local fur harvesters in trapping programs and workshops.

In 1995, Richard jumped at the opportunity to become the region's wildlife technician and get back into research, fieldwork and away from the office and a desk. He has become known for his contagious enthusiasm for the trapping industry and the natural beauty of the Sahtu. His enthusiasm and support is appreciated by his colleagues

in the GNWT, the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board and other government departments and agencies. He has worked on many field studies and scientific papers that contribute to our collective knowledge about wildlife resources.

We should all be proud to have a man of such integrity, dedication and ability in public service. His enthusiasm and passion for the conservation and sustainable use of our wildlife resources should be recognized by all of us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 29-15(6): Richard Popko - Jim Bourque Award
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Dent.

Minister's Statement 30-15(6): Employee Consultation On Whistleblower Protection
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories, GNWT, strives to create a work environment that recognizes professionalism, leadership, integrity and respect for others. These shared values help public service employees adhere to high standards that maintain and foster public confidence in the government. To ensure continued public confidence in the territorial public service, the government is considering the feasibility of whistleblower protection for employees in the GNWT.

There are a number of different approaches to achieve the goal of whistleblower protection from stand-alone legislation to regulations under an existing act to government policy. It is important to consider which approach would be most practical for the GNWT.

At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling a consultation discussion paper: The Feasibility of Whistleblower Protection in the Government of the Northwest Territories. The paper is designed to encourage employee participation and discussion in the development of whistleblower protection for the territorial public service. The discussion paper is available on the Department of Human Resources website.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, a message was sent to all employees, along with information posters, inviting them to provide comments on the concept of whistleblower protection and what should be included by September 30, 2007. The unions representing GNWT public service employees have also been invited to comment.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 30-15(6): Employee Consultation On Whistleblower Protection
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Minister's Statement 31-15(6): Hamlet Of Enterprise
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that, after extensive consideration by the residents of Enterprise and their council, the Settlement of Enterprise will become a hamlet on October 29, 2007.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working with the Enterprise council and residents to explain the differences between a hamlet and a settlement and what the changed roles and responsibilities mean. There are many benefits to the community in becoming a hamlet, including the ability to pass legally enforceable bylaws, the authority to develop land management and development schemes, the ability to acquire and dispose of real property, and authority and control over capital programs and infrastructure.

The new hamlet will take over its jurisdiction within the same boundary currently enjoyed by the Settlement of Enterprise. The new hamlet will also become the owners of the municipal infrastructure currently owned by the GNWT in the community.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to support the hamlet of Enterprise through increased financial support for operations and maintenance funding.

As well, for the first time, the community will receive funds allocated for capital through the capital funding formula and a funding allocation available through the Canada-NWT Gas Tax Agreement.

The community has selected October 1, 2007, for its election, at which time a new hamlet council will be elected. On this date, for the first time in Enterprise, the community will have the authority to elect a mayor separate from the rest of the council.

Community residents are looking forward to the increased authority, responsibility, local control and accountability that will come with this change. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is also looking forward to continuing to partner with the new hamlet council to build capacity as it addresses local issues and priorities.

I would like to congratulate the community of Enterprise for taking this very important step towards greater responsibility and autonomy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

Minister's Statement 31-15(6): Hamlet Of Enterprise
Item 2: Ministers' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Core Housing Needs In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing in the NWT, in terms of availability, quality and affordability for renters and owners, continues to be a major barrier to personal, community and economic progress across the NWT. Here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, the YWCA Transitional Housing Program and the Yellowknife Housing Authority continue to see demand for their housing stock well beyond the supply. The housing authority has seen a waiting list of over 100 families in need over the past three years, with a significant number of those on the waiting list being seniors and persons with disabilities.

Affordability is an issue. Mr. Speaker, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation tells us a typical residence in Yellowknife will sell for close to $300,000 this year. That's up 7 percent in each of the past two years. Vacancy rates for this year will be about 2.5 percent, tightening up from last year. The average two-bedroom apartment in Yellowknife rents for about $70 more than it did in the past year.

At the territorial level, Mr. Speaker, we previously have seen in this House vigorous discussion on the merits of the ATCO Novel housing project. This is an innovative project, Mr. Speaker, that will have seen several hundred housing units converted from a construction camp to the pipeline project and the permanent housing in virtually every community in the NWT.

This would have been, I believe, a very viable part of our housing needs. Mr. Speaker, it seems that this is going to be something that's not going to be on our radar screen because of changes in the way the pipeline project is going to be constructed.

The NWT community housing needs survey in 2004, Mr. Speaker, showed that 2,260 households in the NWT are in core need. That means they need some kind of adjustment, change or replacement, or opportunity to move into something that is more appropriate.

