Good morning colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update the Members and residents on our fiscal situation.

The passage of the first budget of the 18th Legislative Assembly in June, just four short months ago, was the start of our commitment to three objectives in our fiscal strategy. First, we need to ensure we demonstrate discipline in our spending so that our expenditure growth is aligned with revenue growth. Currently, this is particularly challenging as most of our revenues are based on federal transfers that are expected to have little growth in the medium term.

Secondly, we need to lower our operating expenditures or increase our revenues to increase our fiscal capacity. This requires us to make difficult decisions on what programs and services are no longer needed or that can be funded at a reduced level or making decisions on increasing revenues knowing that these decisions impact cost-of-living and doing business in the Northwest Territories. However, these decisions also allow us to have the fiscal capacity needed to invest in infrastructure, to invest in actions outlined in the mandate of the 18th Assembly, and to ensure we are addressing our overall debt.

Finally, we need to start reducing our reliance on our line of credit to finance operations and return to a more manageable level of short-term borrowing position by the end of the 18th Assembly. Our large cash deficit is the most obvious sign that we are continuing to live beyond our means and impacting our fiscal capacity by using a significant portion of the GNWT's authorized borrowing limit. Reversing and eliminating this will be no small feat and requires the strength and determination to stick to the fiscal strategy outlined in our latest budget.

Budget 2016-17 was the first step in achieving these objectives by finding $68 million in savings and new revenues over four years. The actions outlined in Budget 2016-17 improved the fiscal outlook that was presented at the start of the 18th Assembly but do not prevent the operating surpluses from falling later in our term and do little to reduce the short-term debt. The work leading up to the 2017-18 Budget will be critical in accomplishing our fiscal strategy objectives and putting us on a fiscal sustainability path going forward.

We continue to see no new signs that the NWT economy will be able to rescue us from making the fiscal choices we need to make. While we have some positive news with the Gahcho Kue diamond mine starting to process ore and recover diamonds, and the Ekati Mine reopening after recovering from a fire that halted production for three months. This, however, does not change the longer-term outlook.

Exploration investments are positive but are not expected to grow this year. Current mine plans are projecting the closure of one major mine by 2023 and for the remaining mines by 2033. New mines may take many years from discovery to beginning production. Moreover, potential mines that we are aware may be developed, though positive, are not large enough to replace the economic activity of today's mines when they close.

We need to create the environment that supports a vibrant economy and provides our residents with good economic opportunities. This means we need the fiscal resources to invest in infrastructure to support economic development, our communities, and deliver government programs and services. Examples of this include:

The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Work on the highway has progressed well and is expected to be complete by fall 2017. This project has involved more than 50 local businesses, dispersing close to $120 million directly into the local NWT economy. It has provided training opportunities for over 120 NWT residents, and over 70 per cent of its 530 person workforce at the peak of construction have been NWT residents.

1. The Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. This project is scheduled to be completed in June 2017. To date, the project has employed about 160 NWT residents, involved 60 local businesses and organizations across the territory and contributed $32 million to the local NWT economy.

2. The Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project. As Members can see, the progress on the new hospital is going well, with a target completion set for the end of November 2018. Although it is still early in construction, the project has involved 50 local companies and invested over $13 million in the local economy.

We are continuing to make critical infrastructure investments. Later today, I will be tabling the 2017-2018 Capital Estimates. These estimates will propose the continued investment to our transportation corridors, housing stock, key education and health facilities, and stable funding to our community governments.

Mr. Speaker, we would not be able to table this ambitious capital plan if the 18th Assembly did not endorse the fiscal strategy and start making the tough decisions to get our fiscal house in order. The first steps we took with the 2016-17 Budget must not be our last steps. The upcoming budget will need to include additional actions.

I am frequently asked why we have to take these steps. The answer is simple: to do otherwise is not sustainable and would be irresponsible. We need money to invest in our priorities, our people and communities that we simply do not have today. In recent years, the GNWT’s expenditures have been growing more rapidly than our revenues. Our cash deficit was large and projected to grow. We were adding short-term debt with no plan on how to repay it, and it was adding to our overall total debt. Our borrowing has a limit imposed on us by the federal government and we need the borrowing room to have fiscal flexibility to take advantage of federal cost-sharing opportunities, to make strategic investments, and to have a cushion for the unexpected fiscal shocks.

Our fiscal strategy is working. The current fiscal projections have revenues expected to grow 1.7 per cent annually while expenditure management results in an average annual spending growth of 1.1 per cent over the same period. This reverses the trend in the February 2016 Fiscal Update, where spending was projected to outpace revenue.

As reflected in the mandate of the 18th Assembly, we have many issues that need to be addressed within our communities and we have identified actions that will help create a better future for our residents. I look forward to working with Members to continue to advance the items in our mandate but we must be realistic that many of the items in our mandate will require investment. This investment will be on top of the fiscal resources needed to address the forced growth pressures that increase the costs to deliver our current programs and services and to maintain our existing infrastructure stock. We need to adhere to this fiscal strategy and achieve its objectives or we simply will not be in a financial position to address any of the challenges and priorities we have identified in our mandate.

