This is page numbers 6659 - 6698 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 disabilities.

Topics

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Bouchard.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Robert Bouchard

Robert Bouchard Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to acknowledge Elsie Bouvier, one of my constituents, who is proud to be with her friend Jeanna, who won an award today at the Culture and Heritage Circle Awards.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Mr. Bromley.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Weledeh constituent Dawn Moses. Dawn I don't think is the sister of my colleague here. Dawn is actually a Jane Glassco Northern Fellow of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation in policy and leadership development, so I am very proud to have her as a constituent.

I'd also like to recognize any other Weledeh constituents I'm not aware of in the audience and also, of course, congratulate all those who are winners of the Culture and Heritage Awards.

I'd also like to recognize Denise McKee and all her work on behalf of the people with disabilities. Mahsi.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Mr. Moses.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a few people I'd like to recognize here today. First, a young gentleman who has really come a long way and is a good role model in the community of Inuvik, Mr. Jacob Peffer, as well as all the other youth ambassadors receiving the Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle Awards today. Obviously, that program could not have been done without great leadership. I'd like to recognize Ms. Colinda Blondin and Dawn Moses for all the work that they do. In a previous job, I know the hard work that goes into making the program successful.

I'd also like to recognize Ms. Jeanna Graham. In another job that I had as a CHR and tobacco coordinator for the territory, we did a lot of work together, and she was a very strong advocate for the people of Hay River and Hay River Reserve.

As well, a couple of relatives of mine, Ms. Jeannie Snowshoe and Ms. Karen Wright-Fraser. Welcome to the proceedings and congratulations to all the award winners here today.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize Ted Blondin, the chair of the Tlicho Community Services Agency. Welcome to the Assembly.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Also, I'd like to welcome Mr. Jacob Peffer, my friend and ordering all my skidoo parts every year. Thank you for all the hard work. Then my daughter Kirstin Jacobson here in the House today.

Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on questions I started last week with the Minister of Public Works and Services on the Energy Efficiency Act and discussion paper. The other day the Minister outlined some of things we have done to reduce energy consumption. I was pleased to hear of that progress. However, we've got a long overdue Energy Efficiency Act and a commitment to getting that in place. Since we didn't do that, we committed to at least doing a discussion paper. Where is that promised document for our review? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Minister for the Department of Public Works, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you. The discussion paper on the Energy Efficiency Act has been drafted. The Department of Public Works is now consulting with the other departments that are impacted by the act. After that they will then be discussing that more broadly. I think that by the time the department finishes looking at the discussion paper it will probably be in the next Assembly, but the discussion paper has definitely been drafted. Thank you.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Another commitment not made and this is what's slowing us down on our work to deal with the cost of living, environmental issues and so on and causing people to leave or not come to the North. So, very disappointing.

I'm wondering: will the paper, should it be done soon, as the Minister indicates it might be, actually prepare the 18th Assembly to efficiently do what we have not done, and that is put an effective and timely act into place.

So, will the promised discussion paper be comprehensive, ready and waiting and enabling for the 18th Assembly as they begin their work? Mahsi.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

That is the plan, that we do present a discussion paper that's thorough to the next Assembly and that a lot of the legwork will be completed in the discussion paper. Hopefully, once that is done, soon after the next government they will start to move forward with the act. Thank you.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Given that the whole government can see this except this side of the House, I'm wondering if the Minister could share with us what are the major elements that the paper will address when finally delivered. Mahsi.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

I don't have that information with me, but I am prepared to have the department share the major elements. I can provide a briefing in written form to the committee that will highlight all of the major elements that we're looking at in this Energy Efficiency Act.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Bob Bromley

Bob Bromley Weledeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has indicated he was prepared to answer my questions, so I'm wondering how the Minister sees this legislation helping us to reduce our cost of living, our energy and electricity bills and our energy consumption. Mahsi.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

As a result of the act, the department will be able to develop a lot of the policies that would be directed to corporations, to be directed to the government, directed to the public on ways that they can reduce energy costs right across the territory and all aspects of our business. I'm hopeful that this act will allow government to work with the public and with industry in all areas to allow everybody to become more efficient energy-wise. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

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

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that there is a pre-set method by which capital assets are disposed of by this government. To the fact that the hospital in Hay River, the old hospital, at some point in the next two to three years, two years perhaps, will no longer be used by this government, I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services if this government would entertain an unsolicited proposal from a community partnership coalition in Hay River for the acquisition of that building and land. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Minister of Public Works, Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't believe that would be part of the regular disposition process. That would be first released by the Department of Health and Social Services, the building, then the second part would be to see if any departments in the government have any use for it, then after that it would be available for NGOs. Thank you.

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

We also know that there's been a precedent set many times whereby the government has made a contribution to create a proposal for a program or activity, and a proposal would have to identify revenue sources, potential sources of grants and contributions to run a program.

Would the government also entertain, please, a contribution agreement to such a coalition or partnership in Hay River to develop this property? Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe

I can't make a commitment from the Legislative Assembly today to contribute to a proposal, but we would be pleased to look at your proposal. If there's a proposal coming forward, the government would be pleased to look at the proposal. Thank you.