Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in the mandate to respond to recommendations in the Northwest Territories' Environmental Audit for improved environmental management. The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act requires an environmental audit to be completed at least every five years by an independent auditor. The Audit reflects obligations in the Sahtu, Gwich’in and Tlicho agreements and is a key tool for environmental management in the territory. Its recommendations will help guide governments, Aboriginal organizations and other decision-makers. The 2015 Audit was completed in March 2016. This is the first time the Government of the Northwest Territories has been responsible for facilitating the audit following devolution. Previous audits were undertaken in 2005 and 2010.

Mr. Speaker, the 2015 audit found the environmental regulatory system in the Northwest Territories has continued to improve since the last audit in 2010. The integrated system of land and water management is generally effective in protecting the environment. The Government of the Northwest Territories was recognized for taking a much more active role in the Mackenzie Valley environmental regulatory system, particularly in the areas of wildlife management, air quality, management of securities, and land use planning in unsettled areas.

The audit identified five fundamental challenges that continue to affect the ability of the system to fully function, including the completion of unsettled land claims and land use plans, clarity on federal consultation, capacity for Aboriginal governments and organizations participation in the regulatory system, and the integration of socioeconomics in the decision-making. In total, the 2015 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit yielded 24 recommendations directed at various parties with decision-making roles in the Northwest Territories regulatory system. Facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the audit was conducted by Arcadis Canada Incorporated, an independent auditor selected through a competitive bidding process and under contract to the Government of the Northwest Territories. An Audit Steering Committee comprising a representative from Aboriginal governments and organizations, and the territorial and federal government, assisted in selection of the auditor and provided guidance and support to the auditor throughout the process.

The responsibility for addressing recommendations in the audit is shared among many directly affected parties, including governments, Aboriginal organizations and resource management boards. These recommendations are intended for use by decision-makers to improve the effectiveness of the regulation of environmental and resource management in the Northwest Territories. In an effort to increase accountability, the 2015 Audit Report marks the first time parties have been asked to respond directly to recommendations made by the auditor.

Mr. Speaker, the 2015 Northwest Territories Environmental Audit is an important tool the government and its partners can use to improve coordination and effectiveness in resource management systems, while incorporating Traditional Knowledge and honouring obligations under land claim agreements and devolution.

I will be tabling the audit later today and look forward to working with all responsible parties over the next five years to review the recommendations and the responses to them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories holds a virtually untapped wealth of oil and gas resources. The jobs, income and revenues associated with the responsible development of those resources represent an enormous economic and social development opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories. Our government is taking steps to realize those opportunities on behalf of our residents.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to develop a long-term strategy to attract oil and gas development in the territory. I look forward to presenting a draft NWT Oil and Gas Strategy to this Assembly before the end of this fiscal year. The strategy will provide a framework for the environmentally responsible and economically sustainable advancement of the oil and gas industry in the NWT for the benefit of all NWT residents.

Mr. Speaker, the need to develop a long-term strategy to attract oil and gas development in the NWT was first identified in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy; work is ongoing to develop the strategy. It is informed by public and stakeholders engagements, focus groups, interviews and surveys completed last year, and documented in the Pathways to Petroleum Development Public Engagement Report. Our intent is that it provides a clear set of goals and recommendations that will serve to identify what needs to be done and how it should be completed.

The government has also made a commitment in the mandate to advance the territorial vision of land and resource management in accordance with the Land Use and Sustainability Framework by evolving our legislative, regulatory and policy systems. As part of this, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is preparing to advance a legislative review of the Petroleum Resources Act and the Oil and Gas Operations Act. These acts were inherited from the federal government as part of the devolution agreement, and the time has come for us to make them our own, reflective of and focused on the needs and priorities of Northwest Territories' residents.

Mr. Speaker, our work is in its early days but aims to reduce redundancies in the regulatory process, redouble our commitment to environmental protection in all resource extraction activities, and modernize the acts to work with contemporary best practices. As we prepare to advance this work in the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada is also reviewing the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, from which our legislation was mirrored. In both cases, there is little reference to unconventional gas resources and extraction techniques used to recover them.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important point to consider in the wake of the most-recent world-class natural gas find in the Liard Basin. We as a government must do all we can to support the timely delivery of our resources to market with the utmost care for the protection of our land, wildlife and water. This requires a formal made-in-the-Northwest Territories approach, something we are now readying to provide.

Mr. Speaker, we will be incorporating the feedback and lessons learned from our 2015 engagement processes, the Canada Petroleum Resources Act Review, and additional consultation and engagement to draft our amendments to legislation, regulations and policies, mindful of our commitment to provide meaningful opportunities for participation in land and resource decisions to citizens of our Territory.

