Mahsi. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. Minister of Public Works and Services.

Mr. Speaker, through the Petroleum Products Program, the Department of Public Works and Services provides fuel to 16 NWT communities not served by the private sector. The Department supplies fuel to these communities by truck during the winter road season and by barge in the summer. Prices for consumers typically change once or twice each year, in spring and in fall, after a new supply of fuel is delivered to the community. The wholesale price that the Department of Public Works and Services pays to buy heating fuel and gasoline in bulk has dropped over the past year. Recognizing that our residents benefit most from heating fuel price reductions during the colder winter months, I am pleased to advise that the Department has reduced heating fuel prices for consumers in all of the 16 communities served by the Petroleum Products Program. We have made this decision even before completing the fuel resupply for this season, anticipating lower fuel purchase costs. Initial price reductions averaging seven cents per litre came into effect on February 8 for all 16 communities. For the five communities where the resupply of fuel was just completed, further price changes were made on February 15, reducing the price of heating fuel by an average of 22 cents per litre and gasoline by an average of 20 cents per litre. As fuel deliveries to communities are completed over the coming weeks and months, further price reductions are expected. Reducing the cost of living is one of the priorities of this Assembly. While we cannot control the wholesale cost of petroleum products, the department is committed to helping where we can by passing on cost savings on fuel products in the form of lower prices wherever possible, as soon as possible. Managing energy costs is an important responsibility of both residents and government as we face challenging economic times. With this in mind, the energy division of the Department of Public Works and Services is working to improve energy awareness, promote energy efficient behaviours, and seek out and adopt affordable alternative and renewable energy solutions that will benefit residents, businesses, and government in the long-term. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Environment of Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories joined Canada-wide efforts to recycle end-of-life electronics with the launch of the new Electronics Recycling Program on February 1. Electronics can contain hazardous chemicals and heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury. These chemicals and metals can make their way into our environment if we do not properly manage the disposal of our old electronics. This new program is integral to leading environmental stewardship in the Northwest Territories, a priority of this Legislative Assembly. Old electronics will be collected at the bottle depots in our ten largest communities and one-day collection events will be held in other communities within the next year and then every two years thereafter. This program has been in the works for some time. In 2008, members of the public identified electronics recycling as one of the top three priorities for the government’s waste reduction and recycling program.

