Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.

Mr. Speaker, last year’s extreme forest fires burned an area of over three million hectares. While it was likely the worst fire season we’ve ever had, wildland fires are a natural occurrence, leading to forest and wildlife renewal.

One early sign of renewal is the appearance of morel mushrooms, and we anticipate a bumper crop this summer.

Morel mushrooms are a prized delicacy sought by national and international food service markets. They cannot be cultivated in a commercial environment, and NWT morels, in particular, are known to be of better quality, taste, texture and size than those found elsewhere.

We saw evidence of the economic potential of this resource last summer, when residents in the Deh Cho, working with southern buyers, realized an estimated $750,000 from the harvest of morel mushrooms in the Fort Simpson vicinity. Mr. Speaker, if this year’s harvest meets expectations, it could be worth as much as 10 times that amount for residents in communities around Great Slave Lake.

The harvest of NWT morels offers an opportunity to make a significant contribution to our northern economy. Mr. Speaker, our role as government is to establish an environment in which such opportunities can be identified, pursued and realized.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has been preparing for a significant harvest of morels for a number of years. As well, ENR will be pursuing amendments to the Forest

Management Act to allow for the regulation of mushrooms.

In anticipation of this year’s morel crop, ITI, along with our partners, is developing a comprehensive handbook and field guide and is preparing to deliver a number of orientation workshops to help inform, prepare and protect NWT residents interested in taking part in this year’s harvest.

We hope to be able to advise southern buyers that they will not need to bring large crews of pickers to the NWT, highlighting instead that we have a trained, knowledgeable resident workforce in our communities to support the morel harvest.

The NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy speaks of the importance of diversifying our territorial, regional and community economies by investing in northern businesses and taking advantage of resources that are readily available to residents of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, morel mushrooms are one such resource that is ripe for the picking and we look forward to a bountiful crop this summer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Abernethy.

Mr. Speaker, as we have been hearing in this Assembly recently, on-the-land healing programs are critical to achieving our goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. That discussion echoes recommendations previously made by the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.

The Department of Health and Social Services recognizes the importance of spiritual and cultural healing and has made on-the-land programming a key component of the continuum of care and treatment of addictions. We are working with Aboriginal governments to deliver on-the-land programs as part of Territorial addictions services. These programs are designed and developed by communities to meet their needs, whether that is after-care, youth programming, or dedicated time for families to heal together.

In the 2013-2014 fiscal year, three very different pilot projects took place in the Tlicho, Inuvialuit and Akaitcho regions. These three projects helped us work with partners to determine the most effective approaches to on-the-land healing and common factors for success.

All three Aboriginal governments have indicated that community response to these initial pilot projects was very positive, and there was great interest in knowing when the next program might be offered.

This success reinforces our commitment to continued investment and ongoing evaluation of on-the-land programs. Aboriginal governments are essential partners in this effort, and we are working collaboratively to meet the needs of all residents. Aboriginal governments are using the funding, and the additional resources and expertise available through the Department, to deliver programs unique to their regions.

I’d like to highlight some of those programs for Members today,

The Tlicho Community Services Agency held on-the-land programs for Tlicho residents in the summer of 2014 and is planning a session centred around traditional knowledge and after-care for the winter of 2015.

Building on successful pilot projects last summer, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is offering five additional wellness camps to residents of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, at Reindeer Station and the Gwich’in Campground.

The Gwich’in Tribal Council will provide a five-day on-the-land program for the four Gwich’in settlement communities: Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson.

The Sahtu Dene Council will offer two 10-day camps near Deline for families from across the region.

The Akaitcho Territory Government will support community-based on-the-land addictions programs delivered by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the Deninu K’ue First Nation, and the Lutselk’e Dene First Nation.

Plans for the Dehcho have not yet been finalized, but we continue to work with them to determine the best approach for their region.

Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting approach to treatment and healing and demonstrates this government’s commitment to providing residents with innovative mental health and addictions services that support them on their path to wellness.

We are off to a good start, but we know that the demand for on-the-land programs far exceeds what we can provide alone. The department is working closely with other departments, Aboriginal

governments, and our partners in the philanthropic sector, to explore the potential for a funder collaborative that will allow communities and Aboriginal governments to tap into other funding sources.

