This is page numbers 2655 – 2684 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 health.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Mr. Bromley for raising this issue. I certainly wanted to give a first shot at it. I think he did it very well. This problem out there on the Ingraham Trail is not just a problem here in Yellowknife, it is certainly a problem in other regions. The bigger issue here is that it is affecting this region quite hard. One of the issues raised here today was

about the relationship with the YK Dene and certainly that this new issue has fallen on their lap.

I want to know what the MACA Minister is doing to help maybe build a relationship with the YK Dene on this particular issue. Like the old saying goes, there is strength in numbers. That may draw better attention to this issue to Minister Valcourt, if we are working with the YK Dene who may eventually be the final stewards of this land and the GNWT may be temporary stewards of this land until their land claim is done. It would be a great benefit if we work as a relationship, fight together, strength in numbers. Will the Minister reach out and lead this initiative? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has reached out to take the lead in this. We, as I mentioned to Member Bromley, have had good discussions with the YKDFN. We met with them out in Detah. The Member makes a good point that there is strength in numbers, if we can all relay our concerns to the federal government as to the number of leases that were let out there. The majority of them, there are 122 and I think 35 of them are here in the capital. There are a few out in the other areas of the Northwest Territories, but the issue is not as problematic there as it is here because there is a lot of private land up there that people that want cabin leases go through. We have reached out to the YKDFN and we are looking forward to working with them as we move this forward. Thank you.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, if I heard the Minister correctly, and from what I have heard on the ground, through the land advisory relationship process, the YK Dene were caught by surprise. Even the GNWT was caught by surprise. If it wasn’t for some of the screaming, well-tuned-in public, most of us probably would have been caught by surprise even worse than what has been happening now.

From the Minister’s perspective through process only, obviously, were there any gaps here? Why wasn’t there proper feedback from the feds on a relationship of the land advisory process? I believe the GNWT is party to this. I believe the YK Dene are somewhat party to this. Did the feds make a mistake? Did the process fall off the wheels? What can we do to get it back on track so these things, if we have disputes, we can get them on the record and slow them down where necessary? Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

We had attempted to form a working group, and the YKDFN were going to join us on the working group. We extended an invitation for AANDC to be part of this working group as we were doing our density study.

Again, we were quite surprised when we started getting calls on the activity that was going out on Crown land. So we will continue to try and work with AANDC and the YKDFN, because this is an issue that I think we need to resolve quickly before devolution takes place because we are going to be inheriting all the leases on Crown land. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

If I understand the process correctly, the feds, in allowing these leases, at present it’s outside of our control and they are following the process until they wish to. They are steamrolling until theoretically April 1st when we

take this over.

I am wondering if the MACA Minister sees this as a potential problem for enforcement. I’ve even heard rumours that people are building two-storey cabins or whatever the case may be. Who knows what they are building out there? So I guess there’s going to be an enforcement type of issue that is going to fall on the shoulders of the NWT government, as well as their long-term devolution partners, the Akaitcho region or the Yellowknives, in particular.

So, what is the MACA Minister going to propose to help strategize to get ahead of this problem that I can already foresee as going to be a major problem? Thank you.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

I’m not quite sure what the conditions of the federal leases are. I believe it’s a 100-square metre building. It could be one or two storeys.

To the Member’s question, we are trying to update our regulations. We are going to have good regulations in place, good density studies in place. More importantly, we are going to have good enforcement in place.

I have directed the department, through the proper business planning process, to come forward with a request to possibly bring on more enforcement people, knowing that as of April 1st we are going to

be inheriting the enforcement of all Commissioner’s land. These leases, the hunting and fishing leases, are good for five years. So at the end of five years, my understanding is those leases will then become Commissioner’s land leases, so they will have to abide by our regulations and we’ll have all the proper enforcement in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Hawkins, that was your final, short supplementary. I just forgot to tell you.

---Laughter

I checked with the Clerk. Thank you very much.