In September 2013, an electronics recycling program was launched in four Northwest Territories communities. Last year, stakeholders were also consulted for their views on the program. The program is designed to be revenue-neutral, which means it will pay for itself through the collection of environmental fees charged on new electronic and surplus in the Environment Fund. Fees are charged on designated electronics, including televisions, desktops and portable computers, tablets, printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and scanners at the point of purchase. There is no refund on electronics returning for recycling. The program has been designed to ensure a level playing field for all electronics distributors and retailers, including online sales. All distributors and retailers will be subject to on-site compliance reviews. Cost-savings have been found by using the depots, transportation systems, and processing already in place for beverage container recycling. The electronic waste will be shipped to a registered electronics recycling facility in Alberta to ensure environmental health and safety standards. During the next year, we will work with local electronic retailers to identify any issues of compliance and make improvements to the program. Environmental handling fees will also be reviewed following the first year of operation. Expansion of the program to include a more comprehensive list of electronics will be explored during the next two years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide Members with an update on an exciting new initiative to support on-the-land programming in the Northwest Territories. We know that there is huge demand for on-the-land programs in the NWT. They are important components of community wellness, healing, healthy living, and environmental stewardship and protection. They support the traditional economy, sustainable livelihoods, and building capacity in our communities. The benefits of on-the-land activities are well documented, and residents have told us that these programs are a priority for them, most recently through the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness, which was established in the 17th Legislative Assembly. Government alone cannot meet this demand. While there are many sources of funding for on-the-land programs, it can be challenging for organizations to deal with multiple funders for a single project, and to navigate different application, administrative, and reporting requirements. In 2014, the departments of Health and Social Services and Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with Tides Canada, co-hosted a workshop which brought together funders, program partners, and community representatives involved in supporting and delivering on-the-land programs from across the territory. The outcomes of that workshop led to the creation of the NWT On The Land Collaborative Fund, which was developed to maximize the amount of funding and other resources available for on-the-land initiatives in the NWT, and to make them easier to access. The fund brings together government, charitable and other partners, so we can combine our efforts and pool our resources, including funding, expertise, tools and equipment, and other supports. In addition to the Government of the Northwest Territories departments and Tides Canada, current partners include Dominion Diamond Corporation, the NWT Recreation and Parks Association, TNC Canada, the PEW Indigenous Leadership Initiative, the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, and community advisors from across the Northwest Territories. The first call for applications to the fund was issued in late 2015, and applications closed on January 31 of this year. The response to this first call for applications was overwhelming and very positive. More than 200 applications were received from across the territory, with requests for funding totalling almost $9 million. The collaborative partners met in early February to review each application and select funding recipients. This was a significant undertaking, and Minister Schumann and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of the funding partners and community advisors to making this process a success. The huge response to the call for applications to the Collaborative Fund is further evidence that on-the-land programs are a priority for NWT residents. The collaborative approach provides us with an opportunity to leverage new funding from external partners while also putting our own resources to more efficient and effective use. Beyond funding and other resources, the Fund is designed to provide practical support to program organizers. The community advisors provide guidance to applicants through the application process and play an essential role in the review by providing recommendations and regional insight to the funders. Through this first review cycle, collaborative partners allocated almost $400,000 to 27 exceptional projects, with recipients from every region of the territory. Projects range from small local projects, such as the new Nature Club in Hay River and the Women Coming Together initiative in Lutselk’e, to large regional and territorial programs such as the Northern Youth Leadership Society and the Foster Family Coalition’s Camp Connections. In addition to direct funding of these projects, collaborative partners were able to use their networks and expertise to connect many other applicants with additional sources of support and referral. On behalf of all of the collaborative partners, including my colleague Mr. Schumann, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, I want to congratulate all of the recipients and thank all of the applicants for their leadership and dedication to on-the-land initiatives in their communities. Members agreed that this government was going to change the way that it did business, and we are already delivering on that shared priority. This is a brand new way of doing business for our government. It is a demonstration of our commitment to finding new approaches to address shared priorities, and to working in meaningful partnership that improves the lives of all NWT residents. Funding collaboratives are relatively new in Canada but have seen great success in other parts of the world. We are proud to be part of this innovative new approach. The early results of the NWT On The Land Funding Collaborative are very promising, and we expect to welcome even more funders and partners to the team in the future. Minister Schumann and I look forward to keeping Members updated on progress on this important collaborative effort as it moves forward.

Mahsi. Ministers’ statements. Deputy Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Bob McLeod will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the First Ministers’ meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Mahsi. Ministers’ statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for those of you old enough to remember, 1969 was a big year. The Vietnam War was on, Nixon was in office, The Beatles released Abbey Road, and the world watched Neil Armstrong take those first historic steps on the moon. Know what else happened that year? Moose Kerr School was built in Aklavik.

---Laughter

While all those other things have passed into history, Moose Kerr School, nearing 50 years of age, is still expected to serve the 160 students and 14 teachers working there. Samuel Hearne High School, which was also built in Inuvik at the same time as Moose Kerr, was demolished and replaced a couple of years ago. Despite its age, Moose Kerr is still standing, and my constituents and I want to know: When is the government going to do the right thing and replace this piece of aging infrastructure? The students who go to Moose Kerr deserve a learning environment that is modern, innovative, and above all, safe. I am concerned about the safety hazards posed by this old building. At the time this school was built, asbestos, a known carcinogen, was routinely used in building products. Samuel Hearne was built at the same time and in the same region, and was found to contain asbestos. It stands to reason that Moose Kerr poses this risk also. I am equally concerned about the risk posed by busy traffic around the school. Pedestrians and automobiles don't mix, and many parents in Aklavik are concerned that, unless a parking lot is built soon, someone is going to be seriously hurt in a traffic accident around Moose Kerr School. I have repeatedly asked for assurances in this House and have been told by the Minister of Education that the replacement of Moose Kerr is in the capital plan. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Specifically, I was told in this House on February 21, 2014, that Moose Kerr School was scheduled for replacement and renovation in 2019, which is 20 years after its last major retrofit in 1999, and in keeping with capital planning specifications. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on the status of this project.