Mr. Speaker, the Bureau of Statistics indicates that about 1,600 new homes will be needed to satisfy population growth and overcrowding between now and 2014. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Core Housing Needs In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Core Housing Needs In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, colleagues, Mr. Speaker. The NWT continues to have a dramatic housing need. Of course, demonstrated by that information, it amplifies other social problems, but we face considerable constraints in solving this issue, Mr. Speaker. Developments, red hot economies all across western Canada, labour shortages increasing, materials supply costs have added pressures on how we are going to solve this problem.

So what I am looking for, Mr. Speaker, what we should all be looking for, are answers on how we are going to meet our housing needs, current and future. What are the options our government is going to be looking at to ensure affordable and adequate housing? I am going to have some questions for the Minister responsible later this afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

Core Housing Needs In The Nwt
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Administration Of Social Housing Subsidy Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's an old saying that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But I think with this ECE housing transfer issue, they are trying to invent that to say if it ain't broke, let's break it.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, we brought motions forward recently, asking Housing to take the ability to do the assessments for the tenants back from ECE because, Mr. Speaker, we have been hearing for months now that this is just not working. I don't know what it's going to take for the department to realize it's not working, that they should transfer the money back to the Housing Corporation to look after the assessment themselves.

We have 30 to 40 forms that are behind people in an authority office looking to pay their rent, but they can't pay their rent because these assessment forms are not done. It seems to be that this is very low on the totem pole and the government tries to justify it by saying we need one-stop shopping. Well, one-stop shopping is fine, Mr. Speaker. It's fine down south when you have a two-hour drive between point A and point B, but in a lot of communities we don't have to worry about one-stop shopping. Who is this one-stop shopping supposed to be for? Is it for the benefit of the tenants or is it for the benefit of ECE or the Housing Corporation?

I still can't figure out why they took that responsibility away from the Housing Corporation. They were doing a good job. It was good for the tenants because they were assessed. They paid their rent when they had the money. Now the housing authorities are having problems getting clear audits because they can't collect rent for three months back because the assessments are not done. There's not much blame put on the regional level, Mr. Speaker, because a lot of problems we do have in the government start at the top. I mean there's 14 PYs assigned to this transfer of $32 million. Where did they go? They didn't go to the regional level. I am sure they didn't go to the regional level because they seem to be swamped with all the work that they have.

Mr. Speaker, it's time for this government to realize that they did make a mistake. Be big enough to admit it and correct it for the good of the tenants who don't have to be running all over the place. Thank you.

---Applause

Administration Of Social Housing Subsidy Program
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Support For Families Affected By Tragedy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay honour to the people in Fort Good Hope in the Sahtu region. From time to time, with our people across the Northwest Territories, it's time to stop, put the issues aside and reflect inside our hearts. Today, the people of Fort Good Hope have organized themselves, with the support of many wonderful people in our region and across the Northwest Territories, to support families, children, grandparents and the people of the Sahtu for the victims of the plane crash that happened there last year today.

Mr. Speaker, issues that are very important for the Northwest Territories such as my colleagues are speaking on and are talking about today, sometimes in our communities those issues are put aside and we look at the real human issues of how to support these young children who lost brothers, uncles, grandparents...One family in Fort Good Hope, young children, lost their mother and their father; the father to the plane crash and the mother to cancer. The parents are gone and these children are orphans. The system sometimes has to play a role to take care of them.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, we put aside these difficult issues that we face on a day-to-day basis. As MLAs, we are faced, numerous times throughout our terms, to deal with the real hard issues, the ones that really hit us in the heart and tests our spirit of compassion and for some thought to our children.

I want to thank the Department of Health and Social Services from last year for really supporting the family in Fort Good Hope. I can clearly remember a phone call from the mayor in Fort Smith offering me anything that his community can do to help these families in Fort Good Hope. There were numerous calls across the North, from Hay River to Kugluktuk and right down the valley to help these families.

Honouring them today is a real big thing, especially in Fort Good Hope. There are many good people. And this government too, this government went a long way to help the families. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the people of Fort Good Hope, to the families and to the young kids who lost their friends, loved ones, brothers or sisters, parents, that we are with them in our prayers today and will continue to be from here on in. Mahsi cho.

Support For Families Affected By Tragedy
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Highway No. 3 Maintenance Contact
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty North Slave

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, this is the third time I have raised the issue. There are two Department of Transportation crews that work on Highway No. 3. The Yellowknife crew is responsible for the section from Yellowknife to just before the Behchoko access road, the junction. The Edzo crew is responsible for the access road to Chan Lake towards Providence.

Mr. Speaker, I asked the current Minister of Transportation in February of this year if he would consider transferring the responsibility for maintaining a section of Highway No. 3 between Boundary Creek and Behchoko access from the Yellowknife crew to the Edzo crew. He replied that all maintenance crews that DOT does have are employed and live in Edzo at this point. But, Mr. Speaker, the Minister was mistaken. I am referring to the Boundary Creek to Behchoko junction road maintenance. The Yellowknife crew currently have responsibility for this section of the road, and we want the

Edzo crew to take over the Yellowknife stretch to the Behchoko junction.

