This is page numbers 5035 - 5060 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th 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

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 18, 2010, regarding health care plan registration in the NWT.

As of June 2010 there are 40,966 residents with valid health care coverage.

Under the federal Canada Health Act, residents may depart the NWT and maintain their NWT health care coverage for three months before applying for coverage under their new province/territory of residence. The three-month waiting period is shared between different provinces and territories in order to separate temporary from more permanent residents, and also applies to persons who are moving to the NWT from another province/territory. The Department of Health and Social Services regularly audits claims and follows up with residents that receive services outside of the NWT for periods of three months or longer.

In order to receive out-of-territory coverage, residents must request approval for extended out-of-territory stays. Residents that are eligible for out-of-territory coverage are: students enrolled in full-time studies, patients on referred medical travel,

government supported athletes, temporary workers, and individuals on southern placements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 18, 2010, regarding Health Canada’s funding to NWT residential school survivors.

Federal government funding for counselling survivors of residential schools through the Aboriginal Health Foundation (AHF) expired on March 21, 2010. The amount of federal funding that expired was substantial and totalled over $5.1 million. However, none of the federal funding through the AHF was provided directly to the Department of Health and Social Services, but was flowed directly from the AHF to the organizations that provided community-based healing projects.

It is important that residential school survivors receive the counselling services they need to continue the healing process. The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has formed partnerships with other Government of the Northwest Territories departments, aboriginal governments, communities, and organizations to support Northerners in making healthy choices and getting the services they need, including support through the GNWT Community Counselling Program.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is the GNWT lead for residential schools. As such, ECE leads the NWT Residential Schools Interagency Committee, which the DHSS participates in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Hawkins on May 19, 2010, regarding assistance for the Growing Forward Program funding allocations.

Would the Minister provide the following information for the previous two fiscal years as well as the current fiscal year 2010-2011?

1. How much funding has been made available

and how much was accessed from this program?

For the 2008-2009 fiscal year $435,000 was made available under the Canada-Northwest Territories Agriculture Policy Framework Program, predecessor to the Canada-Northwest Territories Growing Forward Program. The total expenditure for that year was $429,436.

For the 2009-2010 fiscal year $726,317 was made available under the Canada-Northwest Territories Growing Forward Program, which was a new agreement with a broadened scope and increased budget. The total expenditure for that year was $614,761.

For the 2010-2011 fiscal year $726,317 was made available under the Canada-Northwest Territories Growing Forward Program. As of August 31, 2010, a total of $272,755 has been expended, and we project a full expenditure of program dollars for this fiscal year.

2. What amounts of funding have been distributed

under the Growing Forward Program and who were the recipients whether it was a business, individual or non-government organization? Could the information be broken down by community?

At the appropriate time during this session I will table the Grants and Contributions Annual Report, which will provide you with the information you are seeking.

3. How is this funding allocated to each recipient?

• More specifically, how is the funding

calculated and designated?

• What formula is utilized?

• A base funding approach or other means?

• Also, provide specific allocation rationale for each individual case so that the justification for each allocation can be accounted for.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document describing the Growing Forward Program, which also explains program criteria. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Bromley on May 19, 2010, regarding the cost of the Mackenzie Gas Project.

From 2008-2009 to 2010-2011, the government will have approved funding totalling $8.8 million for activities related to the Mackenzie Gas Project. This includes $1 million to participate in National Energy Board regulatory process. The amount, however, does not include the time of other GNWT staff and resources for other activities associated with the project, such as participation and attendance at the Joint Review Panel hearings.