It is the hope and expectation of all partners in these initiatives that their work will lay the groundwork for expanded on-the-land healing opportunities across the Northwest Territories in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Item 3, Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since 1969, our federal partners have tried to resolve the land management of the East Arm area of the Great Slave Lake with little success. In the wake of acquiring devolution powers as of April 1, 2014, I’m surprised our government has been silent on its progress.

Understanding the sensitivity to some on this topic, my wish is to only start a spirited dialogue of reasoning and the guiding principles of equal rights, equity and fairness for all who share this land. Are there alternatives to the existing stalemate of a national park program that could be looked at for a better management plan regarding a special area, for promoting land use, for a bigger role in getting youth on the land, to strengthen language and culture and to enshrine conservation from a Dene perspective? I believe there are.

Similar to the initiative being proposed in the East Arm with the Lutselk’e Dene Nation wishing to create the Thaidene Nene National Park, so too are the recent success stories of the Dehcho First Nations with their Protected Area Strategy for the Horne Plateau, Horne River, Mills Lake and Willow Lake River.

The Dehcho First Nations has showed us a made-in-the-North strategy where local monitoring and regular management are carried out by local Ne Hotkee Deneh, watchers of the land, to make sure these areas are kept sacred, green and clean.

At the core of its success is knowing the stewardship is being done from here rather than Ottawa. I applaud the Dehcho First Nations for applying such a made-in-the-North approach using northern tools and recognizing these protected areas as considered unique and special to all the people of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, we can learn from success. Our solutions are embedded in the desire for all parties

to find a made-in-the-North solution and approach with the guiding principle of equity and fairness for all users.

I ask nothing more than a positive dialogue with Lutselk’e Dene First Nation, YKDFN, the Metis, local residents and this government to proceed with confidence, especially knowing now there’s a pause from the federal government from progressing further.

We have been given a golden opportunity to take the lead initiative as we evolve with new devolution authority. My hope that with the proper use of northern tools, an alternative to the national park for land management of the East Arm area can progress with the proper framework agreement or an agreement-in-principle with affected stakeholders prior to the end of our legislative sitting.

I will have questions today for the Minister of ENR. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last 50 years, immunization has saved more lives than any other health measure. It has been said that vaccination is the best way for you and your family to prevent very serious illnesses and diseases. When you get immunized, you are protecting yourself and others from serious diseases. Some vaccine-preventable disease could lead to disability or death and can be avoided by getting the immunizations you need on time.

The objectives of immunization programs are to prevent, control, possibly eliminate or eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases. In countries with effective immunization programs, important reductions have been achieved in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Globally, smallpox has been eradicated and efforts are currently directed at the eradication of polio and elimination of measles. Universally recommended vaccination has been hailed as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century and credited with

saving more lives than any other intervention. Moreover, immunization programs, particularly those with standardized immunization schedules, have proven to be highly cost effective and, in some cases, cost saving.

As the incidences of vaccine-preventable diseases are decreasing, the attention of some of the public may shift from the disease to potential adverse events following immunization. This shift in focus has resulted in some cases in individuals

questioning the need for immunization, leading to lower vaccine coverage and resurgence of some diseases. In Canada the resurgence of measles, mumps and whooping cough, in particular in 2010-2013, has highlighted the need for a continuation of immunization programs that achieve high immunization coverage.

The low incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and their associated mortality in Canada is a result of successful vaccination programs, and in addition to achieving high rates of immunization coverage, for Canadians to receive the greatest possible benefits from immunization it is essential that vaccines and vaccination programs continue to be monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, later today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about specific information regarding the Northwest Territories on our immunization programs and uptake on vaccines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.

I just want to remind the Member, everybody wants to go to Tuk. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I called attention to an active, successful and delicious northern industry, the morel mushroom harvest. As I’ve said before, this Deh Cho crop is prized by gourmet chefs across Canada and around the world. It also thrives in burned land. One positive outcome, at least, of last summer’s extensive fire season.

As you know, these fires affected more than three million hectares of land, including significant positions of the Deh Cho region, and demanded significant human, mechanical and financial resources. But, as with the morel mushrooms, last summer’s fires have also given us the opportunity to grow. For example, we can look at our communities’ wildland fire protection plans to identify where we can grow and improve. Last July Kakisa residents saw the importance of fire smarting firsthand. Thanks to the community’s readiness and the hard work of committed firefighting crews, no structures were lost when residents were forced to evacuate.

