This is page numbers 2893 - 2920 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.

Topics

The House met at 1:35 p.m.

---Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Colleagues, for your information today and for the information of our guests in the gallery, our interpreters this week are channel two, Gwich’in; and, channel three, Inuvialuktun.

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, Members of the Legislative Assembly completed the review of the 2009-10 Main Estimates and concurred that the appropriation bill be introduced without delay. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be bringing forward the legislation to enact the 2009-10 budget.

Cabinet is appreciative of the thorough review of the GNWT’s 2009-10 operational budget undertaken by Committee of the Whole. The detailed exchange of information and view has provided Cabinet with valuable feedback from Members on the budget measures and provided the public with a better understanding both of the fiscal challenge we face and of the priorities of the Legislative Assembly. This budget has been an example of how consensus government can work successfully.

Over the past few weeks, a number of motions have been passed during the Committee of the Whole review of the 2009-2010 Main Estimates. In considering these motions, the government has determined that these require additional time to review and understand their spending and program implications. We look forward to further discussions

on these issues with standing committee over the coming months as we move forward in our fiscal planning processes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Status of Women Council, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, International Women’s Day, on March 8th ,

is a global day of celebration concerning all women around the world that honour women’s advancement while reminding all of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in every aspect of society.

In the NWT, the Status of Women Council of the NWT celebrates International Women’s Day by hosting the Wise Women Awards and celebrating the winners with a Bread and Roses Luncheon. The awards are meant to honour women who are role models in their communities, who provide counselling and caregiver services to others. It recognizes the advocacy work, the support and education given to improve the Status of Women in the NWT.

The award is meant to recognize individual women and to encourage all women to continue their great work. This year’s theme is Leading Change. Mr. Speaker, it is my greatest pleasure to announce the recipients of the Wise Women Awards for 2009: for Beaufort-Delta, Ms. Mary Ann Ross…

---Applause

…for Sahtu, Cece McCauley…

---Applause

…for Deh Cho, Ruby Jumbo…

---Applause

…for South Slave, Chief Frieda Martselos…

---Applause

…for North Slave and Tlicho, Lynn Brooks.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, we celebrated their achievement in the Great Hall earlier today and I would like to ask the House to join me in expressing our appreciation and congratulations to all of them for a lifetime of work for the betterment of families and northern communities. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide Members of the Legislative Assembly with an update concerning Municipal and Community Affairs’ completion of the general assessment of properties in the general taxation area of the Northwest Territories.

MACA is a property assessment authority in the general taxation area of the NWT. The general taxation area is made up of 18 communities across the NWT and all properties in the Hinterland which are located outside community boundaries.

The Property Assessment and Taxation Act requires MACA to undertake a general assessment of properties once every 10 years, with the most recent general assessment completed in October of 2008. The general assessment ensures fairness and equity by updating the values of all properties in the taxation area. As a result of the recent general assessment completed in October 2008, the general assessment assures fairness and equity by updating the values of all properties in the taxation area. As a result of the recent general assessment, most property values in the general taxation area have increased.

Notices of assessment have been mailed to property owners. The assessment rolls are available for public inspection at the community offices in each general taxation area community, MACA’s regional offices, or at the lands administration division of MACA in Yellowknife. Advertisements with information about the general assessment were also placed in territorial and regional newspapers during the week of January 26, 2009.

By viewing the assessment rolls, property owners can compare the assessed values of their properties with other properties in the community with similar characteristics. If property owners are

dissatisfied with their property assessment, they can submit an appeal to the Territorial Board of Revision.

Notices of assessment are not invoices that require payment. Rather, they list the assessed value of the land and the value of the improvements that are on the land for each property owner. When property values are multiplied by a mill rate, the result will be the property taxes that each property owner will pay. My colleague the Minister of Finance used the information contained on the assessment rolls for the general taxation area in the analysis to determine if an adjustment to the general property and education mill rates were required. Changes to the mill rates in the general taxation area were announced by the Minister of Finance in his 2009-2010 budget speech.

MACA and the Department of Finance have been working together on monitoring the property assessment and taxation cycle. MACA has started to look at options to reduce the time span between general assessments so that fluctuations in assessed values resulting from general assessments are minimized.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the 2007-2008 Community Futures Program Annual Report. This document is an amalgamation of reports provided by the seven Community Futures development corporations, the community-based organizations that provide lending and counselling services to small business.

As we know, the strength and health of the economy of the Northwest Territories is directly reflected by the strength and health of our small and medium-sized businesses. To that end, funding the Community Futures Program remains a cornerstone of business support provided by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

The Community Futures development corporations are dedicated to assisting small and medium-sized businesses across the Northwest Territories by providing loans, business advice, and entrepreneurial training programs. Their activity has proven time and again to be essential in assisting businesses in communities to take advantage of the opportunities that have come from development activity in the Northwest Territories.

Just as the Community Futures development corporations worked to increase the growth of

business in the communities during the good times, we are seeing that they are now active in limiting the damage caused to northern business by today’s economic downturn. The proposed budget for the Community Futures Program for the 2009-2010 year is $1.132 million. I am confident that the investments made by this government through this program will be dollars well spent and that the Community Futures development corporations will continue to play a prominent role in the economic growth of small business.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Today I would like to talk about the importance of providing traditional on-the-land programs for Tu Nedhe youth. As mentioned before, the total population of Tu Nedhe is 91 percent aboriginal and of the total population almost 40 percent is 25 years and younger. As you know, the youth have a critical role to play in the preservation of traditional practices. However, modern day pastimes are continuing to displace traditional activities on a daily basis. The Internet, Play Station, satellite TV, and even cell phones present youth and families today with a monumental challenge of keeping important cultural traditions alive. Also, in addition to these pressures, the high cost of living in small communities continues to have a negative impact when it comes to maintaining these important traditional skills.

When communities have a population of 90 to 95 percent aboriginal, traditional on-the-land programs must be a regularly funded program in the same manner as other municipal programs. An adequately funded traditional on-the-land program can result in reduced health and social costs. Traditional foods can reduce the cost on store-bought food and many on-the-land activities enable the individual have a healthier lifestyle through fresh air and good old hard work. There’s even something to be said about the emotional well-being of individuals who are on the land. In addition to this, the local economy will benefit with equipment purchases from local businesses and the generation of additional economy through fur harvesting.

The schools in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e are making a good effort to integrate on-the-land programs for their curriculum, but, with limited resources, these activities are mostly confined to the classroom and not out on the land.

March is Aboriginal Languages Month and, as we know, on-the-land plays a critical role in teaching and preserving aboriginal languages. An adequately funded on-the-land traditional program is one effective way of maintaining aboriginal languages and is an excellent opportunity for teaching both traditional and important life skills to the youth. In a nutshell…

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

In a nutshell, a properly run and adequately funded on-the-land program will result in a healthier community. Later I will follow up my statement with questions for the appropriate Minister.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about homeownership programs. The NWT Housing Corporation provides assistance to prospective first time home buyers who are not able to get a mortgage to finance a home through a bank or private mortgage broker. Unfortunately, some of my constituents who are trying to buy homes are refused assistance because they make too much money. These are people who are working with a steady, but modest, income. They are excellent candidates for homeownership. Not only that, homes are sitting empty in our communities right now.

These families were refused mortgages under the Housing Corporation programs. The Housing Corporation income thresholds are set so low that they are not qualifying for homeownership programs; they are falling through the cracks. Now is the time to be proactive and review these thresholds. We need to ensure we are providing a reasonable and practical housing program. We must provide a benefit to our families and support homeownership in our communities and at the

same time we can reduce the need for private public housing.

I will be asking the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation questions at the appropriate time.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to go on the record and applaud Cabinet and the Minister responsible for implementing the policy on traditional knowledge announced last week. This policy goes a long way in acknowledging that aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories have acquired a vast store of traditional knowledge through their experiences of centuries of living in close harmony with the land. Utilizing this knowledge is important in designing and implementing policies and procedures and the development of legislation within the Northwest Territories. Once again, I’d like to thank Cabinet for taking this important step.

Now, I’d like this government to take the next step and implement a similar policy on gender-based analysis. Similar to traditional knowledge, implementation of a gender-based analysis policy makes good sense. A policy on gender-based analysis will put people at the heart of policy development. It leads to better government by involving both women and men and makes full use of human resources.

Gender-based analysis makes gender equality issues visible in the mainstream of society, taking into account the full diversity of men and women. This type of analysis contributes to the resolution of past systemic discrimination and contributes to a more efficient policy.

In addition, gender-based analysis responds to the provisions in legal documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the Federal Plan for Gender Equality, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and various international obligations and commitments. In short, it is a tool that will help GNWT develop more appropriate and relevant as well as socially and culturally aware programs, policies and legislation.

