This is page numbers 4657 - 4718 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 project.

Topics

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

The Premier and Cabinet must do what is right, just, and for the public good, not the good of one company and their bottom line. This government must take control of our utilities

and start building for the future. I will be asking the Premier questions at the appropriate time.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The decision to refer the question of the GNWT’s legal right to impose restrictions on the aboriginal people from the harvesting of caribou is not a good sign of consensus government. Regular Members should have been involved in the decision to refer this matter to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. The legal right of the government to ban aboriginal people from caribou harvesting is a major question. The result of the court hearing could have serious implications not only for the caribou hunt but for the future discussions regarding aboriginal rights and how decisions are made in the Northwest Territories.

Referral to the Supreme Court is extremely rare. There has only been one other incident in the past 15 years in which the Minister of Justice referred to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories. The implications of that referral had much less direct impact on the people of the Northwest Territories.

Almost one year ago the Members of the Legislative Assembly reaffirmed our commitment to the principles of consensus government. We agreed, “except under extraordinary circumstances, Members of the Legislative Assembly should be aware of and have the opportunity to discuss significant announcements, changes, consultations or initiatives before they are released to the public or introduced into the Legislative Assembly.” Were these principles worth the paper they were written on?

The decision to refer the question about the hunting ban to the Supreme Court should have been discussed with the committee whether the referral to the Supreme Court was the best way to proceed. ENR has since reached an agreement with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and are working on the details for the community hunt to take place soon. Chief Sangris has also agreed that the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and ENR need to work together on a long-term management plan for the Bathurst caribou.

The questions surrounding the ban on the caribou harvesting are controversial and divisive. We must deal with the issue with as much transparency as possible so that our people have the confidence in their leaders and that we are truly acting in the best interests of the people in the Northwest Territories.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Mackenzie Gas Project
Members’ Statements

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today is in regard to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project. Recently the Government of the Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment filed comments with the National Energy Board on recommendations by the Joint Review Panel. Because the National Energy Board ultimately has the final decision on making further developments to the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Project, these comments are very important and must be given the highest priority.

Many businesses along the corridor and northern regions have invested with hope that this would have shovels in the ground by now. That is why the government must continue to work with local governments and aboriginal governments, and especially the federal government, to make this project happen. Considering it is the most important project to the Northwest Territories, this government must be front and centre while promoting this project as well as timelines and deliverables with all parties including the applicants and stakeholders and companies.

We cannot allow another four years to pass. This government must work with the federal government and the ministerial offices such as Tony Clement, Minister Chuck Strahl of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and the Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency to ensure the project is getting the prioritization that it deserves. These offices must be doing more with this government. They must work with them to ensure this project happens. Surely if we sit another four years, that would not only be a shame but an international embarrassment.

In addition, I urge this government to involve MLAs up and down the valley, community leaders and corporate leaders to push forward. This group needs to truly be inclusive. This government must devote the resources and the attention of this megaproject that it deserves. Without a commitment, we just don’t look very serious.

Local regional governments are passionate about this project. They are most knowledgeable about the issues and can generate the community-based support. I will have questions for the Minister of ITI at the appropriate time.

Mackenzie Gas Project
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to use my Member’s statement to talk about the Medical Travel Policy in relation to people requiring transplants. As I’ve raised on a number of occasions, there needs to be a clearly defined policy with a specific aim to assistance for people who go through the medical transplant process. We need a policy that takes into consideration the real and much needed support of family members who should be there through this difficult time.

I want to now paint a picture of how disappointing the present Medical Travel Policy is and, in my view, how it is very insensitive at the least. Imagine you or a family member or friend, or even just someone you know, who has a two-year old son whose heart was removed just three short weeks ago. As in this case, those three short weeks ago that child’s mother has been relentlessly sitting by the side of that child every waking moment, leaving only to get minimal sleep; assuming that your body will allow you to get any sleep throughout this ordeal. Now imagine, because of our Medical Travel Policy, you have to leave the remainder of your support, your loved ones, back home here in the North.

What is this story about? Such as this case, a husband, another son who is six, and a daughter who is four are left behind to cope. Imagine what it must be like being alone in a hospital with your two-year-old child with no heart waiting for a transplant while the other parent is left home tending to your other children, as in this story I am attempting to illustrate.

The present territorial Medical Travel Policy, our Medical Travel Policy, the Medical Travel Policy overseen by the Health Minister, does not contemplate this challenge of having one parent only sent out for what is a truly unknown amount of time without any visits from their immediate family, that father, the six-year-old older brother, or even the four-year-older sister.

Our present Medical Travel Policy does not contemplate the challenge of burn out by the parent at the hospital and, therefore, does not consider respite of any kind. I ask: does this mother not deserve a break? Does this mother not need the direct support of her family? Does this child in the hospital not need to see his older brother or sister for strength to fight on? I think so. For this mother to receive a much needed break, as the present policy dictates, she would have to leave on her own accord and leave her son unattended, which is certainly not right.

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

---Unanimous consent granted.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

So why are we not a territory of compassion that takes circumstances and fairly weighs them with the empathy and understanding that needs to be taken into consideration?

