Debates of Jan. 27th, 2010

This is page numbers 3749 – 3778 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 territories.

Topics

Oral Questions

Prayer

Minister’s Statement 41-16(4): NWT Caribou Conservation Measures

Minister’s Statement 42-16(4): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Minister’s Statement 43-16(4): Mackenzie Gas Project

Minister’s Statement 44-16(4): Notice Of Budget Address

Passing Of Respected Elder Maurice Lockhart

Home-Grown Solutions To Northern Issues

Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation

Mackenzie Gas Project

Condolences To Nunakput Constituents On Passing Of Family Members

Ministers’ Absence At Dene Leadership Meetings

Family Literacy Day

Achievements And Contributions Of Lena Pedersen

Condolences To Sahtu Constituents On Passing Of Family Members

Session Priorities

100th Anniversary Of The Hamlet Of Aklavik

Recognitions of Visitors in the Gallery

Clawback Of Income Earned By Gwich’in Elders

Ministers’ Absence At Dene Leadership Meetings

Protocols For Delivery Of Seniors Programs And Services

Caribou Conservation Measures

Discretionary Decision Making In The Application Of Housing Policies

Mackenzie Gas Project

Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients

Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation

Returns to Written Questions

Return To Written Question 2-16(4): On-The-Land Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs

Return To Written Question 3-16(4): Details On Contracts Awarded To Former Ministers

Return To Written Question 4-16(4): Contracts To Former Members Of The Legislative Assembly And Senior Staff

Return To Written Question 6-16(4): Total Cost Of Ecole Allain St-Cyr Expansion

Return To Written Question 7-16(4): Breakdown Of Health Professional Visits To Tsiigehtchic

Return To Written Question 8-16(4): Vacancy Of Public Housing Units

Return To Written Question 9-16(4): Renewable Energy And Cost Of Living Initiatives In The Sahtu Region

Return To Written Question 10-16(4): Infrastructure In The Sahtu Region

Return To Written Question 11-16(4): Income Support Services In Tsiigehtchic

Return To Written Question 12-16(4): GNWT Science Agenda

Return To Written Question 13-16(4): Sahtu Students’ Academic Achievement Levels

Bill 2: Forgiveness Of Debts Act, 2009-2010

Bill 4: An Act To Amend The Child And Family Services Act Bill 7: An Act To Amend The Summary Convictions Act

Tabled Document 56-16(4): Breakdown Of Health Professional Visits To Tsiigehtchic 2008-2009

Tabled Document 57-16(4): NWT Housing Corporation – Public Housing Vacancy Status

Tabled Document 58-16(4): NWT Law Foundation Annual Report For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009 Tabled Document 59-16(4): Aurora College 2008-2009 Annual Report

Tabled Document 60-16(4): Pension Administration Report – Retiring Allowances Act And Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act March 31, 2009

Tabled Document 61-16(4): Response To Petition 1-16(4): Privatization Or Merger Of The NWT Power Corporation

Orders of the Day

Question 192-16(4): Mackenzie Gas Project
Oral Questions

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you. I think that if we can somehow get the federal government to recognize that all of the people in the Northwest Territories support the pipeline and feel it’s an important project and priority for this government and Territory, that that would go a long ways. Also, I know the 15th Assembly had passed a motion in

support -- I think it was unanimous support -- for the Mackenzie Pipeline and I think that probably would only help to reinforce it if this 16th Legislative

Assembly did the same. Thank you.

Question 192-16(4): Mackenzie Gas Project
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

January 26th, 2010

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in his capacity as the Minister responsible for income support programs.

I think everybody in this room is aware that we’ve recently implemented a new financial system and I think we’re probably all aware that implementation of software generally causes problems, as does any programming change; there are bugs to be

worked out and so on. My constituents have, unfortunately, experienced the effect of some of those bugs from the system. So I’d like to ask the Minister what has been the impact of SAM, the new financial information system, on the provision of income support payments to their clients. Thank you.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This particular area has been a real true challenge since the SAM system has been implemented dealing with income support clientele. At the same time, we try to expedite the process itself on to the communities. We deal with 33 communities, so it’s quite challenging. But at the same time I think we are improving our system as we go along.