As a government, we must commit to move forward and implement gender-based analysis into our day-to-day operations. Let’s take the next step like Cabinet did with the implementation of the Traditional Knowledge Policy. There are already

organizations in the NWT working on gender-based analysis. I encourage Cabinet to have their staff work with organizations such as the Status of Women Council of the NWT to develop and implement the policy and arrange for appropriate training of GNWT staff on the use of gender-based analysis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will have some questions for the Premier.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize some hardworking constituents of my riding. Four of them were among the 21 employees of Yellowknife Education District No. 1 who were recognized this past Saturday by their employer and their elected board of trustees and their peers for their long service to the District. Two are part of the 16 YK 1 staff who will be receiving the same recognition tomorrow for five years of excellent service to the District. I would like to tell you a bit about each of these individuals.

Mrs. Pirjo Vanonen has been with YK 1 for 25 years and is today as bright a light in the school as she was when she first started. She is appreciated by teachers and students alike and was a fixture at J.H. Sissons School for many years, only recently transferring to William MacDonald School where she continues to positively impact students as an educational assistant.

Christeen Hanuschuk has 15 years of service with YK 1. She is currently teaching Grade 1 at Range Lake North School. We are lucky to have such an experienced teacher in handling students who are just embarking on their years of schooling.

Wendy Reese-Wile is another accomplished teacher, a neighbour of mine in Frame Lake. Wendy has been with the district for the last 10 years. She is at Mildred Hall School working as a guidance counsellor with students there.

Mike Hanuschuk, yes, he and Christeen are connected. Mike has been with YK 1 for 10 years and is currently teaching a Grade 3/4 split class at Range Lake North School. Mike has previous teaching experience at Aurora College Yellowknife Campus, working with adult learners.

The two YK 1 staff who are residents in Frame Lake who will be receiving recognition tomorrow for five years of excellent service are Cathy Modeste-Short, who works at Mildred Hall School as an

educational assistant. Cathy provides invaluable help in the classroom. There are many days when, without Cathy, staff wouldn’t be able to keep it all together. Last but not least is Steve Elms who works at Range Lake North School as a program support teacher. Steve is another YK 1 staffer who gives invaluable assistance to both teachers and students.

I want to offer my congratulations to all of these wonderful and deserving people and my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them for the work they do. They do work with our most precious resource -- our children -- day in and day out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am struck by the many references to women here today, the role they play and the need to recognize the sometimes different and unique needs of women and the opportunities to realize their full roles and potential contributions in our society.

I believe it was Ms. McCauley earlier today who noted that women run everything. I think it is right. If you go in any office of a small community or a large community, the worker bees there that are really keeping things going are the women. I would like to recognize today’s worthy recipients of the Wise Women Awards and thank all the women in the North for the important leadership roles they play in our families, communities and governments.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to recognize Carol Morin, a constituent of Weledeh who was honoured last Friday with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for exceptional achievements in media, communications and the arts. Carol blazed the trail for aboriginal people across the country as the first aboriginal person to anchor a national news broadcast on CBC Newsworld. Over the past 30 years Carol has worked in a number of broadcasting organizations and has received many accolades from across the country. She has helped to make aboriginal people more prominent and visible to the general public in Canada, making it easier for others to follow in her footsteps.

Carol also embraces her culture through the arts and has made significant contributions to the community through her singing, drumming and painting. She plays an indispensable role in the community, inspiring native women to take up drumming in the Northwest Territories. She has also recently received a Canada Council writers’

grant to help with the completion of her first novel entitled Bearskin Diary and the NWT Arts Council writers’ grant for her first stage play entitled The Ruse. Carol has also written a children’s book called Kookum’s Tablecloth, which has been picked up by a printer in Victoria.

Please join me in congratulating Carol for this monumental achievement. A taping of the awards ceremony will be broadcast on APTN and Global in a 90-minute presentation on March 21st . Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Nunakput during construction of homes and facilities, nobody seems to inspect various trades and phases of the work. In larger centres there is a large network to ensure customers that the community is receiving safe, adequate and professionally built homes, Mr. Speaker.

I continuously bring up unique challenges in Nunakput, but there seems to be little done. There seems to be a lack of seriousness by this government. Maybe it is because our population is small. Maybe it is because the government feels, in the larger scheme of things, our problems are secondary. But whatever the reason, the government has to start acting in the interest of all Northerners.

In the small communities, people are waiting for so long on the list. Once let into a house, they don’t want to complain to the government of the deficiencies, poor insulation, mould, unsafe carpentry. According to residents, they have never seen or heard of a building inspector visiting. Basically the trades and contractors sign off on a form saying the work is done properly in many local northern communities, who are serious about the North is good enough. About the others, sometimes it is not even worth the paper it is written on.

Mr. Speaker, mould is a serious problem in most of the Northwest Territories communities, but could be prevented by adequate independent inspections when they are done. It is a shame that, given the amount of money the government spends on fuel, home and building construction, we fail to see the value of these monetary measures.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of the Housing Corporation at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today again speaking of the Gwich’in MOU that was signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Mr. Speaker, the memorandum of understanding is an agreement that allows the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich’in to work jointly on efforts to improve the economic wellbeing of the people in the Mackenzie Delta. Mr. Speaker, this agreement is just as important as the land claim agreements, since the government would not live up to Chapter 10 of the agreement or economic measures. Mr. Speaker, it seems like people within the bureaucracy are either ignoring the memorandum of understanding or do not feel that the agreement is still in place.

Mr. Speaker, this agreement is up as of March 31st this year and right now they are presently in the process of renegotiating that agreement. Mr. Speaker, there are contracts in the Gwich’in settlement region which are now still posted in the newspaper in which the Gwich’in are supposed to have an annual meeting with the Government of the Northwest Territories in regards to that agreement in which the government is supposed to come forward, notify what contracts are available in the Gwich’in settlement region within the Gwich’in business community. And yet, Mr. Speaker, it seems like this year, for some reason, that did not happen.

Mr. Speaker, I am still receiving calls from people who have made a best effort to go forward to the government departments, notify that they are interested in negotiating certain contracts, but are being told by people at the front line, well, sorry; we are going to be publicly tendering these contracts. Mr. Speaker, that is not in line with the Gwich’in MOU.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that this government, along with the Premier and his Cabinet colleagues, notify people in the field that the Gwich’in MOU is alive and well and will have to be lived up to.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions to the Premier in regards to the Gwich’in

MOU and the contracting policy this government signed on to. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address some current issues at North Slave Correctional Centre, which is located in the riding of Kam Lake. I have spoken in the past of the number of inmates located at the facility that are on remand. Some have been there for close to 12 months and I just don’t understand why we are housing inmates on remand for excessive periods of time. It was almost a year ago when I first brought the issue up to the Minister and it doesn’t seem like things are getting any better.

Mr. Speaker, I am also very concerned over the fact that there is not even a small room that could be used as a library at the North Slave Correctional Centre. The government spent close to $50 million on the jail five years ago and to think there’s not even a small library is ridiculous. Inmates should be doing their time, but improving their knowledge and reading skills should be of importance to the Justice department and to our government, so that when they do get out of the centre, they are able to improve their chances at a job and productive lives and not end up back in jail.

Over 400 books recently showed up at our local dump here in Yellowknife and it would appear that having a small library at the centre is not something the government supports or the department supports.

Mr. Speaker, that brings me to my last point and it deals with mental health at the facility. Over the past year, North Slave Correctional Centre has gotten rid of two clinical psychologists and today there are no mental health services on a day-to-day basis at the North Slave Correctional Centre.

Mr. Speaker, it seems like we are short-changing the rehabilitation of inmates at North Slave Correctional Centre. Last year, changes were also made to program delivery at the centre that, to me, again run contrary to what we should be trying to do, and that is give inmates the rehabilitation in programming they need to keep them from reoffending and out of our facilities.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister and staff should avail themselves to the Standing Committee on Social Programs, sooner rather than later, to discuss the issues that I brought up here today and to brief us

on that. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions to the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Aboriginal Sport Circle
Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the past traditional lifestyle of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories requires people to be in top physical condition in order to survive and thrive on this land we love so much.

Since then, there has been a dramatic shift away from the lifestyle, resulting in many of the health problems and challenges we face today.

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic has been leading the way to promote and protect healthy lifestyles for aboriginal people of the NWT, while respecting the individual rights and differences that contribute to the unique northern fabric of this place we call home.

Admission of the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic is to promote and enhance community wellness and culture awareness through sports and recreation. Mr. Speaker, this is exactly what they have been doing in many small communities that we represent. They have been instilling pride in the youth while delivering made-in-the-North programs that fit the unique lifestyle, health situation and challenges that our small communities face.

The Sport Circle believes that sport, recreation and culture leads to better health conditions, social skills and community healing. They have taken up challenges to make a difference. We should do our part to support them. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of MACA at the appropriate time.