I need to be clear with the people of the Northwest Territories and the Members of the Assembly in saying that there are still hard decisions that need to be made to ensure the future prosperity of the people of the NWT and the ongoing fiscal sustainability of the GNWT. We all like to talk about how special and unique consensus government is where 19 Members can work together on a course of action that is in the best interests of the residents of the NWT; where reason and common sense plays a greater role than party doctrine or election promises. We all need to take a hard look at what legacy we will leave for the people of the NWT. Simply delaying tough choices for future Assemblies to make is not an option in my view.

Mr. Speaker, we are on the right fiscal track and with the support of our residents and this Assembly we will remain fiscally sustainable, yet still have the funds to invest in individuals, families and communities to ensure the NWT is a place where our people can thrive and be healthy, where a well-managed environment contributes to our economic wellbeing and quality of life, and where a strong economy provides jobs and opportunities for our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Masi. Ministers' statements. Deputy Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Bob McLeod will be absent from the House today for a personal matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to speak about a young lady who has been selected to be part of the Prime Minister's Youth Council from my riding.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that Sylvia Pascua-Matte is the youngest member on this council. She's 17 years old. She will be completing her grade 12 this year and she is a student from Thomas Simpson School. This fall she plans on attending university. She is narrowing her research as we speak.

Some of the returning Members may recognize her name as she represented Nahendeh in the youth parliament in Yellowknife where she had the opportunity to be MLA and represent our riding in front of her peers right here in this Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, this young lady has been engaged in a number of organizations in Fort Simpson throughout her young life. This includes student council, past president and now their treasurer, the Historical Society, the Garden Society, and during her free time she works part-time for the Open Doors Society.

Sylvia has attended a three-day session in Ottawa which ran from September 28th to the 30th. During the orientation, she had the opportunity to meet some of her fellow council members and partook in some of the One Youth World Summit sessions and met delegates from around the world. In speaking with her about the council, she said the focus was on how the council would work and the communication strategies they would use when they returned to their community. Some of the highlights of her trip were a tour of the hill and their buildings, watching Question and Answer Period, and meeting Members and Ministers of the Parliament. As well, she had the opportunity to hear a fellow member speak about her experience as a refugee.

I asked Ms. Pascua-Matte why she applied to be part of this council. She said her past positive experiences as a member of the student council, youth parliament, and her volunteer and work experience were part of it and the desire to have a say in the future development of the country as a member of the generation likely to be impacted by future development.

Mr. Speaker, Sylvia is very excited about the next

steps. She's already back engaging the community

and listening to the youth on what they think and care about and will bring the information back to the council where they will discuss their decision. She is hoping to have them understand what it is to be a Northerner for the past, present and future.

Mr. Speaker, like young people like her and others, I feel good about our future. I would like to congratulate her, and I know we're going to hear great things about her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Item 2, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in February, the Finance Minister announced changes in the limits for granting sole-source contracts. To recap, sole-source contract limits were increased from $5,000 to $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 for different categories of purchases. That means GNWT purchasers can spend up to these amounts without having to go to tender or a negotiated contract.

I spoke on these changes in the June session, and the Minister may remember I questioned him on what controls are in place to ensure there is diligent oversight of the awarding of these sole-source contracts. I didn't get the reassurance I was looking for from the Minister at that time. I also asked for the release of the 2015-16 Report on Contracts over $5,000 and have yet to receive the promised report from the Minister, even though we're now six months on from the end of that fiscal year.

Judging from the upswing in sole-source spending between 2014 and 2015 year-end reports, there's good reason to be vigilant. In the 2015 end fiscal year, that is before greatly increasing the spending limits came into place, sole-source spending soared to $90 million to 25 per cent of all contracts let, more than double the previous year.

Even more unsettling, the report reveals how some well-placed suppliers get major sole-source contracts again and again. For example, one former deputy minister received 22 sole-source contracts, totalling $567,000. Another former DM got 10 contracts, worth $242,000. Media has reported, and I can confirm, a former Premier received 15 sole-source contracts, totalling almost $600,000 over the last eight years. A consultant in BC has received 22 sole-source contracts since 2011-12, totalling $1 million. This is significant spending, Mr. Speaker, all awarded without the test of tender or negotiation to periodically determine whether the public is getting the best value for its tax money spent, and that was under the much more modest limits on sole-source spending. So, to go back to my question about oversight -- I think I'm going to have to ask you, Mr. Speaker, for unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

--- Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. So, back to my question about oversight, when the same consultants are repeated beneficiaries of sole-source contracts, shouldn't we occasionally look to see whether other suppliers might not provide value for money? The only review of sole-source contracting I can locate is the 2009 Auditor General's review of GNWT contracting. The OAG reported that one in five sole-source contracts was not properly awarded. Mr. Speaker, the increased limits make the stakes that much higher. I will have questions for the Finance Minister. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Item 2, Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to call this statement, "What I Did for My Summer Holidays," if I may. Right after last session ended, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment held a strategic planning session that I participated in and dealt with the legislative proposal. I'll have more on that legislative proposal a little later in this session.

