Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we get started I’d like to welcome Mr. Tony Whitford, former Commissioner, Speaker, Minister, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Honourary Table Clerk here in the House. Welcome back, Tony.

Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Mr. Speaker, Members of this Assembly set out a vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories. Strengthening and diversifying our economy is one of the ways we can help to realize that vision, and Members noted the need for strategic infrastructure investments and for support in the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline as part of this.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has long supported the Mackenzie Gas Project. In 2004 Members of the 15

th Legislative Assembly passed a

motion in support of the project and our support continues to this day. It is our position that a well-managed project can create substantial benefits for the people of the Northwest Territories while ensuring any potential impacts are mitigated.

The pipeline will create unprecedented economic activity during the construction and operation phases, lead to an immediate doubling of the Northwest Territories gross domestic product for up to 25 years, and provide over 208,000 person years of employment. In addition, this will be a basin-opening project that would provide a $100 billion increase in Canada’s gross domestic product. With the implementation of a final Devolution Agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories will secure a share of the resource royalties from this

and other resource development projects in the Northwest Territories.

The benefits of the Mackenzie Gas Project will not only be economic. The Mackenzie Gas Project will also offer the opportunity for some communities in the Northwest Territories to convert to natural gas for heating and power generation. Usage of natural gas means displacement of dirtier coal- and diesel-powered electricity generation. Converting to natural gas in the Northwest Territories will be more economical. Perhaps more important, we anticipate that conversion to natural gas will mean a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Mackenzie Gas Project is ready to go. The major regulatory and environmental assessment reviews have been completed. The Government of Canada also approved the project in March 2011, and as a result, the National Energy Board issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

The project proponents – Imperial Oil, the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, ConocoPhillips, Shell Canada and ExxonMobil Canada – have the necessary authorization to start construction of the pipeline. They have until December 2013 to provide updated cost estimates and a decision to proceed with the Mackenzie Gas Project. The next step is for the federal government and the project proponents to negotiate a fiscal package. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to urge the federal government to come up with a fiscal package to support the Mackenzie Gas Project. We have confirmed that discussions on a fiscal framework are underway between project leader, Imperial Oil, and the Canadian government.

The Aboriginal Pipeline Group is a business created and owned by Aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories and has secured a right to own one-third of the Mackenzie Valley Natural Gas Pipeline. This is the first time that Aboriginal groups in Canada will participate as an owner in a major multi-billion dollar project. By being part of the Mackenzie Gas Project the Aboriginal Pipeline Group is making history. The path blazed by the Aboriginal Pipeline Group has set the bar for a new model of Aboriginal participation in the economy through its shared ownership in the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. The project is expected to pay out millions of dollars in dividends to the Aboriginal

Pipeline Group and Aboriginal owners in the Northwest Territories over the lifetime of the project.

We waited for six years for the Mackenzie Gas Project to work its way through the environmental and regulatory review process and it has now been approved by the federal government. In those six years there were investments made by this government, business owners and individuals to prepare for the pipeline. I believe those investments will see a significant return.

We are closer now than we have ever been to finalizing this basin-opening project. In its recent report on Canada’s Energy Future, the National Energy Board stated that by 2020 the price of natural gas will be high enough to make the project economically feasible. With the cooperation of the proponents and the federal government, we expect to see construction of the pipeline start in 2015. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to support the Mackenzie Gas Project and looks forward to the benefits that will accrue to our residents from its development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to update Members about the new office within the Department of Justice: the office of the children’s lawyer.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which Canada ratified in 1991, children have the right to be heard in proceedings affecting them. Canada has a legal obligation to ensure the provisions of the convention are met, yet very few jurisdictions in Canada have a system to offer independent counsel to children in legal proceedings affecting them to ensure that their voices are heard.

In October of this year the Department of Justice opened the first office of the children’s lawyer, working under the public trustee. The office delivers quality legal services for children in child protection proceedings, custody and access disputes. These legal services will provide support to children in emotionally stressful and intimidating settings.

The office of the children’s lawyer is establishing a roster of family lawyers who will represent children. The office is coordinating training for these lawyers to ensure children are receiving the specialized quality representation that they deserve. Last month the office received its first clients, and by month’s end 10 children were being represented in situations ranging from custody disputes to permanent custody applications by the director of child and family services.

In the new fiscal year we will be evaluating the possibility of providing professional assessments for children and families to assist the courts in making decisions about the best interests of children.

The children’s lawyer will be travelling to the NWT communities to meet with children, attend court and make communities aware of these new services.