So to close my statement with one final matter that needs to be put into perspective -- and most certainly, God forbid, that this day ever does come -- however, if that dark day and disappointing moment had to come where this child, a two-year-old smiling and wonderful little boy named Jonas, had to have his machines turned off, our Medical Travel Policy wouldn’t unite this family one last time. It would leave that mother alone in the room as the machines went silent; it would leave the father here in Yellowknife pacing hopelessly and helplessly; and leave the other two children scarred without being able to say goodbye as their little brother took his final breath. Mr. Speaker, this two-year-old boy needs the support that we can give, and I certainly believe our government can do better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the need for infrastructure is needed throughout the Northwest Territories and other regions. Mr. Speaker, this week we’ll be talking about the Deh Cho Bridge. Mr. Speaker, there’s a need for bridges in other regions and the regions I represent, from the Peel River Bridge, which has been discussed in this House, to the Liard Bridge and the Bear River Bridge, which also has been discussed in this House.

Mr. Speaker, this week what happens to the Deh Cho Bridge will set the precedent for the rest of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, as communities and community ownership is a critical component to land claim negotiations, regional claim settlements, and, more importantly, the benefit of the communities that will be impacted by these major developments.

Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important to realize that as Northerners and as people in the North, we expect to receive the majority of the benefits that flow from these projects and have them built by northern companies and northern businesses and also ensure that employment opportunities are arrived at for the residents of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, infrastructure is key to the future development of the Northwest Territories, and what happens this week with the Deh Cho Bridge, again, will set the precedent for future developments.

I know I’m repeating myself, Mr. Speaker, but sometimes you have to do that to get the word across. We have a perfect opportunity for the Department of Transportation to build the capacity that’s needed to look at these other projects throughout the Northwest Territories and improve the public infrastructure from the Mackenzie Highway north of Wrigley to Tuktoyaktuk and connecting our communities to year-round access as we are trying to achieve here with the Deh Cho Bridge.

Mr. Speaker, I realize that things have changed, but hopefully it’s a change for the better. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the debate this week, but I would like to point out to the Government of the Northwest Territories to not lose sight of those other infrastructure needs throughout the Northwest Territories and bridges that are needed in other regions. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Deh Cho Bridge Project
Members’ Statements

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to make a few statements about this sitting of the Legislature and why we are back here. The public very well knows that we had our spring budget session, which lasted almost six weeks, and towards the end of that session information and circumstances came to light that required this government to make the decisions with respect to the Deh Cho Bridge Project.

Mr. Speaker, rather than waiting until the May sitting of the Legislature, by which time the government would have had to expend funds through special warrants and bring forward an appropriation bill at that time in May, it was the feeling of the majority of Members that we should call a special sitting of the Legislature in order to again be able to share with the public and for the government to share with Members more information and an update on this project as it goes forward.

Mr. Speaker, I supported that position that the government took, and I think this is a better way of doing things. Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge is a project that came into the care and keeping and mandate of this government by a very strange means, something that this government is not normally accustomed to using in order to acquire capital infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I think it has been proven that it has been a difficult road and I hope a learning road for this government, but the fact of the matter is that now we have a bridge across the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence which is half built and we need to move forward. People need to understand, too, that we are not

exactly spending $165 million. What we are doing is taking on to our balance sheet, on to our books as a government, a debt for $165 million. In fact, this project is being financed by a lender.

Mr. Speaker, I guess the only... Well, one of the things going forward, whether you agree with this project or not, is something that’s unique about this project is the fact that it does have the ability to generate revenue and be self-financing. So it is a piece of infrastructure which I hope will serve the people of the North for very many years. It is unique. I hope we’ve learned good lessons from it and we will continue to discuss the details of this during this session going forward. Thank you.

Deh Cho Bridge Project
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. 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, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have two people in the gallery I’d like to recognize. First, I have Mr. Chris Bassi. He’ s the father of our very well-known assistant deputy minister, Sheila Bassi-Kellett. Mr. Bassi is a retired bridge engineer, of some note, and he finds the discussion today very interesting. The second person I’d like to introduce today is Mr. Neils Konge. He’s the father of young Jonas, the person I was talking about in my Member’s statement, and his son is waiting in Edmonton for a heart transplant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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 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 Mr. Dick Abernethy, father of my colleague here and resident of Weledeh. Welcome, Dick.

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 Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.

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

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Mr. Michael Ganley, the editor for Up Here Business magazine.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Welcome to all our visitors in the gallery today. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today I talked about my concerns with the Medical Travel Policy. To be very specific, we don’t have a policy that works with the families that help them go through the medical transplant process, and the policy does not support parents beyond the initial one that travels down.

Mr. Speaker, my question directly to the Minister of Health and Social Services is: how does she see the present Medical Travel Policy accommodating the extended family that needs to be there through trying times such as this? 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. The NWT has one of the most generous medical travel policies for our residents and families. It’s been in existence for many years. We do not distinguish by condition. We do allow for one medical escort for medical purpose or for language purpose and for elders who are over 60.

Mr. Speaker, routinely, daily, I do get requests, for whatever reason, whether it be elderly or medically fragile infant or cancer patients or all kinds of reasons why many members want to have access to medical travel, but it is not possible, it is not allowed. We are allowed one medical escort for each patient. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, it was probably very stingingly obvious in my Member’s statement, I believe, that a family should have access to their children throughout such a difficult time. I am asking the Minister what would stop her from developing a medical travel transplant policy that could reflect family values to ensure that there is family support ongoing through this type of process by allowing the extended family such as the other parent and possibly even the children from travelling down from time to time to provide much needed support through this medical process. Thank you.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, as the Member knows, we have a lot of services in the NWT, but there are many that we do not. Our residents have to be able to travel outside of the NWT to obtain the services they need. Where that is an insured service, we do provide a medical escort. We do not distinguish by disease. We provide medical travel for all services that are covered on the health insurance and health services under the Canada Health Act, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, access families, we do not provide 100 percent of coverage for travel. Families do have to bear some costs in circumstances where their family is ill. Thank you.