Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Deputy Premier, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to be before this House to announce the GNWT’s approach to improving the regulatory system for NWT’s lands, waters and resources.

The people of the Northwest Territories have told us they want to have a say in the decisions that affect them. They want a regulatory regime that encourages resource development, ensures the environment is protected and provides benefits to residents now and in the future. Ensuring we have the tools, processes and resources to effectively guide and participate in decisions about how this land is managed is a key priority of this government.

We have a unique system in place here in the Northwest Territories rooted in the settled land claims. It is a system based on shared responsibility and cooperation that provides a framework for governments, communities, industries and other organizations to work together to ensure development occurs in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Far from being a weakness, this inclusive approach provides that all Northerners, especially in our more remote communities, have a voice in decision-making. We do not need to apologize for that uniqueness.

Mr. Speaker, this government has developed a comprehensive approach to regulatory improvements that includes a number of target improvements to the regulatory system. Several of these improvements can be undertaken in the short term and will produce immediate results. We have communicated to Minister Strahl that we want to engage with Canada and collaborate to ensure the interests of Northerners are considered if changes are made.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT supports a fully implemented, integrated system of land and water management in the Northwest Territories as called for in the settled land claims. Such a system would function in the public interest, allow for efficient decision-making by Northerners and facilitate the eventual devolution of authorities to our governments. Unfortunately, right now, all the pieces of that system are not in place. And the parts that are in place are not always fully implemented.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot agree with those who would suggest that eliminating or restructuring the regional land and water boards is required. These boards are created for a reason to ensure that Northerners, especially those in the communities, have access to the regulatory system. Instead, we need to ensure that the existing structure is properly implemented and supported. This would create more certainty and predictability of Northerners and other users of the system.

Mr. Speaker, board appointments is one area where immediate changes can be made. The federal government’s commitment to examine the board member appointment process is a good start. We believe the delegation of authority for the GNWT to appoint our own board members would speed up the appointment process. This would help ensure board quorums are maintained. It would also be seen as a move towards devolving authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

During all of the regulatory improvement initiatives, stakeholders have repeated concerns that there are currently no clear processes or timelines for decisions made by responsible Ministers under the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act. As a responsible Minister, I share those concerns.

Clear guidelines on roles and responsibilities for regulatory authorities would ensure the processes were transparent and timely and would help to alleviate those concerns.

Recent federal announcements of funding of $900,000 for the NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program and a $300,000 training fund for regulatory boards is a start on addressing some of the capacity needs of the integrated system. However, it is more important that consistent, predictable funding for all elements of our existing regulatory system be put in place.

Mr. Speaker, an efficient and effective regulatory system will create benefits and increase the quality of life for our residents by providing certainty to all parties with an interest in how resources are managed and developed in the NWT. Our government has developed an approach to regulatory improvement design to help us realize these benefits. We look forward to sharing and discussing our proposed approach with Members, aboriginal governments, key stakeholders, and the public during the coming months.

Governments need to continually improve their way of doing business within their own areas of responsibility. The GNWT is no different. We are continuing to look for ways to improve in those areas where we already hold authority, but as Northerners, the GNWT, aboriginal governments, and northern stakeholders need to work together to ensure that the federal government takes our interests into account when it makes changes to a regulatory process that we will someday inherit.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week people have been getting together in Fort Simpson for the Beavertail Jamboree. Celebrations kicked off last weekend and today is a big day with a community feast, official opening ceremonies, and tonight there will be fireworks. Our hardworking organizers have arranged a mix of events to get people outside in the fresh air. It’s time to enjoy the longer days of sunshine.

People will be coming into Fort Simpson from all over the Deh Cho, and Tulita, Fort Providence, Yellowknife, and even northern Alberta. The tradition of the Beavertail Jamboree began 32 years

ago and the festival is as lively as ever. This may be one of the longest continuous ones in the North.

There are activities for the youngsters and folks of all ages. Events have changed over the years, but this year some of the old favourites are back. One of these is a beard growing contest and another, for the more active, is dog team racing that starts tomorrow. There’s a free lunch followed by youth games, the corporate challenge, and the youth talent show -- and that’s just Friday. Saturday there’s another dog team race, snowmobile and snow cross events, and save some energy for one of the main events: the adult talent show. The talent show is my favourite event. I often enter the jigging contest with my daughter Diedra Villeneuve.

---Applause

Thanks to all the many volunteers and organizations that have contributed to the festival. In particular I’d like to thank Ms. Cindy Browning, president of the Beavertail Jamboree Committee. She has helped with the jamboree for the last nine years. Also I would like to thank the Members of the jamboree committee: Ms. Connie Villeneuve, Troy Bradbury, Ms. Darleen Sibbeston, and apologies to those that I missed. Corporate sponsors and the many volunteers deserve a very honourable mention.