Although there has been limited travel specifically related to the Mackenzie Gas Project, Ministers and the Premier have taken the opportunity to discuss the project as a priority of the government at a number of trips. A summary of ministerial travel that would have had a Mackenzie Gas Project

component has been compiled from the travel report.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table two documents, one that outlines the investment by department over the 2008-2009 to 2010-2011 fiscal years, and a second that lists the ministerial travel undertaken to support the Mackenzie Gas Project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 11, replies to opening address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Social Programs has reviewed Bill 8, Social Work Profession Act. The committee wishes to report that Bill 8, Social Work Profession Act, is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Mr. Speaker, the committee further wishes to report that it has reviewed Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act. The Standing Committee on Social Programs wishes to report Bill 4 to Committee of the Whole and recommends that it not proceed further as committee has concerns about the use of administrative reviews in providing a fair, independent and community-based appeal process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bill 9: An Act To Amend The Tourism Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure has reviewed Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Tourism Act, and wishes to report that Bill 9 is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 9: An Act To Amend The Tourism Act
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Minister of Finance

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Northwest Territorial Capital Estimates 2011-2012.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Response to the Standing Committee on Government Operations Report 5-16(4) on the Review of the 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Speaker, further to Return to Written Question 13-16(5), I wish to table the following document entitled Growing Forward: Canada/Northwest Territories.

I also wish to table, Mr. Speaker, further to my Return to Written Question 14-16(5), the following two documents entitled Cost of the Mackenzie Gas Project – Investment, and Cost of Mackenzie Gas Project – Ministerial Travel. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Minister of Health and Social Services

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents, the first entitled GNWT response to Motion 2-16(5), Adult Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

And the second document entitled GNWT Medical Travel Policy in response to my Return to Written Question 8-16(5). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, further to my Member’s statement and questions earlier today, I wish to table two documents that relate to the disrepair and poor driving conditions on Highway No. 7, also known as the Liard Highway. The first document is a letter dated September 29, 2010, from the Western Arctic Member of Parliament, Mr. Dennis Bevington, to the Honourable Jim Prentice, federal Minister of Environment, seeking much needed assistance for making repairs to the highway.

The second document is a CBC Radio transcript dated June 29, 2010, in which Ms. Joanne Deneron of Fort Liard comments on the poor condition of the highway and the detrimental impacts experienced by small communities due to the highway’s state of disrepair. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table a letter of comment dated October 4, 2010, from the chair of the Joint Review Panel, Mr. Robert Hornell, to Ms. France Pegeot of the Mackenzie Gas Project office, detailing the panel’s rejection of the interim government response on their report. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Clerk.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a response to a petition provided by the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, in response to a petition tabled by Mr. Kevin Menicoche on May 12, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a response to a petition provided by the Honourable Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, in response to a petition tabled by Mrs. Jane Groenewegen on May 13, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a response to a petition provided by the Honourable Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, in response to a petition tabled by Mr. Glen Abernethy on May 13, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a response to a petition provided by the Honourable Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, in response to a petition tabled by Mr. Glen Abernethy on May 13, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to table a response to a petition provided by the Honourable Sandy Lee, Minister of Health and Social Services, in response to a petition tabled by Mr. Kevin Menicoche on May 13, 2010. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Pursuant to Section 99 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table the 2009 Annual Report of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

Item 15, notices of motion. The Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 18, 2010, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this Legislative Assembly, by virtue of Section 5 of the Elections and Plebiscite Act, recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Mr. David Brock of Yellowknife as Chief Electoral Officer for the Northwest Territories for a term of four years commencing October 18, 2010.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

---Unanimous consent granted

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

WHEREAS the Elections and Plebiscite Act provides for the appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer who has the responsibility to exercise general direction and supervision over the administrative conduct of an election and enforce, on the part of all election officers, fairness, impartiality and compliance with the Elections and Plebiscite Act;

AND WHEREAS Mr. David Brock was appointed by the Commissioner on September 7, 2010, as Acting Chief Electoral Officer until October 21, 2010;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that this Legislative Assembly, by virtue of Section 5 of the Elections and Plebiscites Act, recommends to the Commissioner the appointment of Mr. David Brock of Yellowknife as Chief Electoral Officer for the Northwest Territories for a term of four years commencing October 18, 2010. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. There is a motion on the floor. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.