Aboriginal Sport Circle
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Organ Donation Program
Members’ Statements

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the subject of organ donation in the NWT. I know that we have a small population here in the North and Stanton can’t provide transplant services here, which is very realistic. Everyone realizes that this is a very specialized field and, therefore, more organ harvesting and transplant operations have to take place in Edmonton. However, I assume, like many other people who believe in our health care services, that

we have to access these things and are supported through the medical travel when we try to access transplant processes through Edmonton.

Some Northerners have been donors, Mr. Speaker, and some Northerners have been lucky to be recipients of transplants. What I have come to learn lately is that sound policies and procedures still need to be fully developed in this health care area. Transplants may be rare but stressful for the families going through this headache. Mr. Speaker, there needs to be a process that is supportive from the start to the finish, recognizing the donor’s circumstances and what they’re giving up.

Recently I had the frustrating experience to work with a family, who is a constituent here in Yellowknife, through the living donor of a kidney to another family member. The operation had to take place outside of Yellowknife. The family member from Yellowknife who needed the kidney was on dialysis, so the kidney transplant was clearly a health care necessity. The transplanted kidney makes a huge difference to this person’s life, Mr. Speaker, and it’s given them back quality of life.

Through the whole process, from the consideration of the donor to the transplant to arranging the surgery, the departmental representatives helping them along the way and all the problems and headaches they encountered, Mr. Speaker, the donor at the very end of it after the operation said if they weren’t helping a family member, from the experience they went through they probably wouldn’t have gone through the stress knowing what they know.

Mr. Speaker, the issue I am raising here is there needs to be a stronger, clear policy that helps people going through this process. A medical travel policy seems to be completely silent about helping these kinds of people through this kind of service. From the point of view from the family, it was a struggle to get the department to pay for medical travel for the patient and the donor, as well as for the person to come with them. It was a struggle all the way through dealing with accommodations, as well as the surgery.

Mr. Speaker, I certainly hope the Department of Health and Social Services will work to clear up this process to make this a friendly environment to deal with people who are giving up such a precious gift to help saved loved ones. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Organ Donation Program
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My colleagues will recall how many times I have stood up in this House and talked about the condition and the need for upgrading at the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River. Well, I’m happy to report today that progress is being made.

I do thank my colleagues for their support for a motion that we made on the floor of this House to try to work together to expedite the money and the processes involved in trying to get this project underway as quickly as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the local district education authority in Hay River who has been working very hard with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to conclude the program review of what needs to happen in the school and how the renovations or how the program should be reflected in those upgrades.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, for his trips to Hay River and his attention to this pressing need. I would also like to thank the Minister, the Honourable Michael McLeod, as Minister of Public Works and Services, for his attention to this matter and with working with us to bring this project to fruition.

Mr. Speaker, the economy in all of our communities right now is in uncertain times. We have been looking towards a creative way of approaching this project, which would allow many of the benefits to remain in the community, and we have very capable contractors and subcontractors in Hay River. So that is something else that is being discussed. So this could be very much a timely win/win situation not only for the government, but also for the community of Hay River as we move forward on this project.

So, again, my thanks very much to my colleagues, to the DEA in Hay River, to the two Ministers who are responsible for this and to the people who are willing to put some creative thoughts together on how we can see this project potentially accomplished in a more expedited fashion because, Mr. Speaker, the students and the educators at the Diamond Jenness Secondary School deserve no less than a proper place to teach and a proper place to be educated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a large contingent of very strong and important women of the North in the gallery. I would like to take a moment to recognize them. First we have two of the five wise women who were recognized earlier today: Ms. Mary Ann Ross from the Beaufort-Delta, from Inuvik.

---Applause

And someone who needs no introduction, the woman warrior, Ms. Cece McCauley from Norman Wells.

---Applause

We also have the president, executive and board members of the Status of Women Council of the NWT, Ms. Dolly Simon, president…

---Applause

…Ms. Su-Ellen Kolback, vice-president…

---Applause

…Tina Marie Gargan from Deh Cho…

---Applause

…Ms. Ethel-Jean Gruben from Beaufort-Delta…

---Applause

…and we have a new executive director of the council, Ms. Lorraine Phaneuf…

---Applause

…Tara Kearsey, community development coordinator…

---Applause

…and Irene Savoy. She’s the office manager.

---Applause

And we also have the ladies from Women in Mining and Oil and Gas Program at the status council, Ms. Annemieke Mulders and Marilyn Hardisty.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

I’d just like to recognize Therese Dolly Simon, president of the Status of Women Council and a local addictions counsellor in Fort Resolution.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I’d like to recognize two constituents from Inuvik Twin Lakes: Ethel-Jean Gruben and Mary Ann Ross. I’d also like to recognize another constituent from Inuvik Twin Lakes who has been doing the interpreting for the Inuvialuktun. And I’ll slow down a little bit next time, Leonard.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

I’d like to recognize Ms. Marilyn Hardisty working here in Yellowknife and a resident of the Nahendeh riding. As well, if you’ll permit me to congratulate Ruby Jumbo for the Wise Women Award from Trout Lake.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

I, too, would like to congratulate all the ladies for their Wise Women Awards. I’d also like to recognize the woman warrior from the Sahtu, Ms. Cece McCauley. CBC has Don Cherry; the Sahtu has Cece McCauley.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

It’s an honour to recognize my vice-president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mary Ann Ross. I’d also like to recognize a mentor of mine who got me involved in politics back in 1985, Cece McCauley, when she was chief in Inuvik who I had the honour of serving with as well as a lot of other women chiefs in the Beaufort-Delta region.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I’d like to congratulate all this year’s award winners for the Wise Women Award. I do want to recognize somebody from my riding, my home town, Tina Gargan, who is joining us here today. I don’t know all the ladies that are here, but there are a couple I would like to recognize: Ethel Gruben, Mary Ann Ross, Cece McCauley, Therese Dolly Simon. Thanks for coming.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I’d also like to recognize Julia Cutter and all the rest of our Pages. I’ve said they’re devils for punishment; they keep coming back and doing a great job here. So thanks to our Pages.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Today I’d like to welcome Ms. Cece McCauley, Ms. Mary Ann Ross, and Ms. Ethel-Jean Gruben to the House.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

I would like to make a special recognition of Cece McCauley here today. On days when Member’s think I’m giving them a hard time, I’d just like them to think about what their life would be like if Cece was here.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I’d like to welcome everyone in the gallery today. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. It’s always nice to have an audience in here. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier and they’re in follow-up to my Member’s statement on gender-based analysis. I was wondering if the Premier could tell me the status of gender-based analysis within the GNWT, specifically if that policy is currently being developed.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Member for that question. The gender-based analysis process is underway. We are working within Executive to come up with a position paper and hopefully have that out sometime during the spring.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I know there are a number of organizations out there that have already done a significant amount of research on gender-based analysis. I was wondering if the team currently working on the gender-based analysis, if the Premier or his staff have directed them to get in touch with individuals who are currently working on gender-based analysis like the Status of Women.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Our process is first to get a position paper developed. We have from within the Executive branch, as well as Human Resources and a women’s advisor unit within the Executive helping us put this together and working on some training materials as well.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Premier. I was wondering if you could give me a bit of a timeline on when you think we might be able to see something on gender-based analysis within the GNWT.

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

As I had said earlier, we are hoping to have a position paper developed by this spring, working on training documents and a training schedule for implementation during this upcoming fiscal year. I’ll have to get back to the department as to further timing. I can pass that information on to Members.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Abernethy. Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about the stress a specific family went through when they wanted to go through the Organ Donation Program and the fact that they had felt from start to finish that there wasn’t support or clear guidelines. I’m wondering if the Minister of Health and Social Services can talk to us today and explain what the medical travel assistance for living donors is out there for and how people become eligible for a smooth transition from start to finish when they want to help a loved one through the Organ Donation Program.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the department and the staff in the system did provide assistance in this regard. I do recall that there were some hiccups in the process, but I just cannot recall all the details. I will undertake to review that file again and work with the Member to see if there’s anything to iron out there. As I recall, I do believe that both parties of the procedure were provided with support.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I’m really grateful that the Minister acknowledged that there were hiccups and I guess that’s really what the point is here today, to talk about trying to find ways for clear policies from start to finish. It’s not about focusing blame, rather about trying to find new ways to do business better for our loved ones.

I’ll take the Minister up on her offer, but I’ll ask if she will also investigate this problem from the point of view of developing both a policy and strategy so that when we have Northerners who want to donate organs, whether it’s through the living organ transplant process or if that’s one of their last

wishes, that the Department of Health and Social Services will come up with a clear policy and make sure it’s publicized so people know how to access the process and get through it during that stressful time.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

When I said hiccups I believe it might have had to do with because in our system delivery there are people who receive benefits through insured health services or their employers. I think in this situation we did eventually provide financial support for medical travel and all the other related support, so I will look into that to see how it worked out.

