Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday during Committee of the Whole I talked about the importance of planning ahead when it comes to our transportation infrastructure. When the lnuvik-Tuk Highway is finished next year, Mr. Speaker, we can look forward to increased traffic and more visitors - people new to the Northwest Territories who are interested in work, tourism attractions, or even moving themselves and their families North.

Mr. Speaker, that traffic won't just be concentrated on the lnuvik-Tuk Highway. Let me go back to the example I gave yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal Ferry at Tsiigehtchic. Already, I've heard and seen line-ups at the ferry stretching back a couple hundred metres. What will the line-ups look like when visitor traffic increases? We need to plan for a larger ferry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, what about repairs, mechanical problems, and other issues that come with an aging ferry? The average lifespan of a modern vessel is 25 to 30 years. The Louis Cardinal was built in 1972, 44 years ago, and began operations in 1978, 38 years ago. In the past, it's been discussed that the Louis Cardinal could be replaced with the retired Merv Hardie Ferry, once used at the Mackenzie River crossing near Fort Providence. But Mr. Speaker, the Merv Hardie is even older, it sailed its first voyage in 1972, before the Louis Cardinal even hit the water. For a practical investment that serves the needs of the Northwest Territories residents as well as the territorial tourism economy, we must consider replacing the Louis Cardinal Ferry altogether. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Earning your driver's licence is a milestone for young people and a stepping stone to many skilled jobs, but highways, Mr. Speaker, are not the only way to get around. Strong and comprehensive transportation capacity liberates and empowers communities and individuals. For example:

● operating four-wheelers and snowmobiles helps us access the land and our traditional practices;

● barges bring essential supplies into our communities;

● ferries like the Louis Cardinal, which makes stops at three landing sites, connect communities to each other for supplies, and to opportunities for growth, and provide employment opportunities for local people.

We know that capital planning is a slow process. With that in mind, it's time to start planning for the necessary replacement of this vessel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'll have questions for the Minister later today.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member's statement is the Deline Biosphere Reserve. Mr. Speaker, on August 11, 2016, I had the privilege to join the community of Deline in celebrating the Tsa Tue International Biosphere Reserve, an ecologically important area covering 93,313 square kilometres in central NWT including Great Bear Lake and a portion of its watershed, was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's best known as UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves on March 19, 2016.

Mr. Speaker, the UNESCO designation is a first for the NWT, the first in Canada North of 60, and the first led entirely by Indigenous communities. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Sahtu Region, I would like to congratulate the people of Deline and other Sahtu communities in ensuring our waters in the Sahtu are well cared for. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Northland Utilities has been maintaining a high profile lately to combat what they claim is an expropriation of their assets by the GNWT. That language is a little strong for my liking; however, I understand where they’re coming from. After seeing what happened in Hay River, with the town accepting a proposal from the NWT Power Corporation over Northland Utilities, it’s no wonder they would think that the Yellowknife franchise might be next on NTPC's list. If it goes the same way as Hay River that's essentially game over for Northland Utilities in the Territory. I'm aware that it was the Town of Hay River's decision to accept the Power Corp's proposal. Everyone is tired of the power rates we pay in the NWT and the Town can't be blamed for taking what the market offered, but I'm sure the Power Corp's proposal wouldn't have been put forward without political support.

I often wonder why the government chose to take this confrontational approach to dealing with NUL instead of seeking ways to cooperate. Northland Utilities is an ATCO company. ATCO is a global corporation based in Canada with $19 billion in assets. ATCO Electrical owns almost 90,000 kilometres of transmission lines in Alberta, and last year completed and energized the longest transmission line in Alberta's history. That's just one of their successful mega projects. In addition, they know the North; NUL has been here for over 60 years. There's no question when it comes to the company's electrical experience and expertise.

