This is page numbers 673-724 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was thanks.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Increased Sole-Source Contracting Limits
Members’ Statements

June 15th, 2016

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the need for the government to support our small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Northwest Territories. We have spoken at length in this Assembly about the need to diversify the economy, to support Northern entrepreneurs, and to make sure our government's spending supports our growing private sector.

To that end, we have business incentive programs to support Northern businesses which face higher costs, and we have policies and regulations that make sure that our businesses and entrepreneurs can compete fairly for government jobs and contracts.

Similar to my colleague, I am concerned with some recent changes in the government's policy on sole-source. Mr. Speaker, in the interests of timing and efficiency, some contracts are allowed to be offered without tender or negotiation processes, in other words, sole-sourced. In the interests of fairness to all potential bidders, those contracts are limited and conditions are applied.

Mr. Speaker, the Financial Administration Manual sets conditions under which sole-source contracts can be awarded. They are allowed only if delay in purchasing would be harmful to the public interest, or if only one supplier is available. Recently, Mr. Speaker, the Minister changed the conditions and brought in major increases in the allowable amounts for sole source contracts. The maximum value of sole-sourced contracts for goods and nonprofessional services was increased from $5,000 to $25,000, the limit for professional services was increased from $25,000 to $50,000, and the limit for architectural and engineering professional services was increased from $25,000 to $100,000.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I received an email from a small business constituent who seems to have been directly affected by this change in policy. The company was awarded a contract with a value of $10,000 in 2012. This year, a similar contract was sole-sourced to another agency, which was not even a business. This change in sole-source practice without consultation does not fit our commitment to transparency, Mr. Speaker. The awarding of such a contract does not fit with our support of the small business sector, and the sole source of a contract for which there is more than one local supplier does not seemingly meet with the conditions of the sole-source policy. Mr. Speaker, it may already be time for change of the sole-source policy. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I'll have questions for the Minister of MACA. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. On May 10th, Canada finally removed its objector status to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and announced its unqualified support for the declaration. In ratifying its acceptance of the 46 Articles of the Declaration, Canada takes on responsibility to uphold and implement the wide variety of goals and actions itemized in the Declaration.

Canada's action follows more than eight years after GNWT unanimously endorsed the Declaration by resolution of this Assembly on February 19th, 2008. The federal announcement marks the beginning of a long process of harmonizing Canada's laws with the standards set in the Declaration, and improving the country's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The federal government has announced its priority commitment to a renewed process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. I'd like to draw Members' attention to one of the Declaration Articles in particular, Article 19, which says: "States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with Indigenous peoples concerning through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior, and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them."

A recent Dene Nation media release says, "the challenge is to find a mechanism to include Indigenous peoples in the Northwest Territories and their governments to work jointly with GNWT to determine priorities for spending." Very true.

Mr. Speaker, last week, our Premier co-chaired the inaugural Federal-Provincial-Territorial Indigenous Forum in Ottawa and was Chair of its Aboriginal Affairs Working Group. Media reports indicate that the declaration was a major agenda item. I will have questions for the Premier on the substance and outcomes of those meetings. The declaration in its extraordinary new requirements for investigation and action creates obligations for our own government. GNWT was a leader in 2008 in embracing the Declaration. We have a leadership seat at the national forum dedicated to achieving the aspirations of the Declaration.

This government is also turning its attention to things such as new post-devolution legislation and regulation for managing our natural resources. In developing new resource management systems, it is not clear how we will meet our own obligations under the Declaration. I will have questions for the Premier later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members’ statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this November will mark the 20thanniversary of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People, or RCAP. After five years, public hearing and community visits, the commission issued 440 recommendations, including 66 directly to the federal government. If that process sounds familiar, Mr. Speaker, remember this month, we marked the anniversary of another commission, one with a very specific focus. It has been one year since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada or the TRC released its report on the devastating and intergenerational impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system.

Mr. Speaker, both my parents attended residential school. My father was not allowed to speak his language when he attended residential school and he only spoke French when he left. Mr. Speaker, these effects are still unfolding and being felt today. The work of the RCAP and the TRC took place against a backdrop of continuing impacts of abuse experienced in residential schools across the country, as well as the social and political legacies of access from the Oka crisis to Idle No More.

Like the RCAP, the TRC made recommendations. Ninety-four calls to action addressing a wide range of subjects including child welfare, language and culture, health and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, or UNDRIP.

Mr. Speaker, have we made progress? In 2006 on the tenth anniversary of RCAP, the Assembly of First Nations graded the Government of Canada’s performance. Overall, the feds received a failing grade. They earned an “A” on only one item, to establish Aboriginal Day. That’s not to say the situation is entirely bleak. Real changes have been made including the federal inherent right to self-government policy and the work towards self-government here in the NWT. This government’s commitment to the Dehcho process, the Daniels Decision made this year. Recently, the federal government even reversed the past decision and recognized the United Nations Declaration. When the Chair of TRC commented on its one-year anniversary, he said “the message needs to be that the progress needs to be constant.”