This is not something, organ transplant is not something that’s done regularly or on a frequent basis in the Territories. We do them when we can, but most of our organ donors or transplants are done in southern jurisdictions. I’m not sure if there’s a volume of work to do a policy work on that, but I will undertake to see, review this file that the Member is referring to and get back to the Member.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I’ll take the Minister up on that commitment as well. I guess the problem really goes down to the fact that we had a doctor’s letter suggesting that they needed a family member for the escort. They were denied initially on that. They were denied about staying in Edmonton because they had follow-up care. Then, furthermore, they had to justify why, when you cut them in half and take out a kidney, that they had to stay there a couple days to be able to go for a follow-up. That didn’t need to be explained. I think a clear, simple policy understanding the complexity of this, as well as a bit of flexibility now and that we don’t have to review every single one of these, would help us a long way. Clearly, could I get a commitment on the record here from the Minister that she’ll investigate this problem, which she has already said she’ll do, but in light of the fact that there’s no clear policy in a supportive context would she work to develop a strategy that does so?

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

I think it’s important to point out that the GNWT has very comprehensive and generous programming on medical escorts. We do run into problems where there’s some question about whether somebody needs an escort for medical reasons. We provide medical escort service to somebody who is older than 60. It’s there. I do believe that at the end of the day for this particular situation we did provide medical travel escort in that regard. I think there was a question about paying for accommodation and per diem or something like that. I will look into that. But we do have, if they qualify for medical escort, they would have been provided for that, and I believe they were.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t going to go to this level of detail, but the doctor who signed the necessary letter to recommend that the person goes and gives the kidney stated the name in the letter saying this is the medical escort they require, which happened to be their spouse. That spouse was denied even though it was either the number one or number two doctor in the Northwest Territories, but they were still denied on their first recommendation. They were denied their accommodation, secondly, and their per diems. Those are the complexities. I didn’t want to go into that detail. I’m just saying to the Minister, would she agree to take some strategic point of view to say how can we set up a strategy and go forward with a policy that has enough framework that we can work through these problems so we don’t have to bring them here?

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

My point is that we would provide a medical escort to that sort of situation and we do in other situations as well. In this case, the problem was with who was paying for the medical escort. We have residents in the North who are eligible to get coverage from elsewhere, whether it’s through NIHB or if they have another employer, spouse employer who has benefits, they have to go through that first before we would pay for it. I believe that was the issue. That was sorted out. I will confirm that with the Member.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For my Member’s statement today, it was the quality of construction in the small communities of housing units. Will this government ensure the policies and rules and regulations are implemented and enforced so all home buildings, especially in small, isolated communities, are adequately inspected?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the short answer is yes. We are obligated to construct our houses in an efficient and very safe manner. There are codes we are required to follow and we intend to have that practice. It’s something that’s been a challenge for some while now and we are certainly stepping up the requirements. There are checkpoints and we will ensure that happens.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I always like hearing you say yes. What is the government going to do to fix the problems with deficiencies caused by lack of inspections in the communities, such as mould and poor quality of construction?

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We have embarked on a training program for all our technical staff to get training in a number of different areas including mould, and being able to provide advice to some of our tenants in the units who are facing these challenges. We are also training our staff to be a lot more efficient in the areas of home energy evaluations and being able to provide advice in that area. We are also doing inspections all across the NWT with our public housing units and are working with a number of private homeowners and have expanded our programs in both those areas to allow us to do more.

Given that we’ve had additional investment from the federal government, that has helped us a long ways. We certainly expect to see the results demonstrated as we do our 2009 core need assessment.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Public Works and Services. I’m wondering, I’ve read material that indicates the infrared surveys have been done on quite a number of buildings throughout the Northwest Territories. A lot of cost associated with that, travelling and so on. Given that a building is best assessed, at least to start with, by just simply writing a letter or phoning and getting the information on what the energy bills are for heat and power, I’m wondering what the cost of the infrared program is.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, I’d have to commit to go and find out what it costs to do an assessment of an infrared type of evaluation on a unit. We have, through Public Works and through our budgets for the last couple years now, been focusing on deferred maintenance and projects in that area. We intend to do the bulk of our facilities, go through an evaluation to see how efficient they are. I’d have to commit to the Member to get back to see what is all involved in each part of this technical evaluation and what it would cost and

whether just making a phone call would serve the purpose.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

I appreciate the Minister’s comments. It’s been an issue that’s been raised. We’re looking for efficiencies; i.e. reduced costs and better effectiveness. My understanding is that by simply calling the Power Corporation and other providers that we either own or have at arm’s length, we can find out what the costs are. I’m wondering if the Minister could provide the sequence of events to assure my constituents and the public that in fact the basic common sense measures for a building are applied first. That is, we find out what the power and heating costs are per month or year before we go in with fancy and, I admit, sexy technology, but very costly technology as I understand it, travelling from community to community of the infrared approach.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I am not trained in this area. I have not gone through the outline of what is all involved in a technical evaluation. I’ll commit to getting back to the Member with a layout of all the steps involved as he requested.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Just one last note. I’m certainly not trained in it either, although I have had some experience. I know the community of Whati simply did that for all their buildings. My understanding is, just for the information of the Minister, that the infrared technology can give erroneous results if it’s a windy day, for example, and so on. Perhaps I could ask the Minister if he would check out both the strengths and weaknesses of the infrared technology so that we have full information on which to base decision-making and become more efficient and effective.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I certainly can commit to doing that. We’ll also provide the Member a number of the documents and standards that we utilize to base our investment on and what buildings qualify. We’ll also provide the list that we have already compiled of the buildings that we have evaluated and the facilities that we intend to do upgrades to and have that for the Member’s information.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I appreciate that. If the Minister could just include what the pros and cons are of the infrared technology so that I know that the department’s looked at that, that would be great.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Yes, we’ll commit to doing that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Getting back to my Member’s statement from earlier today I have some questions for the Minister of Justice. I guess some of the things that are causing me a great deal of concern here in the past little while are at North Slave Correctional Centre. There are no day-to-day mental health services. It looks like there’s no library. As I mentioned, there are 400 books that showed up at the dump. There’s also been a reduction in program delivery staff. I’d like to get a commitment from the Minister today that rehabilitation is something that the Department of Justice and the staff at North Slave Correctional Centre care about. I’d like to ask the Minister what they’re doing to rehabilitate inmates at North Slave Correctional Centre.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member’s questions in this specific area. This is one of the priorities that we have at North Slave Correctional Centre, that in order to rehabilitate the individuals to the communities, we need to give them opportunities. There are all kinds of programs that are offered to them once they enter the facility and upon their departure. We do have various programs, such as family violence, sex offenders, substance abuse, pre-trades, and other key areas where we do have classrooms and we do have a resource room, as well, with education materials. They have the opportunity with a teacher as well. So we do provide as much as we can in this area. There are also aboriginal programs specifically for reintegrating into aboriginal communities. Those are the areas we focus on. Every now and then we do improvements to our programs.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Considering the fact that the government spent close to $50 million on this facility and there was a library -- there was a small library in there until recently -- I’m just wondering why the decision would be made by the centre to throw these books out and turn that little library into an office. What was the rationale behind that?

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

The books that the Member is referring to that we threw out, those books are outdated. They’re older books that have been passed down from the library and old inventory from YCC days. Also it’s been passed on through first hand, second hand, and third hand. Even back in the ‘70s, books. They were donated to the North Slave Correctional Centre when the Boy Scouts Book Store was closed years ago. These

are old books that refer to travel and self-help guides. They are all mildewed and damaged books. Those are the books the Member is referring to. We tried to give them to other organizations, but they’re so outdated that nobody wanted them. We had to discard those books at that time.

With respect to the library, we do have a classroom and education programs within the facility. So we continue to provide the educational programs to all inmates if they’re interested in upgrading their skills.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

The books that I viewed on the front page of the News North today looked like they were in pretty good condition. Getting back to the mental health services located at the North Slave Correctional Centre, there’s no library there and to me a library is a big part of the mental health of inmates incarcerated at that facility, and they should have a quiet place to go and read and a place to look at books. Also, this lack of a day-to-day mental health expert or position at North Slave Correctional Centre, I’d like to ask the Minister what the department’s outlook is on trying to get somebody in there on a full-time basis to address the mental health concerns at that centre.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Certainly that’s one of our long-term goals to deal with mental health on a permanent basis. Right now we have a psychologist on a contract basis and as-needed basis. So we do provide the service to the inmates and will continue to provide the services. It is a need in this facility. On the long-term plans, we’ll deal with that matter on a full-time basis.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering the government and the department is going to do away with smoking at North Slave Correctional Centre effective April 1st , I would

suggest that they’re going to need somebody there, on the ground, on a day-to-day basis, not somebody on a contract to deal with mental health issues at that facility. I’d like to ask the Minister when there is going to be a full-time clinical psychologist in place at the North Slave Correctional Centre.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

We have just gone through the stages of hiring a contractor just a few months ago. Certainly it is all preliminary at this point, but certainly this will be part of the discussion on a going-forward basis during our business planning process. We need to get more detailed information on how we can go about this and to hire a full-time mental health provider in that area.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to address my questions today to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I’d like to follow up on some questions that were raised last week by Mr. Bromley and myself in regards to the Canada Summer Games.