Other communities can follow their example when preparing for the upcoming season. While communities and families have an important role to play in forest fire readiness, we must not forget that they rely on the government for support, for program funding, for the development and protection plans and for other preventative measures.

Even today, in this cold winter, there are concerns of fires smouldering beneath the muskeg. Looking forward to the coming summer, we need to be ready. We must make sure our communities are as prepared as they can be to respond to a forest fire emergency.

Later today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources regarding emergency preparedness for summer fires. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Single Use Retail Bag Program has recently had its fifth birthday. It was originally rolled out into stores in 2010 and had its last update in February 2011.

Many of us have come to know and appreciate the fact that the single use bag is being charged at 25 cents per use. That’s on paper, plastic, biodegradable and, certainly, compostable bags.

I’m on record many times supporting responsible environmental initiatives and I certainly support the principle of this retail bag initiative, but we must always be practical in our design. There are notable exemptions. As we know, prescription bags, dry cleaning bags and paper bags from restaurants are considered exempted from this fee.

But across Canada, they have found different approaches over the years. In some communities they do outright banning of particular bags and in other places they do partnerships through organizations such as Shoppers Drug Mart, and even Indigo Books have charged fees even though they’re not required to by legislation.

The point of the single use bag was to get plastic bags out of our landfills, away from our streets and in our yards. Get them out of the environment, Mr. Speaker. I think the program, in essence, has been a success from its original design. But this has also captured what I define as biodegradable bags and compostable bags. In my view, the single use bag was really intended to get the plastic bags out of the environment system because they do not break down, certainly at least not in our lifetime.

What’s being raised by business – and they’re talking to me about this – is the question, should compostable and biodegradable bags be included into the Single Use Retail Bag Program and policy? Because they are doing exactly what the intent was, which is they wanted bags that break down and don’t harm the environment.

Across Canada, according to The Star, in 2014 it talked about the quietly changing policies across Canada where some jurisdictions are even repealing or amending their original legislation because they’re finding challenges with it.

The point I’m really raising here is technology has advanced in a way that we have better products on the market here, people are using paper bags, they’re encouraging multi-use bags such as cloth bags given out by many of the MLAs, such as myself and others, but the idea was to get plastic bags out of the environment.

Later today I’ll be asking the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources about maybe reviewing this policy, updating it so it’s practical in a way that makes sense to everyone and still

achieves the initiative we always wanted: a cleaner environment.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we know, the 2015 Canada Winter Games is currently in full swing in Prince George. In addition to the 2,400 athletes participating over the next two weeks, the Games are expected to attract as many as 20,000 visitors.

Our NWT contingent I know will be great ambassadors for the territory, and like my colleague did yesterday, I want to acknowledge the individuals from Frame Lake who are representing the NWT in Prince George. There aren’t quite as many as there were from Range Lake, but they are certainly just as worthy.

Emily Paddock and Dakota Earle are with our female hockey team, the team that successfully bested the Yukon yesterday. Way to go, girls.

With them is Dave Earle, the female hockey team’s trainer. Paul Green is supporting our biathlon team as the wax tech. Tracy East is the manager for our shooting team. Last but not least, Rebecca Canam is looking after them all as one of the NWT Team mission staff.

The Canada Games have been held every two years since 1967, alternating winter and summer games. The Canada Games is now Canada’s largest multisport competition for young athletes, athletes who are our country’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions. The hosting of the Games moves around the country from jurisdiction to jurisdiction according to a schedule.

In 2007 the Canada Games were held in the North for the very first time, in Whitehorse, Yukon, and now the NWT has the opportunity to host the 2023 Canada Winter Games. It’s a big task but one that Yellowknife and the NWT is well able to handle. The city has proven that capability over the years by successfully hosting many Arctic Winter Games, and what a glorious opportunity hosting the Canada Games is for Yellowknife and the NWT.

I support the NWT and Yellowknife taking on this hosting job, and I anticipate the excitement, the economic boost and the exposure to the NWT that the Games will bring. But that’s to come.

This week our athletes are in Prince George doing their best. I ask this House to wish every one of our NWT Canada Games team reps all good luck. Go, NT, go!

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday at our three campuses across the Northwest Territories, students and staff kicked off the Aurora College Week with an open house. In fact, this open house right across the Northwest Territories was held simultaneously on our three campuses using videoconferencing, including a demonstration of how courses will be delivered using this new technology, examples of course presentation methods and discussion of career opportunities for graduates. It came at a perfect time in terms of all the discussion around the Mackenzie Fibre Optic Link. This week also is a great opportunity to highlight the programs and services in education and training at our three campuses, not only at those campuses but the numerous learning centres that we have in our small communities.

