Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to improving access to services and enhancing community wellness and safety through the implementation of a territorial 911 program. I would like to describe some of the key steps the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has taken to ensure that 911 becomes a reality for the territory and that the 911 program benefits all the communities.

In May, a 911 program manager was hired to design a culturally respectful, made-in-the-North 911 program. The program will be based on best practices and established standards. It will foster community wellness and safety for all communities of the Northwest Territories. Consistent with other Government of the Northwest Territories programming, translation services will be available, and our 911 service will be offered in the territories' 11 official languages.

In July, key community stakeholders met to inform the initial stages of the legislative development. The feedback received from stakeholders, along with the program design, will be the basis for an appropriate and responsive legislative framework for our territorial 911 system. I intend to introduce this legislation in 2018.

In August, industry experts were hired to help identify required information technologies and phone systems to be used in the future 911 program. We must ensure systems are adequate to handle the services and that robust privacy safeguards are in place. Mr. Speaker, a communication plan will soon be implemented and information about the Northwest Territories 911 program will be made available on the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs website. The 911 program page will be updated often as the program design is finalized and key decisions are made.

Mr. Speaker, a great deal of work is under way to validate earlier planning assumptions. The work will be complete in December, at which time we will decide on a final operational model and implementation plan. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a 911 program that is representative of the Northwest Territories' needs and operating environment.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing an update to my colleagues on the final design, and, shortly afterwards, a briefing to the Standing Committee on Government Operations. At this time, I am happy to confirm the Northwest Territories 911 program is on track to go live for every community by summer 2019. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, over the past year the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has continued to make and implement significant changes in its programs for families, seniors, and students across the Northwest Territories. Last year, the federal government announced the new Canada Child Benefit. We revised our Income Assistance Program so that the new federal benefit is not counted as income for our clients. This change ensures all Northwest Territories' residents with families receive the full benefit of this new federal program.

Also, through a joint initiative with the Department of Finance, this past July we enhanced the Northwest Territories Child Benefit. This benefit now provides additional financial support to more low- to modest-income families with children. The NWT Child Benefit now reaches more Northwest Territories families, because we increased the combined income threshold to receive this benefit from $30,000 to $80,000. More than 2,200 families are now benefitting from these changes. As well, the territory-wide implementation of junior kindergarten has provided opportunities for significant financial benefits to families, and reducing their cost of living. Parents of four-year-old children in junior kindergarten will save up to $12,000 per year.

Mr. Speaker, most recently, we increased support for low-income seniors through the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit. Effective September 1, 2017, the monthly amount of the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit was increased to $196. Northwest Territories senior citizens who are receiving the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement automatically receive the NWT Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit on the same cheque. Approximately 1,200 seniors across the Northwest Territories are receiving this benefit.

Also under the banner of our income security programs, I would like to provide Members with an update on the Northern Bonus offered through our Student Financial Assistance program. Since 2015, we have promoted the Northern Bonus to encourage post-secondary students to return or move to the Northwest Territories. The Northern Bonus is applied to a person's student loan account up to a maximum of $2,000 per eligible year, with a lifetime maximum of $10,000. Residents who received a Northwest Territories' student loan and who have lived in the Northwest Territories for 12 consecutive months after ceasing to be a full-time student may apply.

There is no limit on the annual number of Northern Bonus applications for Northwest Territories-issued student loans. I am happy to say that we have approved 420 applicants since September 2016, totalling $741,383. We offer a similar incentive to residents who have received student loans from Canada, a province or a territory other than the Northwest Territories. For these students, there is a limit of 100 applications accepted per year. I am pleased to advise that this initiative has been fully subscribed to for both 2016 and 2017.