Mahsi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories has a strategy for growth. We know that to develop our economy, create growth for our communities, and enhance our society, we need to attract new people to make their homes here in our great territory. We need more skilled professionals and tradespeople who want to set down roots, build their homes and businesses, and create opportunity and wealth in the Northwest Territories, and as we know, the more we build our own population, the better the balance of federal transfer payments to support our programs, services, infrastructure, and overall capacity as a territory. In the mandate that we adopted earlier this session, we agreed to “increase the number of immigrants working in the NWT and increase investment by immigrants by implementing an immigration strategy that prioritizes streamlining application processes, increasing awareness of immigration programs, and consolidating our administrative support.” We need a made-in-the-North immigration policy. We need to be able to attract the specific skills and talents that will build our Northern economy in the 21st century. The North has a long history of immigration. Newcomers made essential contributions to the fur, mining, and transportation industry. More recently, immigrants have supported our small business sector and secondary diamond industry. Every year, we celebrate as a group of permanent residents join us as Canadian citizens. We need to ensure that immigrants feel like they can live here. We need to identify specific actions to fulfil our mandate in the area of immigration, and measure our success. We need to ensure that the process for establishing a business is clear and that we’re connecting skilled individuals to new and existing opportunities. We need to identify barriers for new Canadians and do the hard work required to remove those barriers. We need to work with our federal counterparts to clear the hurdles to residency status, health care, and other important services. An immigration strategy is an exciting opportunity for the Northwest Territories, both for immigrants themselves and the communities where they will make their new homes. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mahsi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Today, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Northern Youth Abroad and congratulate the organization as it released the names of selected 2016 participants, including 29 participants representing 19 communities from across the NWT. Northern Youth Abroad began in 1998 and served youth living in Nunavut until expanding also to serve youth across NWT in 2005. In fact, it was through the hard work and determination of those involved in education in NWT that Northern Youth Abroad was able to expand to serve our young people, and has continued to do so for the past 11 years. For that, I am thankful for the group of volunteers. Northern Youth Abroad offers unique programs and inspires self-confidence, promoting cultural exchange, building leadership, and providing young people with the skills and motivations to achieve their full potential. All this is done in a setting where youth get to gain high school credits, work experience, and job skills while travelling to new and different environments where they are encouraged to grow and learn. Northern Youth Abroad's placements have brought youth from the North all across Canada and internationally, but it's important to state that the most important work for each participant is done in their communities, with the help of hundreds of volunteers from across the NWT. Northern Youth Abroad provides the experience that promotes leaving your comfort zone, facing challenges, and realising your own potential, but it does it in a way that is totally tailored to support each youth and contributes to their success. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Education, Culture and Employment for their long-term funding for NYA, and to thank Minister McLeod and Minister Moses for doing this as well. Please know what an important investment impact that this support has made. I have been fortunate to have been personally involved in seeing the great impact of this organization and program over the past eight years and have volunteered as a facilitator for the NYA program since 2008. As a facilitator, I have seen youth grow from year to year and listened to their stories. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks, colleagues. Northern Youth Abroad invests in long-term success of the participants by strong dedication to support program alumni in whatever next steps they choose. One of the most important aspects of it, and what you will see, we have one of their past participants now sitting in the Legislative Assembly in Nunavut, and I would think in the short term we may have one here sitting with us. As well, they have selected for the first time, a former alumnus, Karen Aglukark, to become the first chairperson of that organization, and we have two alumni, as well, who are members who sit on the board, including Sam Mantla of Gameti. At this point in time, I would like to thank that organization for helping support our youth and their growth.

