This is page numbers 6745 - 6776 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 6th 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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Those stats have been addressed with the federal Minister. The federal Ministers, both Justice and Public Safety, are fully aware of our concerns that the youth are involved with the criminal acts in our jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions are high, some are low. So I can definitely provide that information that we have on hand. We continue to stress to the federal government that we need to change the Youth Criminal Justice Act so it reflects on those youth that are out of control.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know our time is short here. We have six sitting days left in the life of this government. Maybe if I could, the last question, at the federal/provincial/territorial Justice Ministers table, any new proposed federal legislation dealing with crime, I’m just wondering, the Minister alluded to it a little bit in response to another question I had, but where is the federal government at in the area of getting tough on crime. Maybe the Minister could give us a bit of an update on where that legislation initiative by the federal government is at.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

I can provide the information that we’ve been receiving from the federal government on the federal government’s initiative on fighting crimes. Not only that, there was Bill C-4 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act that has been discussed and that’s been with the committee. Those are the information that we need to continue pushing with the federal government. I will definitely provide the information that the Member is requesting.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister of Transportation some questions with respect to Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 7. Typically in our government I think the priority is called the Deh Cho Trail. My long-term vision is to see the whole thing chipsealed. That way we can increase businesses and business opportunities with that. I’d like to know what the strategy is for the Department of Transportation, the long-range goal for this particular Deh Cho Trail.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We want that section of the highway to be a glorious piece of highway to drive. We have been working hard to accomplish that, given the age of the highway and the amount of work that’s going to be required to reconstruct that whole section of highway on both Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 7. I think we’ve been working quite well with the Member in his riding.

Highway No. 7 has seen the investment, or will see it by the end of this summer, of about $12 million that has been dedicated to that section of road. However, that’s far short of what it needs to be reconstructed. We’re probably a little over $100 million to do that whole section.

This road was not designed for high traffic volumes. It was not designed to handle the industry resource development that’s going to be coming forward in the next while. We have to always keep that in mind. As we construct portions of roads, we’re seeing failures in others, as water is a huge issue. Drainage is a problem. We have done a design and review of Highway No. 7. We’ve identified the weak spots on Highway No. 1 from Providence junction towards Simpson. There are six sections that need attention and we’ll continue to work towards that.

It was disappointing for myself, and I think everybody that travels that road, to hear that some of the chipseal that was done this past year and the year before failed. We have to address the causes. We don’t want to chipseal it until we are completely satisfied that the road base is solid and strengthened and we deal with the drainage issues.

There is a lot of work to be done. We continue to move forward. We think there is enough investment for this coming year and it’s going to require the next government to continue moving that forward.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Several times in this House the government has said that there’s a bleak economic future in terms of finance and fiscal restraint throughout the country. I still believe that we can

develop a nice strategy for the Deh Cho Trail. I think we’re already using it for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, where we’re adding a few bridges every year. That’s the kind of investment that my constituents are looking for. They often tell me, as I travel to the communities, that they use the highways for living and for their life. I’d like to urge this government to continue developing a strategy specifically for the Deh Cho Trail. I’ll ask the Minister again: is there a specific strategy to develop the Deh Cho Trail up to the National Transportation Standards?

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We are working on the very request that the Member has raised. We are conducting a full engineering assessment. We’re preparing a functional design on Highway No. 7. This will help us to develop the rehabilitation plan that’s needed. This will also determine the next steps for meeting the current and future traffic needs of that area.

I believe we’re all on the same page on this issue. There is still a lot of work, as I’ve stated before, that needs to be done before we have a final, complete design and plan with all the investment requirements in place.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

That’s exactly what I was looking for. As long as the strategy is in place and we can find resources for it.

If I get down to a more local level, constituents have also been raising the issue of maintenance. I know that our government this year we’re practicing passive restraint. Is that something that’s affecting the department? Constituents are saying there’s lower maintenance this year, or else maintenance continues to be deferred and it’s really affecting the road to the travellers right up until today.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

I’ll have to check, but I believe our maintenance cycles are the same. We’re being challenged by the age of the road. We’re being challenged by the effect that water and rain storms are having on our road. Also the huge challenge is the drainage, especially on Highway No. 7 is not done and is not up to par. We are having a lot of pooling of water in our ditches and it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. So that’s all being reviewed and those things need to be addressed.

But I will commit to the Member that I will discuss this with my officials to see if there have been any reductions. As far as I know, I don’t believe there are any reductions to the maintenance cycles.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased that the Minister will check into it. That’s just observation from the constituents.

