This is page numbers 5179 – 5220 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th 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 services.

Topics

Universal Child Care
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Diabetes Awareness Month
Members’ Statements

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Today I would like to provide a few statistics and describe the daily regimen for diabetes patients.

Nationwide, diabetes is a serious public health issue for Aboriginal people. The prevalence rate is on the rise at about three times higher than the general population. About 2,000 NWT residents have this disease.

For diabetes patients to stay relatively healthy, they must maintain a painstaking daily regimen, eating well, getting exercise, testing blood sugar, taking all required medications and undertaking foot care. Diabetes patients are also directed not to smoke or walk barefoot, even around the house.

Nerve damage and poor circulation to the legs and feet are common problems. Certain injuries, even minor ones like blisters or cuts, can take a long time to heal. Unnoticed or untreated, injuries can quickly become infected.

For people with diabetes, preventative maintenance is exacting, time consuming and relentless. Foot care involves a long list of daily activities: washing feet in warm soapy water; drying the feet carefully, especially between the toes; checking for cuts and cracks, ingrown toenails and blisters; using a hand mirror to check the bottom of the feet or getting someone else to do this; cleaning cuts or scratches, then covering them with a dry dressing; trimming toenails; applying lotion to the heels and soles, avoiding the toes because excessive moisture can promote infection; and wearing fresh clean socks and well-fitting shoes.

This type of daily care can be especially difficult for elders, some of whom are living alone or lacking the mobility to perform their own care.

At the appropriate time I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about how this government cares for the growing number of diabetes patients. Mahsi.

Diabetes Awareness Month
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have stood up in this House on many occasions to speak about education and some of our social issues that we see in the Northwest Territories, specifically in the education services within the Beaufort-Delta region and the community of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, whether it’s speaking up on behalf of the Beaufort-Delta Education Authority, the Aurora College, Aurora Research Institute, East Three elementary or secondary schools or the Children First Centre.

One thing that occurred to me and one thing that I brought up in previous statements is that the Beaufort-Delta Education Authority is a unique area in the Northwest Territories and a unique situation when we have to fly in board members or go to schools. The cost of doing business and travelling in the Beaufort-Delta is a concern that was brought forward to me, whether it’s education councils or else the education authority itself.

Last week I fought to try to get them more funding and look at how we do the formula funding with the education authorities throughout the Northwest Territories and, like I said, especially in the Beaufort-Delta region where the high cost of doing business with travelling and flights and those kinds of things.

Last week on October 30th , the Premier made a

Minister’s statement about Junior Kindergarten and that we’re going to go ahead with this Junior Kindergarten in 23 communities without changing the current funding approach to Junior Kindergarten and will not offer the Junior Kindergarten Program in any of the regional centres or in Yellowknife. That brings up a concern, because I fought to try to see if we could get more funding for the Beaufort-Delta Education Authority to continue to do its business, and what we are seeing now, is under this funding approach to Junior Kindergarten, I know the Beaufort-Delta Education Authority is going to have to find money within to fund these programs. It’s not only programs within the region, it’s programs throughout the Northwest Territories in 23 communities for this year and possibly for next year if they decide to continue on.

Mr. Speaker, we only have eight communities in the Northwest Territories, some of them we can’t get some of our senior management, some of our teachers in and out whether it’s training or not, and this money really has an impact on them. The money that is going to be coming out for this Junior Kindergarten Program is also going to have an impact on the way the education authority does business.

The education authority is very innovative; they find ways to spend money. The e-learning program is a big one. They used money from within to try to get the best education for our students in the coastal communities. How will this Junior Kindergarten impact those types of programs? I don’t know, but I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many people know too well that the poverty trail has many paths and once a person does start to travel down those paths, whether they’ve been born into it or they quickly found themselves in this torrent, it’s quite a difficult challenge if not almost impossible to get out. It’s like swimming through quicksand. The more they struggle, the more they find how difficult the challenges can be. Often these challenges can be lonesome. But when you are the person trying to

take care of your family, the struggle becomes more than just the road less travelled.