The Minister should be aware that there are a number of costs. I think anybody who is involved in athletics and goes to any kind of games is aware that there are travel costs for athletes, coaches, and mission staff, there are team uniform costs, there are walking out uniform costs and so on and so on. I’d like to ask the Minister how the NWT contingent who is going to PEI for the Canada Summer Games in August this summer will be funded.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The team that’s going to the Canada Summer Games, there has been a request for some funding, but MACA with Sport North and the Sport and Recreation Council are still trying to work out the details. As for the cost of getting to the games, I can advise the Member that the Government of Canada does pay the travel costs for Team NWT to and from the games.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for that response. I guess that leaves...Travel costs are covered. That’s good. That is what I had expected. So at least the federal government is keeping up with some part of their funding agreements from previous years. But if Sport North and the Sport and Recreation Council are acting as managers and providing the funding for the rest of the costs that are involved, I’d like to know from the Minister how and when do these dollars get to either Sport North or the SRC for them to get the work done.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

As I said, they’re trying to work out the details right now as to the cost and as soon as they come up with a cost for our participation or the NWT’s share of it, then they will put a request in to MACA and we will see if we can identify the funding. So we’re hoping to try and have that done as quickly as possible, because we know the games are this August. We’re hoping to have the money identified as quickly as possible.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks again to the Minister. I guess I’d like to follow up from the Minister’s statement that the details are being worked out and that’s good. We do need to have details worked out. But when the funds have been identified which

are required and when the details have been worked out, what kind of an agreement is going to be in place between the Government of the Northwest Territories and either Sport North or the SRC? Is it going to be an agreement that is signed by both parties?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

MACA is working with the NWT Sport and Recreation Council because they are the governance council for sport in the Northwest Territories. We’re going to establish a written arrangement on the 2009 Canada Summer Games.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I would just like to ask the Minister a nice, easy question. That’s whether or not there should be any concern on the part of any of the athletes who are currently training to go to the Canada Summer Games this summer whether or not they will not be going. Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I’ve been up answering questions on the Canada Summer Games two or three times now and I think I’ve said each and every time that if there are athletes out there that are training or getting ready for the games, I would advise them not to worry. It is my intent to try and get Team NWT...Not my intent, it’s the sport and governing body’s intent to try and get a team. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again; we will be at the Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask my questions of the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. The other week we had a big debate over housing. It was about turning the ECE programming back to the Housing Corporation. But also, more importantly, Mr. Speaker, as in my Member’s statement, the most important thing, I believe, is for our Housing Corporation to deliver housing to our people.

This income threshold limit that I spoke about in my Member’s statement is becoming quite a barrier. The threshold is so tight between the low income and the high income that no one is being approved at all. Consequently, we have many, many empty houses in our communities. Also, throughout our debate I think we mentioned and we spoke with the

Minister about his willingness to look at that guideline, to look at that policy and to see if it can be changed as soon as possible. I’m hoping that the commitment is there that he can do something by April 1st , Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, Housing Corporation issues of housing challenges certainly have been receiving a lot of attention in the last while and we’ve been working very hard to bring some changes forward in our programs. We are looking at doing a review of our Housing Choices program criteria. The evaluation has already started. We are looking at the thresholds that the Member has raised; other Members have also brought that to my attention. We’ve also had some discussion on this issue at our small communities committee meeting. It’s an area that we already committed to looking at redrafting. We are putting that together. I’m hoping that we will have something for committee’s consideration fairly soon. I’m not sure if I can meet the April 1st deadline, but I will certainly work

towards something for the committee’s consideration sometime in April. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Also, I’m aware that the Housing Corporation does have some extra capital dollars. But the intent here is to ask the Minister that, look, we’ve got people out there that want housing, they’ve got the money to do it, they’ve got steady income, they’re hard workers, and yet they are prevented from accessing our housing programs. I’d like to know if the Minister will seriously consider changing the community income threshold limit and allow our people, the hardworking people out there, to access our housing programs. Thank you.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, that’s certainly my intention to bring something forward for committee’s consideration. We are already looking at drafts of new calculations that we think could work in the communities. I have not had the opportunity to compile all the information yet and bring it to committee, but that’s something I’d like to do fairly quick. As I indicated earlier, I would be pleased to bring it forward sometime in April after my Cabinet colleagues have had a chance to also look at it. Thank you.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

The key about me mentioning April 1st is that that’s one of the programming

deadlines for existing programs. I just didn’t want people out there that already got rejection letters because they exceeded the threshold limit, that they’re not eligible for any programming after April

1st . The key here is to ask the Minister, look, there

are people out there that have been rejected already and if you’re going to change your parameters, we have to act quickly or even somehow give them public notice or a heads-up that this government is willing to help our people. Mahsi.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, we will take every precaution not to have that happen. The applications are still currently coming in and being evaluated. We intend to make a number of changes as indicated earlier. Thresholds are one of them, but we are also looking at the amount that we provide in terms of a forgivable mortgage and we’d like to make some changes in that area. There is also the discussion that needs to take place with the transfer and how this study is going to be conducted. We’d like to present the terms of reference and the framework for that whole initiative also. We have a fairly long list of all the different areas that need to be discussed with the Members as to what we’re proposing to bring forward as next steps. I want to assure all the Members, though, that the program and the changes will be, providing everything’s approved, in place for this year’s housing program. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Allowing this change of income threshold will be good news for the government there, Mr. Speaker. I urge the Minister to seriously consider then, as soon as possible, because this allows a whole range of people with the higher incomes to access our programming and to become mortgage payers, and that’s the kind of revenue the Housing Corporation is looking for, Mr. Speaker. Once again, I ask the Minister to seriously consider implementing this change as soon as possible. Thank you.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We certainly think it would be good news. There has been a lot of discussion on this front about the criteria set for the Housing Choices programs being a little bit too restrictive. It has been criticized as programs that a lot of our people can’t access. We’re hoping by making some changes, tweaking it so that it’s more accessible, this will help as we deliver our new programs. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier and is in regard to the memorandum of understanding in regard to the contracts in the Gwich’in settlement region which was signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and then-Premier Kakfwi and the president Fred Carmichael, in January 2003. The term of the contract is until March 31 of this fiscal year.

I’d like to ask the Premier, the objective of the memorandum of understanding is basically to establish a process towards improving the participation of Gwich’in businesses and GNWT contracts within the Gwich’in settlement area. Mr. Speaker, there have been a lot of changes taking place in regard to the contracting process even here in this House. Going into a fall budget cycle for capital and with that it also has an effect on the agreement. Yet, Mr. Speaker, there are still people out there, especially in the public service, who do not seem to understand there is this agreement in place. Yet, Mr. Speaker, a lot of contractors are being undermined by way of allowing them the opportunity to participate in these government contracts, as we can see by the situation we have in Inuvik.

I’d like to ask the Premier, exactly how stringent does the government take the Gwich’in MOU when it comes to contracts in Gwich’in settlement areas in regard to what is being told to the departments when it comes to this agreement?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The MOU is one that is under the responsibility of the Minister of ITI. He’s been working on that with the department in this area. It is under renewable. The negotiation process is ongoing, but the existing one remains in place and is working through its system. With the change in our infrastructure program, that list of projects goes out in the fall now and work with the department again on looking at some of that selection of potential projects. Now those projects, again, could be selected requests for negotiated contracts or if they win it through a tender or RFP process, that falls under the accounting of that program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The agreement also calls for at least two meetings a year in which there is supposed to be a meeting held at least 90 days prior to the end of the GNWT

fiscal year. I’d like to ask the Premier, why has there not been a meeting as it’s spelled out in the memorandum of understanding?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In fact, when we were looking at setting up our meetings in the Beaufort-Delta, both with the Inuvialuit and then with the Gwich’in leaders, the request came down to postpone the meeting on the MOU and Minister Bob McLeod did not make those meetings on that basis. Thank you.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, I as an MLA and also leaders in my communities have signed agreements supporting contracts in my settlement region in regard to the Gwich’in settlement region in my communities, but yet contractors have nothing back from this government. And yet, we approved the budget. We are basically moving forward. Most of the capital items were approved last fall. Exactly why is it that there is no movement in regards to these negotiated contracts which have received the support letters they need from the public bodies in the communities from the band, the hamlet council and myself? Why is it that we are not getting a response back from Cabinet on these letters?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Mr. Speaker, I am not aware that there are outstanding issues. Many could be in the process now. I can sit down with the Member and go through some specifics and work with the Minister of ITI to see where those are in the system. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, in the MOU it says that the government has to give annual reports to the Gwich’in in regards to capital projects that are going to be in the settlement area. Has the government given the Gwich’in the annual reports that are called for under the MOU regardless if he had a meeting or not? It calls for it in the agreement. Have you given that documentation to the Gwich’in Tribal Council?

