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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Improving skills for living and working is one of the ways the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to maximize opportunities for our residents and pursue the Legislative Assembly’s goal of a diversified economy. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment makes significant investments in skills training and employment development to ensure that northern residents can meet the demand of northern employers.

The Northwest Territories Labour Force Development Framework -- People, Partnerships, Possibilities -- is the result of northern partners coming together to find common ground to ensure our people and our economy are strong now and in the future. The framework is the territory’s new tool for working together towards improved labour market outcomes.

Although our labour market conditions remain fairly strong during the global recession, there were a number of challenges ensuring employment opportunities were available for Northerners. Much has happened over the past four years to overcome these challenges:

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enhancement of the Northwest Territories

Literacy Strategy, especially in the areas of youth and labour market literacy;

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strengthened apprenticeship programs including supports to women and Aboriginal

people to successfully complete trades programs;

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Aurora College expanded community-based

delivery of programs in areas such as teacher education, labour market and industrial training and student wellness;

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a new NWT Nominee Program to support

employers in meeting skills gaps; and

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targeted supports for community and economic development in our rural and remote communities.

Mr. Speaker, on May 25 and May 26, 2011, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will host a labour force symposium for key NWT stakeholders. At the symposium, ECE will launch a new Labour Force Development Framework and stakeholders will have the opportunity to:

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share labour market information linked to

programs, services and supports;

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highlight the connection between skills

development and regional economic development activities and projects; and

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discuss potential structures for, and functions of, a territorial coordinating body to champion the new framework.

Mr. Speaker, all levels of government must continue to invest in and support this framework so we can achieve the shared vision. Together we can build a productive future for our people, our communities and our economy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A strong volunteer sector contributes directly to sustainable, vibrant and safe communities, one of the priorities of this Legislative Assembly. I would like to speak today about the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs’ work to support the volunteer sector in the Northwest Territories and about the importance of volunteers to our communities.

MACA offers a number of programs intended to support residents in their volunteer efforts. Through the Volunteer Organization Development Contribution Program, MACA provides cost-shared opportunities for volunteers to seek training or gain knowledge. Funding under this contribution program was increased in 2009-2010 to provide financial assistance to a greater number of organizations. Amongst other items, funding supports registration cost for volunteer workshops, training and courses, instruction and consultation fees, and travel costs directly related to attending or hosting and volunteer organization development event.

Another volunteer program delivered by MACA is the Youth Ambassadors Program. This program has provided a guided and structured volunteer experience for youth since it was first piloted during the 2007 Canada Winter Games. Most recently, four youth ambassadors traveled to Los Angeles where they demonstrated traditional northern games during the LA Times Travel and Adventure Show as part of Industry, Tourism and Investment’s Spectacular NWT program that promotes the NWT’s potential visitors.

Through the Youth Ambassador’s Program, MACA is helping youth to develop life and job skills, and to build confidence through public interaction, mentorship, and the assumption of responsibilities.

In addition to these programs, MACA hosts the annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards to recognize and promote volunteers in our communities. This year’s awards ceremony is scheduled for June 10th during the Northwest Territories Association of Communities Annual General Meeting here in Yellowknife. While the 2011 awards will be presented to three individuals and one group, the Northwest Territories is home to many volunteers, each of whom deserves recognition for their hard work and dedication.

Volunteers provide an essential service to our communities. They are the volunteer firefighters who keep our communities safe; the neighbours who help the elderly with groceries, shovelling snow or chopping wood; and the coaches, referees and mentors who help us stay healthy through sport and physical activities. I encourage my colleagues and everyone across the NWT to volunteer by supporting a local community group, coaching a local sports team, or helping an elderly neighbour. Give back to your community and give back to volunteers. If you know someone who donates their time in your community, nominate them for an outstanding volunteer award or thank them for their hard work.

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

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a society we need to cultivate and promote our strong northern candidates for positions of leadership in education. Through its Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, ECE is placing top priority on improving the academic performance of Aboriginal students, and rightly so. Grade standings, competencies, and graduation rates among Aboriginal students remain unacceptably low in comparison with non-Aboriginal students across the NWT. Here in Yellowknife 50 percent of our students are Aboriginal.