We are pleased with the progress of this office and support taking concrete steps to ensure the children’s best interest will be properly represented. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In setting the priorities for this new government, we have placed an emphasis on education and prevention, and on mental health and addictions. I am pleased to report that we are already moving forward with a new campaign in this area.

This morning we launched the My Voice, My Choice campaign to help young people and those who support them to speak up about addictions in the Northwest Territories. We all know addictions are a destructive force in our territory that reaches beyond the individuals who are struggling with this problem. We see the effects in our communities, in increased strain on our health and social services and justice systems, and through lost opportunities at work and at home. The legacy of addiction is not something that we want to leave with our future generations.

This campaign is about empowering young people to speak up about how addictions in their homes and their communities affect them. It is about providing them with healthy choices and information about where to go for help. It is also about messages of hope and working to inspire each other so we can stop the cycle of addiction.

The My Voice, My Choice campaign is a part of the Healthy Choices framework and our government’s Choose brand, and builds on the community-based Not Us! campaign. Where Not Us! funds community-led projects, this new campaign facilitates discussion and messages at a personal level.

This project was developed through research about how to prevent addictions in youth, and reflects current best practices. Part of our launch celebration was the release of a number of strong videos that are already being created through workshops in Deline and Fort Simpson. At the launch we were joined by some of the youth who have bravely offered their perspective, as well as

Godson, who has taken on an existing role to spread the My Voice, My Choice message.

As leaders in our communities we have an important role to play in speaking up about addictions and promoting healthier choices. I thank the youth that added their voices to My Voice, My Choice. Their messages are important for all NWT residents to hear. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Ramsay

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As 2011, the Year of Road Safety, comes to a close, I would like to highlight our continuing success in improving road safety in the Northwest Territories. We have made improvements in our laws and regulations that should help reduce distracted driving, a key factor in preventable vehicle collisions.

Beginning January 1

st , the use of hand-held

electronic devices while driving will be banned in the Northwest Territories. Drivers will face fines and demerit points if they use hand-held electronic devices such as cell phones, music players and Global Positioning System devices while driving.

Many drivers tend to view operating a vehicle, especially in a familiar environment, as a simple everyday task requiring minimal attention. In fact, driving is complex and requires full attention at all times. When behind the wheel, you are operating a heavy piece of machinery at high speed. At the same time you are navigating changing terrain, checking your speed, glancing at road signs, watching for obstacles ahead and responding to other drivers.

If you take two or three seconds to read a text message, dial a cell phone or find your favourite music, you are basically driving blind for the period your eyes are not on the road. A one-second distraction at 45 kilometres per hour leaves you driving blind for 12 meters, about the length of an intersection where pedestrians could be crossing.

We know that young people are most vulnerable to making errors that lead to collisions. I would like to applaud Top of the World Travel and Students Against Drunk Driving for partnering with the Drive Alive Program. They are encouraging young drivers in Northwest Territories high schools to pledge to leave the phone and other hand-held electronic devices alone while driving. The young people who take this pledge are to be commended for taking a positive step that will reduce their own risk of collision, injury and death.

The Drive Alive Program is a made-in-the-NWT education and public awareness program that promotes road safety. This is the third full year this

program has been in place, and we have seen a consistent decrease in the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities on our roads. Mr. Speaker, I hope this trend continues.

As we approach the holiday season, I encourage each of you – my colleagues, as well as our residents and visitors – to have a safe holiday. When you are driving, put your cell phone and other electronic devices away. Drive at a safe speed, drive alert, drive sober, use your seatbelt and be prepared for the unexpected. Let’s drive alive, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to thank the Members, Ministers and you, Mr. Speaker, for time spent on important issues. Sitting in session so close to the holidays enables us to focus on 2012 and to better serve the people of the Northwest Territories.

We have so much business to tend to. We as a government need to humble ourselves when we are faced with challenges. We need to stay positive and work directly with and for a stronger territory. As we break for the holiday season and go back to our ridings, keep in mind the day-to-day business we still have to resolve when we come back in the new year.

All of our ideas, suggestions and comments will come together and we will agree on important issues we are dealt with. I want to remind the Members that many of our traditional communities in the past were people who would gather in the nearest village, and feast and dance to celebrate the holidays. Children would receive clothing as gifts and treasured memories were shared.

Today I would like to acknowledge the people of Fort McPherson. They continue the tradition. The chief and his wife on New Year’s morning will gather as many people as they can and welcome the New Year by walking door to door and shaking hands and best wishes for 2012.

I want to wish my colleagues a safe and happy holiday season. To spend time with families is so precious. Take time to visit the elders, say hello to everyone and keep in mind the less fortunate. I pray that everyone in the territory will have a joyful and spiritual Christmas. All the best for 2012. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today is meant to provide an update, as a new Member, on what has happened in the last few days and few months in this Assembly.