There have been some certain circumstances where there's been some delays that the Member is alluding to; we’ve remedied the situation, but there are others out there as well. But we’ll do what we can as a department, whether we issue manual cheques in the meantime. But it is a system that has created some challenges at our doorstep and we must overcome those challenges and we are working with it. Mahsi.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for that answer and I appreciate that the department is working their way through the problems. But when a problem does occur, when an income support payment to a client is delayed, I’d like to know whether or not the department has protocols or policies in place to help the staff work their way through a particular delayed payment. To me the most important thing is to ensure that the clients get their monthly income support payment as soon as possible. So does there exist something within the department protocols or policies that the staff can use to ensure that clients get their payments within a reasonable time frame when a system problem is encountered or some other delay? Thank you.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi. This particular issue is very complex. With our caseloads, they’ve almost doubled, dealing with the income support clientele. At the same time we have our resources, experts in these areas that deal with individual clients in the communities and there are certain areas where they need more information. That kind of delays the process itself. We stress to the clients and we stress to the communities in the Northwest Territories that we require all the documentation before we issue, whether it be subsidies or cheques or SFA and so forth. So it’s all depending on the documentation. At the same time we deal with the system itself, but there are processes in place where individuals assist each other, the clientele in the communities, the

superintendents, the client service officers, and our first priority is the clientele so they can have food and shelter in their communities.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you. I accept that answer from the Minister, but my concern is not with a problem where the client has not provided all the information that’s required for the officer to make a decision or to approve the payment. My concern is when it’s a system problem or when it happens to be a staff error, which, heaven knows, unfortunately occurs. At no fault of the client, some of them have had to wait until well past the 15th of the month in

order to get their monthly income support payment. In my mind, that’s not acceptable. So I’d like to ask the Minister what date, when during a month should a client expect to receive their income support payment. What is an accepted amount of time that they must wait?

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

The timing would vary in the communities. At the same time we certainly don’t want clients to wait as long as they could. We try to issue, whether it be manual cheques if the system is down. In small communities we certainly deal with issues pertaining to the technology or the Internet system. We have to keep those in mind as well. If those happen, then we go with the manual cheque run. We do what we can to deliver service into the communities. There are some glitches. There are some challenges before us, but we continue to work with it.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Twice now I’ve heard the Minister say that we issue cheques. I understand that cheques are mailed out, that people can’t go and pick up their cheques. I have a bit of a difficulty with two things: one, that somebody has to wait for a cheque to be mailed -- goodness knows Canada Post is not the most efficient organization in the world -- and the other is that we have to issue cheques. So one way to speed up payments to clients, in my estimate, is to allow for electronic direct deposit to a client’s bank account. I know that doesn’t work in all communities, but is this something, can the Minister advise, that ECE will put in place to speed up payments to clients?

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

I’m glad the Member raised that issue. Those are the key factors that we’ll take into consideration on a going forward basis. Like I said, there’s always room for improvement and those are areas we will continue to make progress.

Question 193-16(4): Impact Of New GNWT Financial System On Income Support Clients
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about possibly our Territory breaking out, embarking onto a new vision of opportunity. I talked about perhaps the opportunity of our WSCC working more closely together with the Yukon WCB. We’ve heard many times over, from our constituents, about the cost of rates and the services provided, and one of the troubling factors that keeps rising always is the fact that we have a small base of population to do these types of calculations.

The WCB in the Yukon, I can’t tell you if they’re in favour of this idea or not, but one thing I can tell you is that when I was in Whitehorse recently I know the discussion of joining perhaps the multi-jurisdiction idea has never been discussed. My questions will be directed to the Minister of WCB specific to this embarkment of uncharted territory, I’d like to define it as.

Would the Minister for WCB let this House know if this concept has ever been discussed about working together in a more close-knit environment of a pan-territorial WCB?

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not aware of any discussions that have ever happened before about combining WSCC with the Yukon. We have a good arrangement with Nunavut and, obviously, this is going to have to be a venture that works well for us and Nunavut before we even think about entering into any kind of discussion.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I think the opportunity really lies before us as breaking out of our normal way of doing business. I mean, the demands on public government to find new ways to be more efficient, to

smarter with the money we’re given, and certainly to be more responsive to our constituent needs. Here lies an opportunity before us that we could do this. I’d ask the Minister of WSCC if he would consider engaging this type of dialogue with not just his Nunavut counterpart but also extending out to the Yukon Legislature to their WCB Minister and perhaps maybe opening up a dialogue for this type of venture.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

We can always open up a dialogue, but if it’s not a deal that makes sense for the ratepayers of the Northwest Territories and employers of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, then this is something we won’t even consider. It has to make sense for us.

There would be a whole lot more to it than just asking them to partner up. There would be a reorganization of staff and everything. It would be quite a complicated process. Bottom line is that is has to make good business sense for us to even consider partnering up with the Yukon.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

I think the Minister misunderstands my point. I’m not talking about subsidizing the WCB of the Yukon Territory. I’m talking about finding a joint partnership where perhaps we can create a pan-territorial WCB that could work for the three of us. If it means that we could streamline our legislation that works cooperatively, if it means that we could streamline our administration, perhaps that’s the route, or perhaps it means our investment of our money that we collect through the WCB rates. That’s the type of thinking that I’m suggesting that we take that approach as opposed to subsidizing in a way that doesn’t make sense to the bottom line of our present system. I know that it’s uncharted territory and it certainly couldn’t be done at the will of one MLA or even the will of one Minister, but I’m asking the Minister if he would be willing to engage in this type of discussion and certainly keep all Members informed and apprised to any potential developments of if this idea could become a real initiative.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I’ll commit to the Member that I’ll have a discussion with my counterpart in the Yukon and see if there’s any interest on their part. Maybe they think it’s not a very good idea, otherwise I’m sure the discussions would have happened a long time ago. I will commit to the Member that I will at least raise it with the Minister and see if there’s any appetite for it.