Mr. Speaker, our work will require collaboration; and Mr. Speaker, the framework for this collaboration is well established. This Government of the Northwest Territories' Departments of Lands, ENR, ITI and Finance have committed to work together to advance the territorial vision of land and resource management in accordance with the Land Use and Sustainability Framework to evolve our legislative, regulatory and policy systems.

Meanwhile, our client services and community relations unit is dedicated to building strong relationships with our communities, providing education and outreach services and bringing public questions and concerns to light surrounding natural resource projects. We cannot deny that we sit in the down cycle of the commodity markets right now. This is something we have seen before. Commodity markets rise, they fall, they recover; it’s the natural flow of the markets. As we sit in this downturn, our government is hard at work ensuring our jurisdiction will be ready to capitalize on the next peak in commodities in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner, and in the best interest of the Northwest Territories, our economy, and our people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

MR. SPEAKER: Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Lands.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, as stewards of the land, we have a responsibility to make prudent decisions about how we use, share and protect it in a way that reflects the values and priorities of our residents. This includes the air we breathe.

Historically, air emissions and air quality management in the Northwest Territories have been unregulated. The Government of the Northwest Territories is now proceeding to occupy this regulatory field. We have made a commitment in the government's mandate to advance the territorial vision of land and resource management in accordance with the Land Use and Sustainability Framework by evolving our legislative, regulatory, and policy systems. Developing and proposing amendments to the Environmental Protection Act to provide for air quality regulations is one of the specific actions we are committed to. These regulations will fill a long-standing gap in the regulatory regime for the Northwest Territories. They will create regulatory certainty and consistency, clarity for industry, and benefit human health and the environment.

Mr. Speaker, these regulations will allow the Government of the Northwest Territories to set specific emission limits for certain equipment, set limits on the concentrations of contaminants in the ambient air, and maintain air quality that protects and enhances the environment and public health. Similar to other jurisdictions, air permits will be required for larger operations. Some components of air permits will include requirements for assessments, best available technology economically achievable, monitoring, and emission fees, among others.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has developed a regulatory framework with the proposed concepts and ideas for regulating air emissions and air quality. We have been working with other GNWT departments, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and other affected regulators for input and feedback on the proposed Air Regulatory Framework and the proposed Environmental Protection Act amendments. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be engaging with MLAs, Aboriginal governments, stakeholders and Northwest Territories residents this summer to hear their views and gather input on the proposed Northwest Territories Air Regulatory Framework. I look forward to hearing Members' thoughts on this important issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Members that the honourable Caroline Cochrane will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the federal-provincial-territorial Ministers responsible for Housing meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the commitment of this government to transparency and public engagement. Mr. Speaker, during last fall's election campaign, we heard from our constituents across the Northwest Territories. Our residents want consensus government that works. They want to feel they are a part of it. They need to be able to see what is going on, Mr. Speaker.

During this election process for Premier and Cabinet, and when we forged the mandate to guide us during the 18thAssembly, we committed and recommitted to that openness and transparency. Our mandate includes commitments to hold Cabinet meetings in the regions of the territory, to improve opportunities for meaningful public input, to enhance collaboration between Cabinet and Regular Members, and to establish an open government policy to enhance public participation in government.

To support these commitments, the government even established a new Cabinet portfolio of public engagement and transparency, Mr. Speaker.

These are lofty and worthy goals, Mr. Speaker, but I am not sure if the government's actions today is as strong as the promises made in the mandate. We have heard little from the Minister for Public Engagement and Transparency. Last week, questions were raised in the House about sole-source contracts and the effects new limits might have on small business. Recently, decisions were made about the role of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation that still have many wondering what the real reason for doing that was and what future effects such a decision will have. The picture remains unclear.

In these instances, Mr. Speaker, along with others, the provision of more information through inclusive public engagement would ensure more openness and transparency from the government's side of the House. It would reassure Ordinary MLAs and our residents to whom we all answer of the government's good and open intentions.

Mr. Speaker, like everyone here, I have dedicated myself to public service in this government because I believe that, by working together, by collaborating and learning from each other, we can make life better for residents we serve. I believe that this is how consensus government can be made more successful and find real lasting solutions that will enhance the lives of residents of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister for Public Engagement and Transparency. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. The federal government announced a review of the environmental assessment processes on June 20, 2016. This process is being led by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Ottawa says that an expert panel will engage broadly with Canadians, Indigenous groups, and key stakeholders and develop recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for restoring public confidence in environmental assessment processes. Public input is invited until July 20, 2016, on the draft terms of reference for the expert panel. Following this consultation period, details will be announced on the members of the expert panel, and there will be a participant funding process for Indigenous people.