Mr. Speaker, it just makes sense that these jobs should be filled by Behchoko residents rather than have workers and equipment from Yellowknife travel as far as 100 kilometres to the access road and extra costs in time and fuel. It is more efficient to use the nearby Edzo crew. As I have said before, maintenance work on the highway is an important source of employment for the community of Behchoko. It should be a government priority to ensure that these jobs are filled by people from local communities whenever possible.

Mr. Speaker, this area is in the Monfwi jurisdiction. The Wekeezhii boundary, the Wekeezhii Land Water Board also is within the boundary that we signed between the GNWT, federal government and Tlicho Government. It is in a settlement area. Our people should have the responsibility for maintenance and the job that goes along with maintaining the stretch of Highway No. 3.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Department of Transportation at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

Highway No. 3 Maintenance Contact
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the value of arts funding, particularly the importance of arts funding that benefits the communities. As a small jurisdiction, we can be proud that we have a professional performing arts centre in the NWT. This fully equipped live performance theatre is located in Yellowknife, but the mandate of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre reaches to the NWT community. NACC is mandated to encourage the development of the performing arts from all cultural traditions in the entire Territories.

Mr. Speaker, NACC has existed more than 20 years. Its growth and development over that time was largely possible through volunteers and support from community groups and business sponsors. NACC's board of directors and administration have taken their territorial mandate very seriously. For example, during their 2006-07 season, community outreach workshops and performances were hosted in six communities outside of Yellowknife. Now, this is a great start given the limited resources the arts centre has, but we all know that there are 33 communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that community audiences and artists are exposed to a variety of cultural and artistic events. Young artists need to be encouraged to develop. Not all of our young people are involved in sports. We have to provide opportunities for performances and inspiration for actors, dancers and musicians. We must admire NACC for expanding their Community Outreach Program despite an unchanged GNWT core funding of $30,000 a year since 1983. Over the past 24 years, no adjustments were made, not even to acknowledge the rising costs due to forced growth. NACC has submitted a detailed proposal to the Department of ECE asking for an increase of $50,000. This funding is essential to sustain and expand NACC's territorial program. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, ECE did not respond favourably. Supporting community outreach for performing arts is obviously not a priority of this government.

Mr. Speaker, I make a plea for the value of the arts funding. Allowing the requested increase would mean an annual core funding of $80,000 for NACC, and this is still a very moderate amount of money for the value that we receive in return. The funding would allow the arts and culture to find expression in our communities and it would allow more communities to experience the importance of arts as audiences and performers. I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

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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, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Adding funding to the long-established and well run Northern Arts and Cultural Centre would multiply its value because this minimal government spending would leverage many volunteer activities making these community events possible.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Marilyn Barnes, the Hay River member of the NACC board of directors, for drawing this situation to my attention and thank her for her tireless efforts in developing and supporting artistic and cultural events in Hay River. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Northern Arts And Cultural Centre Core Funding
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Access To Paulatuk Gravel Source
Item 3: Members' Statements

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Calvin Pokiak

Calvin Pokiak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During a visit in Paulatuk, I had an opportunity to meet casually with the mayor, council and residents of Paulatuk. An issue the mayor, council and public raised is the completion of a 35 kilometre plus access trail from Paulatuk to Rat Lake gravel source and the recent erosion problem that has occurred in Paulatuk. The erosion problem seems to be occurring all across the Beaufort because of climate change. I guess one can argue this fact.

Mr. Speaker, the previous MLA, the late Mr. Vincent Steen, was instrumental to work with the mayor and council of Paulatuk in accessing funds for the start of the access trail to Rat Lake. The hamlet, with the assistance of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, have worked together on this project for the past seven and a half years, which I understand was funded $50,000 annually towards this project.

The hamlet informed me that they are now at a point where they cannot continue this project because they require assistance for further funds to construct a bridge so they can gain access to the Rat Lake gravel source.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to applaud and thank the Hamlet of Paulatuk and MACA in working together to try and reach a much needed gravel source for municipal requirements. At this point in time, I would be

disappointed if the Department of MACA and Transportation decided not to continue and fund and complete this project. Completion of the access road to the Rat Lake gravel source will address the long-term needs for the Hamlet of Paulatuk.

Mr. Speaker, the hamlet is requesting assistance from the Department of MACA and Transportation to complete the access road to Rat Lake. They are requesting that these two departments sit down with the council to discuss and design in which to complete this access road.

In closing, it is encouraging to see the Hamlet of Paulatuk and the government departments have such a close working relationship on this project. I would continue to encourage the government to continue working with the Hamlet to find funds to complete this access road. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Access To Paulatuk Gravel Source
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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