This is page numbers 3469 - 3500 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 4th 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 vaccine.

Topics

The House met at 1:34 p.m.

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Prayer
Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Human Resources, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Minister’s Statement 14-16(4): 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Plan
Ministers’ Statements

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Minister of Human Resources

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the implementation of 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Plan is well underway. This plan is the first of its kind for the Department of Human Resources.

Mr. Speaker, 20/20: A Brilliant North is an important and exciting strategic plan that will guide the Government of the Northwest Territories human resource planning over the next 10 years and is being championed by all deputy ministers. The actions contained in the accompanying three-year action plan are ambitious, with year one focussing on the development of a number of programs, the second year piloting programs such as the training program for aboriginal employees and in year three, rolling out the full programs.

Goal one, Fixing the Foundation, supports 20/20: A Brilliant North’s mission and vision by putting in place a firm foundation of excellent human resource management practices and services necessary to ensure the other strategic goals have the support to be successful. Work that has already commenced under this goal includes the establishment of a transition team with a focus on streamlining human resource processes and procedures and reducing the backlog in pay and benefits. Client service training has also been provided to Human Resources’ staff in all regions; learning plans are currently being developed for all employees in Human Resources; and a client satisfaction survey will be issued to Department of Human Resources’ clients prior to the end of this fiscal year.

Goal two, Engage: Magnetic Attraction. This goal, through the attraction of Northerners and others to

the public service, and the engagement of existing workforce, will establish a public service that reflects our diverse cultures and provides high quality services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Some of the exciting actions being worked on under this goal include: the establishment of an Aboriginal Employees Advisory Committee; the establishment of recruitment strategies for hard to recruit occupations such as engineering, pharmacy and social work; and identifying ways to increase the support and representation of persons with disabilities.

Goal three, Dazzle: Diverse Opportunities, focuses on the commitment to the workplace and environment, individual wellness, and establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with our partners: the public and stakeholders. Under this goal the Government of the Northwest Territories Green Team has been established; a Summer Wellness Program was piloted in the Department of Human Resources; the Managers’ Tool Kit was launched; regularly scheduled meetings commended with both the Union of Northern Workers and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association; cross-cultural awareness opportunities for employees are currently being developed and labour relations training is being offered to managers and supervisors in all regions.

Goal four, Inspire: Expanding Horizons, focuses on inspiring the public service to strive for continuous development and a culture of lifelong learning. Under this goal, the important work of developing aboriginal employees training programs, the implementation of learning plans and a new performance management framework are underway for all employees.

Last, but not least, goal five focuses on the future through excellence in planning for and management of the public service including the development of a succession planning framework that includes the transfer of knowledge. Under this goal, a framework for departmental human resource plans that will include an affirmative action component is currently being drafted and work is also underway on identifying common priorities and shared services where the Government of the Northwest Territories may partner with community

and aboriginal governments to improve human resource management in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we have much work ahead of us but I look forward to keeping the Members of this Assembly informed as we continue to implement 20/20: A Brilliant North. I am expecting that the first formal results, reporting on year one of the three-year action plan, will be tabled in this Assembly in June 2010. In closing, I would like to thank the Government Operations committee for their ongoing support and guidance as we move forward implementing 20/20: A Brilliant North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 14-16(4): 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Plan
Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Minister’s Statement 15-16(4): Public Service Capacity - Community Governments
Ministers’ Statements

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in May 2008 I announced to Members that Municipal and Community Affairs would be leading the work on capacity building initiatives at the local government level, in full partnership with the Department of Human Resources as well as the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories.

Today I would like to provide Members with an update on the details of this exciting initiative. However, before I do, I need to thank our key partners in public service capacity building: the NWT Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the NWT. Without their vision, pragmatic advice and informed analysis, we would not be as advanced as we are in the development of strategies that aim to address this issue. At both the board and staff levels, these two organizations are fully committed to rolling up their sleeves and provide hands-on efforts to make this opportunity as meaningful and far-reaching as possible.

Mr. Speaker, the Public Service Capacity for Local Government Initiative will include a series of strategies, each aimed at strengthening the capacity of local government administrators as well as the leadership capacity of mayors, chiefs and councillors so that they can provide effective direction and support to their staff.