Further, I can attest that Northland Utilities, in Hay River at least, has always been an upstanding corporate citizen. Their employees are active volunteers in the community and NUL is always a prominent sponsor of local events. Despite all this, Northland says that this government won't respond to their emails or return their calls. The government recently announced the creation of another NWT Energy Plan. I assume that part of this plan, as is part of every other plan that's been put forward, will include major upgrades to our hydro-generation and transmissions systems. Despite these recurring aspirations, there's been virtually no major hydro development in decades. Mega projects, hydro and otherwise, are always discussed by the GNWT but rarely come to fruition.

Why, when we have a company like NUL with access to the assets and experience of ATCO, why don’t we strive for more cooperation? I’m not advocating a merger between Power Corp. and Northland Utilities, but why haven’t we engaged in talks with them to see if we can tap into some of ATCO's capital and expertise. I'll have questions for the Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi

Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize members of the francophone School Board: Ms. Chartuard, president; President of the National Francophone School Boards of Ontario, Mr. Mario Pelletier; Mr. Bernard Lesage, Monsieur Kevin Bell, Alberta; Monsieur Marc-Andre Ouellette, British Columbia; Monsieur Edgar Galant, P.E.I.; Monsieur Layonar Lefore, Nova Scotia; Monsieur Luc Brisebois, Nunavut; Monsieur Jean Lemay, Ontario; Monsieur Alpha Barry, Saskatchewan; Monsieur Ali Chiasson, Newfoundland and Labrador; Monsieur Simon Cloutier, Northwest Territories; Monsieur Jean-Sebastien Blay, Yukon; and Monsieur Roger Paul, Executive Director of la Federation National des conseil-scolaire francophones and of the regroupement national direction general de l’ eduction.

Also present, Monsieur Alain Laberge, President Regroupement National direction generale de l’education and Superintendent of the Division Scolaire Franco-Manitoba. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome Madam Yvonne Careen, Superintendent of la Commission Scolaire Francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest, and some of their colleagues from l’association des direction generale de l’education de l’ouest et du Nord ADEON. Also, Jean de Dieu Tuyishime, Executive Director of la Federation Franco-tenoise.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to give a warm welcome to students and staff from Ecole Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife and the francophone community members. Merci. Welcome. Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome and recognize the Aurora College fourth year nursing students and their instructor Jodi Brennan, and the second year social work students and their instructor Susan Fitzky to our proceedings today, and everybody that's joining us. It's nice to have a full gallery during our proceedings. Welcome. Thank you.

Masi. Well done.

---Laughter

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President [Translation] I would like to also welcome representatives today, the Francophone National School Boards; particularly I want to welcome Mr. Allain Laberge and Madam Yvonne Careen, General Director of the Francophone School Board. Thank you for being with us today. [Translation ends.]

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci Monsieur le President, my wife, she's sitting in the gallery today; it doesn't happen very often, but I certainly appreciate her presence today. I'd also [Translation] I'd like to say welcome to all the students from the Allain St-Cyr School and all the teachers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation ends]

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In the public gallery today is my constituent Josee Clermont. Madam Clermont is the Directrice Generale of college nordique here in Yellowknife and I welcome her and all our guests to the Assembly today. I'd also like to recognize Steve Budgell, my friend and neighbour who is in the fourth year of the nursing program at Aurora College. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize two pages from Dettah: Joseph Charlo-Lafferty and Brianna Nitsiza. Also, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to also recognize Mary Rose Sundberg, also from Detah, that's our interpreter today. Marci cho.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome everybody to the gallery today but in particular I want to take this opportunity to recognize, because it is Small Business Week, small business owner and resident of Yellowknife North Mr. Etienne Croteau, a small business owner for a company named Flavour Trader. Welcome to the House. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, welcome to the Chamber. It's always good to have an audience. Masi for participating. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

[Translation] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have some questions for the Minister of Education today, but I want to speak English. [Translation ends.] I do this in English, and I did want to give the Minister a fair heads up as well. Earlier today I spoke today about the Francophone community's lack of support for the new ministerial directive on student enrolment in French first language schools. Can the Minister of Education explain why he did not collaborate more closely with CSFTNO and APADY and share a draft of the ministerial directive with these organizations before it was finalized and released? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.