Regional consultations note that strong teaching and program administration is key. Looking closely at our biggest success stories, it’s the teachers and school administrators with long northern experience that are making the biggest difference. In Weledeh, Kalemi Dene School exemplifies this. Checking the staff list you see teachers with decades of service improving and refining culturally relevant, locally knowledgeable programming. Leadership has been critical.

Kalemi Dene’s principal is well known for her 18 years-plus of Aboriginal teaching experience, her master’s in education, the recognition of her excellence through national awards and national Aboriginal mentorship programs, and above all, her inspirational leadership and commitment. Given her credentials, numerous Aboriginal students in the district and lack of Aboriginal personnel in upper management positions, many were shocked when the recent staff position for a Yellowknife education district assistant superintendent position passed over such an exemplary candidate in favour of a southern hire, especially in the case of an assistant superintendent. Others and I saw this as a missed opportunity for progressive leadership and succession planning.

Northern students and their teachers need strong role models. Northern hiring practices need to place great weight upon the value of long northern service and accomplishment. Staffing policy at the education boards is a matter of board policy. Yet, incredibly, no affirmative action, northern hire, or appeal policies are in place in at least one board. However, this government contributes about 80 percent of the funding to boards and can rightly take a strong role in urging policy.

I’ve raised this issue with the board and the Minister. We need to learn from this experience, work with our partners, develop and promote the excellence of our local candidates. Mr. Speaker, let’s get it done. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week, May 9 to 13th , is National Nursing Week, and

today is International Nurses Day. I would like to take this opportunity today to highlight the valuable services that nurses provide to all residents of the Northwest Territories. This year’s theme of the National Nursing Week is “Nursing – The Health of our Nation.”

According to the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, there are 434 nurses registered to practice in the Northwest Territories. Their work helps to improve the health of our territory in substantial and meaningful ways. Whether it is new graduates from the Nursing Program here at Aurora College or veteran nurses with many years of experience, these people are activists, advocates, caregivers, innovators, and researchers who seek holistic ways to build healthier communities. On a day-to-day basis they do this with the use of skill sets gathered and maintained through education and practice that are governed by a rigorous code of ethics. We have nurses with many different diplomas, degrees, certifications and specializations who work in a range of locations. This includes hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, public and community health centres and nursing homes. Some may work with patients and the public directly in our homes or public offices, while others have practices that involve management, administration, and work with other professionals.

There are occasions for nursing care throughout all ages and stages of our lives. These are often periods of our greatest transitions. Many of us can recall examples of when nurses have played vital roles in meaningful moments of our lives or the lives of friends and family members. This week is an opportunity for us to stop and think of those moments, to consider the many ways the nursing profession benefits us, and appreciate it.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the nurses throughout the Northwest Territories for their dedication and commitment to all of the residents of this great territory. To each and every one of you nurses working and living in our cities, towns and small remote communities, thank you for your contributions. They are truly appreciated. Thank you.

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

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The words “oil spill,” which we’ve heard far too often lately, strike fear into the hearts of residents, and for good reason. An oil spill always provokes concern for our water, our animals, and the safety of the public.

Just this Monday, Enbridge Pipelines confirmed the spill of approximately four barrels of oil near Willowlake River north of Fort Simpson. The leak was reported by Chief Timothy Lennie of Wrigley, who had discovered it. Unfortunately, Chief Lennie’s exposure to the oil has affected his health. He has reported that his eyes are burning and that his throat is sore. In addition to the effects that Chief Lennie is now suffering, we don’t know how many animals will be affected either by direct contact with oil or by drinking any contaminated water. The chief has also reported that he had found one duck soaked in oil. Although four barrels seems minor compared to the 28,000 barrel leak in Alberta last week, it is important that we take any leak very seriously.

Mr. Speaker, Chief Lennie has met with officials from Enbridge Pipelines, but has not heard from our GNWT or the federal government. We have oil spill emergency plans, and I’m sure it involves meeting with leaders and communities to advise what steps we as regulatory bodies are taking to monitor the leak.