The big problem with the federal review is that the North is excluded. The draft terms of reference note, "matters related to northern environmental assessment regimes will be redirected as appropriate to the process launched by the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to amend northern regimes. Matters relating to northern environmental assessment regimes are outside the mandate of this expert Panel." When I checked the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada website, there is mention of Bill C-17 described as an attempt to fix the damage done to the Yukon environmental assessment regime done by the previous federal government. There is nothing about the Northwest Territories and the damage done by the unilateral changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act that resulted in the successful court challenge by the Tlicho government.

It is not clear how the federal government is going to approach our environmental assessment process in the Mackenzie Valley, including building a participant funding program other Canadians south of 60 are entitled to access.

I will have questions for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations later today on what the federal review of environmental assessment processes mean for Northwest Territories residents and what the position of this Cabinet is on this issue. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one morning in the summer of 2011, an Aboriginal man took his young daughter moose hunting near the Highway of Tears. Spanning from Prince George to Prince Rupert, B.C., the Highway of Tears received its name because of the dozens of women who have gone missing or who have been found murdered along its route. As the man watched his daughter skinning the moose they took that day, he thought about those women and how much he wanted his daughter to live a life free of violence.

Together, with family and friends, the man and his daughter cut the moose hide into small squares, like the one I am wearing today. He began distributing the squares to men to inspire them to get involved in a movement to end violence against women and children. This is how the Moose Hide Campaign began. Wearing the moose hide signifies your commitment to honour, respect, and protect the women and children in your life and work together with other men to end violence against women and children. This campaign has spread across the country and is well on its way of reaching its goal of distributing one million moose hide squares by 2020.

Family violence usually happens behind closed doors. That allows it to be ignored and to continue. Wearing these patches helps bring the issue into the public sphere and allows us to start conversations. That is how we begin addressing the issue. The campaign is a way for men to stand up to violence and say, "no more."

We also need to realize that this issue is bigger than what goes on behind closed doors. While trauma suffered by abusers is often the catalyst for violence against women and children, we must also recognize the systemic discrimination that women face from a very young age that devalues them in the eyes of males. We need to eliminate behaviours that our society passively accepts, such as objectification, cat-calling, and a boys will be boys mentality. We must also actively support our mandate priority of getting more women engaged in politics because, despite all our good intentions, laws, and organizational structures, they are designed almost exclusively by men and are necessarily biased.

In the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, all Members stood in solidarity with the Moose Hide Campaign by wearing the moose hide square while the House was in session. I have squares for the Members of this Assembly and in the future would like us to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I encourage men across the NWT to stand up to end violence against women and children and be part of this desperately needed change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today addresses the lack of adequate gymnasium space for K'alemi Dene School, the community school of Ndilo. KDS currently serves 120 students from Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 12. This school is one of the few in the NWT at capacity that has no gym.

K'alemi Dene School was built for a capacity of 121 students and is presently sitting at 100 per cent utilization. The five-year projection for this school is 140 students, which would put the utilization at 116 per cent. According to the priorities of their capital plan submission, they would like a new gym and classroom space to accommodate increased enrolment.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, the physical activity is critical in the healthy development of our youth. It is well known that physical activity positively impacts healthy living with both intermediate and long-term benefits. Healthy habits start at childhood. By providing an adequate gymnasium for K'alemi Dene School, we are making a commitment to the students' long-term success in life.

At this time, Mr. Speaker, K'alemi Dene School is totally reliant upon the YKDFM gymnasium for physical education. Unfortunately, this option is not always available, as the band requires the gymnasium for meetings and current community events. Additionally, the YKDFM gymnasium is very small. The lack of space makes it difficult for older students to develop the skills to be a competitive level and impossible for them to hold any type of tournament.

Mr. Speaker, in response to the TRC recommendation, the GNWT committed to working actively to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, in the mandate of this Legislative Assembly, we speak to the K to 12 support systems to improve educational outcomes. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am going to talk about negotiated contracts. In my research, there has been over 180 negotiated contracts, over $5,000 for the timeframe of 2010 to 2015. This worked out to be just over $508 million. Mr. Speaker, the negotiated contracts policy was introduced during the 12thAssembly. The goal is to improve opportunities for emerging northern businesses to benefit from government contracts and ensuring the maximum of capital investment stays in the local community.

Mr. Speaker, in this House we heard about the great benefits of the negotiated contract for the Inuvik to Tuk Highway. These are two strong regional companies, one from Inuvik and one from Tuk, that were able to successfully get this contract.