Question 194-16(4): Pan-Territorial Approach To Workers’ Compensation
Oral Questions

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Returns to Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have returns to the following written questions: Written Question 2-16(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 19, 2009, to the Hon. Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, regarding on-the-land alcohol and drug treatments; Written Question 3-16(4) asked by Mr. Bromley on October 26, 2009, to the Hon. Floyd Roland, Premier, regarding details on contracts awarded to former Ministers; Written Question 4-16(4) asked by Mr. Bromley on October 26, 2009, to the Hon. Floyd Roland, Premier, regarding contracts to former Members of the Legislative Assembly and senior staff; Written Question 6-16(4) asked by Mr. Ramsay on October 26, 2009, to the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, regarding the total cost of Ecole Allain

St-Cyr expansion; Written Question 7-16(4) asked by Mr. Krutko on October 28, 2009, to the Hon. Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, regarding the breakdown of health professional visits to Tsiigehtchic; Written Question 8-16(4) asked by Mr. Bromley on October 29, 2009, to the Hon. Robert C. McLeod, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, regarding vacancy of public housing units; Written Question 9-16(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on November 2, 2009, to the Hon. Robert R. McLeod, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, regarding renewable energy and cost of living initiatives in the Sahtu region; Written Question 10-16(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on November 4, 2009, to the Hon. Michael McLeod, Minister of Transportation, regarding infrastructure in the Sahtu region; Written Question 11-16(4) asked by Mr. Krutko on November 5, 2009, to the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, regarding income security services in Tsiigehtchic; Written Question 12-16(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on November 5, 2009, to the Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, regarding the GNWT Science Agenda; and Written Question 13-16(4) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on November 5, 2009, to the Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, regarding Sahtu students’ academic achievement levels.

Return To Written Question 2-16(4): On-The-Land Alcohol And Drug Treatment Programs
Returns to Written Questions

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on October 19, 2009, regarding on-the-land alcohol and drug treatment programs.

1. Can the Minister outline a referral process for

clients that want to attend alcohol and drug treatment programs on the land?

The general referral process for treatment begins with the individual seeking help with addiction issues. They can approach a community wellness worker, a mental health and addictions counsellor, a social worker, probation officer, the nurse or a physician, who can work with the client to determine which available programs meet the client’s needs. Existing services available within the community are considered as part of this assessment.

Treatment options can include: community-based counseling, education programs, referrals to community support groups, referrals to residential treatment centres, or detoxification. Treatment planning is specific to the client’s needs. Therefore, the readiness and willingness to participate in the treatment process. Once it is determined that a

referral for treatment is appropriate, the referral source then completes an application for treatment.

The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is committed to offering quality mental health and addictions services to all residents of the Northwest Territories. Programming based on cultural practices and values are vital to the ability to meet wellness goals.

2. Can the Minister outline the steps that are

required to establish an on-the-land program for alcohol and drug treatment programs in the Sahtu region?

Currently, community-based initiatives are supported by the DHSS by partnering with community groups to meet unique community and regional needs. Regional authorities, such as Sahtu Health and Social Services Authority, in the past have provided funding for on-the-land healing programs in Sahtu communities. The authorities will continue to consider proposals from communities and assess them on a case-by-case basis.

As well, it is expected that the review of the mental health and addictions programs currently underway will provide options in this regard.

3. Will the Minister provide the amount of funding

that the federal government allocates to aboriginal alcohol and drug treatment programs in the NWT?

Annually, the DHSS receives $375,000 in National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program funding. Approximately $280,000 of this amount is allocated to southern addictions treatment options for aboriginal clients. The remainder is used for addictions-focused programming in the communities and regions. These specific projects vary each year and are based on proposals which are received from interested organizations.

Return To Written Question 3-16(4): Details On Contracts Awarded To Former Ministers
Returns to Written Questions

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley on October 26, 2009, regarding details on contracts awarded to former Ministers.

It is worth noting the contractors’ roles were not restricted to singular or discrete issues but, rather, were focused on maintaining and advancing the GNWT’s relations with Canada on a variety of issues vital to the interest of NWT residents and critical to the GNWT’s role in the federation.

The contractors helped build relationships and offered advice so the GNWT could build on existing progress and advance key priorities with other governments.

Since the beginning of the 16th Legislative

Assembly the GNWT has advanced four key

political priorities with the federal government: the Mackenzie Gas Project, infrastructure investment, devolution and resource revenue sharing, and hydro development.

