This is page numbers 4577 - 4596 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 need.

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The House met at 1:37 p.m.

---Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today marks the beginning of the NWT Crime Prevention Conference in Yellowknife, with participants from every community in the Territory. The theme of the conference is Together We’re Better: Preventing Crime in the NWT.

Supported by a grant from Public Safety Canada, this conference is bringing together people from across the Territory, giving them an opportunity to learn from each other and work together to make our communities safer places. We all have an important role in this. We need to work together to make it clear that we will not accept criminal and unwanted behaviour.

Our families need to be safe. This takes strong partnerships between the community, the police and other agencies. Our justice committees have been hard at work developing innovative programs that work well for the people who need them. Our Community Justice Program is one of the most successful in the country. It strengthens the role of local people in prevention and enforcement, and it focuses on promoting personal and family responsibility. It works because it’s community-based.

Jail must be the last resort. In the Northwest Territories, we work with our partners to support alternatives to the formal justice system. Justice committees deal with youth and adult cases using a restorative approach. They administer programs that help offenders address the harm they have caused and give back to their communities. They promote abuse-free, crime-free lifestyles and

activities that lead to healthier relationships and healthier communities overall.

Some of our committees are now also providing victim services. They support victims from the time of the offence for as long as they need help. Some committees are working closely with the local RCMP, probation services and youth agencies.

Mr. Speaker, starting today, representatives from all of our committees will sit down together and talk about what they’re doing. We want to help them to spread the word about what works, so other committees can benefit from their experiences. We want to prevent crime in every part of the Northwest Territories.

I’d like to welcome the participants to Yellowknife. I hope Members are able to take up my invitation to join us at the Explorer Hotel in the Katimavik meeting rooms on the first day of the conference.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the sale of the Rae Lakes General Store Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation, better known as BDIC, to the Tlicho Investment Corporation.

This sale is a win-win situation for all. It is a win for the residents of Gameti as the sale represents significant progress in the evolution of the store by providing employment, economic opportunity and self-sufficiency to the community and its residents. Like other remote communities facing challenges induced by geography, infrastructure and local capacity, the store provides essential products year round. The sale is a win for the Tlicho Investment Corporation as it signifies a strong commitment by the Tlicho Government in investing in its people and communities.

The Tlicho Investment Corporation, an investment arm of the Tlicho Government, has the financial resources, expertise and experience needed in

operating businesses. With the ownership of similar stores, the addition of the Rae Lakes General Store Ltd. creates an economy of scale in purchasing and thus allows the products to be affordable for Gameti residents.

Finally, the sale is a milestone for the BDIC in meeting its objective of encouraging economic development and employment opportunities in local communities. The event marks the first time a BDIC subsidiary has obtained self-sustainability. In addition to its business expertise and financial resources, the Tlicho Investment Corporation is committed to developing the human resource needs of the store and supporting the local economic base.

Over the years the BDIC and its predecessor, the Northwest Territories Development Corporation, have provided financial assistance and guidance to the Rae Lakes General Store, allowing it to grow and succeed. The Tlicho Investment Corporation, store management, and the BDIC saw an opportunity for the community to become self-reliant and they made it happen.

At this time I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the Rae Lakes General Store’s board of directors and staff, the Tlicho Investment Corporation and the BDIC on their achievement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. March is National Nutrition Month. Although healthy eating is important all year, March is the month when healthy eating is emphasized and promoted across Canada.

A healthy eating survey was concluded at the end of February. In March, activities will include the promotion of healthy eating in schools through family nutrition fairs in communities. The department will also have nutrition tips posted daily on our website.

The national theme of Nutrition Month is “Celebrate Food...From Field to Table.” This gives us the opportunity to promote the inclusion of healthy traditional northern foods as a way to maintain good nutrition.

We will also be partnering with other organizations in April to promote healthy eating and homegrown foods.

A Foundation for Change Action Plan has a goal of wellness for our communities, families and individuals. It supports individuals to make the best possible choices for themselves and their families.

Healthy eating is a key component to preventing chronic disease and obesity, which has become a major public health concern. In 2008, Stats Canada reported that 51 percent of Canadians were overweight or obese. Obesity leads to chronic disease and poor health. Diabetes is also a concern in the North and it is linked with poor nutrition and lack of healthy lifestyle.

We want to ensure that all Northerners have every opportunity to be physically fit and to choose healthy foods. Our role is to provide proper, sound evidence so people can make healthy choices like fruits and vegetables, some of which can be grown locally in greenhouses or community gardens. Prevention through good nutrition is the key to overall good health. This is essential for the healthy development of our children.

Making healthy choices also empowers individuals and families to have the personal responsibility for self-care and lessening the burden on our health system.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, housing is essential infrastructure in our communities to house our families, our friends and, more importantly, to sustain our communities. But, Mr. Speaker, from the latest report from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, statistics on core needs shows that there is definitely a problem with the number of core units that are in core need, especially in my riding where 43 percent of the houses in Aklavik are in core need, 33 percent in Fort McPherson and 41 percent in Tsiigehtchic.