Mr. Speaker, I totally agree with the government doing the negotiated contract process. The money stays in the North where it can be reinvested. There is local employment and training. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, recently a request from my riding was turned down. As I tried to figure out what was happening, I was told it was a political decision, and I should not take it personally.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I do take it personally. This type of decision has a huge impact on the small communities I represent. These contracts mean local employment. This means that people who want to work get the opportunity. As well, there could be the opportunity to be trained, as it was on the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. Mr. Speaker, it is very sad to have men and women come to me and ask why the company was not even given the opportunity to negotiate the contract, and they see folks from outside their community working in their town. Later today, I will have questions for the Premier. Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President.

Monsieur le President, last Friday Northerners celebrated Saint Jean Baptiste Day. Today I would like to show appreciation to the vibrant francophone community that calls the NWT home. The Franco-Tenoise have a long and storied history in our territory. To start with, the first person of European descent to reach the Great Slave Lake was a francophone, Laurent Leroux. In 1786, Leroux built the trading post at Fort Resolution, and in 1790 he founded the original Fort Providence trading post, just 20 kilometres from our modern-day capital. The Franco-Tenoise have dealt with many substantial pressures throughout their history within our territory, but through their tenacity and pride in their cultural inheritance, they remain to this day a vital part of our cultural fabric.

[English translation not provided]

The Federation Franco-Tenoise was founded in 1978. Their original mission was to provide a radio antenna that could pick up Radio-Canada, but they quickly came to the conclusion that they deserved more cultural recognition within the territory. At the end of the 1980s the federation took an active part in the creation of a French school in Yellowknife, Ecole Allain-St-Cyr, a structure that stands to this day and serves as monument to all future generations that the Franco-Tenoise are here to stay, and to flourish.

[English translation not provided]

Monsieur le President, at this time I'd ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Merci, Monsieur le President, merci collegues.

[English translation not provided]

Merci Monsieur le President.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we draw closer to the conclusion of our Session, Mr. Speaker, some of us are going to be heading home and entertaining local groups in our communities as we enter the summer season of assemblies and gatherings and community council meetings, et cetera.

At this point in time here, we would also experience the new transition of our new health system here taken into effect from the previous government on August 1st, and later I will have questions to the appropriate Minister on start-up operations and preparation for that date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the growth of the film, television and media arts sector is an economic success story in the Northwest Territories. In early 2015, ITI tabled Take One, a strategy and action plan to grow the economic potential of the sector, then at $9.7 million a year. The introduction of a $100,000 pot of money for a rebate program to be spent on training, spending and travel provided incentives to film on location with local residents.

The feature film, The Sun at Midnight, was one of two films approved for the rebate last year. With a total budget of $250,000, the producers were able to employ 34 Northerners in various capacities. Over 70 per cent of that budget was spent in the NWT, and half of that in the community of Fort McPherson. The filmmakers only spent money in the south when expertise and services were unavailable in the north. An early valuation of the film says it looks like it costs $2 million to make, a tremendous complement to the whole crew. The film will be completed in July and shown at various festivals.

There are successes on TV as well. Dene: a Journey has highlighted the culture of the NWT for a national audience. It was renewed for a second season with APTN. Another program, Fur Harvesters NWT, shot in Hay River, averaged a viewership of 2.2 million, the highest ever for a new show in the history of WildTV. The government has wisely, yes wisely, recognized the success of this sector by doubling rebate funding available for this fiscal year. Just this month the Minister said the program is no longer a pilot, but a permanent fixture.

The world is obviously hungry for Northern stories. With increased experience, exposure and proven products, Northern producers now have the opportunity to access greater pots of money both nationally and internationally. Notably, the Canadian Media Fund has just raised the Northern incentive fund to $1 million this year because of the desire to see more Northern/regional programming.

The film, television and media arts sector has proven returns. Companies working in this sector should have proper financial incentives to develop projects that can prove profitable and generate returns in the North. I propose the GNWT create financial incentives similar to the Mining Incentive Program. I seek unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. I propose the GNWT create financial incentives similar to the mining incentive program for Northern professionals to develop Northern content. In addition to attracting more outside productions to the NWT, we can actively continue to grow the film, television and media arts sector from within. If we are to take this sector seriously, we must further increase investment in it in the next budget. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is a beautiful place in northern Canada. We have the second largest river in North America and several of the deepest lakes in Canada. Wild and pristine are words we use to describe the North in the promotional materials to draw in visiting tourists that may either fly or drive north.

Mr. Speaker, I went home on the weekend and drove from Yellowknife to Fort Providence. I understand that summer time is the time when repairs and construction for our highways take place. So I came across intermittent stops for construction. I ask travelers on the highway to obey all signs and especially the areas where construction is taking place.

Of particular interest is the area of the highway between Yellowknife and Behchoko. This section is riddled with potholes and dips that could cause even the most experienced driver to slow down and be weary of possibly careening off the road. Some potholes are not marked and provide no warning to the traveler. A few people describe this section of the highway as “bad and in terrible condition.” The road has seen better days.

Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge has enabled uninterrupted traffic 24 hours a day, from Enterprise to Yellowknife. We also have heavy transportation of goods during the winter season, with large truck hauling supplies for the diamond mines. We need to remember that it's our lifelong residents that use the highways the most and efforts have to be made to improve the road conditions so that they are safe and enjoyable roads to travel on. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for transportation at the appropriate time.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to bring your attention back to the Premier's Awards ceremony that took place June 15, 2016. Mr. Speaker, Members of the Mackenzie Delta as well as the Gwich'in Tribal Council were honored for various awards. Please allow me to congratulate Shirley Snowshoe from Fort McPherson, Velma lllisiak from Aklavik, Alestine Andre from Tsiigehtchic, Sarah Jerome originally from Fort McPherson, as well as Norman Snowshoe and Diane Baxter from the Gwich'in Tribal Council for the Collaboration Award for Gwich'in Curriculum Development. Also David Krutko from Fort McPherson for NWT-Alberta & NWT-British Columbia Bilateral Water Management Agreements. Also, Mr. Speaker, Robert Charlie from the Gwich'in Tribal Council for the Collaboration Award in the NWT ASETS for the Aurora College. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6. acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'll direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Department of the Executive. Mr. Speaker, the 2016-17 operating budget contains funding proposals for four new communications officers in the Executive. The positions were recommended in a functional review of the communications activity "to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government communications through an increased focus on communication that is centered, digital, open, and engages residence."

The budget presentation said that a rigorous, transparent and public results reporting tool will be created to provide ongoing updates on progress being made to fulfill the government's commitments in the mandate. Can the Minister tell us how he plans to roll this out in collaboration with Regular Members? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We will work closely with the Regular Members in developing this report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Premier could elaborate on that answer about how he is going to involve Regular Members?

We will be developing a draft approach to how we would come up with a report, and we will share it with the Regular Members.

I don't feel like I'm going anywhere with that. So I'll move on to whether the Minister can comment on why communication staff will be centralized in the Department of Executive rather than in the departments where they could better serve the needs of residents of the NWT?

There was an extensive report that was done that indicated that this government was very deficient in a number of communication positions compared to other jurisdictions, and it recommended increasing a number of positions that were approved in the 17thAssembly. Every department in the Government does have communications personnel. So because it is functioning, the responsibilities function over the whole Government, it was determined that these positions would remain in the Department of the Executive.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for the Executive said during the budget debate the more communications officers you have the more they can contribute to open and transparent government. How does the Minister plan to ensure that more communications officers means more outreach and understanding, and how will those ideals be evaluated? Thank you.

What we find in our travels as we go out to the regions, as we go out and talk to the people of the Northwest Territories is that a lot of the people don't realize what a good job that we do or they don't recognize the number of important programs that we deliver. So through our communications people we want everybody to know what programs we have, what benefits we can provide so that everybody can make sure that they benefit to the maximum from all of the generous programs that this government provides.

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

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker only three schools in the NWT are at capacity. One of the schools is the school at Ndilo, K'alemi Dene, and it's the only school that has over 100 students that doesn't have a gym. I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment if the Minister will ensure the needs of education capital, specific to KDSR are in the 20-year capital needs assessment? Thank you.

Mahsi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are aware of the situation down at Ndilo with K'alemi Dene School. Just a little bit of information there: in 2009, when the school was built, due to -- with our NWT Schools – Capital Standards and Criteria, when a school has a targeted enrolment of anywhere from 50 to 150, 70 square metres for recreational use is met to with a design in the school. In K'alemi Dene School, there is an 85-square-metre activity room. I do understand the situation, though, in terms of utilization rates. Once a school reaches 85 per cent, then our department works with the district education authority to address the issue.

K'álemì Dene School is on the 20-year capital planning list, and our staff will be working with the education authority to look at how we can address the utilization rates and the enrolment issue at K'alemi Dene School. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he would commit to directing his staff at ECE to initiate action to get the K'álemì Dene School gymnasium and classroom expansion into the upcoming capital planning process.

Yes, we'll get our staff to work with the education authority to see how we can address the space issue down in Ndilo.

Masi. Oral Questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also commit to communicating this to the Ndilo District Education Authority on its standing for a gymnasium in the capital planning process and also the classroom expansion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, when the school was constructed in 2009, the activity space for recreation and leisure was fit to the school code under the NWT Schools – Capital Standards and Criteria Policy which was in 2005 developed. We will work with the education authority and do a visit to the school to see how we can address this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President.