Mr. Speaker, these improved programs are critical to the well-being and independence of residents across the Northwest Territories. These improvements help us reduce poverty, foster healthy families, and develop and grow our workforce. These improvements support the 18th Legislative Assembly's priorities to reduce the cost of living, foster healthy families, improve the affordability of childcare, develop and grow our workforce, and reduce poverty. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is on the front lines of climate change and has been experiencing its impacts for decades. Our government is committed to addressing the threats that climate change poses to the sustainability of our communities and the way of life of our residents. The Government of the Northwest Territories is actively engaged in a comprehensive and coordinated response to climate change by developing a Climate Change Strategic Framework, which will guide our efforts on climate change from 2018 to 2030.

This week, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, also known as OAG, released an independent audit report on climate change in the Northwest Territories. Environment and Natural Resources worked proactively with the OAG during the audit process and appreciates the work that has been done. We look forward to using the results of this audit to improve and finalize our planning around energy and climate change adaptation and mitigation in our territory. Mr. Speaker, the draft Climate Change Strategic Framework has three key areas of focus: ensuring we have a strong understanding of the impacts of climate change; protecting our communities through adaptation and resilience planning; and mitigating our greenhouse gas emissions.

The draft framework, which was developed through extensive public engagement, is set to be released for further external review by Indigenous governments, stakeholders, and the public in the coming weeks. The input gathered from this review, combined with the comments from the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment and the recommendations arising from the OAG Report, will guide the GNWT as we finalize the framework.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to table the final document in the Legislative Assembly during the spring session, after which an action plan will be developed. Working together with the Department of Infrastructure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is working to ensure planning is aligned across government in order to ensure we achieve our goal of transitioning to a strong, healthy economy that is less reliant on fossil fuels and where our residents and communities are resilient and adaptive in the face of a changing climate.

As a small jurisdiction acutely challenged by the impacts of climate change, we have shown leadership over the past decade with actions that respond to the impacts we are experiencing. Our government has invested millions in adaptation efforts related to climate change, alternative energy projects, energy retrofits, improved transportation infrastructure and improved building standards. These efforts are ongoing and will be further supported by the staffing of our new community adaptation specialist position, hired specifically to help communities identify and implement local resilience and adaptation initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, various research and monitoring initiatives within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are already tracking climate change impacts. These include government and community-based water monitoring programs, the Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program, various wildlife research programs, and the GNWT Knowledge Agenda. The GNWT plans to build on this work by supporting further community involvement in the identification, planning, and completion of climate change-related research and monitoring efforts. At the national level, the GNWT is doing its part to honour our commitments under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Canada is committed to a 30 per cent reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and the GNWT has committed to a similar goal for our territory.

New adaptation funding opportunities at the federal level are anticipated to emerge later this year, and in 2018, under the Pan-Canadian Framework. Our government is actively pursuing federal funding to develop further adaptation initiatives. Mr. Speaker, audits are critical for evaluating what was done in the past and providing useful input for the future as we continue to fulfill our commitment to protecting the northern environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, our government believes we can foster a future in which agriculture entrepreneurs have the tools to succeed and each region can grow and harvest locally produced food. The Northwest Territories Agriculture Strategy is the blueprint with which we intend to grow the economic viability of our agriculture sector. The revised mandate commits this government to expanding the agriculture sector by implementing this strategy, improving access to agricultural lands, updating agricultural funding programs, and supporting training for commercial farmers. The strategy outlines the actions we must take, the investments we must make, and the legislative tools that need to be put in place in order to achieve this commitment. Mr. Speaker, this is no small task, but since tabling the strategy this past spring, we have been working to advance the implementation of this strategy in a number of areas.

I am pleased today to announce a partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities to complete bylaws surrounding backyard agriculture. This project will see the association develop three Backyard Agriculture Smart Management Practices alongside associated bylaws for use across the Northwest Territories. Specifically, these template bylaws will cover backyard chickens, beekeeping, and backyard goats. They will be made available to Northwest Territories municipalities to be tailored to reflect their specific community needs. As the agriculture sector in our North grows, our communities are keen to advance local farming and food growing initiatives. This policy development is a crucial step in guiding grassroots agriculture in our territory and supporting the transition to commercial enterprises while protecting public trust and public safety.