Rules and Procedures Committee met in July to continue work on a mid-term review, code of conduct review, and improving public engagement of standing committees. In August, my wife and I travelled to Labrador's southern coast, where tourism is just beginning. We share a lot in common, including a long history of Indigenous peoples and settlers, resource-dependent economies, and changing ways of life. Later in August, we had our Caucus retreat in Fort Providence. A big mahsi cho to the community and our colleague, the MLA for Deh Cho, for a warm reception and productive meetings.

In September, more committee work took place to review the 2017-18 capital and departmental budgets. Later in September, harvesting from our home garden began in earnest. We produced over five buckets of carrots, around 150 pounds or 65 kilograms. Some Members in this very Chamber have savoured these carrots, and I'm open to offers for exchanges.

More seriously, Mr. Speaker, I personally delivered a special summer newsletter to about 900 households in my riding and engaged residents wherever possible. The top issues were housing and homelessness and the state of Yellowknife's downtown area, followed closely by the need for childcare, the Con headframe, and high cost of electricity. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work on these issues. I'll be looking for investments in housing, Yellowknife's downtown, and renewable energy in the 2017-18 budget. These issues are part of our mandate. We need a costed plan to get our housing out of core need, a costed plan to get our communities off diesel, and some assistance with other heating costs and transportation, as well. That's what the federal government has said it was willing to invest in, too, and these should become the focus of our federal engagement strategy. I look forward to working towards these matters during this session. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Item 2, Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Fall time is a time for traditions, preparing for winter by stocking up on moose meat, berries, fish for the long winter ahead. The Ka'a'gee Tu First Nations have been taking their people out on the land to the area of Tathlina Lake. Recently, three young men, Chaal Simba, Takek Chicot, and Dawson Landry, shot their first moose. The young hunters travelled with their relatives and uncles. They were honoured in the recent opening of the community hall in Kakisa. Meat from the moose they harvested was on the menu during the feast.

Mr. Speaker, this age-old story highlights how important traditional lifestyles remain to this day. Our culture, traditions are vital to our identity. As government, we must do all we can to encourage the traditional economy by being good stewards of the land, first of all, and offering supports to people who want to make harvesting integral to their lives.

Mr. Speaker, the Ka'a'gee Tu protected area in these hunters' region is being advanced through their former protected area strategy process to create a permanent level of protection for that area. I encourage the GNWT to work towards the full implementation of the conservation areas network which will replace the protected area strategy. I encourage other regions with candidate areas to work proactively to protect habitat in their areas. Mr. Speaker, the NWT has some of the last great wilderness left on earth and the survival of one species is essential to others. Government and industry must seriously consider traditional knowledge and critical wildlife habitat thresholds when writing and reviewing project proposals.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT supports wise and responsible traditional land use through programs like the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program, Take Your Kid Trapping, and has worked with Aboriginal governments to develop wildlife management plans for caribou and those bison that like to trample through our communities. It is also preparing to roll out hunter education courses under the new Wildlife Act. This government needs to ensure that work with Aboriginal counterparts lays the groundwork for future cooperation and positive relationships in communities and on the land where these matter the most. Mr. Speaker, the three young men I spoke of earlier will always remember their first moose. One day, they will want to share this experience with their nephews and sons. The decisions we make today will determine whether they share it as a memory or as they did themselves, at a feast to mark a special day. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the legacy I want to leave for the Northwest Territories is one where we are no longer the weakest economy in Canada's North, one where we are no longer the second-worst when it comes to social ills in this country. I want a Northwest Territories that is stronger going forward into the future and can be a leader for Canada and the entire circumpolar world. We created a mandate together to take us there and that mandate is the centrepiece of this 18th Assembly. If we are going to fulfill that mandate, then we need to start investing in that mandate.

One thing seems to be holding that back, and that is this government's fiscal policy, a fiscal strategy that is cutting $150 million out of programs, services and jobs, and not returning that investment to areas of our economy where they're so desperately needed. At a time when our economy is stalling, our investors, our businesses, they need capital, capital that's not available to them in this time of recession. Our government needs to be spending more, spending more to support small business, spending more to fix social problems. We're seeing health costs continue to rise, we can't cut those back. We need to find fiscal flexibility to implement them now. Waiting for three or four years to start delivering on promises, that's not what my constituents want. They want a government that follows through on its commitments, and starts making real progress on the mandate. Until we start to see that from this government, there's going to be continued debate around that number, that big $150 million number. That needs to change so we can start delivering on the commitments we made to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, similar to the previous speaker and also as the Minister previously spoke about, in the North we are living in some challenging times regarding the economy. The commitments we made in the 18th Legislative Assembly mandate are broad and cover a lot of ground. We need exploration and mining, we also need communications, we need roads, but we also need to invest in healthy communities. We need paved airstrips, but we also need vibrant schools. We need more businesses and jobs, but we also must invest in education, health, innovation, technology and in our well-being.

