This is page numbers 4101 - 4140 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 housing.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I talked about the importance of a well-run daycare and the great job that the dedicated staff and parents are doing in daycares in Fort Resolution and Lutselk’e. Today I’d like to talk about the infrastructure needs for these daycares.

Last spring the community of Lutselk’e came up with a community education plan and called for a coordinated effort for the school and community to work towards an integrated education system and identified a suitable location in the community. The plan calls for an education-type complex to have a new Aurora College, a daycare, and a preschool connected to the existing school. Today there is no space for the daycare in the school, and grades 10, 11 and possibly 12 are held in the old library.

In Fort Resolution the daycare operates out of an old building. To meet code requirements the building has to be renovated and has been renovated numerous times over the years. The building is still cold and is plagued with furnace and plumbing problems, and there are no heating vents on one side of the building and no ventilation fans anywhere in the building.

As you can see, both communities in Tu Nedhe are desperate for the need of immediate support to meet its daycare infrastructure needs. I speak of this today because the GNWT has a responsibility to ensure communities have adequate early childhood development programs. As a matter of fact, in the department’s 2006-2007 Early Childhood Development Report, the vision states

the Northwest Territories will be a place where children are born healthy and raised in safe and respectful families and communities.

If this is a vision of the early childhood development, then why does Lutselk’e have no facility to house a daycare program? Why do children in Fort Resolution have to go to a daycare that is cold and always has mechanical problems? Something needs to be done as soon as possible.

Under the NWT Child Care Act standards and regulations the GNWT has the responsibility to ensure compliance with the act and regulations to ensure daycare facilities provide a safe, nurturing environment and this includes compliance with fire and safety codes in these daycares. Again, I will ask for the daycare staff in Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution, something is not working there.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2008-2009 Human Rights Commission Annual Report and commends it to the House.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviewed the 2008-2009 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission. The committee would like to thank Ms. Mary Pat Short, chair of the Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Therese Boullard, director of human rights, for their appearance before the committee.

Now I will pass the floor over to my colleague Mr. Hawkins to continue with the report.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

2008-2009 Annual Report

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The 2008-2009 annual report was the fifth report of the Human Rights Commission. The committee recognizes the effort and accomplishments of the commission.

The commission used a variety of methods to provide information on human rights to communities. An essay contest was held for students in grades 7 to 12. Students were asked to describe a role model who exemplifies the human rights principles of inclusivity, diversity, peace, and

respect. Awards were given to both essay winners and role models. As well, 10 presentations and workshops were held in five communities. Two were offered at the NWT Teachers’ Association/Education, Culture and Employment conference. The conference had 925 educators in attendance.

The committee is pleased with the commission’s plans for the next year, which include offering workshops on workforce human rights issues and continuing outreach to schools. However, there appears to be very limited contact with residents who live in remote communities. The committee encourages the commission to use its excess revenue from 2008-2009 to send commission and/or staff members to more regional events and more communities.

The commission staff responded to 259 inquiries, of which 33 were considered complaints. After reviewing the investigation, four complaints were referred to hearing by the adjudication panel. In the future the committee requests the commission provide detail on the region of origin of inquiries and the location of the hearings.

The rate of honorarium for commission members was reduced as of April 1st , 2009. The Board of

Management adjusted the honorarium rates to bring them in line with government policy. The Human Rights Commission chairperson noted that the reduction has led to less willingness on the part of some members to attend meetings. In some cases if members must take time off work they lose money, as the honorarium does not cover their salary. The Standing Committee on Government Operations recognizes the need for participation of commission members on ongoing leadership within the commission activities.

I’d like to now pass back the report to my colleague and chair of the committee, Mr. Menicoche.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank Mr. Hawkins.

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories include the Human Rights Commission in its Human Resources Manual, section 8(10), civic leave, thus making board members who are GNWT employees eligible for civic leave with pay to attend meetings.

Conclusion

The committee commends the commission work and achievements to date. We look forward to seeing more outreach to communities and look

forward to monitoring the continued advancement of human rights in the Northwest Territories.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this report within 120 days.

That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations on the review of the 2008-2009 Human Rights Commission Annual Report.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Committee Report 15-16(4) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

---Carried

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Committee Report 15-16(4) will be moved into Committee of the Whole. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

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

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I am very pleased to welcome the Leishman family from Kakisa here. We had a good meeting today and they are down to visit and support one of their family members that’s in the hospital here at Stanton. I want to start off by recognizing Chris Leishman. Chris is down, along with his wife, Kathy, and Savannah and Christian. They drove up from B.C. Mr. Speaker, we also have Ian Leishman and his son Cameron. Ian is a captain on one of our ferries, the Merv Hardie. I’d like to welcome him and also their mother, Margaret Leishman. I’d like to say hello and welcome to them. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Weledeh constituent Dana Britton. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to welcome the Leishman family, particularly Chris, who I haven’t seen for a number of years, and Ian. Welcome to the House. It always brings back memories of my childhood when I run into those guys. Nice seeing you guys.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you. Similar to Mr. Ramsay, I’d like to recognize the Leishman family as well. I remember Chris quite well from my Akaitcho Hall days, and I certainly remember Ian quite well when we used to play hockey together. Of course, I played net and stopped all his shots on goal but… In all seriousness, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome the whole family here today. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

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

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome my constituency assistant, Leah Ipana, to the gallery.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the gallery. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings.

Item 7, acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize and congratulate a constituent of Frame Lake, Ms. Yvonne Quick, the 2010 recipient of the Yellowknife Heritage Award. Ms. Quick has been a tireless heritage volunteer for many years. She’s worked on 11 committees at least during her time in Yellowknife and she’s currently the coordinator for Arctic Ambassadors, the people who greet Yellowknife’s arriving visitors at the airport and elsewhere. The award will be presented to Ms. Quick at a ceremony this evening. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Question 303-16(4): Medical Travel Policy
Oral Questions

February 10th, 2010

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I talked about the insensitive Medical Travel Policy that is not responding to needs suggested by doctors for serious and necessary treatment. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: will she investigate these denials for medical travel and medical support and see if we can grandfather these into the system until we have true, fair and honest treatment available here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is -- and I think it’s something that everyone agrees in the Territories -- that we have one of the most, if not the most, generous benefits program under our medical travel, as well as extended health benefits. It is really important that we maintain the integrity of the program and that we make sure that everybody follows the rules. So anybody who is not approved under medical travel or extended health benefits is because they do not meet the program guidelines. That’s what we expect the staff to do with respect to this policy and we will continue to make sure that that is the case. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I’m really glad the Minister brought up the fact of not approved. Mr. Speaker, I’m talking about people who were approved and sent down for medical treatment and were getting consistent medical treatment. Then one day someone decided maybe this doesn’t quite jibe with the policy so let’s completely cut them off and not offer them an alternative treatment here in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, that’s specifically who I’m talking about and exactly the issue. So would the Minister be willing to reconsider and commit to this House that she’ll investigate these files and perhaps grandfather them until there’s an alternative, real solution here in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.