Members, pursuant to Motion 15-17(1) adopted by the House on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, you have agreed to interrupt our proceedings to receive the Address of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. Mr. Clerk, please escort His Excellency into the Chamber.

Members and honoured guests, welcome to the Legislative Assembly. When we rise for the entrance of Their Excellencies, please remain standing for a drum prayer by the Detah Drummers and singing of the national anthem by Mr. John Escalante.

---Drum Prayer

---Singing of O Canada

I’d like to take a moment during the proceedings to thank the Detah Drummers for their drum prayer and Mr. John Escalante for his beautiful rendition of our national anthem.

We have many special guests joining us today and I extend my warm welcome to all. In particular, I would like to welcome the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George Tuccaro. Welcome to the House.

I’d like to also acknowledge the presence of my wife, Jenny, and Mr. Tony Whitford, former Commissioner, Speaker, Member of the Legislative Assembly and now Honourary Table Officer –

---Applause

– joining us for the first time on the floor of the Chamber. I also welcome Tlicho Grand Chief Erasmus, Dehcho Grand Chief Gargan, and Mervin Gruben, IRC representative today. Welcome to the House.

I would like now to invite His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston to address the Legislative Assembly.

Thank you, Your Excellency. I will now turn to the Honourable Robert R. McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories, for a few comments.

Your Excellencies, colleagues, leaders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank you and Mrs. Johnston for visiting the Legislative Assembly and our territory.

As Premier of the Northwest Territories and on behalf of all of those gathered here today, I would like to wish you all the very best for your visit to this unique region of Canada, fundamental to this country’s past and its future.

We have a rich and diverse heritage, the heritage that is reflected here today and the circle of leaders that you see before you. Our cultural heritage and values have brought us to this place today where representatives from the Aboriginal governments are present on the floor of this House with Members of the elected public government.

This is the first time that we have gathered together on the floor of this House in a historic moment for the Northwest Territories. I am pleased that we are able to demonstrate our collective commitment to the people we serve. Together, we are building on our diverse strengths as we strive for the authority and autonomy to make decisions for all the people we serve. Your visit will give new symbolism and add further substance for our vision for a sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.

As you can see, we do not sit two sword lengths apart in the Northwest Territories; we sit in a circle and we talk. This Chamber is where we, the representatives of the people, debate issues and determine how we can move forward together. This is consensus government.

As you stated, there are no parties, no opposition, all Members vote on legislation and budgets. This is truly our government.

This is the only place in Canada with 11 official languages. In addition to French and English, there are nine Aboriginal languages still spoken in our territory today. Each of those languages has a unique culture and community-based life.

Earlier today Your Excellencies met with the representatives of the Federation Franco TeNOise and toured Ecole Allain St. Cyr. I’m sure you were struck by the vitality of the francophone community.

During your trip south of the lake you will learn more of our distinct cultures, including an opportunity to meet with the people of the K’atlodeeche First Nation and enjoy their excellent hospitality. I know the people of Hay River are looking forward to taking you dog mushing and ice fishing. Our beautiful Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith holds thousands of artifacts collected by the oblate fathers and Grey Nuns during their missionary work in the North that will provide you with a glimpse into the rich heritage of that community and region.

Your Excellencies are focused on learning and innovation, so it is very fitting that later this afternoon you will open an exhibit highlighting northern innovation at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Aboriginal elders, archaeologists, biologists, geologists and educators were all

involved in developing this project. The depth and breadth of northern culture will be very apparent as you tour this exhibit.

As a territory, we share your vision of an intelligent and compassionate nation where families and children are supported. To mark your visit, we are making a donation of $5,000 in your name to Breakfast for Learning Northwest Territories.

---Applause

This charity funds school-based healthy breakfasts, lunch and healthy snack programs in communities all over the Northwest Territories, to enhance learning and the healthy development of children and youth. We are pleased that our support of such important projects can be highlighted at this time.

On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, welcome to Yellowknife, the Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, merci, quannamiik, thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Thank you, once again, Your Excellency. It’s an honour to have you address this Assembly.

The House will now recess and we invite all our guests to remain and join us for a reception in the Great Hall and a special presentation of the Massey Medal.

---SHORT RECESS

Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we get started today I’d like to send some condolences out to Marlene Edgi, who lost her husband, Louis, who passed away last week. I went to high school with Louis in Grollier Hall for three years and he was a good friend and one of my distant relatives. Thoughts and prayers are with Marlene and her three children, Megan, Colby and Lucas. He’s going to be sadly missed by all.

The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of order under Section 23(k) where it speaks to the use of abusive or insulting language of a nature likely to create disorder. Section 23(l) speaks disrespectfully of Her Majesty, any member of the Royal Family, His Excellency the Governor General, the Commissioner, the Assembly, or any Member. Section 23(m) introduces any matter in debate that offends the practices and precedence of this Assembly.

Yesterday during the debate in this House during Members’ statements as well as during question period, Mr. Bromley used the term that I think contravenes those sections. I would like to draw Members’ attention to unofficial Hansard page 12,

“According to our Greenhouse Gas Strategy, the GNWT is prepared to allow our emissions to surge by almost 100 percent above 1990 levels by 2020. Given what we know, such policy followed through by any jurisdiction would constitute a crime against humanity.”