Monsieur le President, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment made a commitment to revise the ministerial directive concerning admissions to the Commission Scolaire des Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Can the Minister today provide an update to where that work is to date? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, there were public hearings here, in Yellowknife, as well as Hay River. Actually, in Hay River, it was more of one that we had meetings with the Hay River District Education Authority to get more feedback. That consultation is done. We're just getting the information gathered together. We will be making recommendations. We will be meeting with our department staff, and we will be making a statement very soon on where that ministerial directive is going.

Monsieur le President, when can the Commission Scolaire [English translation not provided] expect this matter to be resolved and some change to this directive come forward?

We should have that decision ready and the announcement made before the 2016-17 academic year, so before the fall. Families, community members will be ready to know the decision that's going to be made with that ministerial directive.

Monsieur le President, a court ruling requires this government to provide fair and equitable access to gymnasium space for l'Ecole Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife [English Translation not provided] Ecole Boreale [English Translation not provided] Hay River. What is the status of the space-sharing agreement that the government has been working on for quite some time now?

Yes, the government is abiding by the court case with the Ecole Allain St-Cyr. In terms of Ecole Boreale in Hay River, we're actually just working on trying to develop a plan. So, hopefully, everything should be resolved by the fall time. We are looking at putting -- though that space-sharing agreement in Hay River, hopefully, will be addressed by the fall time, as well as here, in Yellowknife, we should have everything in place come fall time.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. The Minister may be paying attention, as I don't like the word "hope" when people are looking for certainty. There has been a number of complaints from the Commission Scolaire about this issue that things are not rolling out in a timely fashion. Can the Minister assure this House that the space-sharing agreement will be in place for both schools in the fall and will be done in a timely manner and any delays will be clearly communicated with the district education authority in Hay River, the school districts in Yellowknife, and the Commission Scolaire?

In the past months that I've been Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, we've been having meetings with a lot of different parties. We're trying to build a strong relationship moving forward and letting them understand that we are moving forward on the court case issue.

Space-sharing agreements, it's a little tougher in Hay River in terms of addressing some of the issues there. Here, in Yellowknife, I believe we will have it all straightened out come fall time, and we are still having those discussions in Hay River to address their concerns. Our department is working with the education authorities over there to make sure that we have something put in place in the fall time that will have all parties, hopefully, happy with the decisions that are made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement, I have some questions for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier please explain the criteria that is used when deciding who will get a negotiated contract? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The factors that are considered when authorizing contract negotiations are set out in the publicly posted Negotiated Contracts Policy and they include costs, the benefits that might be achieved for Northwest Territories residents, support from local leaders, the contractor's ability and history with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the possibility that other qualified Northwest Territories businesses might be interested in competing on the contract. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the Premier for his answers. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier please advise if the policy factors in impact, such as income support, social issues in the community, employment, to name a few, when deciding if the department or executive council will or will not support a negotiated contract?

Local employment is always a factor when considering negotiated contracts but not at any costs, Mr. Speaker. We also have rules that govern our business incentive policies and our northern preference policies. The Member referred to the Inuvik-Tuk Highway. In that case, there was the benefits and jobs are available, 600 jobs a year, 80 per cent provided by Northerners for Northerners.

I again thank the Premier for his answer, and I totally agree that the Inuvik-Tuk Highway did a great job. As the Premier spoke, there's 600 people being employed. You know, that is what we need to be doing, 80 per cent Northerners, which is great. However, Mr. Speaker, in regards in the Negotiated Contract Policy, can the Premier advise this House when the last time this policy was reviewed and updated?

It's a requirement of our government to post the results of our Negotiated Contract Policy on an annual basis, and, as such, the Negotiated Contract Policy is reviewed on an annual basis. It was last reviewed in the fall of 2015.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for his answer. Can the Premier explain to this House who was involved in reviewing this policy? Was it just the Cabinet or was it the whole Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Negotiated Contract Policy will be reviewed again in the fall of 2016, and the results will be shared with the Standing Committee. We will involve the Standing Committees. As per land claims agreements, one of the requirements is under economic measures, we have responsibility to also engage the community governments, so we do that in a normal course of events, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency. Mr. Speaker, in our mandate, we outline that we will establish an open government policy to enhance public participation in governance. Can the Minister inform the House what steps have been taken to date to establish the open government policy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of our mandate to have a more open and transparent government, we have taken several steps. Cabinet has had informal meetings with the public in Norman Wells and in Inuvik. At the summer caucus retreat, we will be looking at various models for the ombudsman role, so that's another step we have taken towards a more open and transparent government. In addition, the rules committee has been looking at various models to have the scope of the mid-term review that will take place in 2017, and that also will be discussed at the the caucus meeting this summer. Steps have been taken.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister's reply in terms of the efforts that have taken to date in terms of being more open, but it doesn't speak directly to the development of an open government policy.