This week also allows for the public to meet our staff at various events as well as meet the students and how they’re enjoying the programs that they’ve been involved in and how the quality of programs is being delivered. It’s a great opportunity for the public to engage our staff and students at all of our campuses and support them by attending various events in Inuvik, Fort Smith and here in Yellowknife.

In terms of talking about support, standing committee does in fact support the staff as well as supporting the students, and this was made relevant when standing committee last year met with the students here at the Yellowknife Campus where we heard a lot of their concerns, heard a lot of issues that they had within the campus as well as with space and, in some cases, student services. Following that, committee did meet with the Board of Governors as well as the executive to look at how we can address some of these concerns for our students so that they can get the best education possible.

I, as the Member representing Inuvik Boot Lake, had the opportunity earlier last year to meet with the Board of Governors in Inuvik and bring up some issues about the Inuvik campus, lack of programming services, but also bringing up some concerns that standing committee did have, and I just want to acknowledge the Aurora College for reaching out to standing committee to allow them to have a Member present at the Board of Governors meetings.

I will be asking questions of the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment today about those recommendations that came from standing committee.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Freedom. Such a powerful word. People fight for it, children yearn for it, companies aspire to it and governments protect it at all costs. As individuals, we cherish it. Sahtu region wants its freedom, wants its independence. We have tasted it. We have known what it is like to have departments slowly coming into the regions ourselves to make our own decisions based on the realities of the Sahtu lifestyle.

The time has come for the other regions to let go of their shackles on the Sahtu and allow it to make its own decisions.

For example, the Department of Transportation, airports decisions come from Inuvik. On the highways, decisions come from the Fort Simpson regional office. Even the Department of Public Works, the decisions come from the Inuvik region. We are not allowed, through this bureaucratic red tape process, to make our own decisions. The Sahtu is asking for that independence. Given the ability and the technology today, we want our own region. We cannot be penalized for not being big enough or not having an all-season highway or not having enough employees, for all of the excuses the government says why we shouldn’t be an independent region like any other region.

The Sahtu people today want to know why the government isn’t allowing it to be an independent region, a stand-alone region to come to the table like any other region and say we are a full partnership in this territorial government.

I’ll ask questions to the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to provide Members with an update on my recent trip with Minister McLeod to the Canada Winter Games and the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Sport meeting in Prince George, British Columbia.

It was great to see Team NWT athletes march into the opening ceremonies. They were so proud and excited to be representing their communities and the Northwest Territories at this important national sporting event. I also want to acknowledge my constituents Ms. Val Gendron, mission staff, and her daughter Madison Pilling, who are both there

with the speed skating team. I should say it was a fantastic event to watch the speed skaters as they represented not only our territory but their own territories and provinces.

Also, a City of Yellowknife delegation was in Prince George to gather information on a possible bid for the 2023 Canada Winter Games, as Ms. Bisaro alluded to earlier. If the city chooses to host the games, the benefits that come to the entire NWT will be significant. As the Minister from the Yukon said in one of his statements about the Canada Games, the Yukon is still receiving the benefits from hosting the Games in 2007. This is because there’s usually significant legacy sport infrastructure left behind. The economic and tourism benefits are incredible. There was $90 million alone in Prince George this year.

The community and volunteer development opportunities are even more significant. I also had an opportunity to see the presentations on the National Play Exchange that Mr. Bouchard referenced, the Walk to Tuk Challenge that our own NWT Recreation and Parks Association was a finalist in. It was also great to see our colleague Mr. Moses and four-time Olympic champion Sharon Firth featured on the national stage as part of this program.

Finally, I was able to be part of a larger discussion on what governments in Canada are doing to encourage Canadians to become more physically active. There are some promising programs being developed, but there are still some huge challenges to overcome if we want our residents and youth to be healthier.

While I haven’t registered for the Walk to Tuk, I have chosen to walk more every day. It’s fun when the Yellowknife weather has been 40 below.

Just in closing, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

I just wanted to thank Minister McLeod and the coaches, mission staff and the sports volunteers who make the athletes’ experience at the Canada Games a success, and good luck to Team NWT for the next 10 days as they proudly represent us. Mahsi cho.