In addition, during question period, on page 19 of unedited Hansard, Mr. Bromley in one of his questions said the following: “…what words does the Minister have to explain our policies, which essentially amount to a crime against humanity…?” I indicated in my response to him that I took some exception to that and I went upstairs and I got a definition of crimes against humanity. A crime against humanity is an international criminal justice offence, the perpetration of acts of war, a pawn, a civilian, a non-soldier populace, a term used by, within and so defined by the International Criminal Court Treaty and including any of the following acts: murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, or forcible transfer of population, imprisonment, or other severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic and religious grounds. The list goes on.

I believe that those words uttered by Mr. Bromley in this House contravene our rules; they bring disrespect to this Assembly; they bring this Assembly into disrepute; it lowers the level of debate; it casts egregious and invidious implications on this Assembly, this Cabinet, all of us Members present and past who have agreed to and supported the work of this government. It definitely calls into question and colours and brings disrespect to the members of the government, the thousands of good employees we have who work hard on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories.

I think these words are unacceptable. I find them deeply offensive to us, to myself personally and to all the Members of this House. I would ask that you review Hansard and that Mr. Bromley withdraw those comments and should apologize to this House.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I’d allow some debate on the point of order. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad to hear those comments from the Minister that are brought to the floor of the House. In fact, I was planning on tabling today a definition of the crimes against humanity as defined by the International Criminal Court. Indeed, as the Minister left off, there are other details to the definition. I’d like to just read into the record, if I may, some of those details on which my remarks were based.

The definition includes under Section (k) of the definition, “Other inhumane acts of a similar character intentionally causing great suffering, or

serious injury to body or to mental or physical health.” The Rome Statute Explanatory Memorandum states: “The crimes against humanity are particularly odious offences in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity, or grave humiliation, or a degradation of one or more human beings. They are not isolated or sporadic events, but are part either of a government policy – although the perpetrators need not identify themselves with this policy – or of a wide practice of atrocities tolerated or condoned by a government or defacto authority.

The definition goes on to include: “Humane acts reach the threshold of crimes against humanity only if they are part of a widespread or systematic practice.” It was within that context that I was saying this government, if we allow our greenhouse gas emissions to increase by 100 percent from 1990 levels or 66 percent above 2005 as stated in our Greenhouse Gas Strategy, that we are in fact participating in a series of events in a policy and actions that are equivalent to crimes against humanity.

It is well documented that if you look on the World Health Organization recent estimate was 150,000 deaths per year as a result of climate change. Other estimates are immediately available in the order of 300,000 to 315,000 in 2009 per year. Millions of people have died of government policies that have allowed, despite their knowledge, we know what is needed to achieve an end to this policy that is killing people, and species, and the future of our children and ourselves. It’s happening right now as we speak.

I also want to note that they have a clause in there that provided those offences are part of a consistent pattern of misbehaviour by a number of persons linked to that offender. I’ll leave it at that. I’ll look forward to your judgment.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. To the point of order. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll just be very brief. I understand that Mr. Bromley feels very, very passionately about the environment and this is something that we have come to know is very dear to his heart. I do applaud his efforts and representations on behalf of the protection of the environment.

Crimes against humanity, as they are understood by the average person without these extensive explanations, are things that we see that occur in countries where they have civil war and all kinds of very direct attacks on human people. There are sins of omission and there are sins of commission. Maybe this government and maybe the Canadian government has not done as much as they could, and been as proactive as they could, but to make the leap from not doing that to saying that this is

crimes against humanity and targeting a specific government, vis-à-vis our government, I think is an exaggeration.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the point of order. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had heard the same words spoken in the House yesterday and it, too, did draw my attention to the concern of using the phrase “crimes against humanity.” At the time I actually reached for my trusty green book of Beauchesne’s Rules of Order to think is this proper language in this type of conduct.

I think Mrs. Groenewegen described the circumstances quite right: The everyday person would define crimes against humanity in the context of genocide and other types of horrific crimes that have happened in places like Rwanda that are terribly shameful and are a stain on humanity.

That said, I do agree with the assertion that this is offensive to the House under 23(k), in my opinion, and certainly under 23(m). I support the point of order.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was offended, I guess, when Mr. Bromley lumped us all together as being somebody like Hitler or Pol Pot or General Radek because he doesn’t like our Greenhouse Gas Policy. I think if he doesn’t like our policy, I’m sure he could have voiced his displeasure in other ways rather than likening us to some of these despots that have murdered millions of people.

On that note, I think that’s very inflammatory language and goes against the rules of this House.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. To the point of order. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this opportunity. The only thing I would add is that an important part of it is that we do so knowledgably. This government is a very educated government. We are a very privileged nation and a very rich nation and our emissions are obviously off the scale in terms of a global comparison. I hope that you will include consideration of the millions and millions of families who are suffering as a result of government policies that allow our emissions to cause such climate change, including our youth delegation in Durban.

On the comment about emission and commission, I think the most important point there is that we know exactly what’s needed to prevent climate change and yet our policy here is going in exactly the opposite direction. What I’m talking about is the

deaths and suffering and the loss of our future for our people. If that is not a crime against humanity I do not know what is.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. On the point of order. Thank you, Members. I’ll take this matter under advisement and report back to the House at a later date.

Moving on. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. Minister Miltenberger.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, it would be nice to be able to announce that we are starting the 17th Legislative

Assembly with a booming economy and enough fiscal resources to make all the strategic investments we need to further strengthen the economy.

Such is not the case. We have recently weathered one recessionary storm and another one is looming. While our economy is showing some signs of recovery, stimulus spending has left us with limited funds for new programs and services. As we approach the federally imposed borrowing limit, we have little room left to adjust for revenue or expenditure shocks.

