This is page numbers 1563 – 1608 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 work.

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Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, other colleagues had raised the matter of the homecare services. It's pretty clear that we're trying to build upon that, but I also wanted to highlight the need to have the on-the-land program initiative continue. I think the concept behind that was, as I pointed out, to bring people out on the land to use the strength of nature to give healing and wellness to people who choose that venue to better themselves, so that concept was developed.

There have been some design issues in terms of program delivery in that we had several initiatives carried out. So the department is experienced and learned from that. I think the question that I had was: in terms of this coming fiscal year, how will the department continue or grow on-the-land programming for 2017-18? Mahsi.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Member is right on all counts. The on-the-land program is incredibly valuable and important. We're hearing from our partners, the Aboriginal partners, across the Northwest Territories how valuable it is. There's no growth in this budget from the GNWT in on-the-land programming, but, at the same time, there are some federal dollars that have been made available, some of them going to the IRC and some of them will likely go through the GNWT and be distributed to our Aboriginal partners. It hasn't all been worked out. We continue to pursue other people's money as much as possible to help us expand this area. There is interest. There is real interest. So much so that, on behalf of the three territories, we are going to be holding an on-the-land summit at the end of March, middle of March, at some point in March. We are bringing stakeholders from all over the country and the North to talk about the value and how to really enhance on-the-land programming in this country. Thank you, Mr. Chair

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Nadli.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Next, I have Mr. McNeely.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is in relation to the question on page 169. Looking at the org chart on 152, you have three authorities. I am just curious, on the HSS authority funding, in brackets there, $112,945. Is it your operational intention to divide that by three authorities to deliver the programs underneath the community health programs?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister, whenever you are ready.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Chair, I didn't fully understand the question, but I am pretty sure my deputy did, so we will go to Ms. DeLancey, who I think heard it better than I did.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Delancey

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I believe the Member is asking about the allocation of this authority funding. This is funding that goes through a contribution agreement to the three authorities for the delivery of community health programs. I think that is what the Member is asking. Yes, that is in fact what it is, and it goes to all three authorities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. DeLancey. Mr. McNeely.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

This one is more of a comment. I am glad to see the anti-poverty fund continue. I think there is a real value in a collective approach in the opinions suggested from these anti-poverty conferences. Looking at the various community-based programs such as your Community Wellness Initiative Fund, for example, On-the-Land Healing Fund, those are programs that, now that we have clarification on your authority funding, to deliver these various programs, I am glad to see that. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Would the Minister like to respond?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

No. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Next, I have Mr. Blake.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of questions. On page 169, On-the-Land Healing Fund, I raised a number of questions on this in the past budget, as well. I would just like the breakdown of what actually goes to the communities. I know most of it does go to the land claim groups. I know in the communities, they want to do a number of programs. There is Fort McPherson, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic. I would just like to know the actual number that is broken down available to each community to access. Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Can the Minister provide that?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the deputy will have the detail in front of her very shortly, so I will go to the deputy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Ms. DeLancey.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Delancey

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't actually have the detail in front of me, but basically our policy allocates about $1.2 million for on-the-land healing initiatives. That is in the budget. Our policy allows regional Aboriginal governments to access $125,000 a year. It allows community Aboriginal governments to access up to $30,000 a year. We do set aside $100,000 a year out of this budget to go towards our on-the-land funding collaborative, which is a partnership with Tides Canada, where we put some money in, which then antes up matching funding from philanthropic organizations and other partners, like the diamond mines. This funding does go directly to Aboriginal governments, except for the part that goes to the on-the-land funding collaborative. It is through an application-based process. In most cases, we enter into multiyear agreements with those Aboriginal governments. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Ms. DeLancey. Mr. Blake.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Next, under the seniors’ fund, $205,000 available funding to support eligible applicants in their activities towards promoting the independent and well-being of seniors and elders in the NWT. As the Minister and deputy may know, in my riding, a number of elders still live on the land, whether it is at 8-miles or down the Husky River or along the Peel, throughout the Delta. Would they be available to access this program? Thank you.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, the $205,000 on this page is of dollars that flow to the NWT Seniors' Society for their programming and their operations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Mr. Blake.