This is page numbers 2685 – 2724 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 work.

Topics

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since the middle of May, people of the Northwest Territories have been enjoying our many campgrounds. Our campgrounds have seen good ties with families and friends and are home to many cherished memories. They also welcome visitors to the Northwest Territories who sometimes travel remarkable distances just to enjoy spending a few days.

Our campgrounds attract a lot of tourists, and many of them are elders. We do not recognize seniors in our current rate structure. Earlier this year Cabinet agreed to increase the tourism marketing budget. We could create even more incentive to visit the NWT by offering a senior discount for out-of-territory visitors to our campgrounds.

The North American population is aging, and as more people retire they want to travel as much as they can. A large number of RV tourists are seniors. Even a small discount on their campsite is a meaningful way to welcome them to the NWT, recognize the respect we hold for elders in the Aboriginal culture, and help offset the expense of travelling all the way up here.

The cost of implementing a discount will likely be offset by increased numbers of visitors, who might even decide to extend their stay. At certain campgrounds you might look at ways to build a discounted rate into a special elders package that can include visits to nearby locations, boat tours, fishing, or late summer aurora viewing. The possibilities are endless.

The NWT has a huge tourism potential in every region. We have an opportunity to tap into the growing market of retirees who enjoy the open road and the adventures waiting for them north of 60, and offering a special rate for elders on campground visits is a key to unlocking that potential.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this year, along with my colleague, we had concerns about the health care card renewal system and the way the process is going. We continue to get these concerns from constituents, and we’ve also heard from our colleagues throughout the Northwest Territories that this continues to be an issue.

We are getting examples of people that are asked to apply three months before the expiry of their birthdate, and those cards are expiring without getting renewals or even notification that they’ve been renewed and updated. The department, when we’ve asked them about this, have given us several different examples or excuses and also have indicated that, well, worst-case scenario, have them pay for it and we can pay them back later.

I don’t know how we can ask that from our residents when they don’t have the confidence in us renewing their health care cards, never mind us paying them back thousands of dollars.

I’m not here to complain about the staff or take any shots at the staff that are implementing this health care. My concerns are how it was implemented. Residents are getting applications mailed back to them several times. These applications are missing a certain piece of information and instead of phoning them and getting back to them right away, it’s mailed back to them, asking for them to give the information and then send it back through the mail system. Very slow. No wonder we’re not getting them approved in time.

Also, residents are calling the 1-800 number and the mailboxes are full. Obviously, we don’t have enough manpower on this issue.

I would also like to take the time to thank the medical clinics, the health centres, the pharmacies that have been helping our residents to fill out these applications and get things done. We’re not halfway done through the year and this process still hasn’t been solved. I think we need to put more resources to a solution to this, and if we need to put more resources to it, I would recommend we put some of it into an insurance type of program for the South Slave, and obviously, I would be supportive of it being in Hay River.

I will have questions for the Minister of Health later on today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As our government prepares to take over land

management, it’s time to examine our policies, and perhaps it’s time to look at trespass legislation. I’m not talking about the hunters or snowmobilers who enjoy their time as they sneak across the hinterland, or those people who are out picking berries or walking their dogs. I’m talking about those people who interfere with public and private property within our northern communities.

This is a very real issue. I’ve travelled the North and I’ve heard complaints both in Inuvik, Norman Wells and, yes, even here in Yellowknife. Many Yellowknife Centre business constituents have come to me and talked to me about difficult challenges they’ve had to deal with when it comes to people obstructing public access. It’s time to do something.

Right now their hands are tied and they’re looking for leadership from their government. When you have someone blocking the entranceway of a building and you’re trying to provide customer service, and you have someone accosting just passersby, they’re not technically breaking a law. You don’t think the RCMP has anything better to do? They call. They don’t come. There is nothing the business owners can do. It is frustrating for business people.

If you’re a homeowner, do you need to have to put up a fence for people who constantly are walking across your property and showing no regard?

It is time this government takes a quick look at this situation and says, is there a strategy? Possibility? Is there a way we can start thinking out of the box? Is it time for trespass legislation? Is it right for the North?

There may be several solutions out there, but trespass legislation could be one of them. For example, a store or a restaurant owner or a mall owner won’t tell our hotelier. They all want to provide good general public access. But again, if someone is obstructing it, they may not technically be breaking a law, but they are interfering with good harmony of good, normal, law-abiding citizens. The variety of reasons is far too many to talk about here today, but I can tell you poor abuse of behaviour tends to be the highlight of the bigger problem.

It would give people like storeowners and property owners the ability to say, please move on, stop blocking my customers and allow me to have my space that I pay for. Again, they may not be breaking a technical criminal code, but we must do something. It is time to empower our people with the right opportunity.

Places like Saskatchewan and many other provinces have enacted and updated their laws to deal with trespassers and help them deal with this problem.

Once again, we need some timely action from this particular government. I have raised this issue on a

number of occasions. I am hoping Minister McLeod will have a chance to look at this issue, take it seriously and see what we can do for all northern residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Bromley on February 21, 2013, regarding the Giant Mine Remediation Project.

There are a number of tools that will be available post transfer date related to setting securities. The Northwest Territories Waters Act has provisions for securities which are set by the boards. The boards also set securities under the Mackenzie Valley Land Use Regulations. Post devolution, in addition to the boards’ processes that were mentioned, the Government of the Northwest Territories will have the authority to set securities under the Territorial Land Use Regulations. The GNWT will also be responsible for the mirrored version of the Territorial Lands Regulations which do not specifically mention securities; however, security provisions can be included in individual leases.