Economy

As we move into 2012, there are signs that some parts of the NWT economy are beginning a modest recovery from the financial and economic crisis that struck four years ago. Our economy has stabilized one-fifth below its pre-crisis peak. Some sectors have done better than others. Our wholesalers have recovered half of their losses and our retailers have recovered one-third of their lost sales. On a more positive note, the number of people employed has almost fully recovered.

Over the course of 2011, forecasters have revised their economic outlooks downward for many countries, including Canada. Economic uncertainty is a global reality at the moment with the debt crises in Europe and the ongoing fiscal and economic challenges in the United States.

Exports of non-renewable resources make up almost half of our economy, which means that international economic events have a major impact on the NWT. Right now we are experiencing economic uncertainty because of the fragility of the international financial system, the high value of the Canadian dollar and limited access to international markets. These factors all have negative implications for our exporting industries and, therefore, for NWT businesses and employment.

Fiscal Situation is Stable Only with Strict Control

The GNWT entered the global economic slowdown in 2008 in a stable fiscal situation and through strict control of expenditures was able to maintain our fiscal position while making significant infrastructure investments. These investments helped to partially offset the slowdown in the private sector activity and at a lower cost than would have been possible in a booming economy.

This does not mean that we can relax. Careful control of our expenditures is necessary to ensure that our operations remain sustainable, especially given the uncertainty with respect to our revenues and our closeness to the federally imposed borrowing limit.

Major pressures like the completion of the Deh Cho Bridge, cost pressures faced by NTPC, the potential impact of federal Justice crime legislation and the negotiation of four collective bargaining agreements add significantly to this challenge.

While our revenue forecasts to 2015-16 have not changed materially since the 2011-12 budget, we are forecasting that the growth in revenues will be less than we were forecasting last February. The slowdown in our economy could slow population growth and, therefore, has an impact on Territorial Formula Financing and tax revenues.

Our current budget planning horizon was developed using three assumptions:

•

Expenditure growth will be tightly managed this

year. This means that only $32 million a year is available to address increased program costs and demands and any new spending.

•

Planning for capital investment in core GNWT,

community and housing infrastructure will be reduced but stabilized at approximately $137.5 million per year, starting in 2012-13.

•

Short-term debt will need to be used until the

government starts recovering its cash resources in the next few years.

Our fiscal situation is tight and we are keenly aware of the risks to our forecast and economic uncertainty in the world at large. We are currently managing within our fiscal resources but we need to remain committed to this principle in order to continue to prudently manage our budget, should, as some suggest, our economy recover slower than anticipated.

Looking Forward – Investments for the Future Need Increased Borrowing Limit

The 17th Legislative Assembly has a fiscal strategy

that will gradually add more space between our ability to borrow and the borrowing limit. We are building fiscal room so that we can start to address the inadequacy of our capital budget without

compromising our existing programs and services or revenue increases.

Minister Flaherty has proposed a new definition for the territorial borrowing limits to be described in federal regulations, which provides more clarity to what is considered borrowing for the purposes of the limit. The current limit will be adjusted to recognize the new borrowing instruments identified by these regulations.

The proposed new limit does not address the adequacy of the current borrowing limit. We have long argued that the borrowing limit should be based on the principle of affordability as we have conservatively defined it in our Fiscal Responsibility Policy. We are working with the federal government in a reassessment of the current limit and expect resolution by the end of this fiscal year.

If we achieve a satisfactory increase in the borrowing limit, we will be able to make some additional, but targeted, strategic infrastructure investments to build a strong and sustainable economic future for the territory. To be clear, we must still manage our expenditures on programs and services within our existing resources. We do not intend to borrow from the future to pay for the services that we use today. An increased limit, however, will allow us to make the strategic infrastructure investments that will help achieve success in the specific priorities that this Assembly has developed.

The success of this Assembly to realize our vision will require that we find the means to make investments in key priority areas such as transportation, health and social services, alternative energy and housing. The proposed fibre optic cable from Fort Simpson to Inuvik is another exciting opportunity that will allow us to diversify into new knowledge-based industries at the same time we improve community connectivity along the Mackenzie Valley.

Conclusion

Our fiscal challenges are not unique and we are not shrinking from them. We have built a sustainable operation and are aware of our fiscal risks. We are managing those risks and are prepared as can be, given the fragile state of the global economy and the many things we do not control.

This government and the Legislative Assembly are dedicated to a vision of strong individuals, and families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories. We will maintain a stable fiscal environment that will allow us to make the necessary decisions to turn this vision into a reality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The traditional economy plays a key role in diversifying our territorial economy and providing all communities and regions with opportunities and choices, a goal of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs Program, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment works in partnership with Northwest Territories trappers, the fur industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to support the territory’s traditional fur economy. The NWT is well known for its quality furs and I am pleased to report that the current market for our northern furs and the prices they are commanding is excellent.

This year the Government of the Northwest Territories is doubling the number of fur pelts trappers can claim under the Grubstake Program, from 200 to 400 pelts per trapper. The program offsets a portion of trappers’ start-up costs at the beginning of the next season.

This increase is in direct response to requests from our productive trappers. Not only will it provide them with additional start-up funds, it will also stimulate increased production of wild fur.

Grubstake funds are in addition to the guaranteed advance payment and the prime fur bonus payment.