However, my next question, Mr. Speaker, is: if we are truly committed to improving transparency and fully intend to have improved public participation, it will surely take more time and government resources. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister advise Members what government resources he intends to use to make sure we don't fall short of our commitment to engage?

This government is, Mr. Speaker, committed to a more open and transparent government, and, apart from the efforts I have already mentioned, there is, of course, the comprehensive review of the ATIPP Act which is being conducted at this very time. The original Act came into force in 1996, and we have gone out for public consultation. The original closing date, if I can put it that way, for that was June 15th, 2016, but I understand that has been extended to July 15th. So we are making efforts in changing the Act. This is a very important piece of legislation that will lead to a more open and transparent government.

Mr. Speaker, inclusive public engagement requires a plan as well as help from those who understand and have relationships with those communities and constituents with whom we want to have included. Those who have an interest typically find a way to be involved, Mr. Speaker. But, Mr. Speaker, what does the Minister have planned to engage the less-involved populations?

Mr. Speaker, of course the going out for public engagement on the ATIPP Act is an important aspect which allows the general public to become engaged in the making of this very important piece of legislation, or the updating of this very important piece of legislation.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question. Not only is it important for this government to develop a strong engagement plan and actively roll it out and make it a part of our daily business, but it is important to learn from our experiences. Mr. Speaker, how does the government intend to capture what we have learned and incorporate the lessons into our delivery of programs and services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe we can capture what we have learned in various ways. First of all, as I mentioned several times previously in answers, the ATIPP Act, we are seeking the involvement of the general public in that. Also, of course, as I mentioned, at the caucus meeting we are discussing several issues that are very important for public engagement and openness of the government. I believe we can capture what we have learned. We can hear from the public, and we can move forward in this very important area.

Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the recently announced federal review of the environmental assessment processes. While I welcome this initiative to rebuild public confidence, there is no place for residents in the Mackenzie Valley to participate in this review. Can the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations shed any light on why we have been excluded from this review and whether this was discussed in his meeting with the federal Minister for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can shed a lot of light on that matter. During the federal election, in response to a question that was posed by ourselves to all of the leaders of the federal parties, I posed a question about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, or the Northern Regulatory Improvement Initiative that was called at the time, that the leader of the liberal party, and now the Prime Minister, in his response, wrote back and said that their government would be doing a review of the whole environmental assessment process and they would set it right. In my first meeting with the Prime Minister, I asked him about it. We were ready and willing to be engaged. I also met with Minister Bennett a couple of times now. She indicated that she is quite prepared for our government to be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. I talked to fisheries Minister LeBlanc, and he is very willing, very excited, about our government participating in the review of the Fisheries Act. In hindsight, the fact that we are not involved in the federal review is probably a good thing because that is what caused these issues anyways. Minister Bennett has indicated we will be fully involved in dealing with the northern regulatory process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. Certainly the previous federal government made a number of unilateral changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act that resulted in a successful court challenge by the Tlicho government. Has the Minister's cabinet colleagues had any communications with the federal government over the court challenge and any plans to repeal those changes?

We have engaged in the federal government on a number of fronts on this because it is a very important matter to us. The MVRMA is a product of land claims negotiations in the Mackenzie Valley. The goal of this legislation is to provide a single process. It provides a voice for each of the groups. Although the legislation is federal, it is the result of a collaborative process. In our minds there are three types of activities right now, all linked to the MVRMA.

First and foremost is the fact that, as the Member indicated, Canada made a number of changes to the MVRMA that impacted the North. It is not clear to us if Canada is doing the background work necessary to implement these changes, for example, consultation guidelines. We have also raised the matter of participant funding, as the Member has indicated. We have asked as to where the federal government is going with that. We know the federal government has stood down on the Tlicho legal action. But it was not clear to us, and they haven't indicated where they are going with that. We also have the fact, as the Member stated, that Canada has made commitments to restore credibility to environmental assessment commitments that would include reviewing the MVRMA. They have indicated that we would be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. We are holding them to that. Of course, in the devolution agreement, Canada committed to review the devolution agreement provisions related to MVRMA. The previous government agreed to five years. We have told this government we think we could do it sooner. Also, there are requirements itself that the government has to put in place to fully implement devolution through the MVRMA process, which we are still waiting for indication from the federal government as to how they are proposing to do it.

I appreciate the response again from the Minister. The federal government has now indicated they are ready to repeal sections of some changes that were made to Yukon environmental assessment legislation. Has the Minister received any assurances from the federal government that they are going to be repealing the changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and is there a timetable for those changes?

We have received no indication that they will be repealing any legislation. We have no timelines. The last meeting I had was with the federal fisheries Minister where there is an indication that the review of the Fisheries Act will also look at the Navigable Waters Act, will also look at environmental assessment. We indicated to him that we were ready, willing, and available to participate. He was very excited about that, and he was looking forward to us participating and working with him on it.