---Laughter

So sorry. Order! Item 8, written questions. Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, my written questions are directed to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

1. Would the Minister provide the Sahtu Regional

Training Partnership five-year plan and the milestones that have been accomplished to date?

2. Would the Minister provide details on how the

senior officials from the departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation, and Education, Culture and Employment plan to work together to meet the people’s training needs in the Sahtu region?

3. Would the Minister provide the final copy of the

skilled workforce needs assessment in the Sahtu region?

4. Would the Minister provide a plan to show how

the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Industry, Tourism and Investment are working together to effectively meet the training needs of Sahtu residents and industry? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Bisaro on February 25, 2013 to the Honourable Tom Beaulieu, Minister of Health and Social Services regarding Housing Audits for Adults with Disabilities.

The numbers listed below provide the number of residents currently on a waitlist for supported or independent living, according to the most recent data from the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority, the Beaufort-Delta Health and Social Services Authority and the Territorial Admissions Committee. Please note that the numbers could not be broken down further, to protect the privacy of the clients.

The number of clients currently on a waitlist for a supported living placement is as follows:

• total of 19 clients on waitlist from the following

communities:

1. Yellowknife 2. Behchoko 3. Fort Simpson

4. Fort Resolution 5. Nahanni Butte 6. Fort Providence 7. Fort Good Hope 8. Lutselk’e

• total of six clients on waitlist from Inuvik region

• total of six clients on waitlist from Hay River

region.

The number of clients currently on a waitlist for an independent living placement is as follows:

• total of eight clients on waitlist from the following

communities:

1. Yellowknife 2. Behchoko 3. Fort Simpson 4. Fort Resolution 5. Nahanni Butte 6. Fort Providence 7. Fort Good Hope 8. Lutselk’e

• total of three clients on waitlist from Inuvik

region

• no clients on waitlist from Hay River region.

Independent living is defined as:

• seniors or persons with disabilities living in

public housing or their own homes and that do not require supports.

In contrast, supported living is defined as:

• seniors or persons with disabilities living in

public housing, their own home, or seniors residences and that require some supports from home care.

Home care is provided to individuals in their homes who need assistance with daily activities including individuals requiring supported living. Assisted activities may include, but are not limited to:

• foot

care

• personal

care

• mobilizing

• management of medications, and/or

• monitoring of chronic diseases.

Unlike independent living, supported living provides 24 hour support and supervision for vulnerable individuals who generally do not have medical needs or require nursing care.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley on February 26, 2013, regarding the location of Highway 4 realignment over underground arsenic storage chamber.

In his first question, Mr. Bromley asked what the purpose of the highway realignment was and what issues or concerns the highway is being realigned to address.

The section of Highway No. 4 that has been scheduled for realignment has needed to be changed for safety reasons that predate and are separate to the closure of Giant Mine. Between kilometre 2 and kilometre 5.2, the highway is being aligned for safety reasons to address issues of sharp curves with limited visibility, steep roadway slopes, and narrow shoulders for cyclists and pedestrians.

The highway near kilometre 4 is being realigned to accommodate the surface infrastructure for freezing the underground arsenic storage vaults related to Giant Mine. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) continue to coordinate activities to ensure that any realignment has minimal impact on the Giant Mine Remediation Project (GMRP).

In his second question, Mr. Bromley asked how the road alignment route was chosen so as not to interfere with the remediation project and to avoid damage to underlying arsenic storage chambers.

The GNWT Department of Transportation and the GMRP team have worked close to ensure that any realignment options would not impact on the remediation activities and, if possible, would complement the remediation goals. Given the surface and underground workings of the mine site, however, it is almost impossible to avoid all constraint areas. Constraint areas include open pit areas, tailing ponds, mine shafts and adits, proposed underground arsenic storage vaults, areas for surface freezing infrastructure, and proximity or depth of crown pillars for underground stopes and travel ways. The GNWT has undertaken assessments of the risks and has provided AANDC with the results of the assessments. Using this information, AANDC approved the establishment of the highway corridor in its present location.