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Premier

Mr. Speaker, again, the meeting that they would have held in January would have had that opportunity and put that report there. My understanding is that they will be mailing it out to the Gwich’in. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the importance

of on-the-land programming for the youth of Tu Nedhe. My questions are for the Minister of MACA. Has the Department of MACA earmarked a portion of the youth budget for on-the-land programs for youth? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MACA has identified what we have requested -- $100,000 -- in the budget that has yet to be approved for earmarking towards on-the-land Take a Kid Trapping Program. Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Minister, for the answer. The schools in both of the communities are working on-the-land programs also while recognizing that decisions are made by the local and regional education authorities. However, they have limited resources. Will the Minister agree to work with the Minister of Education on a comprehensive land program which would be more than the smaller program that is now being run through the schools? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, the department does work with ECE. It also works with ITI to come up with a program for the disbursements of the funds for the communities. Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, when school is out in the summertime, a lot of the programs come to an end until the fall time. Will the Minister look at working with those two Ministers in developing a summer cultural on-the-land program for the communities in Tu Nedhe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, I will commit to working with the other Ministers to see what we can come up with in regards to having a summer on-the-land program. I can advise the Member that ENR does have a bit of a program that they have going in the summer. Also, in some of the communities, the community aboriginal governments, the Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, usually have some programs running for their kids during the summer. I am sure that goes on all down the valley so they keep the kids going out on the land during the summer too. That usually goes through a lot of their aboriginal organizations. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your final supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. Can the Minister work with me to arrange a youth meeting in Lutselk’e or Fort Resolution or here in Yellowknife, wherever, to start to do some of the planning so

that the youth in Tu Nedhe are in at the outset before many of the programs are completely structured? If the Minister could commit to arranging some sort of meeting with myself and the youth of Tu Nedhe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, it is my intent to try and get out to the communities. If I go to the community of Tu Nedhe, I will work with the Member there to meet with the youth there because, who best to advise us as to what is best for the youth than the youth in the communities themselves. I would commit to the Member that I will sit down with him and meet with his youth in Tu Nedhe. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A portion of the overall operating budget for the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic is delivered by the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners. Mr. Speaker, there has been no change in the formula funding arrangement over the past four years. Since the program delivery has increased substantially, with the focus on NWT small communities, I would like to ask the Minister what can be done to increase the budget for the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The money given to the Aboriginal Sport Circle comes from the Sport and Recreation Council. They are the governing body for sport. So any increase in the funding to the Aboriginal Sport Circle would have to first, I think, be brought to the Sport and Recreation Council. They do have some representatives on there. As a Minister, I try not to get in and micromanage them, and leave the governance of the sport to these bodies and become involved only if we have to. Thank you.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, certainly the Minister is correct in terms of the funding arrangements. However, because the Aboriginal Sport Circle does work very closely with the small communities, it actually has been quite successful in the small communities. Could he look at seeing if the funding arrangements, if he can work with the regions in terms of collaborating on some of the issues that the Sport Circle is running in terms of their request to see if there is more funding that could be allocated to this council here? Could I ask the Minister if he would allow his staff there to work

closely in terms of collaborating with the smaller communities in terms of the aboriginal portion of their activities?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, we are well aware of all the good work that the Aboriginal Sport Circle does in the communities. They deliver a lot of good programs and they are out in each community. I will commit to the Member that we will sit down and we will have a look at how all of the funding formula works, but then again I say that it is the Sport and Recreation Council’s decision. The Aboriginal Sport Circle would have to make their case to the Sport and Recreation Council and then a decision could be made from there. I am sure, if they make a very good case, which we see all the good work that they are doing, I don’t think it is very hard to do. Thank you.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, certainly the Minister is correct in terms of the good work that is going on in smaller communities, especially involving the smaller communities. Sometimes they need extra help in terms of getting some of these activities off the ground here. I certainly heard over the radio and the news that some of these activities have been happening. If there is a good case being made, would the Minister look very closely in terms of the NWT Recreation Council? If the case is made that the Aboriginal Sport Circle requires the additional dollars to continue in some of these programs in these small communities, would the Minister sit down with the Sport Council to look at how they can receive extra dollars?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department does allocate a lot of funds as far as sport goes to the smaller communities. I have had meetings with the Aboriginal Sport Circle. I have had meetings with the Sport and Recreation Council and this was actually one of the things that we discussed. So it is something that we are all very aware of, so we will continue to meet along those lines and see if there is some common ground we can come to. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up on my colleague Ms. Bisaro’s comments or questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Specifically, I want to mention that the annual budgets of our sports partners, the Sport and Recreation Council, Aboriginal Sport Circle, Sport North, are very specific and laid out. They don’t have the luxury of

not budgeting for their responsibilities as this department does. They said last year they would not be able to fund games from their internal budget, so I am wondering in this negotiated agreement that the Minister mentioned, will he be protecting their already designated budgets and funding the games from his own internal funds? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are aware that all the funding is pretty well spoken for. I have mentioned in my response to Ms. Bisaro’s questions that we have to identify the funds that were needed and then we have to find a way to get those funds without affecting the Sport and Recreation Council’s internal funding. Thank you.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I appreciate that clarification. I know the Minister is aware of the time element there for ordering uniforms that fit and so on. Will the agreement that’s being negotiated be signed by all parties involved? Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, MACA is working, as I have said before, with the NWT Sport and Recreation Council and Sport North in coming up with an arrangement, a written arrangement. My understanding is it will be signed by all parties involved. Thank you.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thanks again to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned last time I discussed this with the Minister in the House here the important review project that has delayed an internal look by our sports partners about the Arctic Winter Games and how they can improve things. The review report was to try to address some of the kerfuffles that came up over selections and so on with the Arctic Winter Games. Now that report is overdue, apparently, constituents are telling me they have seen a copy or a copy exists dated December 19th entitled “final report.” Apparently it wasn’t quite finalized within the department. Given that there are three days left and the Minister was going to do best efforts to get that out before the end of session here, is the Minister on top of this? Could the Minister assure me that it’s going to be out very quickly now, perhaps this afternoon or it went out this morning? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would have got that report out yesterday if I could. I am not sure where the rumour was that there was a final draft available in December. I have not heard of it or I have not seen it yet. So if somebody is in possession of a final

draft, then we would have to look into it. I will assure the Member that we are all over it. I actually had a discussion this morning and the topic of the report came out again, and I am advising them that I would like to see this report as quick as possible so we can get it out there and get input from Members and all those involved. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again to the Minister. If the Minister is on top of this, perhaps he could tell us where it is, when we will see it and why it hasn’t come out, and recognize that the two meetings called for to discuss the report that were cancelled at the last minute is a concern. People are wondering what the department is doing behind closed doors. So I am looking for some assurance there and some explicit information to give my constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. There are probably three or four questions there.

---Laughter

The Minister may choose to answer one of them or all of them.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I will say no to all of them. No. I have advised the Member that we are following up on their request for the report and I can assure the Member that once we get the final draft, it will be distributed to the Members and as far as when I told the Member and I have told Members of this Assembly that I have been asking for the report. I am hoping to get more information. Once I get that information, even as to getting a timeline of getting the report into my possession, I will advise the Members electronically that I do have a copy and I am looking over it. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document titled Northwest Territories

Communities Futures Program Annual Report to March 31, 2008. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 15, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories undertake the necessary research and cost-benefit analysis and consider implementing a low carbon fuel standard that decreases the Government of the Northwest Territories’ reliance on, or eliminates, the use of unconventional higher-carbon oil by the end of the term of this Assembly;

And further that this Legislative Assembly supports the establishment of guidelines for the use of lifecycle analyses that evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions from the production, including the extraction, refining and transportation, of any fuels that are imported into the Northwest Territories by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 10 has had first reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the first time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010, has had first reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Bill 12: Securities Transfer Act
First Reading of Bills

Monfwi

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 12, Securities Transfer Act, be read for the first time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 12, Securities Transfer Act, has had first reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Commissioner’s Land Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Commissioner’s Land Act, has had first reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Minister of Transportation

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 14, an Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 14, an Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, has had first reading.

---Carried

Item 19, second reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Boot Lake, that Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make operation expenditures for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010, has been read for the second time.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the schedule to the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010 to ensure that the departmental references parallel those set out in the schedule to the Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 11, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010, has been read for the second time.