Mr. Speaker, all of us must read and understand the words of the TRC that our words must be backed up with actions and our actions must be funded. As Grand Chief, Matthew Coon Come of the Cree Nation says, “First Nations should not be the administration of their own poverty.” Statements of reconciliation and actions and plans have been made, but initiatives for individual, families, communities are needed to address the effects of residential school impacts. There is a need for healing and wellness at the community level.

Twenty years from now, our successors must have cause to stand in this House, reflecting on the fair level of Canada’s governments and people be heed the TRC’s calls to recommendation. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member Statement. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 1919, eight men made the six-week journey from Edmonton to Norman Wells in search of oil. They travelled by railway, riverboat and foot, bringing with them a drilling rig and an ox named Tommy to power it. Tommy and the crew worked tirelessly that summer, drilling a hundred feet into the permafrost before the cold of winter forced them to halt operations. During the winter, Tommy the Ox continued to serve the men, was served to the men in stews and as steaks.

---laughter

The next summer, the crew hit oil and the rest is history. I share this story to show people that even with our infrastructure challenges and our harsh environment, we can attract investment in the oil and gas sector. Six months ago, I might not have been saying that, but we hit the bottom of the commodity cycle and we are on our way back up. Oil is hovering at around $50 a barrel, up from its 13-year low in January.

While there’s still uncertainty in the market, there’s a considerable amount of optimism as well. The potential is enormous. The NWT contains over a third of Canada’s marketable light crude and natural gas resources. Earlier this year it was confirmed that the Liard basin contains 77 trillion cubic feet of marketable gas in the NWT. In the Bluefish and Canol fields alone, there’s a 190 billion barrels of oil. Industry proponents have said that oil needs to be at $75 to make these fields viable. But the Mackenzie Valley Highway extension could reduce exploration and development costs by up to 40 per cent.

Suddenly, the Territory is looking much more attractive to investors. Mining has been an economic driver in this territory for 75 years, but we can’t forget the benefits the petroleum industry has delivered and has the potential to deliver. Just think about Tuk in the 70s and 80s or look at the fact that the only community that rivals Yellowknife in terms of average income is Norman Wells.

The opportunity to capitalize on our resources should be extended to all regions and that means investment in infrastructure, the settling of land claims and the development of an oil and gas strategy. Our failure to provide adequate social programs often dominates talk in this house. The simple fact is that the government needs more revenue to provide those programs. We can only do so much with what we have.

We are blessed with world-class resource deposits and we have a duty to ensure that all citizens benefit from them. Not just those in Norman Wells, or Yellowknife or Tuk in the 70s. This Assembly inherited a government that for decades has failed to deliver the pipelines, highways and regulatory environment that we need to support our people. It is time we start delivering. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members’ statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize my two pages from the Mackenzie Delta, Taylor Mcleod and Gordon Papik. Also in the gallery, I see we have Mr. Reid and Mr. Saturnino. Welcome to the House. Mahsi.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize a couple of constituents of Inuvik Twin Lakes. Dave Reid, who’s a long-time educator in the Beaufort Delta and knows a lot of people about Sonny’s age and --

---laughter

-- and Mr. Nick Saturnino who coached the junior girls curling team the last number of years and they’ve done very well in the national scene. So appreciate the work they do and welcome to the gallery.

---applause

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize Mr. Nick Saturnino for his commitment and his service in the public service area for the GNWT as well as his dedication and hard work to the junior girls curling team and all his success he had as their coach. Also to Mr. David Reid. I’d like to thank him for his contributions to the education system. He just retired. Wish him the best in his future endeavours and he’s also been a contributor to at least three MLAs that are sitting in the House today. So Mahsi Cho. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize two pages today. Kaitlyn Ring and JD from Hay River. I’d also like to thank all the pages for their hard work this week, especially with extended hours. Also Myrtle Graham, my CA for assisting with the pages there this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Nanakput.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Miss Annie Goose from Ulukhaktok, who’s doing translating service and all the other translators who are providing services for us this week, I really appreciate it, especially during the long hours. Also to Mr. Reid, I know Mr. Moses mentioned that three of us here I think, Sonny and I kind of gave him more of a hard time in school than --

---laughter

-- offers all the good boys. So thanks, Mr. Reid for putting up with us. Welcome.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize your interpreter for the last couple of weeks from Tu Nedhe, Mary Rose Sundberg. Thank you.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. I’d just like to welcome everyone in the gallery as well. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to congratulate Camille Rourke, Josée Martin, and Nadia Wood on their graduation from École Allain St-Cyr. I wish them all the best with their future studies and encourage them to be ambassadors for the Francophone language and culture of the Northwest Territories. Masi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I made a eulogy, but today I have questions for the Minister responsible for Homelessness. In many cases, NWT residents lose their homes to fires, mould and in my region, soil-line erosion, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister of Homelessness is: the Homelessness Assistance Fund provides only one-time funding, which means that once you’ve used it, you can’t use it again. What other options are available for residents experiencing housing crises? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for Homelessness.