Our partnership with the NWTAC is just one of many in which we are working to advance the implementation of the NWT Agriculture Strategy. We also worked this summer with the Inuvik Greenhouse Society to deliver Train the Trainer programs to community garden societies in each of the Beaufort Delta communities. The pilot program included the creation of community greenhouse coordinators. These community members were instrumental in helping to build local food-growing capacity by providing training and support all season long.

We were pleased this summer to support Polar Eggs, our largest and most successful commercial agriculture venture, with a marketing initiative to launch their six-egg carton. ITI is also supporting their work to gain a greater market share in the NWT, in particular by accessing our smaller remote communities. Mr. Speaker, as we move forward from our Mid-Term Review process, we do so with three priorities for the implementation of the NWT Agriculture Strategy: to improve access to agricultural land; to update agricultural funding programs; and to support training for commercial farmers.

Access to agricultural land is the biggest of these challenges, but, while we are the lead department, this is not something that we can do on our own. We have formed a working group across the GNWT departments to help us identify solutions. In particular, we are working with the Department of Lands to complete policy work regarding the leasing of lands for agricultural purposes. This work will continue throughout the winter. In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, we are assessing our support for the NWT growers and producers.

Under the Growing Forward partnership with the federal government, we will once again invest $1.2 million in programs and initiatives to support and grow the NWT agriculture sector this year. This funding program, however, will soon transition to the up-and-coming Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and it is providing a timely opportunity to assess our agriculture programming. We are doing just that. We have sent surveys to stakeholders across the territory to help us determine how they utilize our agriculture programming and what improvements or changes they would like to see. Their response and input will inform the program guidelines that are put in place with the new agreement.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we will also be focusing on the resources that we must provide to support commercial agriculture, specifically, to thrive and grow. The Agriculture Conference in Hay River this last weekend helped us to begin this important conversation. We were pleased with the participation of growers and producers who took part in discussions aimed at helping them grow their food business. It was an opportunity to talk about where our industry should go, and how we should work together to advance our collective goals. Goals, Mr. Speaker, that are reflected in the vision of the NWT Agriculture Strategy: to increase the diversity, amount, and value of foods and goods produced in the NWT for the betterment of all communities and residents in the Northwest Territories.

We know there is a lot of work left to do. We're committed to seeing it through, and I look forward to pushing the emergence of our agriculture sector and growing the demand for safe, affordable, locally grown food choices which will create business and entrepreneurial opportunities to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy overall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Glen Abernethy will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the federal-provincial-territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Edmonton, Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that resource development is one of the most important assets of the NWT's economy. We've also learned that, when we move big projects forward, we'd better figure out how we're going to clean them up when production ends. That's where we're at with Giant Mine. The remediation of Giant will be a project almost as big as if it were a new mine development. It will involve nearly a billion dollars in spending around Yellowknife and the NWT. The remediation project will need a skilled workforce, and it will involve opportunities for local Indigenous businesses. The question is, Mr. Speaker: are we ready?

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we need to be consulting with and learning from the Giant Mine Remediation project team. What skills and trades will be in demand? What kinds of small business support will be needed? What opportunities are there for our businesses and residents to find long-term, meaningful employment? What will we be doing to keep those dollars at home here in the NWT? This project will place demands on our infrastructure. It will rely on our transportation and hospitality sectors, vehicles and maintenance, accommodations, and food. Services of all kinds will be needed. Long-term jobs will create opportunities for workers and their families who will need homes, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. Another big demand will be the energy needed to make such a project possible. Mr. Speaker, the Giant project may be up and running at the same time as a new TerraX gold mine. TerraX has already identified energy availability as one of its biggest challenges. If TerraX and Giant are on-stream at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the demand will be even greater. I ask again: will we be ready?