Chief Lennie has many concerns and questions, but no one is taking the time to contact him or his community. I think it is disrespectful as the leak is in his backyard and he has band members living in the immediate vicinity. He has health, environmental and safety concerns that are not being addressed by our government. His band has limited resources and capacities to deal with this situation and requires our help, yet there’s no one talking to him. He also wishes to investigate possible compensation issues, but he does not have the resources to even begin this type of discussion.

We simply must, as a regulatory agency, be proactive and be involved in this incident, Mr. Speaker.

I will be asking questions of the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak today about the recent federal election. I’d like to congratulate Mr. Dennis Bevington on his re-election as Member of Parliament for the Western

Arctic. I’d also like to thank the other candidates who so greatly put their names forward to run: two former colleagues of many of us here today, the Conservative candidate, Ms. Sandy Lee, and Liberal candidate, Mr. Joe Handley; Mr. Eli Purchase of the Green Party, and Ms. Bonnie Dawson of the Animal Alliance Party.

What an election does, Mr. Speaker, is it gives the candidates an opportunity to debate the many issues that face this territory, and I would like to thank them for their efforts in that. Canadians now have a majority Conservative government in Ottawa.

I’d like to congratulate Prime Minister Harper on his successful campaign. As a territorial government, we are heavily reliant on the federal government to provide us with the financial resources to deliver the day-to-day programs and services we provide to the residents here in the Northwest Territories. That’s roughly $900 million on an annual basis, Mr. Speaker. Having a majority government, in my opinion, will be an opportunity to foster and grow our relationship with the federal government. Finally there is stability back in Ottawa. We know who we will need to work with over the next four years, and this is great news for our government to have that type of stability.

Three elections in six years was not conducive to us advancing major files in Ottawa. The residents of this territory have elected Mr. Bevington, a New Democrat, who will now be sitting in opposition, and hopefully Mr. Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democrats and leader of the official opposition, will allow our veteran Member of Parliament to play a prominent role in that opposition.

The reality is the Northwest Territories is the only province or territory in this country today without an MP in the governing party. That means, Mr. Speaker, that we must work that much harder as a government to get our issues and concerns addressed in the nation’s capital.

We have many big issues to deal with, such as the Mackenzie Gas Project, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, ensuring the $150 million commitment to the Tuktoyaktuk-Inuvik road gets done, devolution, and finding help for the urgent infrastructure needs for the residents of Northland Trailer Park here in Yellowknife. As soon as the federal Cabinet is sworn in, we need to ensure as a government that we’re able and ready to advance our concern and our issues with the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Miltenberger, the Minister for Health and Social Services, for attending the grand opening of a long-anticipated facility in Hay River that’s been under construction. On April 28th we had the grand

opening of the Hay River Supported Living Day Program Centre. Prior to that, Mr. Speaker, we had the official opening of the campus, the rooms, the homes where the clients reside.

I would like to just say that since the campus opened two years ago, it has helped people with disabilities live productive, independent, and meaningful lives within the community and our territory. It is equipped to house up to 12 residents, including two beds for respite care.

With the opening of the Day Program Centre, programs will now be offered to both residents and clients from the surrounding area of Hay River. The centre will provide residents with an opportunity for personal growth, life skills, and peer and social supports.

The opening of this facility in Hay River is about repatriating Northerners to the North, something that we’ve talked about for a long time. It is important for many reasons. The jobs of the caregivers are jobs which are provided to northern residents. The economy associated with those jobs and those activities stays in the North. Most importantly, the clients who we were before referring to southern institutions now have an opportunity to stay in the North.

I believe we need to look at every opportunity, not just talk about it but let’s do it, talk about it, and observe and respond to every opportunity where we have as the Government of the Northwest Territories to care for our people and residents with special needs here in the Northwest Territories.