In his final question, Mr. Bromley asked how the safety of routing the highway over the underground arsenic chamber labeled Reach 6 is assured.

GNWT and AANDC have worked on identifying potential constraint areas during the highway realignment process for the past three years, and the realignment was selected based on the most suitable alignment that would avoid as many of the constraint areas as possible, which included the rock and geotechnical assessment of the crown pillar over the UBC stope. AANDC has approved the highway corridor through the Giant Mine lease as proposed and under construction. The GNWT is not aware of any further constraint areas or areas where the alignment crosses over top existing or potential arsenic storage vaults that have any

potential safety issues. It should be noted that the existing highway currently crosses over arsenic storage vaults.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Bisaro on February 26, 2013, regarding Business Development Investment Corporation activities.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document entitled “Business Development and Investment Corporation Activities.”

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Bromley on February 27, 2013, regarding GNWT departmental travel expenditures.

I would like to provide the following information:

1. What factors are taken into account in

managerial review for approval of travel requests to ensure managers determine with certainty that travel is required and that businesses cannot be carried out by alternative means before travel is approved?

In approving duty travel, a manager requires written justification for the need for the duty travel. In deciding upon whether or not to approve, the manager will consider the reason for travel; the cost of the travel; the benefit in undertaking the travel; and an assessment of whether the travel is necessary, in the GNWT interest, and if the business need cannot be addressed by alternative means. Once this has been assessed, a manager decides on whether to approve or reject the travel.

In the case of international travel, justification has to be provided to the responsible Minister for their consideration. For other travel outside of the NWT, the responsible department head is provided with justification for the travel.

In addition to the managerial review, employees consider the need to travel; consider the reason for travel; the cost of the travel; the benefit in undertaking the travel; and an assessment of whether the travel is necessary, in the GNWT interest, and the business need cannot be addressed by alternative means.

2. On the basis of a thorough analysis, including a

review of controls used in other jurisdictions, what policy and procedural improvements could be introduced to ensure that travel is approved only after verification that other communication means have been considered and determined to be impractical?

We examined travel policies and procedures in 10 of 13 provinces and territories and the federal government. There was no indication that any jurisdiction implemented any extraordinary internal procedural controls to verify that other communications means have been considered and determined to be impractical.

Only two jurisdictions make specific references to alternatives to travel. The federal government and the Government of British Columbia provide some policy direction.

From the federal government:

“Departments have effective oversight mechanisms and controls in place to ensure that travel, hospitality, conferences and associated expenditures are managed in an effective, efficient and economic manner.

Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures incurred are necessary to achieve departmental mandates and priorities.

The most economic and efficient alternatives for travel, hospitality, conferences and associated expenditures have been considered.”

From the Government of British Columbia:

10.3.2 Travel Approval

The means of travel chosen need to be operationally feasible, cost-effective and consider travel methods that will mitigate the production of greenhouse gas emissions.

The relevant GNWT policy is FAM 2001:

4.2 Authorization for Duty Travel and Related

Expenses

4.2.1 A duty traveller shall use the most direct,

practical, and cost-effective mode of travel. A duty traveller who uses extra travel time during normal working hours shall record it as vacation leave or leave without pay (not sick leave) unless the extra time is practical or cost effective for the government.

4.3 Responsibilities of Duty Travel Approving

Officers and Duty Travellers

4.3.1 Unless permitted otherwise in this policy,

the approving officer shall do the following before duty travel begins:

a.

Determine that duty travel is necessary and, in writing on the specified form, authorize the travel plan and the mode and class of transportation.

It is implicit in 4.3.1 (a) that alternatives to duty travel have been considered and deemed impractical. That particular section could be made more explicit in terms of specific factor that have to be taken into account.

3. On the basis of a random sample of several

hundred travel claims from across departments:

a) What is the proportion of full fare versus

excursion fare tickets?

It is not possible to answer this question based upon the ticketing regime that currently exists. Airline seat costs are now very fluid, and fares change almost daily. They also vary depending upon how far in advance the ticket is bookended. Therefore, there is no longer the ability to compare ticket costs against a published fare.

