This is page numbers 2429 – 2482 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was going.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Equally, like my colleague Alfred Moses here, I too woke up this morning to the national news where they were piping out this story with a shocking, if not shameful, reality. One story clearly said that Aboriginal people are so vastly overrepresented in Canada’s federal prison system that current policies are clearly failing them. I could not agree more with that.

It went on to talk about the gaps in the corrections system, how it’s failing Aboriginal people. This is a shame. This should be a call to action, if not a simple marquis of this federal government to say let’s correct this, let’s set strategies to fix this problem once and for all.

As my colleague Mr. Moses had said, when you represent 4 percent of the national population, it’s almost a shame to hear that they’re proving the facts that they’re representing 23 percent of the federal prison population. Something is wrong. Something, clearly, is terribly wrong.

These alarming facts must be addressed. As a Member of this Assembly I also have a bit of an experience, if not a unique experience, I have a former experience of being a territorial employee who worked for the Department of Justice and I worked in the corrections system. I have witnessed these outlandish numbers of unfair balance whereas Aboriginal people truly are over-representing themselves in the corrections system. Again, this should be a shocking reality that this government wants to wake up to and say, what are we going to do. Perhaps this reality should motivate the Department of Justice to examine itself, its current practices and policies. Again, as a former corrections employee, I can tell you that at least 75 percent of the inmates there were all there because of things that were all driven by substance abuse that led them down that garden path into terrible circumstances. They became victims themselves, not just the victimizers of others, that were punished.

There are numerous options before us and they avail themselves through the courts, but there are more options out there than just punishment and punishment. What about treatment, treatment, treatment?

So I hope this McLeod government realizes, as they continue to cuddle up to the Conservatives, that, yes, there are many options out there besides crime and punishment that just inflicts further punishment. There are other options that are necessary due to certain circumstances. There are

treatment options and there are poverty solutions. They are always a factor to the long-term solution. Don’t let us miss yet another opportunity to solve this problem.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Before we go on, colleagues, I would like to welcome Ms. Emma Ouellette, the daughter of our own Darrin Ouellette. Welcome to the House, Emma. Can you stand up? There you go. Welcome.

Today I forgot, and I apologize to my mother-in-law and father-in-law, it’s their 43rd wedding anniversary

today. Congratulations to Fred and Edith Bourke on their wedding anniversary. Thank you, colleagues, for taking the time for that.

Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2011-2012 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report and commends it to the House.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has concluded its review of the 2011-2012 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report. The standing committee would like to thank Mr. Charles Dent, chair of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission, and Ms. Deborah McLeod, director of Human Rights, who appeared before the committee on February 14, 2013. The committee also wishes to express its appreciation for the long service of the outgoing chair, Ms. Mary Pat Short, and the outgoing director, Ms. Therese Boullard.

2011-2012 Annual Report

Mary Pat Short of Fort Smith, Rita Mueller from Behchoko, Roger Wah-Shee from Yellowknife, Yacub Adam from Yellowknife, and William Turner from Yellowknife were members of the commission during the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

In 2011-2012 the director of Human Rights received 367 inquiries, 57 percent of which originated in Yellowknife. There were 38 new complaints of discrimination on the grounds prohibited under the NWT Human Rights Act. Approximately 71 percent of the new complaints alleged discrimination in their

employment. Disability was with by far the highest number of complaints, 21, as it has been for the past seven years. The standing committee remains deeply concerned by the high number of complaints of discrimination on grounds of disability.

The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission has done excellent promotional work to inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities. The standing committee is pleased that the commission representatives visited eight communities over the year, and that workshops and audio conferences were offered in regional centres as well as in Yellowknife.

Last year the committee encouraged the commission to maintain and expand its presence in social media. The commission included a Facebook ad in its promotional campaigns this year and saw an increase of visitors to its website as a result. However, Members learned during the hearing that the commission, which uses GNWT technology services, has no access to social media. The committee encourages the commission to discuss access to social media with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in order to pursue its educational promotional mandate.

During fiscal years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, the Human Rights Commission initiated a pilot project in which it became a party to all complaints referred to hearings to the separate and independent Northwest Territories Human Rights Adjudication Panel. The purpose of the pilot project was to ease the burden on self-represented parties by ensuring, through legal representation of the commission, that all relevant information was before the adjudicator. During the pilot project the commission became party to 17 complaints.

The standing committee strongly agrees that the public interest is served by ensuring there is a balance between parties to a complaint. The commission’s revenue was reduced in 2011-2012 by $13,000 from the previous year while legal expenses rose to nearly $82,000 from about $29,000. Members believe that the commission should continue to have the opportunity to become a party to complaints referred for hearings and that it should be corporately funded for this purpose.

Recommendation

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Board of Management provide sufficient additional funding for legal expenses on an ongoing basis to permit the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission to continue becoming a party to all complaints referred to hearings before the Northwest Territories Human Rights Adjudication Panel.

When the NWT Human Rights Act came into force in 2004, it was considered to be the most modern

and up to date legislation of its kind in Canada. During the year the commission chair expressed the view that a review of the act’s 10-year anniversary would be appropriate. The standing committee reviewed all of the annual reports of the Human Rights Commission, all committee reports, and all the government’s responses in considering whether there may now be a need for an overall review of the legislation.

Recommendation

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Board of Management provide sufficient additional funding for the Human Rights Commission to review the NWT Human Rights Act in the context of current Canadian human rights legislation and Northwest Territories realities and make recommendations in its next annual report.

2012-2013 Work Plan

The standing committee strongly supports the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission plans for continuing community visits and employee outreach in 2012-2013. The standing committee again urges the commission to visit as many communities as possible each year and to expand its workshop offerings to smaller communities as well as regional centres. Visits to Wekweeti, Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Aklavik, Fort Smith and Hay River, in addition to Yellowknife, were planned for 2012-2013 fiscal year.