Now is not the time to rest and wait for the economy to somehow come around. It's our job to invest, to provide the boost that Northerners need to see in their economy. More recent economic indicators would attest that now is not the time for massive government cutbacks. As of late, the NWT has lost the Snap Lake Mine, and the De Beers head office has moved south. Long-time northern transporter NTCL is in decline and unlikely to rebound. Imperial Oil is in the midst of selling off its assets after almost 100 years operating in the Norman Wells area.

Equally troubling are the resulting impacts of the economy: less disposable income for families; a significant downturn for local small business growth; residents relocating south, accompanied by reduced federal transfer payments.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Minister of Finance, that it would be irresponsible and risky to live beyond our means. I do not support running a deficit. However, if we don't invest in what's possible, we cannot hope to meet the goals we have set as a government and as a territory. While we continue to rest on the pillars of resource development, the 18th Assembly has committed to diversifying the economy through support for emerging industries like tourism, agriculture, film production, arts, fisheries and trapping, and the renewable sector. Mr. Speaker, solutions can be found in our commitment to invest in our communities. Our mandate recognizes that a thriving economy needs healthy, educated people, a vibrant environment for small business, and opportunities for education and training. We need to invest in the resources we have already proven in sectors that are ready to grow.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I'll have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last month in my role as deputy speaker I had the honour and pleasure of hosting her Excellency Petronila Garcia, the Philippine Ambassador to Canada, as well as Consul General Neil Ferrer and his consular outreach team. We spoke on various topics, but primarily we discussed the Filipino Community in the Northwest Territories, and particularly in Hay River.

I was proud to be able to inform her Excellency of the countless positive contributions made by the Filipino Community in Hay River, and I believe she took pride in hearing about how strong and well-respected they are in our community. So, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to officially thank and recognize the 200+ members of Hay River's Filipino Community for all they do. They are a driving force in fundraising in Hay River. They are always happy to prepare a Filipino dinner for any organization that needs to raise money. This not only involves preparing and storing food, but also dressing in traditional clothing and performing traditional dances and music. In fact, there is a Filipino dinner tomorrow to help raise money for the CIBC Run for Our Lives. I encourage anyone who wants good food and good company to attend.

In 2014 they raised $13,000, which was donated to the Red Cross to support relief efforts in the Philippines after the destructive typhoon season. They're also very active volunteers and can be found donating their time at almost any event in town. Most of the Filipino women in Hay River are members of the Women's Catholic League where, among other things, they volunteer to prepare and serve food for funerals and other community events. They also donate much of their time to the soup kitchen and feeding individuals in need. These are a few examples of the generosity of the Hay River Filipino Community.

In addition to freely donating their time, they also contribute to our community through their positions as nurses, caregivers, financial professionals, journeymen, and more. I use the term Filipino community, but I don't mean that they're separate from the community of Hay River as a whole. They're an integral part of the fabric of our society. Her Excellency was surprised that so many Filipinos had set down roots in Hay River. She noted that it was a common practice for Filipinos to move to an area, work for a few years, then leave. Mr. Speaker, Hay River has been lucky enough to break that trend, and we're a better community for it. Thank you.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, today, would like to again send some condolences to families, to the family of Keith McDermott of Fort Resolution who passed away on July 9, 2016 here in Yellowknife. Keith was born June 29, 1975. He was a very kind-hearted person who loved to work hard for his family. He wanted to make everyone happy, so always took time to say hi to family and friends. His passion for playing guitar and singing made him feel good, and he loved wearing his cowboy hat and boots. Keith enjoyed going out on the land, travelling, was a good athlete and he was a good mechanic. Keith lived with me when he was a student at Hay River High School a few years back.

Keith is survived by his spouse, Maria Mantla, and three stepchildren, his father Larry McDermott, his brothers Arthur and Arlow McDermott. He's predeceased by his mother Viviane Balsillie-McDermott. Keith will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

I'd like to also send my deepest condolences to the Lynn family of Detah, for Mark Lynn who passed away on August 24, 2016. Born on November 21, 1994, he was only 21 years old. Mark enjoyed sports such as hockey, biking, and was an outgoing person, had a great sense of humour, he loved his hats, boots, and had a huge collection.

Mark is survived by his father Jim and mother Julia, his sisters Diane, Theresa and Kateri. He had many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends. Mark was a relative of mine. Mark will be sadly missed by his family and friends. I'd also like to send my condolences to the family of Delta McKay of Fort Resolution. Delta passed away here in Yellowknife on September 6, 2016. She was born June 30, 1994. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

--- Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Delta was born June 30, 1994. She was only 22 years old. Delta was a well-liked young woman from Res and will be truly missed by her parents, Marvin and Brenda, her sister Rena, brother Ryan, grandparents Lena and Henry McKay and grandmother Violet Beaulieu. Delta had many friends, and she has left a huge void in many lives. She, too, was a relative of mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Our condolences and prayers to the family members as well. Masi. Member’s statements. Member for Nunakput.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past summer, while we worked and travelled in our constituencies, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls continued to take shape. Five commissioners were appointed in early August, continuing the pre-inquiry work begun at the start of this year when federal minister Carolyn Bennett visited Yellowknife in January. During her visit the Minister committed to work that recognizes "different and unique situations" — both across Canada and here in the Northwest Territories, the traditional home of many diverse Dene, Metis, and Inuit peoples. Mr. Speaker, this recognition is vital. Just this past July, Pauktuutit, an Inuit women's organization, brought national attention to the lack of an Inuk commissioner to the inquiry.