The first priority for the initiative focuses on the key position councils need to both maintain the day-to-day operations and to implement their long-term vision; this is the local government administrator, also known as the SAOs and band managers. We all know that local governments in the NWT have undergone significant evolution and transformation

in their relatively short history. As a result, the skill set required to manage a local government has expanded significantly and at this point, many NWT local governments are challenged to recruit and retain competent administrators. This initiative will work to address this challenge and raise the profile of this rewarding and exciting profession.

Working in collaboration, the NWT Association of Communities, Local Government Administrators of the NWT, the Department of Human Resources and MACA have developed a number of strategies as part of this initiative. One of the larger initiatives is the Administrator Development Program, where local governments can apply for two-year funding to support either a trainee or mentor for their administrator position, depending on the current needs of the local government. There will be strong encouragement for local governments to hire Northerners into their permanent administrator position.

Another initiative is the Good Governance training for elected leaders. This program was successfully piloted earlier this year by the School of Community Government with a number of participants who were attending the NWT Association of Communities annual general meeting. This training will be offered to every newly elected council, on an ongoing basis, so that councillors have a common knowledge base around roles and responsibilities, especially in relationship to their administrator.

There will also be an Administrator Mentorship Program where skilled, experienced administrators will be available to formally mentor those who are developing their skills. As well, a pool of professionals will be developed, where local governments can access temporary expertise on an interim basis to troubleshoot or maintain services during a vacancy.

Professional development workshops will be held to build the skills and expertise of administrators. The first one, planned to coincide with the Local Government Administrators of the NWT 2009 annual general meeting, will address recruitment and retention challenges in local governments.

As well, an array of promotional materials will be developed, including brochures, information on Local Government Administrators on the NWT’s website and the production of a video on council-administrator engagement. These will be targeted primarily to Northerners to encourage them to consider the interesting and challenging work opportunities available in local governance.

In past discussions I have had with standing committee, they have provided excellent ideas and suggestions on the topic of community capacity, and we look forward to their input and analysis prior to the formal launch of this initiative.

I would like to thank Mayor Gord Van Tighem, from the NWT Association of Communities, and John McKee, from the Local Government Administrators of the NWT, for their leadership.

A capable public service at all levels of government is essential if we want to see quality programs and services developed and maintained for our citizens. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are providing the tools, supports and resources to local governments to make this happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 15-16(4): Public Service Capacity - Community Governments
Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Minister’s Statement 16-16(4): NWT Literacy Strategy
Ministers’ Statements

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, increasing literacy levels among the people of the Northwest Territories is a top priority for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. We recognize the importance of literacy across the lifespan and throughout society. Literacy is not so much a matter of whether or not people can read, but rather about how well they can read and use different kinds of information. The NWT Literacy Strategy, Towards Literacy 2008-2010, focuses on helping people lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society. The new strategy represents the ongoing commitment of the Government of the Northwest Territories and our partners, including schools, Aurora College, the NWT Literacy Council, communities, families, individuals and others, to improve the overall literacy of Northerners.

We built upon our past strategy and have increased funding in a number of areas. For the 2009-2010 years there is a total of $3.4 million budgeted for the Literacy Strategy. Some of our increased investments include $350,000 to provide literacy programming in smaller, remote communities throughout the NWT, and $150,000 to support community libraries. This money brings books to northern communities to give residents access to resources they need to improve their literacy.

Another focus on our revised strategy is for those NWT adults who have not finished high school. ECE is in the process of implementing an adult diploma equivalent to the NWT Secondary School Diploma. The new model allows NWT adults to earn a Grade 12 diploma through a combination of academic course credits and prior learning assessment and recognition credits. Education, Culture and Employment is presently working to put the supports for the adult high school diploma in place.

Mr. Speaker, youth literacy is also a critical area of concern in the Northwest Territories. We are investing in youth literacy by $250,000, focusing on

youth between 16 and 25 years of age. We are specifically targeting out-of-school and at-risk youth. To reach this vulnerable group, we are working with youth centres across the NWT to emphasize the importance of literacy and help young people develop their literacy skills.