I encourage everyone in Fort Simpson to come out and kick up their heels. I hope that the weather is great and everyone has a happy and safe weekend. Good luck to all. Mahsi cho.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last six weeks I’ve gone on record and recognized a number of voluntary sector non-government organizations. Specifically I have talked about the Centre for Northern Families, SideDoor Youth Ministries, the Salvation Army, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, the YWCA, Sport North Federation, the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, Ecology North, and the John Howard Society of the Northwest Territories. This is a short list of the different voluntary sector non-government organizations providing high quality and incredibly important services to the people of the Northwest Territories.

If there were more days, I would have highlighted more; important organizations such as, but not limited to, the Aboriginal Sport Circle of the Western Arctic, the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association, and the NWT Seniors’ Society, to name just a few.

These organizations provide incredibly important services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Often they can be more responsive to the needs of our residents due to the limited bureaucracy and the desire to be flexible, and acknowledge the differences in situations and clients rather than adhere to rigid guidelines that the government often has to. These organizations are a key element to the health and overall well-being of residents in the Northwest Territories. Fortunately the 16th Legislative Assembly has

indicated that supporting a healthy and sustainable voluntary and not-for-profit sector is a priority for this government. It’s about time.

I’d like to applaud the Department of Finance and MACA for taking an important step in holding a Volunteer Summit last weekend. I believe that this summit was important and will help obtain needed input from these organizations on how to improve the relationship and funding processes between them and the GNWT. This goes a long way to improving services to the residents of the Northwest Territories.

I did receive some feedback on the summit and I’m happy to say that some of the attendees have indicated they are feeling much more optimistic than they have for a very long time about the potential for the government and the voluntary sector to move ahead on relationship building and funding. This is an important step. We as the 16th Assembly must not lose the momentum that has been built and the positive step forward that we and the voluntary and not-for-profit organizations have taken.

I look forward to working with the Minister of Finance and the Minister of MACA, as well as representatives from the different organizations, as we move forward on these initiatives. Once again, I would like to offer a huge thank you to all of the volunteers and staff of the different voluntary and not-for-profit organizations in the Northwest Territories who help make the NWT a great place to live.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I hear the needs of my seniors in Nunakput communities I wonder if the government is taking them seriously or the status quo. The government must get serious about spending for our elders and seniors.

In Nunakput, the community of Ulukhaktok constituents have initiated and completed a petition to get this government committed to build a badly needed seniors facility. Caring for our elders and their well-being must be a pillar of this government. The community of Ulukhaktok elders really have no place to gather. They often gather in the hamlet, the Northern Store, or the restaurant. In addition to these severe shortages of facilities specifically for seniors housing and care.

Previously I expressed my community’s concerns with the growing cost of living that is eating away at disposable incomes, especially from our elders. I also expressed the growing concerns with the government’s reduction of services, projects for seniors during this session. We have heard government’s plan to strip benefits and services from seniors. What I find unfair is this government is not considering that in Nunakput the cost of living is 81 percent higher than Yellowknife. Even for such an enormous difference, the government continues to use formulas such as per capita, market conditions. This is wrong. Ulukhaktok needs an elders facility just as much as Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Hay River.

For as long as I can remember there’s always been talk about two different types of Northerners. There are ones from larger communities and ones from the smaller communities and economically disadvantaged communities. I challenge this government to bridge these together.

During my various leadership positions I will continue to try to improve the life of our elders. Things such as better quality and less expensive foods, better living conditions, facilities, and health care. I challenge this government to implement plans for real changes for real problems.

Lastly, I wish my colleagues an enjoyable spring and to all my Nunakput constituents, especially my good friend Patrick Joss.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to congratulate the City of Yellowknife Council, which approved the plans and awarded a construction contract for the fieldhouse indoor recreational complex. After six long years of planning and deliberations, Clark Builders Construction and Ferguson, Simek, Clark will begin construction later this year. The project will employ 50 workers and is scheduled to be completed by August of next year.

The new facility will be located in the Kam Lake riding next to the Multiplex. This is a $17 million facility that will include two full-sized indoor soccer fields, a three-lane running track, and children’s playing area. I’ve spoken about the need for our residents to get more physically active. A facility like the new fieldhouse will give residents and visitors another excellent venue to be physically active.

The current demand for recreational space in the city exceeds capacity by 30 percent. This will be a much needed addition to the city’s recreational facilities.