Mr. Speaker, this project represents a new opportunity for Yellowknife and the NWT. Jobs, growth, training, skills and trades, secondary industries, are needed to support the people and the infrastructure this project will demand. In the interests of our mandate objectives of economic diversification, training, and growth, we need to be prepared. So I'm asking, Mr. Speaker: are we doing enough to make sure we're ready to capture these opportunities when they come? At the appropriate time, I'll have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, according to the Housing Corporation's annual report, local housing organization, or LHOs, operate as agents of the corporation in most NWT communities. Under agreement with the corporation and overseen by an advisory board, each LHO provides a wide range of local property management services. Local is the key word here. As the Minister pointed out in a recent statement, when NWT residents have access to an LHO, they have access to timely, responsive, and relevant services right in their home community. They are able to take ownership in the local delivery of government programs.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker; this is good work, and the Housing Corporation is moving in the right direction when they help communities establish new LHOs, but there is still disparity, and this disparity is distressing for my constituents who have brought this to my attention. Let me explain. When a community doesn't have an LHO, property management work is handled by the Housing Corporation district office. This means it's handled by workers who are part of the public service, with all the benefits of being in the public service.

Mr. Speaker, the same work in a community with an LHO will be done by workers without those benefits. Mandatory leave with pay, the so-called "Donny Days," is one example, but it isn't the only one. I know the Minister isn't responsible for labour agreements between existing LHOs and their staff, and I know that our communities are well-served when LHOs can help residents engage locally with essential programs and services. Nevertheless, there is a question of fairness here, a question that needs asking. I want to bring this matter to the Minister's attention so that, when the Housing Corporation continues its work to improve community capacity, the people on the ground, the ones actually doing the work, won't be short-changed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions later today.

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

Mr. Speaker, a while back, I received a visit in my office from a constituent, Nicholas Reimer. He is a grade 3 student at Harry Camsell school, my alma mater. He had concerns about the safety of some of the pedestrian highway crossings at Hay River. I share his concerns, as do other constituents I have spoken with. I wanted to bring those concerns to the floor of the House today. By my count, we now have two official pedestrian crosswalks on the highway in Hay River: one by the health centre, and one from 553 to the Red Rooster. The health centre crosswalk is brand new and has bright LEDs that catch motorists' attention. On the other hand, the crosswalk by the Red Rooster has been there as long as I can remember. These lights are quite dim compared to the health centre crosswalk, and they are not always very noticeable.

Five-five-three is probably the most densely populated part of town, so there are a lot of people, including a lot of kids, who use that crosswalk every day. That is especially true in the summer months, when the long days mean it's even harder to see the lights. It would be nice to see Hay River North get the same bright LEDs for its crosswalk that the Minister had installed in his own constituency. Like I said earlier, we have two official pedestrian crossings on the highway in Hay River, but we have some unofficial ones, as well. The one that I have heard the most concerns about is actually on the border of our two constituencies. It runs from Poplar Road in the industrial area to behind the soup kitchen. Not everyone who works in the industrial area has a vehicle, so in the morning, at lunch, and after work, you often see people waiting for a break in the traffic to dart across. Again, I often see kids crossing here to go to their after-school jobs. If you look at the satellite images on Google Maps, you can actually see the walking trails worn into the ground leading up to the highway at this crossing.

Now, I don't want to slow people down when they're trying to where they are going. I am not saying we need a full set of lights at every de facto pedestrian crossing on the highway. I want to make sure we are doing what we can to keep people safe. Obviously, people should be using the official crosswalks, but it is not always practical to walk a couple kilometres out of your way and then trudge through the ditch. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Hopefully, he will have some positive answers for me and Nicholas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, reclamation of traditional lands is of utmost importance to the First Nations of this country and of my riding. Recently, a sacred vent hole in the community of Nahanni Butte had been blocked by an RCMP radio tower. This tower was built in the 1980s, and since then, elders have not forgotten the significance of the location. In August of 2016, the community of Nahanni Butte requested the removal of the RCMP radio tower blocking the Sacred Vent Hole of Tthenaago. A little over a year later, I am happy to report the vent hole has been unblocked and the site has been cleaned up.