As we think of the unique needs of the Northern and Indigenous people, we must also remember that, for the families involved, the inquiries over the next few years will be stressful, demanding and difficult. Addressing trauma, grief and loss is no simple task.

If anyone finds himself struggling, Mr. Speaker, Northerners can call the NWT

Help Line at 1-800-661-0844. Mr. Speaker, when the inquiry submits its final report in November 2018, it will recommend concrete actions to remove systemic causes of violence and increase the safety of Indigenous women and girls and ways to honour and communicate missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Here and now, as the inquiry begins its work, we must all support its progress. Tell your MLAs and MPs that this work is important to you, consider how you can help people in need in your community, let national and local media know that you want to see the commission's work on the news, and when you see a headline, click on it to stay informed and support local organizations and initiatives like the Native Women's Association annual Sisters in Spirit vigil, which most recently took place on October 4th.

For many individuals and families, the inquiry's work is all too real. Yet for Northerners who may be removed from this painful reality, these stories might sound like just another headline. But, Mr. Speaker, this is not at all the case. The women and girls at the heart of this inquiry are loved and missed each day by their family and friends.

CBC has written a brief online profile of hundreds of missing or murdered Indigenous women, with the oldest file dating back to 1951. This includes five women from the Northwest Territories. I encourage my colleagues to read these profiles, as these stories must be heard.

As individuals and as a government, we must help the inquiry in its work. Together we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to create a different future for all Indigenous women and for our country. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to send my condolences to the families that have lost loved ones within the past few months.

Mr. Speaker, our communities are rich with elders. They have the vast knowledge of memories, stories and culture. We treasure our elders and we make an effort to visit them, care for them, and love them. It's never easy when a loved one passes. However, it does help when the community comes together to help the family with funeral arrangements.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge a few elders from my constituency who have passed away:

Caroline Snowshoe, 86 years old from Fort McPherson passed away on July 7. James Nerysoo, 85 years old from Fort McPherson passed away August 9th. Hugh Papik, 67 years old from Aklavik passed away August 16th. Mary Kay, 97 years old from Fort McPherson passed away on August 23rd. Alice Husky, 79 years old from Aklavik passed away September 11th. William Kunnizzie, 82 years old from Fort McPherson passed away September 15th. Agnes Neyando, 79 years old from Fort McPherson passed away on September 30th. Also in September, Mr. Speaker, there was a memorial for Daniel Andre from Tsiigehtchic held at Tree River. Every one of these elders, and Daniel, will be missed tremendously by their family members.

Mr. Speaker, in just two short months we've lost seven respected elders, also Daniel. I would like the Assembly to join me in sending condolences to the families in Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Tsiigehtchic who are having a hard time dealing with their loss. Prayers going out to everyone. Mahsi.

Masi. Our condolences and prayers go out to the families as well. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Colleagues, I would like to turn your attention to people in the gallery. We have with us Violet Camsell-Blondin from Behchoko. Welcome to the Assembly. I hope you are enjoying our proceedings. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize two members of the NWT Status of Women Council. As you stated, Violet Camsell-Blondin and Georgina Jacobson Masuzumi, who is the president of the Status of Women. Welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I see my constituent Georgina Jacobson Masuzumi is here. I just wanted to recognize her and welcome her to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Anyone we may have missed in the gallery, welcome. I hope you are enjoying our proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke about the Fort Simpson Health Centre. During the oral question period, I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services a question and was advised that the Department of Public Works and Services was the person to direct the question. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of DPW please explain why the fenced off area was built behind the school on the new proposed site for the new health centre? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Public Works and Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was during the phase one process of the Health Authority's new building in Fort Simpson. On the location of the lot, there was ground penetrating radar done, and there were graves discovered on this property. With ongoing consultation with the municipality and the Band of Fort Simpson, the planning process was moving forward and with ongoing discussions with them we're figuring out what's the best way forward with putting the fence in and what we're going to do with the grave sites moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Minster for that answer. The second question has kind of been answered, but I'll ask it anyway. Was the finding shared with the band, village and the Metis local so that they were aware of this site and that they can make proper postings on the site?

During consultation, like I said, we talked to the band and the municipality regarding the management of these grave sites. I'm not quite sure if we've talked to the Metis or if the municipality has, but I can assure the Member I'll follow up on that and make sure the Metis are included in the conversation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I again thank the Minister for his answer. As he's aware, that community is a tri-council, and so I would hope that information will be shared with them. Can that information also be shared with the Department of Health and Social Services and myself?