I’d like to acknowledge the hardworking members of the Fieldhouse Development Committee, who worked tirelessly to prepare the final recommendation for city council. Those are: Councillor Bob Brooks, the chair; Mark Aitken, the vice-chair; Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, John Carr, Ryan Fequet, Craig Hockridge, Mike Roesch, Terry Brookes, Judy McLinton, and from the city administration, Mr. Max Hall, Carl Bird, and Grant White and also, Mr. Speaker, the rest of Yellowknife City Council. I know that Yellowknife families and their children and many Northerners from outside of Yellowknife will benefit for many years to come in partaking in exciting games and sports that will take place at this new facility.

Once again, congratulations to Yellowknife City Council and residents who have this great new facility. It is an exciting project. I wish you all the best with the construction, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, medical staff alerted me to an alarming situation related to crack cocaine addictions right here in Yellowknife. While the degree of crack addiction in our city is itself horrendous, in major

Canadian cities where similar degrees of addiction have developed, addicts increasingly suffered from other even more serious consequences.

Mr. Speaker, here is what I am hearing from one concerned physician who is working on the front line of infectious disease in the North. He notes that “outbreaks of TB and syphilis pale in comparison to what I now see emerging on our city streets. Further, intravenous crack cocaine use is becoming increasingly widespread in Yellowknife. This ominous development has a number of serious implications. Intravenous crack cocaine needs to be injected frequently to sustain its high. On the streets of Vancouver, addicts will routinely inject crack one to two times per hour. This need to inject frequently led more than any other factor to an explosion of HIV and Hepatitis C in Vancouver’s downtown east side with now well known results.”

In Yellowknife, he notes that this is like a pile of kindling waiting for a flame. Mr. Speaker, what are we doing about these addictions and increasing potential for an epidemic of diseases? On October 29, 2004, a motion was debated and passed in this House to get more addictions programs on the ground here including for youth. Quoting here from Hansard for that debate, MLA Sandy Lee had this to say, “I tell you, if we let this stuff spread without any kind of aggressive campaign, we are going to pay for it. We could be the kind of place where people from down south will send their people up here because we have such a great program, we are on the ball and we are dealing with it.”

What has changed in the ensuing five years, Mr. Speaker? Not one thing. As mentioned in the 2004 debate, our only addictions facility was the one in Hay River. Unbelievably, the exact same thing is true today. We have one facility, the one in Hay River. The Health and Social Services website says, presently the NWT does not have a residential addiction treatment program for children and youth located in the NWT, but provides access to these services in southern Canada.

Mr. Speaker, as noted by a Yellowknife physician, quote, “Our homeless population is highly addicted already and the introduction of IV crack use is the flame that will cause an explosion of HIV and Hep C here.”

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Yes, the physician’s statement, our homeless population is highly addicted already and the introduction of IV crack use is the flame that will cause an explosion of HIV and Hep C here. Mr. Speaker, we knew five years ago that serious

and effective action was needed. The situation is now compounded by a lack of action and an accelerating and loaded predicament. Can we expect this Minister of Health and Social Services to act quickly to prevent this potential outbreak now? Mahsi.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regards to the Minister’s announcement today in regards to GNWT’s approach to regulatory reform, we are trying to find ways to improve it.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to go back in history. I first got involved in aboriginal politics in 1985. From that, there was already in place land use planning work going on by way of land use planning commissions set up in the Northwest Territories. In the 1980s, we had planning boards in place. A lot of the legwork was done. At the same time, there were negotiations going on in regards to the Dene-Metis comprehensive land claim. In 1988, the Dene-Metis signed an agreement-in-principle which clearly defined what regulatory systems they wanted to see in the Northwest Territories by way of land and water management systems, land use planning boards, looking at the establishment of wildlife management authority and also the Dene-Metis, through the comprehensive claim process, were involved in the work that was going on in regards to land use planning for the Mackenzie Valley. Yet, Mr. Speaker, since then, the Gwich’in have settled their land claim based on the Dene-Metis model. Following that, the Sahtu and now the Tlicho, but, Mr. Speaker, other groups are still negotiating their agreements in regards to the Dehcho Process. The Dehcho Process is basically developing a land use planning system which will be consolidated to the land claim agreement which should be the basis of any plan regardless if it is a land use plan for development, a land use plan because the regulation requires it, but yet we don’t seem to be supporting them on that effort.

Mr. Speaker, there should be a land use plan completed for all regions in the Northwest Territories so that we can have a basis so that when the developer or individuals from our communities know what is going on out there and make industry and developers aware of what the sensitivity of the region is by way of the land use plan identifying those sensitive areas. Mr. Speaker, again, we still haven’t come forward with concluding that process which is clearly defined.