Mr. Speaker, this government provides programs and services to assist residents with housing programs to maintain, insure, upgrade their units, repair their homes to ensure that they are not in core need. Mr. Speaker, what this report shows compared to the last report, which was tabled in 2004, is that, if anything, the core needs have increased rather than decreased.

Mr. Speaker, with the aging infrastructure in our communities, especially in people’s homes, they do have to attract more attention by way of houses in core need. But, Mr. Speaker, programs and services that we have, have to be user friendly. They are not to be bringing barriers where people aren’t able to acquire these programs and make it so restrictive that people aren’t able to be eligible

for a lot of these programs especially in small communities. Mr. Speaker, I think it’s essential that we, as government, revamp our programs to make them more user friendly and also make them available to all residents of the Northwest Territories and especially the homeowners that we depend on to stay in the North.

Mr. Speaker, we talk about people and the purpose of having an influx of migration so that people can live in the North, but we can’t forget the people that call the North their home, and one of the biggest investments they make in our communities is their household. I think, Mr. Speaker, it’s important that this government does everything it can to keep these people in our home communities, keep them in their homes, ensure that they have adequate programs and services. So, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Housing exactly why is the report showing that we have such a high number of core need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has owned one-third of the Norman Wells oilfield since 1921. Since 1998, the federal government has collected approximately $1.069 billion in profits from Sahtu oil and $174 million in royalties. Imperial Oil profits are twice as much, Mr. Speaker. The federal government also collects taxes on this revenue.

Mr. Speaker, at the same time, the Sahtu region has the second highest percentage of households in core need. People are leaving their homes or people are not getting homes because they can’t find jobs or the cost of living is too high. I can’t imagine what life would be like in my region if those billions of dollars were not being sucked away; or, as we put it, we got the raw deal.

Mr. Speaker, a 1985 document called the NWT Oil and Gas Royalty Regime was tabled in the Legislative Assembly when the Norman Wells oilfield started to be developed. That documented stated: “if the GNWT may be soon receiving, collecting and even setting royalties...” I’d like to know the definition of “soon,” Mr. Speaker. Twice, Mr. Speaker, 25 years later, Mr. Speaker, we have no royalty regime, no revenue-sharing agreements, while the gas flows to Zama, Alberta. Really, the pipeline flows into the pockets of oil tycoons and coffers in Ottawa.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years later this government is preparing a response to recommendations of a report on another major oil and gas development, a

development that makes the Norman Wells oilfield look tiny in comparison. Yes, we are negotiating impact agreements; yes, we have signed a socioeconomic agreement, but the benefits of the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline will be peanuts in comparison to the profits that are made by southern companies and the federal government.

The Minister has already said that the GNWT will not be negotiating an equity share. We are not making any visual progress on devolution. Mr. Speaker, once again the people of the Sahtu may be watching more profits and more opportunities go by. That’s $1.6 billion collected by the federal government since 1998 that could have been ours had the federal government been more assertive in negotiating a fair deal when the gas started to flow in 1998. If I had $125 million I would be the federal government walking away from the profits made from the oil in the Sahtu in a single year.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak plainly and seek a straightforward conversation about the Minister of Health’s program to develop a new Supplementary Health Benefits Program.

We left this issue over 12 months ago, because basic research had not been done to provide a basis for the government’s decision and approach. MLAs and the public asked that initial research be done and then a meaningful consultation be started. We naively anticipated that research would take a few months, information would come out, and then MLAs and the public could have a back-and-forth interaction with the department, posing questions that would be researched and brought back for further input. What happened?

Over a year passed and suddenly the Minister is desperate to release some research and move to an immediate public consultation before any input from MLAs. This after many had begun to assume supp health had maybe fallen off the Order Paper.

When the Minister released the supp health research, with that she included a surprise announcement of two weeks of public meetings in late March and early April centred on Easter weekend when people will be travelling and focused on family activities rather than going to meetings. At best this reflects a sorrowful lack of understanding about public dialogue.

The Minister is launching these consultations when there is still a checklist of elementary research that needs to be done. I will speak to that in my oral questions briefly. My major point on consultation is

that it can only be made meaningful through two-way dialogue. Our best resources for a full and complete review are the smart, experienced members of the public, our seniors and clients with specified medical conditions who are appealing for a meaningful role in this work.

Let’s not repeat yet again the mistakes of the past. Let’s have a meaningful public interaction properly conducted. This would include a presentation and initial response to materials this spring, followed by refined discussions based on new research and insights in the fall, with implementation perhaps April 1, 2011.

After the Deh Cho Bridge, no single issue has excited as much debate as the supplementary health benefits proposals. The Minister should recognize this, act on the valid questions raised, reach out to the resource of public knowledge, and commit to a meaningful period of public engagement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have community residents in my riding who are in a dire situation and seriously in need of assistance. A group of about 258 families, 800-plus residents, a number higher than the total residents in many NWT communities, live in an area which is essentially an accident waiting to happen; a potentially unsafe, unhealthy environment. I speak of the property owned by the Yellowknife Condominium Corporation No. 8, better known as Northland Trailer Park.