Trappers who ship their well-handled fur through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs Program will receive a guaranteed advance payment. If the fur sells for less than the advance, the program absorbs the costs. However, if the fur sells for more than the advance, the trapper receives additional money plus a prime fur bonus payment as an incentive to deliver high quality, well-handled fur pelts. The program’s guaranteed advance for seal skins is especially important in the Beaufort-Delta communities since the European Union banned their import.

Training is vital to ensure continued success in the international fur market. This December, trapper workshops will be held throughout the North Slave region. Workshops demonstrate industry best practices in pelt handling and fur grading and help to ensure the wild fur harvest in the NWT remains of the highest quality.

I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the recipients of the Trapper Recognition Awards. Awards are given to the top senior and junior trappers, as well as the trapper with the most pelts and the most market sales in each region.

For the first time, this year the top Youth Trapper Award went to a female: Ms. Marilyn Maring of

Inuvik. Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved awards.

By continuing to work with communities and through the responsible development of natural resources in the NWT, we will continue to work towards creating a prosperous, diverse and sustainable economy that will benefit NWT trappers, their families and their communities for years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Premier, Bob McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Tina Gargan as the president of the Status of Women Council Board. Ms. Gargan is serving her second term on the council as the Deh Cho representative. She is a recipient of the 2006 Wise Women Award, fluent in her own language, the recently acclaimed mayor of Fort Providence and a proud mother of two children.

She will be joined by the new representative for the Sahtu, Ms. Pauline Roche, and the new representative for the South Slave, Ms. Doris Camsell. I welcome them to the board and thank them for accepting this important role.

I would also like to thank outgoing President Therese (Dollie) Simon, who served as the council president for many years. Ms. Simon is an inspiration and a role model, and her dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated. I am confident she will continue to use her considerable skills to play a leadership role in her own community and communities across the Northwest Territories.

The Status of Women Council plays an important role in developing awareness of issues affecting the women and to promote changes so those women are able to take advantage of the many opportunities available in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. The honourable Premier, Bob McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Jackson Lafferty will be absent from the House today for a portion of the proceedings to participate in the Governor General’s official opening of the new Hunters of the Alpine Ice Exhibition at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centres. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members’ statements. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address an issue that is prominent within the Northwest Territories: mental health and addictions.

At the beginning of this Assembly, Members received a transition presentation from the Department of Health and Social Services. It was presented that their number one key strategic health status driver was, indeed, mental health and addictions. During my campaign I was asked what I thought was the number one concern in the Northwest Territories and in Inuvik, and after considerable thinking about what it would be, the conclusion was mental health and addictions. All the issues that we do face in the Northwest Territories all lead to some type of mental instability that can lead to further issues within our communities. It is no surprise that this is the number one concern within our communities across the North and contributes to the largest department budget within our government.

Currently, in the community of Inuvik, the waiting list to get into counselling is very long. Although I cannot speak for other communities, I’m sure it is the same. In some cases, individuals who need the counselling are put on a waiting list that can take up to three months. In that time most people will give up on themselves, give up on the process and give up on the government. Mr. Speaker, this needs to change.

With program requirements through Housing and ECE, clients are asked to seek counselling in order to be eligible for certain programs. However, not all people who need that counselling are going through the process just to access assistance. This puts a backlog on the people who truly need those services. When people are not getting the counselling that they need at an appropriate time, often it results in addiction use, increased mental health issues in the home and in the community, and in most cases, more serious cases, it can lead to suicide. With the Truth and Reconciliation Commission coming to the North there also has been an increase in counselling services that, honestly, are already being over exhausted. We, as a government, cannot continue to neglect those needing counselling services and, at the same time, burning out our own human resources.

The government needs to take a collaborative approach that includes Health and Social Services, Justice, Housing and ECE to address this problem.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to band-aid the issue. We need to identify the underlying issues and fix them now in this government. Our greatest resource in the NWT is our people. It is time that we take the appropriate actions and invest in the future of the North by investing in our people in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my colleague Mr. Dolynny’s statement on recognizing our aviation leaders, and mark the passing of a highly respected member of our community and a pillar of our aviation industry, Paul Laserich.

Paul passed away November 19th at his home here

in Yellowknife, aged a mere 52 years. His passing came all too soon after the death of his beloved mother, Margaret Rose, this past summer.

Aviation and community service were the stuff of Paul’s life from the time he first moved with his family to Cambridge Bay in 1967. At the side of his father, Aviation Hall of Fame member Willy Laserich, Paul grew up in the traditions of community service and business excellence. With Margaret, sister Joanne, brother Rene and niece Jesce, the Laserich family provided the vital transportation and air evacuation services that improved and often saved lives in the most trying of circumstances.

As general manager, Paul carried on and expanded the Adlair tradition, building a business with roots firmly established in the Kitikmeot and Yellowknife. As a Yellowknifer, Paul was the epitome of community services. I can’t improve upon the words of Dan O’Neill’s eulogy at his memorial last week:

Paul William Laserich, our friend, with a heart bigger than his hangar, an aviation visionary, a flamboyant ambassador of the North with an uncommon magnetism and frenetic energy, a huge love of family, friends and the North.

Whether providing corporate support to the hospital and disabilities council, sponsoring a golf tournament, donating to the Yellowknife and Cambridge Bay food banks, or just plain helping out friends, Paul offered and delivered with goodwill and energy. When I phoned Paul in October, he

offered his hangar for my nephew Matthew’s memorial before I could even get the first word of request out. We’ll miss Paul Laserich cruising around town in his cherry red caddy and outback hat, his business skills and mentorship, and his ready laugh and helping hand. The North is richer for his life. Please join me in recognizing a life of service and generosity. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Members, I’d like to recognize in the House today Ms. Jeri Miltenberger. Welcome to the House.