As well, the concern is also coming out of Wrigley that they feel that perhaps there’s a reduced

maintenance schedule. If the Minister will commit also to look at Highway No. 1 that goes up Fort Simpson to Wrigley.

Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

We are also trying to deal with the issues that are occurring on the Wrigley highway. We are, of course, being challenged this year with additional traffic due to the oil spill that happened along the pipeline route. We are discussing with the pipeline company to work with us, to partner up with us to address some of the issues that the road is receiving in terms of traffic volumes and heavy trucks on it. They have agreed, and I think we have an agreement. If we have not signed one, we will be signing one where we will try to jointly address some of the issues that are challenging that stretch between Simpson and Wrigley and in light of the additional traffic because of the oil spill.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke about a process problem that a constituent went through, and their experience of having an EPO issued against them. Fortunately for me and in this circumstance, this matter is not before any type of judicial consideration, and that gives me the ability here to talk about the process and the whole problem.

It’s my view, and certainly the view of many, that apparently there was some unfair due process not fulfilled on this particular case. Training and the ability of third parties being able to advocate and certainly put forward EPOs may be an issue. Court time and process has an appearance to be abused in some manner or not. The judicial system may have been misled with false testimony. I would say there seems to be some competence process problem here that should warrant what I would call a comprehensive review in some manner. If anything, there are a ton of questions on this particular issue that should be answered and need to be answered by qualified individuals.

My question for the Minister of Justice is: would he be willing to have his department do a comprehensive review on this particular circumstance to make sure that emergency protection orders aren’t issued in the circumstances as I’ve described them here today in my Member’s statement?

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Minister of Justice

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This particular matter is before... Part of the matter is before the courts and I feel very uncomfortable speaking to this issue. I know the Member raised that issue about the constituent, and so I have to take the question as notice for now.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Question has been taken as notice. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Justice. I’d like to ask the Minister if the department will look into the circumstances surrounding the issuance of EPOs, specifically the case cited earlier today by Mr. Hawkins.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you. The Chair is reluctant to put that question to the Minister. The Minister has already indicated that he is reluctant to answer questions on this subject right now.

Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 7-16(6) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 16

to the

Honourable Robert R. McLeod, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, regarding territorial parks and tourism initiatives.

You had asked the following questions, and I can provide the following information:

1. Please provide a list of all community parks and

territorial parks located in the Sahtu region.

Jackfish Lake Park is the single community park located in the Sahtu region and is operated by the Town of Norman Wells.

McKinnon Territorial Park is the only territorial park located in the Sahtu region. It is a three acre territorial park that exists within the boundaries of the Town of Norman Wells. This park is operated by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI).

In addition, the Department of ITI also contributed to a number of tourism projects in Tulita in 2010-2011, including renovations to the historic church, development of a hiking trail to Bear Rock, and new tourism signage added to the airports in Tulita, Deline, Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells.

2. Please provide a breakdown of the budget for

the expenditures that will be contributed to all aspects of parks and other tourism initiatives for 2011-2012.

The total amount of ITI’s budget for expenditures in support of parks and other tourism initiatives for 2011-2012 is $7.184 million.

3. Please provide a strategy that outlines a plan to

increase the presence of Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) parks and other GNWT tourism initiatives in the Sahtu for 2011-2012.

In 2011-2012 the Department of ITI implemented the first year of “Tourism 2015: New Directions for a Spectacular Future,” which outlines a strategy to increase tourism enhancement in the Northwest Territories, including in the Sahtu region. The plan focuses on six investment areas: marketing, Aboriginal tourism, community and industry engagement, infrastructure, skills development, and tourism research and planning. It will guide investment by the GNWT in the tourism industry over the next four years. This is a plan for people, communities and business. It will build on the strength and experience of our tourism industry.

A copy of the “Tourism 2015: New Directions for a Spectacular Future” was provided to all Members of the Legislative Assembly and it was tabled in the House on Tuesday, February 22, 2011. It is also now available on the Legislative Assembly website and on the ITI website.

ITI is also taking steps to establish the Doi T’oh Territorial Park. The Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement included an obligation for the Government of the Northwest Territories to prepare a park management plan for the proposed territorial park. A park management plan was prepared, under the direction of a park management committee comprised of one representative from ITI and five representatives selected by Sahtu land claim organizations. The park management committee and its mandate were established in a memorandum of agreement between the Tulita Land Corporation and the GNWT. The committee’s role concluded on January 22, 2007, when the Minister of ITI approved the Doi T’oh Territorial Park and Trail Management Plan.