The department is also undertaking a Youth Literacy Gap Analysis to look into best practices and practical steps that we can take to increase youth literacy in the Northwest Territories. A Youth Literacy Working Group was established that will direct the work on the Youth Literacy Gap Analysis. Recommendations from the report will be used to develop a youth literacy action plan for the duration of the strategy.

Mr. Speaker, with 11 official languages, it is also important to encourage Northerners to use their traditional languages. We are increasing our emphasis on supporting aboriginal language literacy, emphasizing the importance of being able to speak in the indigenous languages of the North. This will form part of a larger plan to invigorate and support aboriginal languages.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, we also established a Literacy Strategy Advisory Committee which represents all regions of the Northwest Territories and include representation from the NWT Literacy Council and Aurora College, as well as other organizations that have a strong interest and commitment to literacy. This committee will guide the implementation of the NWT Literacy Strategy. Literacy is important to everyone, from infants to elders, in all official languages and requires the involvement and support of everyone in society in order to achieve our goals. We look forward to continuing to work with our many partners to increase literacy awareness and levels in the NWT. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Minister’s Statement 16-16(4): NWT Literacy Strategy
Ministers’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the Department of Transportation and its Minister.

Mr. Speaker, in the South Slave we are happy to have roads. We have a good road network system. I empathize with those who are from areas where that is still an aspiration to be realized. But, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a bit about the Department of Transportation and their responsiveness to the issues that I have raised with the Minister and in this House, and I hope my colleagues don’t feel

bad, because I realize that not everybody loves the Department of Transportation.

Mr. Speaker, when I went to the ferry crossing one year and the ferry was out, and I got all the way to Fort Providence before I realized that, I suggested they get a solar powered sign outside of Yellowknife that tells what the status of the ferry is, and they did that right away and it worked out very, very well. I asked for a roadside turnout between Enterprise and the border, and right, just like magic, there went up the sign and there was the roadside turnout.

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

Some Hon. Members

Wow! Wow!

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, just recently I asked the Minister, I said, why has the road been chipsealed between Enterprise and Hay River for three months and the lines haven’t been painted on. And, like, 24 hours later I was on the road and there were all the lines on the road.

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

An Hon. Member

Whooo.

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

I went to the Minister about a steel supply contact that we didn’t feel had been resolved fairly, and it was resolved to the satisfaction of my constituent. We had a gravel crushing contract that was not being resolved to the satisfaction of a constituent and it went our way.

Mr. Speaker, I raised the issue of the graffiti on the sign at the border, and I know that the Minister’s not responsible for Justice, but the next day the corrections inmates were out there and repainted the sign at the border. Mr. Speaker, I told the Minister we didn’t need a bridge at the Deh Cho, we didn’t need the Deh Cho Bridge, but he didn’t listen to me. But I guess you can’t win them all.

Mr. Speaker, today I have another great idea. Mr. Speaker, the issue of black ice on the roads that are paved and chipsealed has become a real problem. It is a problem this time of year, and just last night my husband and I stopped just north of the border to check a vehicle that was rolled in the ditch. We did not know we were on black ice until we touched the brakes to stop and try and help someone while we were going by.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation today if it would be possible to get another solar powered sign, perhaps at the border, so people can phone in and let people know that are coming behind them that there are hazardous road conditions. Those could be posted remotely to make the road safer for the travelling public. Thank you.

Emergency Communication Capacity Along Highway No. 3
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Chipsealing The Deh Cho Trail
Members’ Statements

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is interesting my Member’s statement is on transportation.

---Laughter

I certainly hope he listens. Mr. Speaker. I have spoken many times in the past about the need to improve the Deh Cho Trail and the improvements this would mean to the safety of residents, truck drivers and tourists. It would also be beneficial to the economy. The Deh Cho Trail, Highway No. 1 from the Providence cut-off to Checkpoint and all the way down Highway No. 7 to the B.C. border is a route that the residents of the Deh Cho travel regularly for work, to attend appointments and to visit family and friends. They depend on the road for the delivery of goods to their communities.

The Deh Cho Trail is also a scenic road trip. Tourists can drive north from Alberta and along the way visit beautiful waterfalls, well-equipped camping facilities and several Deh Cho communities. They can continue their journey on to Fort Simpson or follow the Liard River to Fort Liard on the way down to B.C. This circle route is well promoted by Industry, Tourism and Investment to national and international visitors to our Territory and is an important part of our tourism infrastructure. If the Northwest Territories portion was upgraded, the route would increase the popularity.