---Applause

The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to inform the people of the Northwest Territories of a GNWT launch of “My Voice, My Choice,” a youth drug and alcohol prevention campaign. This launch is occurring on Thursday, December 15th , here at

the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly at 11:00 a.m. It is important that we encourage our northern youth and have them express their voice on this important topic. The campaign will use a similar well-known setup like Speakers Corner to gather video camera responses to questions pertaining to addictions and messages for youth. The video clips will be edited and placed on the Department of Health and Social Services’ You Tube channel.

I strongly encourage all Members of this Assembly to participate with this initiative and to help send a supportive message to our youth about drug and alcohol addictions throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve had some time to reflect on the Premier’s sessional statement and I’d like to provide some feedback.

All Members of this House have spent a lot of time in the past two months considering the current state of the NWT and what kind of roadmap we should lay out for the 17th Assembly over the next four

years. That roadmap was the essence of the Premier’s statement yesterday. I don’t disagree with the road we’re travelling down, but I must speak to some of the priorities which aren’t on the highway that we have designed. This roadmap bypasses a few important landmarks.

The 17th Assembly roadmap has five priorities and

specific actions under each, but where is the

reference to education of both children and adults? One of our goals is healthy, educated people, but the Assembly’s decision to continue to do more of the same, to not make education a priority, will not graduate more high school students, will not advance the goal of healthy, educated people.

Over the next four years NWT residents will hear Members speak many times about the importance of our youth. But where is the reference to youth in the 17th Assembly’s priorities? As with education,

the lack of a priority on youth will not help our young people succeed and become contributing members of our NWT society.

As well, the Premier spoke of looking for new revenues, and I was pleased to hear that. But he only mentioned resource revenues in connection with devolution. Why are we waiting until devolution is implemented to tap into a new revenue source? This government can add a new revenue source in the 2012-13 operations budget if the will is there, but so far I haven’t seen any indication from this government that they are willing to consider such an action.

The Premier spoke quite a lot about developing our economy and infrastructure investments. But again, what is obviously missing from these goals and priorities is a larger emphasis on the NWT’s social issues. The priorities address housing and health, but our social ills extend to many more programs and services than those two. A booming economy will not benefit NWT residents who lack the supports to get themselves out of poverty.

As I stated earlier, our document, “Believing in People and Building on the Strengths of Northerners,” which outlines our visions, goals and priorities, is a good document, but it has too many holes in it to be the comprehensive roadmap that we need to support our people properly. All Members must ensure that the social issues that affect our residents at the most human level must not be forgotten as we chase the economic development dream. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize the coaches, chaperones, officials and volunteers that have been instrumental in preparing for this weekend’s territorial trials leading to the Arctic Winter Games. Athletes from the Mackenzie Delta will be travelling to participate in various sporting events, competing against the four other regions.

I would like to acknowledge the determination and the will from each of the athletes to represent Team NWT at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.

The territorial trials has always been successful, not only in naming the top athletes but it is a way for our athletes to learn more about the sport, to individually excel and, most importantly, to make lifelong friends.

I would like for the Members and the Ministers to join me in wishing all the athletes good luck, try hard and have fun. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to bring up the issue of Hay River’s harbour, because most of you know that Hay River is a natural transportation hub. Hay River is the start point for a lot of the barging and tugboats that go up or down the Mackenzie. The harbour is important to commercial vessels, commercial fishing and recreation uses. We have a Canadian Coast Guard based there as well.

The federal government once dredged the harbour to clear the silt that came down the Hay River. The federal government no longer dredges the harbour. The growing sandbars are making it more difficult to come into the harbour. The local fishermen and their 50-foot boats are sometimes hitting bottom in rough water.

Members and the public will recall in 2008 when we had a flood in the Vale Island area. Residents of Hay River have taken the time with the impacts of the sandbars. Six members of the Hay River Flood Mitigation Committee are taking the proactive approach to flooding. They have come up with a variety of options and one of those options is determining the costs of dredging.

In today’s day and age, with improving equipment and technologies and expertise, we should be able to dredge this harbour. The opportunity is building capacity for the North and Hay River. Hopefully we will be able to use and maximize some of our local contractors in this area. The federal government still has jurisdiction over the NWT waterways and we should pressure the federal government to implement some of the dredging in the Hay River area. The Government of the Northwest Territories needs to consider the Hay River harbour when it is planning to spend money in the upcoming years. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to speak about investment into Highway No. 7 or the lack thereof. My residents and constituents are disappointed that Highway No. 7 is nowhere on the GNWT’s fiscal roadmap this coming year. Residents know that the highway infrastructure is key to economic development in the Nahendeh region. Recently re-elected Chief Deneron heard this very clearly during his campaign. The road conditions isolate the people of Fort Liard. It is easier to drive to B.C. for goods and services than to Fort Simpson. By leaving Highway No. 7 out of its plans, dollars flow out of the North down a smoother highway.

As well, why is the number of tourists in the Deh Cho region down 30 percent from last year? The parks in the Deh Cho are some of the best in Western Canada. In the not so distant past, six tour buses travelled Highway No. 7 every season down to Fort Simpson. That number is down to zero now.