I’d like to thank all my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly for the first couple of months. It has been an exciting experience so far. I look forward to the New Year and the rest of our term.

As all of us came here as 19 Members, we came to the 17

th Assembly as community leaders. Now we

have become Speaker, Premier, Cabinet Ministers, chairpersons, assistant chairpersons and committee members. With all these roles we have begun to work for the people of the Northwest Territories.

I look forward to continuing to work for the people of Hay River as one of their MLAs. I have begun to work on many of the issues that have come forward from the election. In the New Year I will work on issues for Hay River: the need for permanent doctors, the improvement of the economy for Hay River, look to get dredging of the Hay River. To improve and to continue Hay River as a major shipping area in the North, dredging will also help the safety of the Hay River during the spring break-up and will also help access to the local fishing industry.

In the coming years I want to continue to work with my community and such groups as the town council, chamber, DEA, community groups and all residents of Hay River.

I would like to commend the Speaker, Mr. Premier, the Cabinet Ministers and all Members for taking on a great start to the 17

th Assembly.

As the Christmas season is now here, we need to be thankful for what we have. I want to wish all the people in the Northwest Territories a happy holiday and I hope to have a great year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to do my best with a verse here that we worked out this morning.

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through this House

Not a Member was stirring, not even a mouse. The coffers were built in warehouses with care, In hopes the Finance Minister soon would be there.

The Members were comfy, all snug in their chairs, While visions of schoolhouses danced in their heads. And I in my moose hide, and Jane in her wrap, Had just steadied our brains, for a whole new load…

Oh, and just a moment, Mr. Speaker. That’s a whole new load of promises, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

I’ll go on.

While outside the Assembly there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter. Away to the foyer I flew like a flash, Not even a pause for a snack or some mash.

Then what to my wandering eyes should construe But a tiny little sled, and eight frisky caribou. They’d escaped from their herd, so lively and quick, Enlisted by Milty for a capital flick.

The crafty old driver was a man in his prime, I knew then it was Bob, turning on a dime. More rapid than bison his Ministers they came, And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name.

Now Robert! Now Glen! Now Jackson and Milty! On Tom! On Dave! And don’t look so guilty!

---Laughter

Pass Committee Room A! And the Caucus Room too! Now dash away! Dash away! Don’t leave ‘em a sou!

The Members were reeling, their jaws had gone slack, The outrageous slight was a downright attack. What about Colville, and toilets that flush? And more cops, and houses – Clearly, no rush!

The potholes still deep on old Highway 7, And the dollars were building a bridge close to heaven. The chipseal still crumbling, the fracking went on, And Members were rumbling, “This is just not on!”

But Bob was so wily, and his Ministers too, They had a few goodies, and a little good news. Here, a health centre, there, bits of gravel, A highway to Tuk for year-round travel.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, Guffawing and laughing, “Oh! What a spoof!” As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Out of the chimney our Premier did bound.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled our coffers, then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his sled, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew, like the down on a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, as he dashed out of sight, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, for your

patience with my humble verse.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not even going to try to match that. I’d like to follow up on recent statements regarding the state of the mineral industry and our economy. A message of hope, I think fitting with the season.

Recent numbers and figures are used to compare NWT mineral activity to our sister territories, often painting a dim picture of prosperity. All troubles are laid at the feet of a supposedly dysfunctional regulatory regime. I offer a different viewpoint.

First, our economy is booming and growing. NWT rates of GDP growth in the past decade have consistently been among the highest in Canada. The Conference Board of Canada predicts a sizzling 51 percent growth from 2010-2020 compared to 32 percent and 23 percent in Yukon and Nunavut.

In 1999 we exported about $700 million in goods to other countries; in 2009 about $2.4 billion. Between 2001 and 2009, with a stable population, the number of employed grew by 700. Territorial GDP is twice that of Yukon and three times that of Nunavut. Our economy, our ability to train capable workers, our ability to provide housing, infrastructure and social services all are tasked to the max.

What about the regulatory regime? Critics repeatedly point to cumbersome processes, uncertainty and delays, all scaring away development. In reality, we have a regulatory regime designed for residents to control the pace and scale of development but unable to meet demands due to inconsistent underfunding.