Poverty is not an adventure people look fondly back to and recall and think of themselves as the journey of, boy, I can’t recall a better time. These are journeys where the heavy struggle is carried by the children as well as the parent, often in some cases single of parents such as mothers.

The government has done many good things to help, but I think they can do much, much more. It has many tools within what I would call its grasp, or certainly what we would define as their toolbox of options. As we look around and we look at some of the options that we use to help alleviate the throes and punishment of poverty, because no one wants that type of thing, poverty is something that we must help others get out of.

But we must enact better resources, such as our maintenance enforcement orders. I’ve often called these folks deadbeat dads, and that’s who they are sometimes, and the system will define them as debtors. Often deadbeat dads avoid making payments and they think they’re punishing their former spouse. That may be true in some form, but truly the bottom line is they’re punishing the children that belong to them. This is a terrible step where they think that there is a means to the end. They’re punishing their children and keeping them in poverty situations.

We must be doing everything within our grasp, within our toolbox, to ensure that we track these folks down and get them to pay. We keep these families struggling and, if anything, we’re supporting the poverty cycle that they live in by not fighting as hard as we can for these families.

Sometimes we find these deadbeat dads working and then we run into the struggle as wondering why they’re not tracked down and maintenance enforcement orders implemented as quickly as possible. I’ve seen people avoid $100 payment orders and I’ve often wondered why. Again, they think they’re punishing their ex-spouse, but really they’re punishing the children that they should be loving them and doing everything they can for them.

In closing, I will certainly have questions for the Minister later today, but I’ll be talking about the Ontario government’s website. It says www.goodparentspay. They also have wanted parents' posters that point this out, but all of that will be revealed in my questions later today. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s really interesting that we had a Minister’s statement on

procured services today because that’s the focus of my Member’s statement today.

An issue recently came to my office from a constituent and it’s one which I believe highlights inefficiencies and problems in the GNWT procurement process.

This summer a tender was let by Public Works and Services for goods. Two businesses responded to that tender, one northern, one southern. The tender was awarded to the southern firm, but for a premium of almost $60,000. Yes, the northern firm bid $57.7 thousand less than the winning bidder.

Now, I believe that all MLAs and the Minister, as well, want to maximize business to the NWT rather than to southern suppliers, and I believe we all want to ensure that northern businesses survive and keep Northerners in the North. I also believe that we all support a fair process, but this and other examples Members have heard about show that our procurement process is flawed and perhaps unfair.

So what happened here? Well, apparently based on failure to meet specifications, this requisition for goods went to a southern supplier, even though the southern bid was 67 percent higher than the northern bid.

The tender allowed for equivalencies but failed to clearly identify what that meant. The failure to meet the specifications deemed the northern bid unresponsive or non-compliant, even though the variations from the specs were seemingly minor. Under our rules, an unresponsive bid is automatically eliminated.

Because of our policy and our rigid tender process, the government turned down an $85,000 northern bid for a $143,000 southern bid without any opportunity for minor negotiations to address variances in the northern bid.

Tender processes should be rigid and should be fair, but in this case, the way the tender was written forced the northern bidder to be unresponsive. If any tender requires a very specific product, then say so. Don’t make the bidder painstakingly produce a bid for a tender which the government knows full well he cannot meet.

Procurement services must use language and processes which ensure that we provide the opportunity for northern firms to bid on any tender. Not an advantage, Mr. Speaker, but the opportunity for an equal bid.

Taxpayers are going to have to eat the extra $58,000 in this case, and the northern supplier has lost $85,000 worth of business. It begs the question: could the southern bid have been 200 percent higher and still be accepted? Maybe 300 percent higher?

I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

What limit do we put on accepting a bid that is much higher than another one?

There is an opportunity here to review and amend our procurement process. We should be aiming for better support for both northern suppliers and northern taxpayers. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

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

Today I rise to pay tribute to the late elder Pierre Marlowe of Lutselk’e. The late Pierre Marlowe was born April 1, 1932, and peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends on October 30, 2014. He was 82 years old.

The late elder Pierre was born in the Fort Reliance area. When he was five years old his mother died and at 21 years old his father passed away.