We can blame the economy for the lack of dollars for investment, but the economy looks a lot better than our highway. The Government of the Northwest Territories is making significant investments in tourism. The effort to attract more visitors to the NWT is getting noticed, but it is hard to promote our territory when visitors arrive and find the chipseal has turned to chowder. There is no sense in investing in tourism if we lack adequate road infrastructure to get here.

I just want to note, as well, I was paying much attention to the Finance Minister’s fiscal and economic update earlier today. If we do get some money to increase our borrowing limit, he is going to invest in a certain amount of projects, but nowhere does he mention Highway No. 7. That is disheartening, especially when in Committee of the Whole he said that it will be red-flagged and won’t end up on the red flag B list, which means that I believe in his statement Highway No. 7 should have been there. It continues to be a priority of this government because Highway No. 7 is an important link to Western Canada. The longer we ignore it, the more expensive it gets. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I am glad that I am able to make a statement on the 16th Assembly. In the 16th Assembly they said that

there would be a health centre that can be worked out in Fort Providence and with the new health

centre the Town of Fort Providence would benefit from that. [Translation ends]

…use of local expertise. There should be good local jobs and business stemming from this project. This is the kind of development the community will be proud of. The health centre is the only real capital project being carried over from the last Assembly, but there is a lot of other work that needs to be done in all Deh Cho communities.

I spoke recently about developing mine mass resources in Fort Providence. Just down the road, the people of Kakisa want to build a central heating centre for the community. They envision burning wood or wood products such as pellets. I strongly support the use of local resources to lower costs and create jobs in the communities. In this case, we would also replace fossil fuels with a renewable source of energy. This is part of managing our land. I hope this government will work with Kakisa on this project.

The need for capital is somewhat different in Enterprise. As Members know, there is no school in Enterprise. Each day all of the students are bussed to Hay River. People in the community understandably worry about having all the local kids arriving in one bus every day. This problem could be solved by adding classrooms to the hamlet building, particularly for the younger students. I will be raising this matter with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Finally, there is a need for a swimming pool at the Hay River Reserve. The community proposes that an addition be built at the Chief Lamalice Community Centre to house a pool. I am proud of these proposals from the Deh Cho communities. They are not huge projects; they are all practical and they all represent economical ways to meet the communities’ needs.

I look forward to working with these projects into our capital plan and getting the building itself underway. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was indeed a pleasure to host Their Excellencies Mr. Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon Johnston here today. I want to say that tomorrow we will have the opportunity to host them in Hay River. We are very excited.

This is a first time in a very long time we have had a Governor General visit Hay River. I can’t tell you how long, but it is a very long time. When they arrive tomorrow, a member of the famous Beck

dogsledding family will be taking them out for a dogsled ride. Danny Beck will be taking them out. After that they will go over to the Dene Cultural Institute. They will meet with community leaders there. They will then go to the Chief Lamalice Community Centre for a community feast of traditional foods. They will be able to observe a drum dance, a drum prayer with the elders and the young students there and many other ceremonies that are unique to our neighbours on the K’atlodeeche First Nation.

Then on Saturday they are going to have an opportunity to get up nice and early and take a bombardier ride on Great Slave Lake and attend with Shawn Buckley to pull fish nets on Great Slave Lake. Then we will be treated to fish delicacies after that. Then they will be off to the Hay River Ski Club. It is an exciting day at the ski club on Saturday because it is the Arctic Winter Games biathalon trials. We will have young people there from many different communities competing in that. It is my understanding that Their Excellencies will be fitted with cross-country skis, boots and poles and will actually be going out on a ski with some representatives, some other young representative skiers from our community. Apparently, they are going to do a two-kilometre ski at the ski club. They’re going to be meeting some youth ambassadors there, one from Fort Smith and Mr. Ty Buchanan from Hay River. They will then attend a community reception at the Hay River Golf Club, which they reactivated and we don’t usually have our golf club really open in the wintertime, but it will be ready to go with some community leaders and this event is open to the public. They’ll be treated to some music, some performing choirs, and they will be able to witness the race start for the Arctic Winter Games biathlon trials and the awards ceremony.

So it will be a very, very full and busy visit to Hay River, but we are so delighted to have them come there and I wanted to just point out that there are two opportunities for the public to be involved. One on the K’atlodeeche First Nation at the complex.

Sorry; could I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, please?

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues, and thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, so there are two opportunities for the public to participate. One across on the reserve and then at the ski club. Also that event is open to the public.

Mr. Bouchard and I will depart early tomorrow morning to be there to receive Their Excellencies when they arrive in Hay River, so we won’t be able to join you in the House tomorrow, but we are very pleased, and honoured and excited to be having them visit our community starting tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe. Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to a well-respected elder, Pierre Catholique from Lutselk’e, who passed away last week. Elder Pierre Catholique was born May 1, 1927, and passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at age 84.

Pierre was born and raised around the Artillery Lake area at Gahcho Kue and that’s also in the Reliance area, known as Nats’ejee K’eh. He lived a very traditional lifestyle by hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering on the land. As a young man Pierre worked with the RCMP in Fort Reliance and worked in the mining exploration industry in Pine Point and Yellowknife areas. He did commercial fishing out of Hay River. Pierre eventually settled in Lutselk’e and continued a traditional and cultural lifestyle.

Pierre was well known for making traditional art and handicrafts, such as miniature dog teams, snowshoes, caribou hide drums and baby rattles. I’m fortunate enough to have two of Pierre’s drums that he made last year.

Pierre was actively involved in the East Arm Park proposal and was a member of the Thaidene Nene Parks Advisory Committee. He was instrumental in the direction that’s been taken for creating the Thaidene Nene Park.