We have secured real benefit for the NWT from Canada’s Economic Action Plan and stimulus programs. We were one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to receive approval for Building Canada projects, which we have leveraged to record capital spending to help blunt the effect of the economic downturn.

The receipt and payment of invoices from the contractors indicated the acceptance of their work, based on the terms of their contracts.

Return To Written Question 4-16(4): Contracts To Former Members Of The Legislative Assembly And Senior Staff
Returns to Written Questions

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Bromley on October 26, 2009, regarding sole-source contracts; specifically sole-source consulting contracts given by departments during the life of this Assembly to former Members of the Legislative Assembly and former GNWT public servants at or above the director level.

Since the question was asked, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment has released the Government of the Northwest Territories Contracts Over $5,000 Report for the Year Ending March 31, 2009. This report, together with the contracts report for the year ending March 31, 2008, will provide specific information on the contracts Mr. Bromley asked about; however, I would draw the Members’ particular attention to the following sole-source contracts with former Ministers or former senior managers of either the 15th or 16th Assemblies:

•

A contract with Stephen Iveson, a former

director with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, concerning the Dehcho Process negotiations and Acho Dene Koe First Nation negotiations, awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with Terry Pierce, a former director with the Financial Management Board Secretariat (FMBS), for a review of the Financial Administration Act, awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with Greg Robertson, a former

director with FMBS, for consulting services, awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with BDK Applied Management

Services for consultation and communication services, awarded in 2008-09. Former deputy minister Lynn Elkin is a principal with BDK.

•

Two contracts with Cleveland Consulting, one concerning board reform and income security reform, and one concerning a review of electricity rates. Cleveland Consulting was

founded by former deputy minister Mark Cleveland. Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.

•

Two contracts awarded to NWT 5750 Ltd. for services related to the Deh Cho Bridge Project. Former deputy minister Lew Voytilla is a principal with NWT 5750 Ltd. Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with Jim Winsor, Winsor Financial Services, for consultation service. Mr. Winsor was a former director with the Department of Transportation (DOT), awarded in 2007-08.

•

A contract with Allen and Allen to undertake consultations with aboriginal groups regarding land claims and impact benefit agreements. Leslie Allen, a former director with Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), is a principal with Allen and Allen, awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with Peter Bannon, a former director with the Department of Executive, for analysis and advice related to devolution and resource revenue sharing, awarded in 2007-08.

•

Two contracts with Langford Consulting, one for facilitating a workshop related to the development of a social policy framework, and one for developing wilderness activities guidelines. Mr. Langford is a former director with Health and Social Services (HSS). Both contracts were awarded in 2008-09.

•

A contract with Matthews Energy Consulting concerning the development of a northern energy resources communications strategy. Doug Matthews, a former director with Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), leads Matthews Energy Consulting, awarded in 2007-08.

•

A contract with Northern Strategy Group for advice and assistance to the Premier’s office. Former Minister Brendan Bell and former Principal Secretary Richard Bargery are both principals with the Northern Strategy Group, awarded in 2007-08.

•

A contract with Al Woods, former chief

executive officer at Stanton Territorial Hospital, for his services as public administrator at Stanton, awarded in 2008-09.

I would also bring to Members’ attention the following contracts that have been entered into during the current year, which will be reported in the next edition of the contracts report:

•

A contract between the Department of Finance (DOF) and Cleveland Consulting, in connection with the Revenue Roundtable.

•

A contract between HSS and Langford

Consulting concerning a review of supplementary health benefits review.

•

Two contracts between Public Works and

Services and TJ Consultants Ltd. for project management consultation services. Joe Auger,

a former director with PWS, is a principal with TJ Consultants.

•

A contract with BDK Applied Management

Services for consultation and communication services provided to DOF.

•

A contract ITI awarded to Doug Matthews of Matthews Consulting for service related to electricity rates and regulations.

Though they fall outside the scope of the Contracts Over $5,000 Report, Members might also be interested to know that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources entered in a $3,300 contract with BDK Applied Management Services, and that ECE entered into a $1,300 contract with former ECE director Charles Tolley.

Return To Written Question 6-16(4): Total Cost Of Ecole Allain St-Cyr Expansion
Returns to Written Questions

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Ramsay on October 26, 2009, regarding the total cost of Ecole Allain St-Cyr expansion.

1. How much money has the GNWT spent on the

court action as it relates to Ecole Allain St-Cyr and the expansion of that school? a) Total costs incurred by the GNWT for legal

fees pertaining to the Ecole Allain St-Cyr court action were in the amount of $76,605 as at December 10, 2009.

b) The total budget for the Ecole Allain St-Cyr

phase 1 expansion from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2008-09 was $4.622 million.

Debates of Jan. 27th, 2010

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