On Tuesday the federal Environment Commissioner warned that Environment Canada is short dollars to meet its responsibilities and the same is obviously true of AANDC. Board appointments languish unfilled and land use plans critical to planned development and regulatory certainty are chronically uncompleted. Endless McCrank, Pollard and other reports simply duplicate the environmental audits yet yield no action on basic necessities. Despite that, we see Gahcho Kue, Prairie Creek, Avalon, Tyhee, Nico, Tamerlane and other developments in the wings. The highest average income, lower unemployment rates, the highest GDP growth, new mines lining up… How economically deprived are we?

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

What are in fact our real economic challenges? Employment remains disproportionately higher in major centres. Diversification of small community economies remains stalled. We accept unreasonable environmental costs for ever more of the almighty dollars. We underappreciate our domestic economy.

However, opportunities abound for development of our forests, fisheries, agriculture, arts and renewable energy resources that will lower operating and living costs. They await our focus.

There is work to be done, but a roaring economy is not a healthy economy. Merry Christmas to all.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were fortunate enough and very privileged enough to see the launch of a new campaign, a unique campaign to combat the alcohol and drug problems that we have in our communities. The My Voice, My Choice campaign that was launched today in the Great Hall was something that was very interesting, and I was really happy to see that launch and be part of something in the whole scope of things that the departments and government have been working on for years, and that’s in the area of prevention and working to educate our youth and our community members on making healthy choices.

One of my programs, when I first got into the workforce, I was asked to do a keynote address to a bunch of youth. I was only about 23 at the time. My keynote address was on the power of choice. I was speaking to about 300 youth and I told them the best choices that they can make are their own.

Everybody has a very unique power and that power is the power of choice. Don’t ever let anybody make those choices for you. Stand up and make your own decisions and make sure that they’re positive, healthy choices. Today in the Great Hall I was really fortunate and very happy to see that the youth across the NWT stood up and are making the choices on their own merits.

Earlier this week I made a Member’s statement reassuring the youth that the government has not given up on them. Today the youth reassured me that they’re working in the best interest for themselves and the future of the Northwest Territories and becoming leaders of tomorrow today. That’s one of the statements that one of them said, was we have to start today and not tomorrow. Very strong words coming from youth and something that this government should follow in the next four years so that we can move forward for the people of the Northwest Territories.

At this time I would like to thank and commend all the departments that had something to do with this, all the hardworking staff that you guys oversee and support, and all the hard work that they have been doing over the last few years to make sure the government runs very smoothly and works for the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories; more importantly, the hardworking staff and volunteers and community members that implement these programs. Just as importantly, the youth for embracing these programs and moving forward with it.

Speaking of youth, I’d like to commend all the hard work of our Pages from Inuvik Boot Lake: Vanessa Lennie and Karly King Simpson.

I, too, would like to wish the people of the Northwest Territories a safe and very happy and merry Christmas.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to use my Member’s statement to talk about the Prospectors Grubstake Program. Decades ago, as many of us will know, there were hundreds of little-known prospectors wandering through the Northwest Territories looking for that special find. Some of those prospectors used every single resource that they could scrounge together and find their special stake that would strike them rich.

In the ‘30s we remember Gilbert Labine and C.E. St. Paul who discovered uranium in the Great Bear Lake area, as well as in 1934 many of us have heard of the name of Johnny Baker and Herb Dixon who discovered gold in the Yellowknife area. Even

as recently as 1991 when Charles Fipke and Stewart Blusson discovered diamonds in Lac de Gras which has forever changed the North and the course that we’ve been travelling in the mineral history before us.

Prospectors make a significant contribution to the Northwest Territories, and with that said, they also make a contribution to the world. They create jobs and help stimulate our local economy, but it also reminds us how the Northwest Territories is an element and key player in the world economy.

Today’s economy has been built on mining and we can’t forget that at any chance we can, to pause and recognize that. At one time northern maps were dotted everywhere with little stakes and claims. That’s starting to fall by the wayside and many people have called for the re-establishment of the Prospectors Grubstake Program. I think this is something in one small way that the Department of ITI can get behind and help stimulate the economy. As we know, these are small businesspeople who are out there making a difference and certainly helping keep people employed.

The program was cancelled in 2008-2009 and at the time of its cancellation it was worth about $50,000. It may seem small, but it made a great difference to those folks prospecting. At the same time there were contributions to the NWT Geoscience Office that helped administer the program and training. At one time they even trained up to 30 courses within a year to ensure that people were out there learning how to get out and prospect.

In closing, the diamond rush may not be a thing of the past yet. A gold rush is certainly something that we have seen gone by. There are many yet untold stories before us and I think that ITI needs to start playing a significant role here to help our depressed economy when it comes to mineral exploration.

Later today I will have questions for the Minister of ITI regarding the Prospectors Grubstake Program and let’s see if we can bring it back to support our mining industry.