Pierre was very concerned about the land and water. He was the first person to tell me about the contamination at Stark Lake. He asked me to ensure that a Stark Lake mining exploration site was cleaned up. He blamed that site for the mercury levels in the fish at Stark Lake.

Pierre is survived by his children: Mary Jane, who is married to Chief Antoine Michel; Herman; Joseph; Marina, married to Robert; Henry; and he also had custom adopted Ray Griffith, who is the current band manager, as his son. His siblings are Edward, John, Joe, Victor, Alfred, Annie, Agnes and Lorraine, as well as 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, cousins and friends in Lutselk’e, Fond du Lac, Saskatchewan, across the Great Slave Lake and across the NWT.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. My condolences go out to Pierre’s family.

A church service for Pierre was held on Saturday, December 3, 2011, which I attended. Pierre will be buried in Fort Reliance on Saturday, December 10, 2011, alongside his wife, Judith, and son Lawrence, as was his wish. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Bob McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to recognize four special ladies today. First of all our new president of the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council representing the Deh Cho region, Tina Gargan.

Also Georgina Jacobson-Masuzumi, a board member with the NWT Status of Women Council from the Beaufort-Delta. I think you know her, Mr. Speaker.

Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director, Northwest Territories Status of Women Council.

And Gail Cyr, special advisor to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Fort Smith, Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your uncle had trouble with Thebacha, too. He used to call it Tobacca.

---Laughter

God rest his soul.

I’m pleased to stand here today. I would like to recognize in the gallery, of course, my wife, who is up today and will be joining us for supper tonight. I’d like to thank her for coming and sharing some time with us and with me. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure today to recognize in the visitors gallery Mr. Andrew Cassidy, who is the president of the Northwest Territories Farmers Association. That is his full-time job. He’s also a Hay River town councillor. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I’d like to welcome my mother, Georgina Jacobson-Masuzumi into the House. Welcome.

I’d like to welcome all of our guests who haven’t been recognized to the House today. Welcome.

Item 7, acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use this opportunity to celebrate the achievement of a resident and constituent of Inuvik. Ms. Alison Lennie had attended the University of Alberta for four years, got her commerce degree, and just recently wrote and passed her exam to become a chartered accountant and received her designation.

I think this is important that we use opportunities like this to celebrate the achievements and the accomplishments of our young people, and I think that goes a long way to showing that our education system is really working, and what you put into it is what you’re going to get out of it was a comment that I’ve heard in some conversations that I’ve had.

So, I’d like to ask the House to join me in congratulating Ms. Lennie and encourage all our youth from across the Territories to take advantage of all the opportunities we have as a government to go and further their education, and we as a Northwest Territories will benefit because of it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, oral questions. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I discussed in my Member’s statement about dredging, my question today would be to the Minister of Transportation. Does the territorial government have any dredging plans in the Northwest Territories currently?

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The honourable Minister, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member for the question. Currently the responsibility of dredging in Hay River would fall with the federal government. That was discontinued in 1994. Certainly the Government of the Northwest Territories understands and appreciates the need for those channels to be cleared. There have been some concerns brought forward by commercial fishers, the Canadian Coast Guard, of the silting and the reduced availability of water within those navigation channels in the port of Hay River. It’s an issue that I think we need to keep pressing on the federal government to come up with a new program

to address the concerns with dredging in the port of Hay River.

My next question is: Has the department assessed the dredging needs throughout the Northwest Territories?

I know there’s been some work done in Hay River, some analysis done on the need to dredge in Hay River. I’m not aware of any other studies that have been conducted in other ports across the Northwest Territories, but that information I’d be more than happy to get for the Member.

Can the Minister of Transportation inform me of any discussions the department has had recently with the federal government on dredging?

My tenure as Minister of Transportation hasn’t been a long one and I wouldn’t be able to speak to my predecessor’s discussions with the federal government specific to the dredging in Hay River.

Going forward, when I do have the opportunity to sit down with my federal colleague Minister Lebel, it’s an issue that I certainly would like to raise with him.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services.

In the 16th Assembly the Department of Health and

Social Services cancelled funding for a respite program that was ongoing here in Yellowknife. It was a program that provided much needed relief to the caregivers of disabled children, and the families of those children and to the children themselves as well. The program was to be reviewed and revised. My understanding is that in the revision it was going to become a territorial program and expand well beyond Yellowknife and the three or four other communities than it was in the last Assembly. I’d like to ask the Minister whether or not that review has been completed and ask him if he can share the results of that review with the Assembly.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker, I didn’t hear the question.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Take it as notice? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are addressed to the Minister of Health and Social Services with regard to the respite program which was cancelled during the 16th Assembly. I would like to know from the Minister whether or not the review that was scheduled has been completed and ask the Minister to share the results of that review with the Assembly.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sorry about that. The department is completing a review. It is not complete. The plan is to expand the program from what was in only Yellowknife, to expand outside of Yellowknife. A few of the committees have been established. A territorial advisory committee has been established by the department to assist with a working group that has been developed, a territorial respite model framework that is the strategy that will take us to 2017.

Thanks to the Minister. The Minister says that the review is not yet complete. In Yellowknife here, the Yellowknife Association for Community Living was instrumental in delivering the program here in Yellowknife to some 25 or 29 families. It was an extremely successful program. It was a very valued program. I would like to know from the Minister, if this review is still ongoing, what role the Yellowknife Association for Community Living either has played or will play in the completion of the review.