Oral question. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Fisheries Act is an important piece of federal legislation. I am glad there is going to be some changes, perhaps a need to that. I am talking about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and this federal review of environmental assessment processes and how the North has been excluded. I am wondering if I can get a commitment out of the Minister to write to the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and seek a firm timeline for repealing those changes to Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and some way for us, as Northerners, to be involved in the federal process that is being undertaken? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I have already written to the Indigenous affairs Minister a number of times. I have met with her at least three or four times. We will be meeting again in the coming months. I am quite prepared to write to her again to specifically ask her about the environmental assessment and if she has any timelines.

Masi. Oral question. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member's statement here, during the summer we will see the new health structure take place for the Sahtu and other regions throughout the territories here on August 1st. I would like to ask the Minister of Health what preliminary action plans are in place for the startup date of the new structure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of work has gone into preparing us for the August 1stdeadline when the new legislation takes effect. Last week, we notified the upcoming members of the different regional wellness councils who were nominated, including the board chairs. We will be bringing individuals together to provide some upfront training prior to the go-live date. Significant work is being done right now on organizational design, identifying the positions that are being required, and how the linkages will work between the existing authority today and how they will all work together in authorities.

I do want to remind Members and the public that August 1stis one step in moving forward and transforming the health and social services system here in the Northwest Territories. It would allow us to have a new structure that will allow us to make changes that will benefit all residents in the Northwest Territories. Some of these changes will take time. August 1stis the date that allows us to start making those changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I understand the move-forward step is to bring the regional chairs for an orientation to Yellowknife, which is good. I commend the department on that. As far as the regional council, is there a regionalized orientation for that group? If so, when Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker, the intention is to provide all of the regional wellness council members throughout the Northwest Territories orientation into the new system, how they will fit into the new system, how people across the Northwest Territories, including Members, understand the new accountability structures that are in place and that address the auditor's general report, and much of that training will be taking place in the regions where those regional wellness councils are currently located. I can't confirm a date. Those dates haven't been set. But they will be taking place through the summer and into the fall.

Will the regional council orientation include development of regionalized policy because the geographical differences that many of our ridings have? If these policies would be a part of the orientation or part of the first quarter developments?

Mr. Speaker, the role of the regional wellness councils starting August 1st, and ongoing, is to do exactly what the Member is talking about. It is to work with the territorial authority on territorial programs, but also how do we customize or tailor those programs to meet the local community and individual regional needs. Those policies will be done, probably, ongoing for the rest of the life of this new structure because changes do take place. It will take time. The councils will be involved on an ongoing basis. As new programs come out, they will be required to help us design a local delivery. This is part of their role. This is something that they will be involved with ongoing for the life of the authority.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question: is there a possibility for an extended invitation to the MLAs of the area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I won't commit to that at this time. I will certainly give it some consideration. I do want to remind the Member that these regional wellness councils are not political bodies. They are not bodies intending to provide politics around health and social services. They are intended to help tailor programs and customize programs to meet the needs at a regional level. I will have to think about that one. I think all of us would like to keep these bodies away from being political bodies.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation. Can the Minister provide an update to this House on the plans for maintenance and improvements on the Northwest Territories highway system? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has a 25-year transportation strategy, which we are continually reviewing. We review all the north and south sections of the Northwest Territories. We do these on an annual basis, and we have a long-term plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank the Minister for his very terse and brief reply. My second question is what is the plan for the repairs and improvements for the section of most concern, between Behchoko and Yellowknife.

As many of us know that drive this highway, the department has some serious challenges with this section of highway between here and Behchoko. Over the number of years, the department has been working on and developing a program, that is under way, of monitoring four test sections of this highway to determine the best options, how we are going to deal with them moving down the road. There are some major challenges with this section of highway, but the degradation of permafrost and such -- we need to make sure that the future money that is spent on this section of the highway, we will fix the highway properly, so we can get it to a situation where it is the way it is supposed to be.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the findings of the Department of Transportation on the reasons for the increasing deterioration of the road conditions? Are they unique to the North and how would the Department of Transportation address them? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I've said, there's four test sections on this highway; most of it's related to degradation of permafrost. Also, as the Minister responsible for Climate Change this is a serious problem that we're going to be facing and we are facing right across the Northwest Territories. It's a challenge. As any government moving forward, us as the 18thAssembly, 19thand 20thAssembly are going to be facing if climate change isn't brought under control, so it's something that the Assembly as a whole is going to have to work towards. It's going to cost a lot of money for mitigation and adaption in this area and we are spending the appropriate amount of money to try to keep this section of highway in a safe and effective manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.