ITI is currently investigating the transfer of land for the CANOL Heritage Trail and proposed Doi T’oh Territorial Park. Concurrently, work on remediation of the CANOL Heritage Trail has been initiated by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development through its contaminants and remediation division. Actual remediation and clean-up will not start until the summer of 2012 and could take as long as 10 years.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table the programs and operations maintenance budgets for

tourism and parks for 2011-2012, which will provide you with the information you are seeking.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 8-16(6) asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 18, 2011, to the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, regarding health hazards in public housing units.

The health and safety of tenants in public housing is of primary importance to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), and concerns identified around mould and other health hazards in NWTHC units requires prompt action to ensure these types of issues are addressed on a timely basis.

NWTHC’s technical staff are trained to identify moulds and other health hazards, when conducting property inspections. The NWTHC, with its community partners, the local housing organizations (LHOs), schedule unit condition inspections on each of its public housing units annually. These inspections, which are completed by October 31

of each year, identify any health

and safety concerns, including mould and other potential health hazards. In addition, the condition of public housing units is also assessed when there is a change in tenancy and/or when a concern has been identified.

Once mould or any other health hazard has been identified, the extent of the matter is assessed and appropriate action is taken. The NWTHC follows nationally accepted procedures and guidelines established by the experts in the field, Health Canada, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. These procedures outline how to deal with any given specific health issues, such as mould. The NWTHC also works with the Department of Health and Social Services as and when required when dealing with mould or other health hazards.

As a preventative measure, the NWTHC also carries out several activities to assist in both eliminating and reducing the risk of mould and similar health hazards, which include the following:

• The NWTHC has incorporated mould

information into its Housing Choices Solutions to Educate People (STEP) education modules, which includes a home maintenance/repair course. Instructors explain to homeowners the causes of mould and how it can be prevented, as well as how mould can be removed.

• In an effort to increase public awareness, the

NWTHC website www.NWTHC.gov.nt.ca has easily accessible information on strategies to prevent and clean up mould. Additionally, the NWTHC has circulated a mould information

brochure to the LHOs to provide to tenants and the general public. The NWTHC is currently updating the information, and it is anticipated that an updated brochure will be available to the general public by the end of 2011.

• The NWTHC’s standard drawings and

specifications, followed by detailed inspections by NWTHC technical staff during construction, also reduces the possibility of mould becoming an issue within the building assembly.

• The NWTHC also specifies in its construction

contracts mould-resistant products, such as moisture-resistant drywall, be used in bathrooms to help reduce the possibility of mould.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on May 19, 2011, to the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, regarding water quality monitoring.

Environment and Natural Resources does not have a mandate for water quality monitoring in the Northwest Territories; this is a federal responsibility. The information in this return to written question was provided by Environment Canada, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. All water quality monitoring programs presented here are subject to current and potential federal budget and resource constraints.

In the 2011-2012 fiscal year Environment Canada is planning on operating three water quality monitoring stations on the Mackenzie River: one each at Strong Point, Norman Wells, and Arctic Red River. Each of these will be sampled six times during the year.

Environment Canada’s planned monitoring at the Slave River includes one station at Fort Fitzgerald. Environment Canada anticipates collecting eight water samples at this station in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Samples will be analyzed for physicals, nutrients, major ions, total and dissolved metals, bacteriologicals, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In addition, Environment Canada anticipates deploying five to six passive samplers throughout the open water season, and two to three passive samplers under ice. Finally, Environment Canada is considering future deployment of an automated water quality monitoring buoy, which will collect and transmit near real-time readings of conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, temperature, and refined and crude fuels.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development’s Water Quality Monitoring Program for the 2011-2012 fiscal year includes three sites in the

Yellowknife area, Cameron, Marion, and Yellowknife rivers, that are sampled monthly; plus five sites in the Upper Coppermine catchment, Lac de Gras, Desteffany Lake, Yamba Lake, Point Lake, and Rocknest Lake; and three sites in the Upper Lockhart catchment, Lake of the Enemy, King Lake, and Mackay Lake. These sites are sampled in July, August, September, and March, and are analyzed for metals, major ions, physicals, and nutrients.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development operates a water and suspended sediment sampling program on the Slave, Hay, Liard, and Peel rivers, for hydrocarbon and chlorinated contaminants. Each of these rivers are sampled on an approximately five-year cycle, with sample runs being made in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The Hay River is scheduled for sampling in 2011.

In addition to this work, which is done by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development’s Yellowknife staff, the Slave River is sampled at Fort Smith and above Fort Resolution in May or June and October, by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development’s district office.