Mr. Speaker, my view is, the biggest challenge we are facing in regards to regulatory reform is just having the funding available and the capacity in our small communities to deal with the regulatory process. I use an illustration in regards to the communities in the Northwest Territories. Whenever an application comes forward…

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

---Unanimous consent granted

In regards to communities in the Northwest Territories to take part of development applications which are going forward before the Environmental Assessment Review Board, basically there is a clause in the agreement which clearly states that, as part of the review, they have to consider the social and economic impacts on small communities. It is in the legislation. Mr. Speaker, the community of Kakisa had to take the regulatory board to court to tell them why they are not following their own rules. By doing that, the government is now opening up a process to ensure that small communities have the capacity to not only be involved in how do you intervene on a regulatory process but also having the capacity to basically do that.

Mr. Speaker, I don’t think there is anything majorly wrong with the regulatory process in the Northwest Territories. It is only 10 years old. It is a young regulatory system, but for us to be dictated by people in Ottawa or basically have a consultant come up here from Calgary to tell us what is good for us, I don’t agree with that. I think the process is in place. We should ensure that we follow the systems that have been negotiated going on 30 years and allow that process to take hold. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to acknowledge the emergency service personnel, particularly NWT firefighters, both career and volunteer members and both municipal and airport squads. Service personnel stand by for us 24 hours a day, seven days week, ready and willing to do dangerous work if called upon. These men and women train and prepare to be ready for action at a moment’s notice. They have specialized skills and knowledge that enable them to do an outstanding job, often in difficult weather and in treacherous locations. They put life and limb at risk to keep us safe and to keep our homes and businesses safe. But sometimes all they can do is control a situation and businesses and homes are lost. Unfortunately, in the course of their work, firefighters sometimes get injured and occasionally fatally.

On March 17, 2005, the City of Yellowknife lost two firefighters, one a veteran, one a rookie, as they fought a fire in the line of duty. They gave their lives for this community as they performed a job they both loved. We won’t be here next Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, so I want to specifically remember and

honour Cyril Fyfe and Kevin Olsen, two exemplary firefighters who were both fatally injured on March 17th , four years ago.

In their memory, I recognize and honour all NWT emergency personnel as they go about their jobs today and every day. To each and everyone I say thank you for protecting us, thank you for taking risks for us. To my colleagues I say as you return to your communities over the next few days and weeks, take the time to search out and visit your local firefighters and thank them personally, and on March 17th stop and take a moment to think of

those who we have lost. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, historically we know that air transportation is an essential service in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu region. Having a runway that is the appropriate length is critical to the air transportation companies so they can operate safely and provide the best type of aircraft to service our communities.

Mr. Speaker, amendments to the Canadian aviation regulations have been introduced. The proposed amendments deal with take-off weight limitations, operations on gravel runways and other potential changes that will have an impact on NWT airports. These changes come into effect in the Northwest Territories in December 2010. That’s 21 months and counting, Mr. Speaker.

What this means, Mr. Speaker, is that many of the planes currently owned by aviation companies serving the Sahtu will not meet the new requirements. They will be restricted to flying with nine passengers or less on a scheduled flight, making the…(inaudible)…inefficient. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is currently upgrading the airport runway length in Fort Good Hope and Tulita to approximately 4,000 feet. While community leaders and the aviation companies in my region appreciate the efforts to improve the airport runways, they feel that the current length is not long enough to accommodate more cost-effective, safer aircrafts like the Beech 1900. The joint company in partnership with Fort Good Hope and Deline want to purchase this plane because they believe it’s the perfect fit for their operations and complies with the new regulations. What they need from this government is a commitment to extend the runways in the Sahtu to a minimum of 4,500 feet to accommodate this type of aircraft.

The Department of Transportation has responded by saying that the current runway extensions are sufficient and suggested that the company consider purchasing other aircraft that can land on a 4,000 foot runway. Mr. Speaker, the communities, along with North-Wright, have examined the suggested options put forward by the Department of Transportation and feel that the Beech 1900 is the way to go. They believe that the department’s position not to extend the runways to 4,500 feet is short-sighted and doesn’t take into account the future needs of the aviation industry in the Sahtu.

Mr. Speaker, aviation companies in the Sahtu region are working hard to provide safe, reliable service to the Sahtu communities. They want to upgrade their fleet to include new aircraft that comply with the new regulations and better serve the Sahtu.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, they want to upgrade their fleet to include new aircraft that comply with the new regulations and better serve the Sahtu. But, Mr. Speaker, the current approach taken by the department in extending runway lengths is standing in their way.

Mr. Speaker, airports are the prime source of transportation for the people in the Sahtu. They do not have the benefit of an all-weather road that can move people, goods and services to and from the region. For that reason, it’s critically important that the airport infrastructure supports the needs of the communities they serve. I urge the Minister to work with the Sahtu aviation companies and community leaders and consider extending the runways in Fort Good Hope and Deline to a minimum of 4,500 feet. By extending the runway lengths now it will serve the communities in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.