This information already has been shared with Health and Social Services, and I believe it was also shared with the Member of the 17th Assembly, and I will make sure that any information that was shared previously gets to the Member of this Assembly.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since 2013, the NWT has lost nearly a thousand small-medium sized enterprises. What is the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment doing to bring small business and entrepreneurs back to the Northwest Territories and invest in our private sector? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have just been newly appointed to this portfolio and been a small business owner myself previous to coming to the Assembly, I will work diligently to ensure that all small business opportunities there are available in all the communities in the Northwest Territories and to all entrepreneurs that are thinking of going into small business in the Northwest Territories have the opportunity to move forward in a manner that will best benefit residents of the Northwest Territories and the communities, and we will ensure to help them the best we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for that. I'm sure his experience as an entrepreneur himself will lend some new insight into our policies. One area that needs to be improved is the availability of investment capital for business opportunities. Right now, it's very hard for entrepreneurs to access investment, and, in a time when the global economy is not opening up to investment, what is our government doing to flow more capital to entrepreneurs and small businesses and allow them to make investments in our economy, create jobs, and diversify a stalled economy that is overly dependent on resource development?

As the Member alluded to, yes, the capital markets are tight and the commodities are low, so that puts a lot of pressure on the economy of the Northwest Territories with little development in the mining sector. As the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, we have a number of programs that are here that are available to young entrepreneurs, old entrepreneurs, to move the economy forward, and we continue to invest in them. We have the SEED program and a number of other opportunities where they can access capital via the Metis Development Fund, or the Community Futures, or ITI or even BDIC, and we will continue to work with those organizations to make sure capital is available to any entrepreneur that wants to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to enhancing those programs or indicate whether or not those programs will be enhanced in the near future or will they stay the same? I appreciate that the department does a lot of work in this area, but, at a time, as the Minister indicated, where capital markets are tight, we need this investment. Is the department going to put more money into these opportunities, or are we keeping things status quo? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As this is early days in my portfolio, I will be reviewing all available capital that's available to all people of the Northwest Territories, and I'm sure, if there's a need to either lower it or raise it, I will make sure I inform this House.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier and the Finance Minister have talked about the importance of infrastructure in supporting economy. In fact, it's the real tool to drive our economy forward. As the Minister has recently come to this portfolio, is the Minister willing to look at our procurement policies and bring in members of the private sector and procurement experts to find a way to make procurement more effective at boosting our economy and flowing capital into our communities and creating more jobs? Is the Minister willing to take a look at BIP and our other procurement policies and make them more effective, more transparent, for Northerners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As a government, we are always looking at trying to find a way to make things more better, more effective, more resilient. I believe that we are. On an annual basis, we probably look at BIP and procurement on a regular basis. Back to his question about making more money available to small businesses and communities, with raising the procurement level to $25,000, that is, I believe, has offered the smaller communities a little better chance to participate in the economy and be able to bid and supply stuff to the Government of the Northwest Territories, so that is one thing I believe that is positive out of that.

Masi. Item 7, Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Finance. In June of this year, the Minister committed to share the 2015-16 GNWT report on contracts over $5,000. That fiscal year end, of course, is now six months ago, and still no report has been released to my knowledge. Will the Minister commit to table this report in this House in the coming days and have it posted to the government website? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is the latest version of the "Contracts Over $5,000," I believe is the document the Member is referring to, will be tabled during this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I welcome the Finance Minister following through with that and putting accountability into action within the next few days. I made reference in my statement to the last evaluation of contracting practices released in 2009 by the Auditor General of Canada, who, of course, is our Auditor General, as well. It found flaws in the awarding of one in five sole-source contracts. With new contracting limits and dramatic upstream in the sole-source contract value, the potential for error and loss is there. Will the Minister commit to carrying out an evaluation of sole-source contract awarding practice and performance for this fiscal year? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I have to make a correction. I said "during this Assembly." I actually meant during this sitting of the 18th Legislative Assembly, so we will ensure we have that tabled. The Member's second question there, I will commit to having a review of this. The Member is correct, sole-course contract limits raising, I think it would be an ideal time for us to have a look at how we provide oversight to these contracts, so I will commit to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'm tempted to ask for even bigger and better things since I've got the Minister mostly saying yes.

--- Laughter

Could you reverse the 100… no? okay.

--- Laughter

I wonder if the Minister could give me even some preliminary thoughts about what this review might look like, who would do it, when it would be done and so on and so forth? Thank you.

No.

--- Laughter

No, I can't provide any preliminary estimates or thoughts on that, but I have committed to the Member that I will have a review of this and then we'll share the findings with the Members.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Finance Minister for that. One of the points in my statement was that some people seem to benefit disproportionately from sole-source contracting. I mentioned deputy ministers and consultants who had multiple contracts among them for quite a steep value. I wonder if the Minister would consider, as part of his review, looking at whether there need to be some limits on the number of contracts awarded to a single individual or, alternatively, a total value of contracts awarded to a single individual? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Well, Mr. Speaker, the contracts, I'm sure, are awarded to people that provide a skill set and some value to the workings of the government. I'm not sure that it's fair to any individual if we put on a limit as to how many contracts they can get or what the amount is, but I have committed to the Member that I will review that. Again, I just need to stress that we -- obviously these folks that do get sole-source contracts, provide a service and a skill set that would provide some value for the GNWT.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about a traditional economy and my questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. In small and remote communities there's a heavy reliance in terms of traditional foods where people have to supplement their diets and their income by taking on traditional economy and so it becomes a very critical and integral part of the community's economy. How is this government investing in the promotion and protection of traditional lifestyles? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this individual and this government believes very strongly in the traditional value of the people of the Northwest Territories, especially those in the communities that still practice their traditional hunting. Through ENR and through some of the other departments there are a number of programs and I think there's even some resources put to those programs to assist those communities. Take a Kid Trapping is a perfect example, I think that's run out of multiple departments, there's some money there. There is the Grub Stake Program; I think that's provided through ITI.