In addition, fares may vary depending upon the particular flights that are booked. The lowest cost on a particular day and route may not be the best choice as it is at a time that impairs the traveller’s ability to perform their work or may result in the need to overnight, incurring additional travel costs and loss of time.

In addition, the “fare class” information is not provided on invoices/receipts provided by travel agents or airlines. Therefore, it is not possible to review travel claims and determine what fare class was purchased.

b) What is the frequency of ticket changes

incurring additional costs?

We examined 144 travel claims and noted 10 where a change fee had incurred. This represents a rate of 6.9 percent. The additional cost attributed to the change was the change fee itself, and there was no additional cost of the airline ticket. In all but one case, the change free was $50. The one exception was a $100 free which was attributed to the original travel arrangements which required the change of two tickets.

The reasons for the change were for the following general reasons:

• postponement of travel

• meetings ended sooner than anticipated

• meetings

extended

Public Works and Services had the largest incidence of ticket changes; however, these are attributed to the activities related to project inspections which can be delayed if contractors’ work is not ready for inspection.

We did perform a high level analysis of travel by GNWT employees for the 2012-13 fiscal year. During the year, there were 1,522 individual employees that undertook 8,907 trips.

A significant number of trips which occurred in the NWT were undertaken by road and therefore attracted no airfare costs. Similarly, for the most part, air charter costs are not included. These figures do not present travel related to recruitment or employee medical travel benefits.

Later today I will table a report “Government of the Northwest Territories Departmental Travel Expenditures.”

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Alfred Moses on March 4, 2013, regarding Northwest Territories Mental Health Act treatment data.

The number of times that ministerial approval was provided for an extension of time for involuntary patient period of detection applications is as follows:

• 2011-12:

34

• 2012-13:

30

Under Section 18 of the Mental Health Act, the number of certifications of involuntary admission that have been completed in Northwest Territories hospitals and health centres is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

87

• 2012-2013:

99

Under Section 18.1(1) of the Mental Health Act, the number of patients that had to be transferred outside of the NWT is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

4

• 2012-2013:

5

These numbers only reflect involuntary patients. In order to determine the total number of patients that went outside of the NWT, individual patient files would have to be reviewed.

At this time, the Department of Health and Social Services is unable to identify the number of times that substitute consent has been given on behalf of a voluntary or involuntary patient under Sections 19.2(1) (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of the Mental Health Act. Furthermore, the department can only provide information for 2011-12 and 2012-13. Form collections from previous years would have to be extrapolated manually from all the health and social services authorities, which would take approximately six months to collect.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Ms. Bisaro on March 4, 2013, regarding re-profiled funding for early childhood development initiatives 2012-2013.

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) funding includes the $1 million funding re-profiled from the inclusive schooling budget as well as $250,000 re-profiled from the closure of the Western Arctic Leadership Program.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Re-Profiled Funding for Early Childhood Development Actual Expenditures 2012-2013.” This document lists the initiatives completed in 2012-2013, including engagements such as the elders sharing circle and the ECD roundtable, which informed the renewal of the Early Childhood Development Framework, the two pilot child and family resources centres, phase one of the ECD public awareness campaign, and the implementation of the reviewed NWT Child Day Care Standards Regulations.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Alfred Moses on March 5, 2013, regarding Northwest Territories Mental Health Act treatment data.

At this time the Department of Health and Social Services can only provide information for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. Form collections from previous years would have to be extrapolated manually from all the health and social services authorities, which would take approximately six months to collect.

Data for voluntary patients that apply for hospital admittance in the Northwest Territories, in accordance with Section 6.(1) and (b) of the Mental Health Act, is not collected in the emergency departments. However, patients in need will not be denied admittance to a hospital due to lack of space.