Yes, the department is dealing or consulting with the Yellowknife Association for Community Living as it expands the current program, which, again, was in Yellowknife and the intention of expanding outside. There is consultation between the department and YACL to expand the program outside of just Yellowknife.

I guess I’d like a little bit more elaboration from the Minister on how the Association for Community Living is being used. There is great expertise there with their staff and the way that they deliver the program here in Yellowknife. I know they were assisting the other three or four communities outside of Yellowknife who were trying to get a respite program started. Could the Minister tell me a bit more about what the association is doing? It’s one thing to consult, but are you using the expertise that the association has? When this new revised program is up and running, will the Association for Community Living help deliver that program in other communities?

Both NWT Disabilities Council and YACL have agreed to provide data to the department in order for the department to develop the program outside of Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final supplementary, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It will be short. My usual question: When can we see the results of this review?

I don’t have the date right now but I can get back to the Minister with the date.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. You got a promotion, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today the honourable Minister of Finance, Michael Miltenberger, gave us a summary here regarding the borrowing limit. Being a businessperson of mind, it’s important to always have a strong balance sheet. I think that’s very agreeable. I think the Government of the Northwest Territories does have a very strong balance sheet in place. The Minister also uses terms like “economic levers,” and I’ve heard him speak many times about it and leveraging those economic levers. One such lever is our very own Crown corporation, the Power Corporation. Unfortunately, the Crown corporation rests on the government balance sheet as a liability, which is going against the borrowing limit. Can the Minister discuss how, if and when were negotiations ever achieved with the Minister of Finance federally about removing this liability from our borrowing limit?

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The debt that is held by the Power Corporation that is on our books is what is called self-liquidating. They generate revenues and pay it down. While it’s on our balance sheet and goes against our borrowing limit, they are generating the revenue to pay down the debt.

To the Member’s point, there have been discussions and to this point the federal government is not willing to remove or separately treat the Power Corporation or the Housing Corporation or even the bridge, which are in similar circumstances, of having revenue that would pay down the debt that is on our books.

I can understand the Minister indicating that this is a definite “no” from the federal Minister. However, everyone knows that to leverage

our assets is critical in order to remove that off our borrowing limit. Is this a dead issue or is this something that can be revisited here?

As I’ve indicated in my update before this House today, there’s been extensive work on the whole issue of the borrowing limit, redefining borrowing. As the federal government has indicated, they want to now include other instruments under the borrowing limit that weren’t currently there. There will be offset provided for that.

As I indicated in my statement, the big issue for us is going to be the negotiations and discussions with Finance Canada, Minister Flaherty, about the issue of adequacy, about what we need as a mature, well-run, fiscally responsible jurisdiction to be able to make the strategic investments that I referred to in my statement.

We’ve looked at every avenue. I’m going to be meeting next week on the 18th and 19th in Victoria

with all the Finance Ministers. We’ll have an opportunity then to pursue the arguments or the discussions with Minister Flaherty. We met this time last year at Kananaskis, so we are both intent on concluding that borrowing limit discussion before the end of this fiscal year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. The Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have a question for the Minister responsible for Youth.

The communities I represent, the funding levels for youth, the most one community gets is $25,000; the others receive less. I was just wondering what their plans are in the next year if we plan to increase that amount.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. The Minister of MACA, Honourable Robert C. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The money that’s been invested in the youth in the last Assembly – and I’m sure the commitment will carry on in this Assembly – has been increased like it never has been before. I’m not sure about the exact figure the Member is quoting, but I do know there are many opportunities for youth and communities to access some of the funding. We have different pots of funding that our youth are able to access or they’re able to access through their community.

I could look up the amount of money that’s gone to the Members’ communities and have a discussion with the Members so we can have an exact figure. Thank you.

I have no further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to opening address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents.

Pursuant to Section 21 of the Human Rights Act, I wish to table the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission 2010-2011 Annual Report. Pursuant to Section 100 of the Financial Administration Act, I wish to table the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Financial Statements at March 31, 2011.

Item 15, notices of motion. Mr. Bouchard, Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 12, 2011, I will be moving the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that this Assembly recommend to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the appointment of William Turner as a member of the Human Rights Commission be revoked effectively immediately.

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

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Item 17, motions. Mr. Bouchard.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Human Rights Act provides for the establishment of the a Human Rights Commission and the appointment of commission members;

AND WHEREAS a commission member holds office during good behaviour for the term of four years;

AND WHEREAS Section 17(9) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, may, for cause, remove a commission member from office;

AND WHEREAS William Turner was appointed a member of the Human Rights Commission on November 1, 2010;

AND WHEREAS William Turner has admitted to taking, without permission, documents from the Legislative Assembly office while on duty as a security guard;

AND WHEREAS William Turner has further admitted to lying to officers of the Legislative Assembly about taking this documentation;

AND WHEREAS this Assembly is in the view that these actions are contrary to the good conduct and integrity expected of a statutory officer holder;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the Assembly recommend to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the appointment of William Turner as a member of the Human Rights Commission be revoked effective immediately.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Bouchard.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Colleagues, I’d like to go back to item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 2-17(1), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2012-2013, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. We have one

item on the agenda before us today. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I move we report progress.

---Carried

May I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Tabled Document 2-17(1), Northwest Territories Capital Estimates 2012-2013, and would like to report progress. I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Do I have a seconder? The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

---Carried

Item 22, third reading of bills. Madam Clerk, orders of the day.