---Carried

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Ministerial Benefits Policy; Bill 4, Public Library Act; Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act; Bill 7, An Act

to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; and Bill 9, Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act, with Mr. Krutko in the chair

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I call the Committee of the Whole to order. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 7-16(3), Bills 4, 5, 7 and 9. What is the wish of the committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today we would like to deal with Bills 4 and 7. We put those two together because they are both under the preview of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, so Bills 4 and 7 today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does the committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, we will take a short break and we will begin with Bill 4.

---SHORT RECESS.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Prior to the break we agreed to begin with Bill 4 and then Bill 7. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill, Mr. Lafferty, if he would like to introduce the bill. Mr. Lafferty.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. That’s the first one, right? The purpose of...Sorry. I got the wrong one.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 4, Public Library Act. The purpose of this legislation is to provide a modern statutory framework governing the establishment and use of public libraries in the Northwest Territories and to repeal the Library Act.

The Library Act was originally enacted in 1966 and has never been amended to reflect changes in how public library services in the Northwest Territories are administered. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment initiated a review of the Library Act in 2007 and released a consultation paper entitled Proposed Amendments to the Library Act: A Consultation Paper. There were a number of responses to the paper from different stakeholders in the library community, including two municipalities, GNWT and Aurora College library staff, and the NWT Library Association. The general

consensus from the stakeholders was that they supported the legislative changes proposed in the consultation paper.

This bill provides an updated regulatory framework from which the operation of public libraries in the Northwest Territories will be supported. In particular, this bill provides for:

a) the ability of the Minister to designate a library

as a public library and enter into agreements with local authorities to support the operation of public libraries;

b) the rights of library users, including the right to

use specified library materials and resources without payment of a fee;

c) the powers of library authorities to set and

enforce rules for use of the library and its materials; and,

d) to repeal of the Library Act.

We trust that the members of the committee will agree that the proposed bill represents a significant improvement in the manner in which public libraries are regulated in the Northwest Territories. We would be pleased to answer any questions the Members may have.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. At this time I would like to ask the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which reviewed the bill, to make its comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 4, Public Library Act, on January 15th , 2009. The committee thanks the

Minister and his staff for presenting the bill. The bill repeals the current Library Act and introduces a new modernized act to govern the establishment and operation of Northwest Territories libraries, as well as setting out the powers of the library authorities.

A non-substantive amendment was made to the bill by committee motion and with the concurrence of the Minister. Following the committee’s review, the motion was carried to report Bill 4, Public Library Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 4. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to bring in any witnesses. Mr. Lafferty.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is committee agreed the Minister can bring in his witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Lafferty, could you introduce your witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. To my left I have deputy minister Dan Daniels, Education, Culture and Employment; Blair Barbour, legislative policy advisor; and Lana Birch, legislative counsel.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, witnesses. General comments on Bill 4. Clause by clause. Is committee agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Okay. Turn to page 1, Bill 4, Public Library Act, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 11 inclusive approved

To the bill as a whole.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree that Bill 4, Public Library Act, is ready for third reading?

---Bill 4 as a whole is approved for third reading.

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses out.

As we agreed, we will now turn to Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Bill 7, Mr. Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, to introduce the bill. Mr. Lafferty.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. The purpose of this legislation is to raise the maximum aggregate of the principal amounts of all student loans that may be made by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The maximum aggregate principal amount of student loans that the Government of the Northwest Territories may lend under the Student Financial Assistance Act is $33 million. The amendment proposes to increase this amount to $36 million for the fiscal year 2009-2010 and thereafter. This change is required to allow the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to continue

providing student financial assistance at current benefits levels.

We trust that the members of the standing committee will agree that this amendment is appropriate and necessary. We would be pleased to answer any questions the Members may have.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I would like to ask the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which reviewed the bill, to make comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, on January 15th ,

2009. The committee would like to thank the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

The bill raises the total amount that the GNWT can lend through its student loans program to $36,000 starting in 2009-2010. In addition, a minor amendment is made in the French version for the term “ordinary place of residence.” Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 7. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Mr. Beaulieu, could I have clarification. That was $36 million.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Sorry, Mr. Chairman. Yes. The program is $36 million. Sorry.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you. For the record. At this time I would like to ask the Minister introducing the bill if he would like to bring in any witnesses. Mr. Lafferty.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is the committee agreed to let the Minister bring in witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Lafferty, could you introduce your witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I have to my left Dan Daniels, deputy minister for Education, Culture and Employment; Mr. Blair Barbour, legislative policy advisor; and Ian Rennie, legislative counsel.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, witnesses. General comments regarding Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. Clause by clause. Is committee agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 3 inclusive approved

To the bill as a whole.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Does committee agree that Bill 7 is now ready for third reading?

---Bill 7 approved for third reading

With that, I’d like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out.

What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

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

---Carried

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I will now rise and report progress.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 4, Public Library Act, and Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, and would like to report progress, and that Bill 4 and Bill 7 are ready for third reading. I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. A motion is on the floor. Do we have a seconder on the motion? The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

---Carried

Item 22, third reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act, be read for the third time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act has had third reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, be read for the third time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act has had third reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Bill 10: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010
Third Reading of Bills

March 8th, 2009

Thebacha

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the third time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and the third reading, but I want to raise a note of caution. I think it’s well acknowledged that we’re in a serious financial collapse, at least in the United States, and it appears to be rolling out globally. As a resource extracting economy such as Canada, and to which the Northwest Territories seems to compare, we

are extremely vulnerable to this sort of financial situation. We already know from some of the announcements we’ve heard and that residents are well aware of that the impacts are already being felt here. It’s been about 18 months in the United States that it’s been going and much less than that in Canada. Canada, though, through its better banking and financial regulations and practices may, indeed, be buffered somewhat. But, again, indications are that this is being felt throughout the economy reaching us here.

The Minister of Finance has highlighted in his opening budget address that we are carrying some vulnerability in this area. It’s very difficult to be totally insulated from this, and given our over-weighted reliance on an export economy, the ripple will certainly be felt more and more right here.

What I want to do is really caution this government, of course, encourage them to be very frugal, be very alert and on the lookout for opportunities for savings and increased efficiency, but particularly savings. We don’t know what the impacts yet are on our revenues but they are predicted to be noticeable and they could, in fact, be quite significant. There are opportunities where we can, and we know already from discussions during review of this bill, that there are opportunities.

I want to highlight a couple that we would like to see expenditures go forward and that’s, of course, the Skills Canada one, which we highlighted with the Minister of ECE, and, of course, the milk subsidy which has been raised repeatedly. Those are things that we support going ahead even during these times of recession.

However, when it comes to filling the positions with regard to the Mackenzie Gas Project, which has not been approved yet and so on, we recommend deferring those and other expenditures on that project until such time as, indeed, the Joint Review Panel and the National Energy Board actually approve the project and stipulate the conditions under which it might go forward if approved.

Mr. Speaker, we frequently hear about a lot of spending towards the end of a year and so on and every year seems to be the same. This is actually an opportunity for savings rather than mad expenditures at the end of a year, and I think it would be really smart of us to be aware of that and making sure that those savings are realized, given the possibility of finding ourselves in more financial stress than we are at this moment. Mr. Speaker, I’m very positive, again, with the Cabinet on guard and making sure we capitalize on opportunities for savings and deferred costs that we can come out alright. I just wanted to share those comments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. To the motion. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to put the government on caution in regard to this budget. I believe that we are spending $1.2 billion, but I think, Mr. Speaker, we have to be aware that we’re not immune to what’s happening around us with the economic downturn and potential of a deficit. I think Members who are still in this House from the 13th Assembly can relate

to what happened in the 13th Assembly, which we

weren’t under this type of situation. Again, because of the dependency on the federal government, we had to cut $130 million because of the deficit we were in. I think that because of that we have seen the effects of programs and services having to do with certain departments, consolidation. I think those days are still out there.

I think as a government we have to be cautious and, more importantly, that we have to realize that there are still certain projects which we are looking at by way of the Taltson project is a $500 million project, and we all know about the Deh Cho Bridge -- $165 million -- capital projects in excess of $100 million. Mr. Speaker, we have to realize that we, as government, are accountable to the public purse and we cannot be seen to be spending for the simple sake of spending.

Just on that, Mr. Speaker, I believe we do have to do what it takes to keep our economies going in our smaller communities and in regard to all communities in the Northwest Territories. We have high unemployment. We have high dependency on government programs and services, and when they’re not there we all feel it. I’d just like to mention that we do have to stimulate those economies regardless if it’s a make-work project in a particular community, implement the motions that were passed here in the House in regard to chipseal projects for small communities. Those things will stimulate the economy in those smaller communities. It will make work during the downturn and, more importantly, the effects we’re seeing in the private sector by way of what’s happening with the oil and gas, what’s happening in the diamond industry, I think we have to realize that we, as government, are not seeing the revenue flow that we have seen in the past from corporate taxes to personal income.