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the 2016 Arctic Winter Games begin on March 7 in Nuuk, Greenland. This will be the biggest event of its kind in the history of Greenland. Sixteen sports will be held in Nuuk with a hockey competition held in Iqaluit. The games bring together young athletes from all over the circumpolar world in friendly competition, and it is an opportunity to share in the rich cultures of northern regions around the world. The games celebrate sport and social exchange in northern communities and are an incredible opportunity for those living and often remote areas of the world to build partnerships, embrace diversity, and help our future northern athletes develop their potential. I am proud to have the opportunity to attend the Arctic Winter Games this year and cheer on Team NWT in person. In particular, I would like to recognize the many fine athletes from my riding of Kam Lake: Brian Johnston, Lauren Eggenberger, Stephen Messier, Shakita MacLennan--Jensen, Akash Yadev, Deanne Whenham, Lacey Munroe, Lonan Bulger, John Angel, Logan Debogorski, Leonard Karambera, Kiah Debogorski, Liam Laroque, Hayly Soares, Kandis Villebrun, Tamara Toole, Sylvain Rourke, Andre Balasanyan, John Roche, Emil Balasanyan, Destiny Hobbs-Stewart, Devon Fillion, Shara Lafferty, Braden Johnston, Brynn Martin, and Tatston McQueen. I'd also like to recognize coaches and mission staff from Kam Lake: Aaron Wells, Gina Michel, Scott McQueen, and Jan Vallillee. I want to thank all of our NWT team athletes and coaches for their hard work leading up to the games and wish everyone the best of luck. Go NWT! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to promote and praise our integrated environmental management system in the Northwest Territories. This system is the result of hard-fought, constitutionally protected land rights agreements negotiated by Aboriginal governments. Some parts of the Northwest Territories now have legally binding land use plans, environmental assessments, land and water management, cumulative impact monitoring, and environmental audit functions in place. These components work together to protect our land and water, ensure we benefit from resource development, and allow people to have a meaningful say in decisions. Our system is the envy of many around the world searching for ways to build sustainability and use traditional knowledge. If there are problems with our so-called regulatory regime, these stem from chronic underfunding, a failure to properly implement the components as originally negotiated and legislated, and attempts to circumvent and undermine it. The mining industry continues to complain about our environmental management system due to perceived uncertainty. Mr. Speaker, if you want to see uncertainty, go to the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario where there was a development free-for-all with no inspections, no consultations with local communities, and at the end of the day no mines. Our co-management boards have been working together for years, and since 2008, through a number of standard procedures and consistency working groups to develop guidance on application forms, community engagement, water use policies, and more. This work has not received the recognition it deserves from this government or the mining industry. Attempts to unilaterally change the system have resulted in legal action. The legitimate and legislated way to improve our environmental management system is through the five-year Northwest Territories environmental audit. I look forward to the 2015 audit to be released soon, and to the response from GNWT that is to form part of that report. This will be the first time our government has actually responded to the audit. I would like to hear our mining industry and this government begin to promote our world-class environmental management system. The continued negative messaging around our system is driving away potential exploration and development. Environmental management is not a barrier to development. It is the foundation of certainty of investment and stewardship of the land. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. ---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to my colleagues. One of the unfinished pieces of business with our environmental management system is the absence of participant funding, something available to all Canadians south of 60 in terms of federal environmental assessment. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Lands. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This weekend is going to be a busy one in Hay River, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to let everyone know about some of the exciting events that are going to be happening in our region. This year will be the 34th annual Kamba Carnival held just across the river at the K'atl'odeeche First Nation. It's an annual celebration of spring and a tradition in the region, attracting people from all over the North. It features snowshoe races, talent shows, dog sledding, fish-eating competitions, traditional games, and more. There's something for everyone in the family to enjoy, so it's always a good time, plus there's cash prizes for a lot of the events, so it will be definitely worth your while to check out. Another great event that has become an annual tradition is the Polar Pond Hockey Tournament. This year, a great group of volunteers turned the river at the Fisherman's Wharf into seven three quarter-sized hockey rinks. There will be about 30 teams participating in three different divisions: 18-plus, old-timers, and the women's division, also known as the competitive division. Teams play four on four with no refs or goalies and players are guided by sportsmanship and fair play. There is great hockey, food, drinks, and a live band, so it's a great time and it's really like nothing else around. The other big event this weekend is Weekend Warriors put on by Race Hay River. This is a two-weekend racing circuit that takes place on the Hay River by the ice crossing. Racers compete in snowmobile, cross-country, and drag races, then ATV and dirt bike races. There's usually around 150 entries and some nice cash prizes, so it attracts a lot of good talent and makes for a lot of exciting races. There's lots going on in and around Hay River this weekend, but there's plenty of time to check out all of the events. The weather is going to be great, so I encourage everyone to come down to Hay River and take in all the festivities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.