So as far as dollar value -- and actually that's a good question because I would like to put together a dollar value of all the assistance that we provide to the communities. I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised at the amount of resources we put into the communities to practice their traditional lifestyle. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. In the past, the Protected Area Strategy outlined a seven step process in terms of bringing governments and communities to work on conservation area networks. Can the Minister explain how the conservation area network will improve upon the PAS initiative?

Mr. Speaker, I am getting weekly updates from the department. I mean, I've been in the portfolio for 36 days, four hours and 22 minutes. Not realizing what a huge department ENR is and how much it covers. So some of the information, as I get more educated on it, I'll be in a better position to respond to the Member's question.

The other question that I had is how does this department coordinate its work with other departments to ensure that habitat is protected? We have a series of conservation area network initiatives that are pending or being developed or advanced. Would the Minister explain in terms of its coordination with other departments in terms of ensuring that habitat is protected?

Mr. Speaker, we can work closely with the other departments. We recognize that there's some areas around the NWT that are being conserved or that people wish to have conserved, so we're working closely with the other departments. One of the first things as Minister of ENR I've asked our officials to work a lot closer with the other departments so that we're all on the same page because this is a very important issue to residents in the Northwest Territories, so we'll continue to do that work, and then through the committee of Cabinet on the economy and environment we also have those discussions. So again, as I become more familiar with the file I will be in a better position to share a lot of that information with Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Minister for his reply. In the outset, the Minister had indicated that he would be interested in developing at least a summary in terms of the investment of this government in terms of assistance to small communities and their traditional economy. Would the Minister commit to ensuring that report is tabled within the House at a given time and made available to this side of the House? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, we'll start the work and gather a lot of that information and I think it would be valuable information. I mean, we will share it with the Members obviously, and then once we get all the work done we will table it.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I have questions for the Minister of Finance. I'd like to ask the Minister of Finance if he has met with other Ministers to see if they have a plan to spend strategically to ensure that we get the best bang for our buck as far as government goes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have conversations with my colleagues in the other departments and it is a very important initiative that we do try and spend strategically all across the Northwest Territories, the larger centres, and then we recognize that in the smaller communities any investment we make I think is a real plus to that community and it does create some employment. So the quick answer to the Member's question is yes, I have had conversations with my colleagues and we do plan on any infrastructure investment to spend it strategically so it benefits all residents in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the infrastructure spending by the government, has this Minister again continued discussions with the other Ministers to ensure that the spending is targeted to the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories that we all support?

Mr. Speaker, everything we do in this Assembly, and I'm talking all 19 of us, is I think targeted towards the Mandate of the 18th Assembly, and many of the things in the mandate is to create employment, and it's a very large mandate so we don't miss too many parts of the mandate when we do our spending across the Northwest Territories. So the answer is yes, we do target the spending towards the Mandate of the 18th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, people know I'm a big proponent of employment over things like applying for somebody to come and fix my house; I would rather give individuals a job so they could fix their own house. So does the Minister agree that creating employment with government spending, not necessarily employing the people, but creating employment with government spending is the best way to address social ills of the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Speaker, I share the Member's concern with employment in the small communities, and I do agree that creating employment in small communities is one of the better ways to help with the social ills. It's not the only answer, there's other parts to it. We've seen prime examples of that, especially with the Inuvik-Tuk Highway, I can use that as an example, because I know from my past portfolios that our income support numbers went down, revenue went up with the housing collection. There was opportunities for training. I spoke of the numbers before, and there was great opportunity there for training. So this is a part of helping overcome the social ills of the Northwest Territories. I totally agree with the Member though, that people do want to work, and I think it's incumbent on us as a government to give them an opportunity for employment, and it's one of the reasons that we've gone through this exercise for the last -- since the beginning of this Assembly to free up some money so that we're able to reinvest that money back into the Northwest Territories, match any money that the federal government might make available to us. So there is a lot of moving parts to this, but at the end of the day our goal is for healthy people in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister agree that spending by government during slower economic times is positive for the NWT? Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I totally agree. I totally agree that spending by the government in slow economic times is positive for the growth for the Northwest Territories, but I'm also a realist and I realize that we need to have the money to spend to stimulate the economy, and that's one of the reasons that I stand up here and take the flack I take for trying to make the decisions we make on reducing some of our spending so we can be in a position to reinvest that into the economy of the Northwest Territories. I will continue to stand here and preach that message, even though some of you may be getting tired of it, you're still going to hear it.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, the NWT consistently receives a failing grade on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business red tape report card. How are we working to improve our score and reduce our redundancy and improve frontline services to small business? This is a question for the Minister of ITI. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my previous life I was actually a member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, so I do know a little bit about them. In the early days of being the Minister of ITI I have not been contacted by them and I have not been aware of the score card as of recently, but I'd be willing to sit down and have a conversation with the federation at any time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further to the question was, what are we working to do to improve our score? I understand the Minister's reply there, that he's willing to reach out to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, but what are we doing to reduce redundancy and improve frontline services to small business?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I'm not well-versed on the whole thing around this, I'll have to take this question as notice. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. There's been some serious construction all summer outside of this Assembly on the highway. Can the Minister of Transportation explain what is happening and when it will be completed? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there has been construction completed recently just outside the Legislative Assembly and the department has worked with the City of Yellowknife on this project as well as the developer of Nova, and an unofficial group of representatives of the Niven Lake Community, Ecology North, and a former MLA. They've all agreed that we need to provide an active transportation corridor from the Niven Lake area and access the downtown area. The city continues to hold the leading role in developing this overall city wide footprint on this issue, and we will continue to meet with them and work closely with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