As we prepare for the transfer date, the GNWT will be reviewing existing NWT legislation and transferring federal legislation, regulations and policies to identify issues to be addressed. Differences in environmental securities between existing territorial legislation and regulations and the new mirrored legislation will be assessed as part of this review process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Bromley on March 8, 2013, regarding the Giant Mine Remediation Project.

The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board formally requested additional information regarding water treatment options from the Giant Mine Remediation Project Team. In response to this request, the project team carried out analysis of treatment technologies and approaches for treated effluent discharge.

The analysis determined that ion exchange is the best viable option of the four options reviewed as it allows treatment to drinking water standards, providing a large reduction in treated arsenic levels from the original proposal.

This option eliminates the need for a diffuser and subsequent mixing zone in Great Slave Lake, and thus addresses a number of the concerns the project team has heard from the community.

While the approach proposed to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board in the original developers assessment report is considered protective of the environment, treatment by ion exchange will achieve better results and can be implemented in a manner that addresses public concerns. The project team is willing to revise the original approach to water treatment and work to implement ion exchange. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Lafferty.

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

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize our 2013 Educational Hall of Fame award recipients in a ceremony we held this morning. They are Beverly Masuzumi of Fort Good Hope, Bill Gilday of Yellowknife, Andy Norwegian of Fort Simpson, Jill Taylor from Hay River, Anne-Mieke Cameron from Yellowknife. We have a couple more, they’re not here, but they will be presented. I’d like to also recognize Dolphus Nitsiza, who is here from my constituency in Behchoko. I’d just like to say congratulations to all the Education Hall of Fame inductees and welcome to our Assembly. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Minister’s statement, I will be tabling, this afternoon, “What We Heard: Report of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy Advisory Panel.” Two members of the advisory panel are here with us this afternoon. Its chair is well known to all of us, a former Premier, Minister and deputy minister in our Assembly and government, Mr. Joe Handley, and beside Mr. Handley is Mr. Rory Campbell. Rory is a former deputy minister of Economic Development and also Agriculture and Foods for the Alberta government, certainly a very valuable member of the panel who provided the external perspective in the panel’s engagements on the strategy. Thank you.

I’d also like to recognize all the Education Hall of Fame inductees and all the other visitors that we have here in the gallery today. It’s good to have a crowd here today. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

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

Yellowknife South

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Premier

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize two constituents of Yellowknife South visiting here from William MacDonald School, Braden Helyar, student, and Mr. Paul McDonald, a teacher at William MacDonald. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Abernethy.

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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of constituents from the Great Slave riding. First, Emily Gosselin, who is with us here as part of William MacDonald School, as well as Bill and Cindy Gilday.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Menicoche.

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

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to give a special welcome in the Legislature to my partner Lucyanne Kendo and her daughter Brittany Jewel Kendo. I’m proud to have you by my side and that you get the chance to see me here live. As well, a very big welcome to my daughter Diedra Villeneuve and her partner’s mother Donna Huntis, who is in the gallery as well. Last, but not least, a congratulations to Mr. Andy Norwegian on the Education Hall of Fame Award today. Mahsi cho.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you. Mr. Bromley.

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

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s with great pleasure that I recognize Anne-Mieke Cameron, a resident of Weledeh who received the induction into the Hall of Fame today under the Premier’s selection. So, congratulations to Anne-Mieke. It’s great to have her in the riding. She’s probably accompanied by her husband Les, and I can’t really see these folks, but I’d also like to offer my congratulations and welcome to all those people that received the award today and were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

I’d like to welcome William Mac student Delaney Taylor, a resident of Weledeh. I’d like to recognize Joe Handley, former Premier, a former resident and former MLA of Weledeh. I’d also like to recognize Amanda Mallon, a resident of Weledeh, a long-time teacher recognized in many ways, and also any other Weledeh residents that I can’t see behind me. Mahsi.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. 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 am extremely blessed to have two schools in my riding, one of which is William MacDonald School, and I want to officially welcome everybody from William MacDonald here to the House and I hope you have a great tour. I have a number of students here from my riding and I’m very pleased to recognize Seth Casaway, Dawson Chwelos, Jaiyden Demeies,

Bryce Jeske, Brooke Pelley, Blair Russell, Paige St. Jean, Leah Thompson-Astels and Alliks Traverse.

I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I didn’t recognize two of my former colleagues, Mr. Bill Gilday and Ms. Anne-Mieke Cameron, who I worked with a while ago, I won’t say a long time ago, but congratulations to them and to all the Education Hall of Fame recipients. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Yakeleya.

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have quite a list of people to recognize in the gallery, so bear with me. First of all, I’d like to say congratulations to the Hall of Fame education recipients. From the Sahtu, Beverly Masuzumi. I’d like to congratulate her. She and I went to high school together and now she’s in the Hall of Fame and I’m in the hall of… Well, I can’t really say, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

And all the other deputies. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize former Premier Handley, the Canol hiker who did the whole 222 miles on the Canol hike. I’d also like to recognize Rory Campbell, also a member of the economic strategy team. Welcome to the Assembly.

I’d also like to recognize people from the Sahtu from the community of Deline, the birthplace of ice hockey in Canada. I’d like to recognize Paulina Roche, Phebie Kenny, Jimmy Dillon, Freda Taniton, Danny Bayha, David Modeste, Tommy Betsidea, Diane Andre, Gina Dolphus, Joanne Tutcho, Betty Tetso, Michael Neyelle, Andrew John Kenny, Frederick Kenny, Morris Neyelle, Raymond Tutcho, Leonard Kenny, Patricia Modeste, Leon Modeste, Christine Gaudet and Brian Gaudet. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome them to the Assembly.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Blake.