As planned in the fall of 2012, the commission launched its on-line social studies curriculum guide the Teacher’s Toolkit. The standing committee looks forward with interest to hear more about the reception and the use of this resource for northern teachers in future years. Members were also very pleased to hear about the commissions’ plans to research and gather anti-bullying resources for Northwest Territories teachers.

The Human Rights Commission also planned to partner with the NWT Disabilities Council in 2012 to offer an award for improved accessibility to physical premises. The award was presented as planned in June, to the Yellowknife branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The committee commends both the recipient and the Human Rights Commission for this important initiative.

Conclusion

This is a year of transition for the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. The standing committee offers its thanks for the work of the past commissioners and staff for making the Northwest Territories a better place to live for all of our citizens. Members look forward to working with the present commission and staff in ensuring

human rights are respected and promoted in the Northwest Territories.

Recommendation

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the government provide a response to this report within 120 days.

That concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations on the Review of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission’s 2011-2012 Annual Report.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Therefore I move, seconded by the Member for Frame Lake, that Committee Report 1-17(4) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

---Carried

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of people in the gallery today that I would like to recognize. I will begin with some staff members that we have from DOT’s road licensing and safety division. We have Steve Loutitt, Megan Welch and Michael Conway. I’d also like to recognize Kelley Merilees-Keppel. I’m not sure if she was up there earlier or is behind me.

Also, I mentioned in my Minister’s statement the Students Against Drunk Driving. I’d like to recognize all the good work those students do. We have a number of them in attendance today and I’d like to recognize them. Shania Clark, Shania Tymchatyn, Alyssa Carswell, Jaida Brunett, Bronson Dolynny, Erin Pirker, Courtney King, Taylor McCarson, Kate Hall, Danielle Wendehorst, Emma Ouellette – and she was recognized earlier, hi, Emma – Tommy Jorge, Michael Cook and Mallory Beland. Once again, thank you all very much for all the work you do on combatting drinking and driving here in the Northwest Territories, and thank you very much for being with us this afternoon.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Dolynny.

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

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce to and through you, again, on behalf of all of the Yellowknife MLAs here – the Minister of Transportation kindly went through all the names – but I’d like to point out I have my youngest son, Bronson Dolynny, in the House today here. He

doesn’t normally come see dad work, so welcome to the House.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Ms. Bisaro

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

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome to the House a new arts group, just a fledgling arts group. Arts Alliance NWT is here. They are a new group that is starting to get going. I don’t believe Brian Collins is here, but I’d like to recognize Brenda Crerar-Lowen, Gerda Hazenberg, Shawna Lampi-Legaree and Constantina Tsetso. Best of luck with your new organization.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Bromley.

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize visitors in the gallery representing an array of arts groups affiliated with the NWT Arts Council. Weledeh constituent Constantina Tsetso is here representing the Yellowknife Choral Society. With her are Gerda Hazenberg with the Kole Crook Fiddle Society, Shawna Lampi-Legaree with the Yellowknife Watercolor Society, and Brenda Crerar-Lowen, as we’ve heard, president of Music NWT. These groups and others are cooperating to create a unified voice to support and broaden awareness of not only the benefits of participating in the creation of arts, but also the benefits of interacting with the arts. Please join me in welcoming them to the House.

I’d also like to join my colleagues in welcoming the Students Against Drunk Driving, especially, of course, our own Bronson and Emma. I believe they’re all from Sir John Franklin. Great to see them here.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Yakeleya.

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two hardworking people that I know from the Department of Transportation: Steve Loutitt and Michael Conway. I would also like to recognize the students doing a great job for getting a good, strong message out in the community. Thank you very much. Of course, I want to mention Bronson, Mr. Dolynny’s boy. A good chap. Your dad is working hard, Bronson. And of course, Emma, who has also just been recognized.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Hawkins.

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From the list I have, it looks like a couple people were missed. First off, I want to recognize the St Pat’s Students Against Drinking and Driving, so the St. Pat’s students. Although I’m not sure if Sir John has their own students, but these are the St. Pat’s students that I’m aware of. The few that were missed off the list are Ryan Lu and Savannah Lane,

as well as the staff member they have with them is Anne-Louise O’Brien, who I know works very hard with them, and we cannot forget all the hard work brought to making SADD so important, the hard work brought to us by one of the hardworking teachers, Michelle Thoms, who is a St. Pat’s teacher.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. I’d like to welcome here Ms. Erin Jelanik and Daphne Lamontagne, the office of the Auditor General, and also Ronnie Campbell and Glen Wheeler, who are not in the gallery right now, but for tabling of their report into the House today. Thank you for coming and welcome.

Also, I’d like to welcome all our visitors here in the public gallery. Thank you for taking an interest in our sitting here today. It’s always so good to see our youth in here, because you’re our future. It’s good to see you guys.

Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. The Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I’m looking at two sections. The first one is the Inuvik-Tuk road and, of course, the other one the Minister and I personally had experience on from Fort Good Hope to Fort Simpson.

My question is directed to the Minister of Transportation. If the project is approved by both governments, do you think that we’ll be able to get the people in the region working right away? We want to see some action.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our expectation is, should the project move ahead, that work could start there potentially this season, which would mean people would be put to work almost immediately.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

One of the things I’ve been thinking about is the training programs. Would there be training programs in place so that if this project, again, is approved and the project is taking off, would there be training programs for the people to take advantage of?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Kind of a hypothetical question but, Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’d be working closely with ECE on any training

initiatives associated with the construction of that highway.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Has the Minister had some type of an idea as to when we would know for sure that this project is going to begin some actual groundwork in that area?