I would like to thank the government. I know the Minister has only been in this position for a short while, but this entire government played a large role in seeing this facility built in Hay River. It is fully functioning now and I believe it is serving the intended purpose and I believe it is a very good day for Hay River and the North.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is an incredible need for intense alcohol and drug treatment programs to be based here in

Yellowknife. Alcohol and drug abuse, as we’ve all seen, continues to have a profound impact on this city and the North in every single community. This problem, as we all know, is longstanding, but right now, wherever I look, people are united in wanting to take support and action on this particular issue. We have seen what easily could be defined as a rare and united consensus on taking action on this particular issue.

It is not often that a very respected Supreme Court justice advises this government that rehabilitation services are needed in the communities, such as John Vertes did in March. As well, the business community has been calling for action for some time. Our government needs to heed the advice the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce has been offering, and I will remind the government that in April the executive director, Tim Doyle, told the media that in our capital city’s downtown area alone, the human cost and the business cost are incredibly huge. He is correct in his assessment and comments.

In Yellowknife the burden of the downtown issues are many. However, substance abuse is the cornerstone of many of those problems. And if that’s not enough, then there’s the territory’s chief coroner comments -- that’s Cathy Menard -- and the jury’s recommendations after the death of Raymond Eagle. The coroner’s jury recommended a rehab centre for substance abuse in Yellowknife and a halfway house to help the people cope with alcohol and drug problems.

If that’s still not enough, we have the good advice of the Members of this House. Even the Standing Committee on Social Programs recommended in its Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act that “alcohol and drug treatment be readily accessible and convenient to all communities.” In response to that recommendation, this government has accepted that point. However, they shamelessly qualify their acceptance by saying “subject to the availability of resources.” That is why I’m here today: to focus resources to help the people of the Northwest Territories. Because I, like many us here in the building, am here to help those who cannot help themselves.

I can tell you from experience, when I worked years ago at the corrections centre as a corrections officer, that many good souls were lost to the ills of drugs and alcohol.

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

What I found, working at the corrections centre, was that when many of these souls did dry up and cleaned up from their alcohol and drug problems, I would find that they rid themselves of those drug and alcohol demons and

they were truly decent people. Clearly there is a problem.

By now what I’m trying to say is this territory needs better options. We need a treatment centre in Yellowknife and it should be a program that includes treatment for crack, meth addiction, as well as prescription abuse. I remind the Health Minister that this is truly an important issue in the public that needs addressing.

Later today I will raise the particular issues of what experience has taught us, that we may not be able to build a centre immediately but we can commit today to a plan of action on addressing these particular issues that is significant not just here in Yellowknife but to the territory as a whole.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation has policies that guide them as they attempt to reduce the housing needs across the Northwest Territories. These policies are designed to address three areas of core need as identified in social housing across this country. Those areas of core need are: adequacy where families have structural, electrical, mechanical or architectural issues with their houses; suitability where families do not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family sizes; and affordability, where more than 30 percent of the gross income is being used to house their families.

In Tu Nedhe the majority of the needs are adequacy. This means that the people in Tu Nedhe have adequacy issues with their homes and cannot afford to complete the repairs without the assistance of the NWT Housing Corporation.

I believe that the Housing Corporation must change its policies to allow them to address the issues of houses across the NWT that have adequacy issues. I do not feel that the Housing Corporation should continue to build any new homes in Tu Nedhe.

I think that the NWT Housing Corporation should begin the process of going from door to door using local program officers, and work towards addressing the greatest needs in Tu Nedhe according to the Housing Corporation’s own document, the 2009 Needs Survey. I am very concerned, as are the constituents of Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution, that more new houses will be built for a few lucky people to get into those units when the majority of the people who are homeowners cannot afford repairs and watch their houses fall

into disrepair and eventually beyond economical repair.

I feel the first step towards addressing this serious issue is to decentralize NWT Housing Corporation staff so that they can begin to build files on these clients and take them through the process and avoid the potential of having huge deferred maintenance issues with the homeowners across the territory.

I urge the Minister of NWT Housing Corporation to shift resources from new construction to renovations of existing units, and expand those resources...

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

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

---Unanimous consent granted