A main concern about the road, for both residents and tourists, Mr. Speaker, is safety and reliability. When the road was washed out last year and closed for several weeks, it had a big impact on Fort Liard residents. The cost of groceries and other essentials went up, because items certainly had to be shipped by air.

We must ensure that this road is safe and reliable on a year-round basis. The logical solution is to make it a priority to property upgrade this portion of the highway infrastructure with chipseal, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased that the capital estimates for 2009-2010 did indicate some 70 kilometres of work on Highway No. 1 and the Deh Cho will be completed early in the 2010 construction season, Mr. Speaker.

I urge the Minister of Transportation to include the chipsealing of the Deh Cho Trail in the capital plan for the next two years. The benefits to the economy, to tourism and the safety of travellers would be the legacy of this 16th Assembly. Mahsi

cho.

Chipsealing The Deh Cho Trail
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

GNWT Repairs Required To Joe Greenland Centre
Members’ Statements

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Social Services announced last week they are establishing a new committee, the Territorial Administration Committee, to look at the administration of applicants to a long-term care facility. Mr. Speaker, I think that we, as a Territory, realize that we have some tenant facilities throughout the Northwest Territories, small facilities like in the Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik to a large facility such as the Dementia Centre here in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I think it is essential that we ensure that we have a fair and equitable access for process but, more importantly, from the aboriginal people and the aboriginal communities that we like to keep our loved ones as close to home as possible in regards to the culture, language and, more importantly, the food that people depend on.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical that, as a government, these facilities are used with the best available clients and the people in need. Mr. Speaker, we do have to ensure that all facilities are operated at their potential capacity and ensure that all treatment facilities or facilities are provided essential services to carry out that responsibility. Mr. Speaker, I state that because the Joe Greenland Centre is repaired and in need of some major repairs in regards to the assessments that have been done. Some repairs have taken place, but a lot of repairs still have to be concluded. This is an aging facility, but again I would like to bring it to the attention of the Minister of Health and Social Services that when we look at facilities throughout the Northwest Territories, we have to assess them all on the same term and basis to ensure that they all operate in regard to the same type of condition rating, but, more importantly, ensure that they are filled to capacity.

Mr. Speaker, my fear is that facilities such as the Joe Greenland Centre are going to be shunned away because of the simple size of this, and the larger facilities will receive all the attention. Mr. Speaker, I hope that is not the case. At the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions regarding this decision. Thank you.

GNWT Repairs Required To Joe Greenland Centre
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Recreation Leaders Day
Members’ Statements

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unknown to many of us, I imagine, is the fact that today has been declared Recreation Leaders Day. Our very own NWT Recreation and Parks Association is highlighting the contribution of recreation leaders in

our Territory by declaring October 26th as

Recreation Leaders Day.

Members of this House often speak of the importance and the need for programs and activities for our youth. They also give tribute to those residents in our communities who step up and provide the necessary programs and activities for our youth and for all residents of our communities.

Recreation leaders come in many shapes and sizes, Mr. Speaker. They are volunteers, they are professionals, they are young, they are old, they are male, they are female, they are people like the Yellowknife Snow King, they are our facility maintainers, they are Arctic Winter Games team coaches and Arctic Winter Games regional coordinators, they are Nordic walking instructors, they’re the teachers in our schools who open the gym at night so the kids can be active, the ones who lead the on-the-land camps, the ones who start music and craft groups after school. The list is endless. But all of these people have one thing in common: they willingly give of their time and expertise to further recreation activities for NWT residents; recreation activities which are indoors, outdoors, all seasons of the year. Each and every day our rec leaders provide invaluable community support in recreation and sport.

The value of participation in recreational activities is well known. Recreation, sport, fitness, arts, culture, parks, are all essential to personal, social, economic and environmental well-being. Engaging in recreational activities leads to happier, more positive lives for people of all ages. It provides healthy activities for our youth to keep them away from the unhealthy ones. It provides activities for our elders to keep them healthy, happy and young at heart.