The sewer infrastructure that supplies these 258 homes is 40 years old and, by Canadian standards, should have been replaced 15 years ago. The replacement of these pipes must happen this year. Pipe failures have been occurring on a regular basis for at least 10 years and are now occurring more and more frequently. Just two weeks ago a section of sewer line which supplies 16 homes failed. They are now getting by with a temporary line until the land thaws in a few months and repairs can be made.

In 1990, when the condo was formed, NWT condominium legislation was out of date, weak, and ineffectual. The act did not protect condo owners, did not require either the seller or the buyer to have a reserve fund for large infrastructure replacements, and so none was established. It led to the situation that Condo Corp No. 8 is now in.

Many will say that the City of Yellowknife should take on this financial responsibility, but these pipes are not owned by the city. They are privately owned by the condo corporation. Condo owners can accept some financial responsibility, but the total replacement cost -- $15 million to $18 million -- is too cost prohibitive and totally unmanageable for these 258 homeowners. Who among us could afford an extra $500 per month for 15 years to pay for sewer pipes? Not me, and I imagine not many of you either. That’s what is facing these particular residents.

This area of Yellowknife, which is about 2 percent of our NWT population, really does need help. This really is an emergency situation for which the GNWT so far refuses to accept any responsibility. If it were any other NWT community in such dire straits, would our government continue to ignore the need?

Recently, as we discussed the Municipal and Community Affairs department budget, I asked if all NWT communities received water and sewer services funding. I quote the answer from Minister Robert C. McLeod in Hansard of February 15: “All communities but Yellowknife.” I replied to him that it didn’t seem very fair.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

The GNWT can correct this unfairness and assist Northland at the same time. We can redistribute the water and sewer funding to include the City of Yellowknife for the life of the replacement project, three to five years. That funding can be used to offset the $18 million project costs.

Northland owners are not looking for a free ride, just some funding help. Without that help these 258 families will in all likelihood walk away from their homes and at least half of them will leave the North because they have no place to live.

Low-cost housing is necessary in Yellowknife and is badly needed. I believe it’s incumbent on this government to provide the help necessary.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have always advocated for affordable power rates for our residents and businesses because energy costs have such an impact on the standard of living of families and the success of businesses. I know that the rates of community residents of Nahanni

Butte, Jean Marie River and Wrigley are among the highest in the NWT. These rates hit hard.

This winter residents have told me about monthly rates as high as $600 for a family of four. That is a large part of a family’s disposable income and makes it hard for a family to make ends meet. Yesterday I spoke about a Fort Simpson business in operation for more than two decades that was forced to close down because the owners could not afford to pay the power bill.

Myself and my constituents have always advocated for a one-rate zone. Although this may not be possible at this time, it is still my vision for the future of the NWT.

The Legislative Assembly faces an important challenge as it deliberates over how to restructure our power rates fairly throughout the NWT. We have gathered information from community and stakeholder consultations and I look forward to working with all my colleagues to see how we can improve the situation throughout the North and in Nahendeh.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Nunakput our elders have worked hard, have lived all their lives, and they’ve been quick to adapt their preliminary lifestyles into modern lifestyles during their time. They had to take care and protect us. Our elders truly lived amazing lives.

In every community in the Northwest Territories our elders deserve a place where they can go for entertainment, visiting, or just for healthy services. My office has received correspondence from the Minister responsible for Seniors in responding to a funding request for the facility in Ulukhaktok and I’d like to thank the Minister for it. However, the rationale indicated says that the needs of the community of Ulukhaktok does justify the expenditure commitment.

During my travels across the Territory I see other communities that are smaller and not so isolated that have received funding for seniors facilities of some sort. I asked the Minister why the discrepancy. Several years ago the community of Ulukhaktok initiated a petition to get this government committed to building a badly needed seniors facility. Today, 2010, only a year left in this government and there’s still nothing. What happened to promises made to the communities during the early years of this government?

Caring for our elders’ health and well-being must be a pillar of this government. The community of Ulukhaktok elders deserve this. We really have to get this done for the hamlet so we can have our

elders taking care of them ourselves. I also expressed a growing concern with the trend of government with lack of services to communities and commitments in the future enhancement projects.

Mr. Speaker, even with this enormous difference, this government continues to use formulas such the per capita market conditions when evaluating the need. This is wrong. Ulukhaktok needs an elders facility just as much as Yellowknife, Inuvik and Hay River. As I mentioned in previous Member’s statements during my various leadership positions, I will continue to try to improve the life of my elders.

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

---Unanimous consent granted.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

I will continue to try to improve the lives of my elders.

Once again, I challenge this government to seriously review the needs of our elders to place necessary resources and implement real plans for real changes for our real problems. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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