In December 1962, Pierre married Helen Enzoe- Benaya. Through this marriage, Pierre and Helen had three children: Mary, Ernie and Charlie. Pierre and Helen also adopted three children: Sonny, Evelyn and Tobie. In 1984, after 22 years of marriage, Helen passed away, and Pierre continued to raise his children.

The late Pierre was a hunter and trapper and enjoyed being on and living off the land. He worked various jobs throughout the years, such as guiding and a guide to the RCMP for many years, and for the NWT Power Corporation.

Also, it was clear to all those who knew him, his love for the land always brought him back there whenever possible.

The late elder Pierre Marlowe enjoyed being actively involved in local politics throughout the region and was well known for being very outspoken and direct and was considered to be politically astute. Pierre was usually happy and was known for his sense of humour.

The late elder Pierre Marlowe is survived by his sons Sonny and Tobie, daughters Mary and Evelyn, 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and his sister Celine. He was predeceased by his parents, Antoine and Elizabeth Marlowe; his wife, Helen; sons Ernie and Charlie; five sisters and four brothers.

The late Pierre Marlowe’s children and grandchildren will always remember him for his unwavering love, dedication, kindness,

compassion, along with traditional culture knowledge and language he passed on to them. Entering his home, anyone could see the results of a very religious man.

The late Pierre Marlowe was a well-known, respected elder. He will be sadly missed. My sincerest condolences go out to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

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

November 3rd, 2014

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize some visitors from the Status of Women of the Northwest Territories: Lorraine Phaneuf, the executive director; and Samantha Thomas, community development coordinator. As well, from the Native Women’s Association of the Northwest Territories I’m very pleased to recognize Nola Nallugiak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Hawkins.

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

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, like the Premier, would like to recognize the same three people. I’ll start with the executive director of the NWT Native Women’s Association, Nola Nallugiak; Lorraine Phaneuf, executive director of NWT Status of Women Council; and Samantha Thomas, community development coordinator. I believe Mr. Sonny Lenoir is in the gallery, as well, from the Dene Nation. That said, thank you everyone for coming today. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Mr. Ramsay.

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

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too want to recognize some visitors in the gallery today. Lorraine Phaneuf, I recognize Lorraine; also a constituent, Samantha Thomas. Welcome. I believe you’re still a constituent. I hope so. Also, Nola Nallugiak, welcome to the House today. Also, to Sonny Lenoir, good to see you here.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. 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 too would like to welcome Sonny Lenoir to the gallery, a former resident of Simpson. As well, I want to congratulate Nola, who returned from a four-year degree in Native Studies back to the Northwest Territories. She’s a former resident of Fort Simpson, and I won’t try to pronounce her last name. Thank you.

---Laughter

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mrs. Groenewegen.

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

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members in this House like to recognize former residents of their communities. So in case anyone didn’t know, Samantha Thomas is actually from Hay River. I’ll say hi to your mom and dad for you, Samantha. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

I’d like to welcome everybody here. Thank you for taking in our proceedings today. Thank you.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member’s statement today, I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what kind of programs the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services still has in existence for general practitioners who may wish to become specialists, for students studying medicine who may want to return to the Northwest Territories under some kind of a bursary or sponsorship program. We have found these sometimes to be successful, but at the same time we’ve also heard of stories of NWT residents that did want to return to the Northwest Territories and there were obstacles and barriers, and we do not want to see that.

Although Hay River has two permanent physicians now out of the complement of seven for which we’re funded, we still do need more doctors in the Northwest Territories. I’d like the Minister to update us on the programs and his policies of his department to encourage that. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The Minister of Health, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re currently reviewing or actually re- creating our Human Resources Strategy for health and social services professionals. I’ll be ready to bring it to committee in December to have a more fulsome conversation.

Right now the physicians in the Northwest Territories have a very generous contract that allows for some opportunities for professional development to enhance skills and increase their skills, and we’re always looking for ways to encourage Northerners to pursue medicine and come back when they’re done.

I’d be happy to share that report. We’ll have that ready in early December. So, we can have a more fulsome discussion. Thank you.