The enthusiasm and leadership shown by our rec leaders makes huge contributions to the social and economic wellness of the NWT and to our communities. Rec leaders, through their actions, encourage all of us to achieve better health and well-being as individuals. The motto of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association is: Recreation for Life. Today we acknowledge those people who make sure that NWT residents can live up to that motto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recreation Leaders Day
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Recognizing The Importance Of Climate Change Issues
Members’ Statements

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize and applaud current best efforts of our citizens, aboriginal governments and non-government organizations to meet key

environmental challenges and to point out opportunities now before us for greater progress.

On the critical issue of climate change, I am happy to see our government making strong first steps, and I also note our partners at the City of Yellowknife are making remarkable progress with a community energy plan meeting their original targets well ahead of schedule through such actions as improved energy efficiency standards for buildings, shifts to wood pellet heat and even pursuit of geothermal energy at the former Con Mine.

I want to recognize a group of dedicated citizens who organized a Climate Justice Now march just this Saturday in a run-up to Kyoto negotiations in Copenhagen this December, calling for strong action by all governments to combat climate change. This reminded me of a summer gathering in Inuvik of youth from across Canada committed to fighting climate change. It was organized by Ecology North, the Pembina Institute, the Gwich’in Council International, the Arctic Athabaskan Council and Climate Action Network Canada. The Inuvik Declaration they produced makes several important observations. We’ve done a lot, but we must do more.

It is time for governments to set ambitious science-based targets for greenhouse gas reductions in the NWT and Canada. The federal position on combating climate change is an embarrassment to Canada and an immediate threat to the safety and security of northern citizens and indigenous people in particular. Science shows that Canada and the world must reduce greenhouse gas production by 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels if we are to avoid disastrous and accelerating consequences.

We must assist developing countries to reduce their emissions and adopt new technologies. We must also make the strongest possible efforts to shift our federal government to a more responsible and progressive position.

Mr. Speaker, I urge our Members and this government to take firm action, to think locally with a firm and ambitious NWT carbon neutral date and a plan to get there, and to act globally by strongly urging the federal government to accept our international responsibilities and dramatically improve our position at the Copenhagen negotiations of the new Kyoto Protocol this December, and I will be asking our Minister of the Environment some questions about that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Recognizing The Importance Of Climate Change Issues
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Cost Of Living Issues In The Sahtu
Members’ Statements

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What if you went to a grocery store on your way home today to buy a few basic things like four litres of milk and some dish soap, and it costs you $25? Some people might think it was a mistake, but not if you live in Fort Good Hope. It’s normal.

Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in the Sahtu is amongst the highest in the Northwest Territories. We’re paying through our teeth. At $2.42 per kilowatt for electricity, Colville Lake pays the highest power rate of all Northwest Territories communities. Let’s start by having some real discussions on a review of the electrical rates in the Northwest Territories.

Four litres of milk costs around $13.29 in Fort Good Hope, compared to $4.59 in Yellowknife or $7.49 in Inuvik. We need to have a real Food Mail Program so that all milk is the same price everywhere.

The average income in our communities is $42,604 per year. Most employment opportunities are only part-time or seasonal. In Tulita, where the average income is $31,800, 35 percent of the households are in core need. That’s more than twice the territorial average. The price of groceries limits the number of healthy choices families can make.

One of the goals of the 16th Legislative Assembly is

to reduce the cost of living. We should invest in more efficient ways to get energy and power into our communities. We need an all-weather road into our communities. Our people should be able to afford the house they live in. We should encourage local stores to shelve our local meat and fish. We need to create jobs by developing renewable resources like tourism, like the Doi T’oh Park or implementing woodchip or other wood product industries like a firewood cutting service for seniors. These may not be high paying jobs, but they would go a long way to helping our families and they support the Assembly’s goals.

Some of the solutions require large investments upfront, but they will benefit our people far longer than most subsidies. Our people deserve the opportunity to succeed. Let’s give them our hope.

I believe it’s time for a new way of thinking. We need to be creative and it’s often said that we need to think outside the box, but right now far too many people in my region, and maybe other people in the other regions, feel that we are cornered into a box waiting to be busted out. Some people are living…

Cost Of Living Issues In The Sahtu
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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