In accordance with Section 8.(1) of the Mental Health Act, the number of cases in which a medical practitioner had to make an order for the detention of a patient for a psychiatric assessment is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

128

• 2012-2013:

188

In accordance with Section 8.(3) of the Mental Health Act, the number of reports received by the Minister’s mental health delegates and the department is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

128

• 2012-2013:

188

In accordance with Section 15.(1) of the Mental Health Act, the number of times a medical practitioner applied to admit an involuntary patient is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

87

• 2012-2013:

99

Under Section 16.(1) and (2) of the Mental Health Act, all applications examined by the mental health delegates were approved. The number of applications examined is as follows:

• 2011-2012:

87

• 2012-2013:

99

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Moses on March 7, 2013, regarding incarceration rates for NWT correctional facilities.

The Member asked about incarceration rates of inmates who were sentenced with alcohol and/or drug-related crimes in the NWT from the 2011-12 fiscal year to present. From April 1, 2011, to February 28, 2013, there were 889 sentenced offenders admitted to custody. Two hundred of those offenders had committed offences related to alcohol or drugs. Of the 200, 130 inmates had alcohol-related offences while 70 had drug-related offences. Offences referred to as alcohol and drug related are impaired driving, liquor offences, and drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. We do not always know if alcohol or drug use was a factor in an offence, likely resulting in the underreporting of this information.

The Member also asked for statistics about incarceration rates of inmates for the 2012-13 fiscal year to present on a month-to-month basis for all NWT correctional facilities. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table historical data on the monthly average and peak counts for the 2011-12 fiscal year and the number of inmates who have participated in an alcohol and/or drug-related prevention program from the 2011-12 fiscal year to present.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Moses on March 12, 2013, regarding Income Support Program applications and payments.

1.

Number of approved income assistance applications for each community during fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Income Assistance Distinct Cases and Expenditures,” which lists the number of approved applicants, also known as distinct cases, who received income assistance, by community, in fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

2. Number of income assistance applications that

were declined for each community during fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Currently the department tracks only those applications approved for assistance. The number of declined applications is not available.

3. Total amount of Income Assistance Payments

per community for fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

The document “Income Assistance Distinct Cases and Expenditures” referred to earlier also provides income assistance expenditures by community for fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

4. Number of appeals by community for fiscal

years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Income Assistance Appeals,” which provides the number of income assistance appeals held in the NWT, by community, in fiscal years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13.

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on March 14, 2013, regarding single parents receiving income support.

1. Provide the total number of single parents

receiving assistance under the Income Support Program.

The total number of single parent family distinct cases who received income assistance in fiscal year 2012-2013 is 726.

2. Provide the various ranges that single parent

clients receive under the Income Support Program.

One of the main principles of all income security programs is to target benefits to those most in need. By assessing overall need and providing adequate benefits, the Income Assistance Program encourages single parents to become self-reliant, participate fully in society and, in turn, improve their quality of life.

Currently the Income Assistance Program provides set amounts for basic and enhanced benefits based on an individual’s overall needs, household income, family size and community of residence. The full range of amounts is included in the Income Assistance Policy Manual, which is available on the Department of Education, Culture and Employment website.

3. Provide details on the support single parents

are eligible for under the Income Support Program.

The Income Assistance Program provides financial supports for food, shelter, utilities, and enhanced needs such as incidentals, clothing, child care, furniture and educational assistance.

In addition, income assistance can also assist with expenses related to education and training such as school supplies, textbooks, bus passes, special

clothing or musical instruments when required as part of the school curriculum.

4. Provide a breakdown by constituency of the

number of single parents receiving assistance under the Income Support Program.

The department tracks income assistance single parent distinct cases by community. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table “Single Parent Families Receiving Income Assistance in 2012-2013,” which provides the number of single parent distinct cases who received income assistance in 2012-2013 by community and associated constituency.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 17-17(4), I wish to table the following document, entitled “Business Development and Investment Corporation Activities.”

I also wish to table the following document, entitled “Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Motion 8-17(4), Secondary Diamond Industry.” Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my Return to Written Question 18-17(4), I wish to table the following document, entitled “Government of the Northwest Territories Departmental Travel Expenditures.” Thank you.