A large new hotel complex has just opened up on the other side of the highway. We can expect to see a really significant flow of pedestrian traffic across to the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre. Can the Minister explain what type of improvements are being made now and planned in the future to this stretch of highway in the interest of public safety?

As I've said, we've worked closely with various groups on this. The developers actually paid for the improvements that were made on this section of highway this year, as it become on him that he would pay for this. We will continue to work with the City of Yellowknife and all user groups. That's the best way forward with this.

I'm glad to hear there are some meetings going on. I'm worried about what's going to happen when those tourists start to cross the highway to go to the Visitors Centre. While we're on the subject of the Visitors Centre, there's still no signage for the Visitors Centre along the highway beyond the small sign near the intersection with 49th Street, and there's nothing here at the turnoff that comes into the Legislative Assembly. Can the Minister tell this House when new signage for the Visitors Centre will finally be installed?

This would be something that we'd have to take up with the City of Yellowknife, as signage is not all the responsibility of all of the Northwest Territories. If the City would like to have a meeting for signage for the Tourist and Information Centre, we can work closely with them and arrange to have something put in place.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It sounds like a very complex problem that requires a lot more meetings perhaps, but I've got members of the public approaching me about unsafe conditions along the highway from Niven Lake to the downtown; there's no sidewalks or separation from vehicular traffic for pedestrians. Will the Minister commit to meet with interested parties, including Niven Lake residents, the owner of the nearby hotel, City of Yellowknife, and the Visitors Centre to develop and put in place a proper plan for this busy stretch of highway? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've already stated, that we've met with a number of user groups on this whole issue and the department has already suggested, with the city and Ecology North and other people that are related to this issue, is that we would like to have a meeting moving forward on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a few questions for the Minister of Housing. Mr. Speaker, over the summer we've received the modular home in Tsiigehtchic for the RCMP and the nurse or social workers in the community. Mr. Speaker, you know, everything has all been set up here, but what hasn't been set up so far is that this modular home is not connected to power yet. The community is concerned that with the ferry going out shortly, within the next week, that the unit is still not connected to power. So I'd like to ask the Minister, will the department ensure that this unit is connected to power before the ferry cannot go to the community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of NWT Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since I don't actually know exactly where we are in Tsiigehtchic with that modular unit, I will have to take notice of the Member's statement, thank you.

Masi. The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister tried to use a little tactic to cut me off earlier, but I'm back.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of ITI, and it's not along the same question, it's a different question. We know recently, Mr. Speaker, that we just celebrated the success of the NWT Film Festival. So I'm wondering, can the Minister explain, is ITI engaging the local film industry to discuss strategic investment and look for ways to create local jobs in the film industry? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ITI continues to advance initiatives and investments in supporting the NWT film sector. As of recently, they just had a gala year with their new release of the Midnight Sun feature, which I suspect a number of Members in the Assembly have attended, hopefully. I was out of town so I couldn't make it, but kudos go out to them on that. We will continue to work with them on any initiatives and marketing stuff forward to help this industry grow in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for his reply. We know that the fishing industry is an industry that has formerly been a very robust and thriving industry. I wonder if the Minister can describe how is ITI supporting the Tlicho Cooperative representatives of the Great Slave fishery on their business case and decision to rebuild the Great Slave Lake fishery?

This is something that is very near and dear to my heart, as I am from Hay River and it's very important to the local industry of Hay River and the Northwest Territories. I can reassure the Member that I will be working very closely with the Tlicho business and the Fishing Federation and all people and fishers of the Northwest Territories on how we're going to move this process forward to make sure we bring a viable industry that is beneficial to all Northerners and to reach out to industry and people across the great globe of the world, basically, to see what kind of fresh fish we have here and market it properly. We will continue to do that.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.