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, we do not have the ability, like other provinces and jurisdictions, to be able to hike up the taxes and generate those extra revenues from royalties, corporate taxes, even personal income tax, because the 40,000 people here already pay enough as it is.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that we, as government, be cautious going forward and, more importantly, that we do not, for the sake of spending or creating positions because we feel it should be done, but, more importantly, when it should be done. The pipeline positions have been a controversial item in this House over five years and yet we’re still waiting for a decision on the pipeline. That’s probably nowhere closer today than it was last year. I think until that decision is made, we should not be filling those positions.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to caution the government and the Ministers to at all costs avoid unneeded expenditures, especially where we see we can see savings and, more importantly, save the dollars for that rainy day which is not that far ahead. Mr. Speaker, I think as this government, the former Minister of Finance and Premier who were here in the 13th Assembly can perfectly state the big

challenges we had then, which were probably not as deep as we’re going to get ourselves into in the next couple of months going forward. I think as governments, especially in regard to territorial governments, we cannot afford to find ourselves in a major deficit and have to make those tough decisions of either having to shut down programs and services, selling public assets or even having to lay off people. We’ve already had a taste of that in regard to last year’s budget. Again, those clouds are still over us and I think until we basically have to make a decision on where we’re going, we should walk cautiously, carry a big stick and make sure you’ve got the dollars to bail yourself out when we get there.

With that, I would just like to caution the Cabinet and the Ministers that this is not full speed ahead and spend, spend, spend. Walk cautiously, see where you’re spending your money and make sure that you have those dollars there so when we do find ourselves in a major deficit situation that we’re able to get out of the hole instead of how we had to deal with it in the 13th Assembly. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. To the motion. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just very briefly, as the other Members have alluded to, we are passing this budget. It was the best we could do with the information we had available to us. Rainy days are on the horizon here and if there are opportunities for savings, I think we should be looking for them -- efficiencies. But, Mr. Speaker, let’s be very clear that we do not want this government to be taking any kind of efficiency or cost-saving measures without talking to us first. Because many times we’ve said something on this side of the House but the manifestation of what is

being delivered we don’t recognize. When the initiative comes forward it’s either gone so far beyond what we thought or, somehow, something was lost in translation.

Mr. Speaker, I think we do need to be cautious in our spending going forward, but anything that is significant -- and I’ll use Mr. Krutko’s words -- I caution the government that they should make sure they have buy-in from this side of the House before they proceed with any major changes. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the motion. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say a few words too. I share the concern that other Members have on spending. I think for the most part the budget, obviously, is something we all agreed to. Given the difficult times we’re in, I think it’s a good budget all in all. Going forward, I think we have to keep our eye on spending. I think if the government sets targets on reductions, they should try to keep those targets in mind.

I’m also looking forward to some tangible work coming out of the program review office, because I do believe that there are areas in our operation where we can look to more efficiencies and we can do things a little bit better, Mr. Speaker. It’s obvious that revenue is going to be an issue for the government going forward. The high cost of living is hurting people. It’s hurting people in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith and even more so in the smaller communities in the Northwest Territories. I think we always have to keep our residents in mind when it comes to revenue. I don’t want to see the Government of the Northwest Territories implementing any more taxation or things that are going to negatively impact residents on the ground in the Northwest Territories.

We have to start looking more long-term in the area of revenue. I’ve spoken many times about the government’s lack of an equity stake in the Mackenzie Gas Project. I think we should be taking every opportunity as a government. I mean, let’s face it, our future here in the Northwest Territories is going to hinge on resource extraction from our Territory, and our government should be taking every opportunity to get involved in the resource extraction and getting some benefits for the people that we represent. We could use that as a revenue source for years and years to come, Mr. Speaker. I think we have to start looking at that.

Also, I was happy to hear the Finance Minister talk about a heritage fund. I think that’s an important part of our future as well. How we fund that, how that works...You know, getting back to the equity stake in a potential pipeline or resource

development, we could take some of that revenue and put it into the heritage fund. Fund the heritage fund through those investments and I think it will pay dividends well into the future, Mr. Speaker.

Also, one issue, and not too many people want to talk about this, Mr. Speaker, but it’s the issue of gaming. I’m not saying or suggesting that the government rush headlong into building a casino in the Northwest Territories, but in terms of revenue, almost every jurisdiction in our country is looking to gaming as a way to boost their revenues. With the exception of two provinces, every province in this country has gone to gaming. They’re making millions of dollars. What I’m suggesting, Mr. Speaker, is perhaps the government could take a look at what we’re losing. When people travel south, they travel to Edmonton or B.C. or to Las Vegas, they take their money with them and most of the people, Mr. Speaker, will leave their money in those destinations, in Las Vegas or Edmonton. I think it’s important that we try to get a handle on what people are taking away with them and what we’re losing as a government in potential revenue. I think it’s something that unless we know what we’re dealing with, I don’t know how we can make a decision. I do think gaming, in some way, shape or form, does have the opportunity to provide this government with some additional revenue. Those revenues could be put back into social programs, Mr. Speaker, at some point in time. What I’m trying to say is I don’t think we should turn our back on any potential revenue source. The taxation that hits people and increases the cost of living is something that I think we have to be super cautious about, Mr. Speaker.

The other day I was speaking about the jobs that are located in Gatineau and in Ottawa. Those jobs, devolution or no devolution, pertain to activity in the three northern territories, Mr. Speaker. Those jobs rightfully belong in the three northern territories. Whether we have devolution or not, those jobs and this government should be doing everything in their power to suggest to the federal government that these jobs are located in Iqaluit, in Whitehorse, in Yellowknife or somewhere else in the Northwest Territories. That has to happen, Mr. Speaker. We can continue on with the devolution negotiations and talks, but those jobs have to be moved here, Mr. Speaker. They’re high paying jobs -- most of them are in the range of $90,000 to $100,000 a year -- and most of these people that are working on those files haven’t even stepped foot North of 60. That’s the sad reality. Even though they’re dealing with social development and development of the three northern territories, they’re not even here. They need to be on the ground here, Mr. Speaker.

With that, again, I’d like to thank the government for the work. I know it was a good go-between with the

government. It seemed a lot less adversarial, the budget process, this time out. I think, Mr. Speaker, that’s because we had an opportunity to sit down with the Ministers and with the departments to go through it. Certainly this time I felt much more included in the process than I did last time. I want to thank the government for that and thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. To the motion. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to make a few comments here in terms of the budget. I certainly had some questions about the budget in terms of the location that I represent in the Sahtu region with the isolated small communities. I hope that in the future that the government will look at regional economic stimulus for the small communities; again, the communities that don’t have access to all-weather roads and their limited time of work in the community.

As noted before, Mr. Speaker, some of these communities, whatever projects they have in the communities for that period or month, that’s the economic stimulus package for the communities. Sometimes they would have to go six to eight months without any type of work. I would ask the government in terms of going forward and planning out their projects that these communities that do not have the type of activities where there is all-season roads, that they can take advantage of these jobs outside their region, they can look at their plan in terms of how can they keep the steel to the ground in the first eight to nine months in terms of working in the small communities on their projects.

Again, because of the...I see some of the disadvantages of being in these small communities, projects are only dealt on a very short and limited basis and we sometimes we miss out on some of the bigger projects. However, I would ask the government in going forward on their budgets if they would keep in mind things that would make a difference in people’s lives. When you look at the situation today after March 31st , our roads will be

closed down and there will be hardly any activity going on into the communities.

I would also ask the government if they could be in a position to step it up. I think we have to have some serious discussions regarding this budget here and our federal counterparts in Ottawa. I’m looking at a time when we can cut the building accord with the federal government and, once and for all, have a budget that the Northwest Territories can be proud of. Mr. Speaker, there’s millions and billions of dollars going to leave the Northwest Territories, yet we still have to deal with a $1.2 billion budget for all the Northwest Territories. So I look to a day where this government with this

leadership here can take some giant steps to be an equal partner in the Confederation of Canada in terms of our budget.

I, too, wanted to make those comments to show that we have worked on this budget, but I look forward to a budget that more reflects the real needs in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010 has had third reading.

---Carried

The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010 has had third reading.

---Carried

Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain whether the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Anthony W.J. Whitford, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.

Assent To Bills
Third Reading of Bills

Tony Whitford Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories

Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

• Bill 10, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2009-2010

• Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2009-2010

Thank you. Merci. Merci beaucoup. Quanami. Mahsi cho.

Assent To Bills
Third Reading of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Please be seated. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Orders of the day for Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers’

Statements

3. Members’

Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral

Questions

8. Written

Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

- Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law

Amendment Act, 2009

19. Second Reading of Bills

- Bill 12, Securities Transfer Act - Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Commissioner’s

Land Act

- Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles

Act

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of

Bills and Other Matters - Tabled Document 7-16(3), Ministerial

Benefits Policy

- Bill 5, Professional Corporations Act - Bill 9, Northern Employees Benefits Services

Pension Plan Protection Act

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 4:36 p.m.