According to traditional Dene legend, there were once giant beavers roaming the region. The Great Spirit used his walking stick to poke a hole in the top of the mountain to scare the beavers out and chase them down the river of the Deh Cho.

The main tower was dismantled by the RCMP in July 2017, and the large concrete base covering the vent hole was removed. Upon the inspection of the site later that month, an elder and a member of the community noticed that there were still leftover concrete and boulders located at the base of the trench that were blocking small vent holes and other materials that needed to be cleaned up from the site. The Nahanni Butte Dene Band reached out for assistance to remove the remaining debris, and our government was quick to accommodate their needs.

On Thursday, September 7th, ENR provided a helicopter and a four-man field crew to assist the chief, band manager, and locals in the cleaning up of the site of the sacred vent hole. Coincidentally, this was the same day that the community was evacuated due to the rapid expansion of the fire nearby because of a huge wind. Coincidence? I don't think so. Mr. Speaker, cleaning up the sacred vent hole was very important to the community, especially to the elders. They have witnessed the recovery of the sacred vent hole.

I would like to thank the ENR and the RCMP for working promptly with the community to have this issue addressed. I would also like to thank the Minister and department staff for working with us on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, departmental strategies are sound prudent management systems and strengthens vision for direction. I know I have mentioned this a number of times because we have a number of strategies out there.

Entering the two years remaining in our term draws attention to the more implementation of strategies and achievable targets. It is incumbent on us to hold accountable and transparent government.

Mr. Speaker, action plans are developed with targets, measurable to the success of these strategies. Above all, education through consultation is just as important to the public's expectations of their government's direction.

Being innovative on government programs for maximum benefits through an intergovernmental or interdepartmental forum, this model exists today. We can look at the Anti-Poverty Conference. The structure is meaningful and going to be held at the end of next month in Norman Wells.

Mr. Speaker, this will be a template for similar joint initiatives. On this principle, I will later have questions for the Minister of ITI on two upcoming strategies, one referred to today. Thank you. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As we all know, the demand for public housing outstrips our financial capacity to provide it. It's a game of catch-up that has no end in sight.

In June of last year, the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation announced a potential solution, to have northern manufacturers build modular homes that could be shipped to communities across the NWT. The Housing Corporation publicly tendered a design-build request for proposals in April of last year for 39 units. After evaluating 16 proposals, a large contract was awarded to Concept Energy Services in Hay River for 19 two-bedroom duplexes, and a much smaller contract for one two-bedroom standalone unit was awarded to Energy Wall Building Products here in Yellowknife. I have been unable to find the contracts the Minister promised to post on the GNWTs Contract Events Opportunity Website, so I am not sure of the dollar value. The Concept Energy Services contract is obviously worth millions. Work was scheduled to be complete by the end of March this year.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister heralded the modular housing contracts as a game changer. She said it would spawn a new northern manufacturing industry. It would create more than 100 jobs. It would serve the private sector as well as government. The modular homes would cost between 25 and 40 per cent less than stick built homes. The homes would be energy efficient and built to withstand northern winters. Mr. Speaker, it looked like a win-win situation. Fast forward to today. There are three contract opportunities now available to finish three partially completed two-bedroom duplexes in Ulukhaktok. Ulukhaktok was one of the destinations for the modular homes being produced in Hay River. Are these the same modular homes? How much money has the government already paid for these modulars? My fear is that a promising idea hasn't panned out. Instead of being a game changer, the northern manufacturing of modular homes is a bust. I will have questions for the Minister. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, during debate in this esteemed House, some Honourable Members took our unique form of consensus government to task in its failure to deliver a binding result of non-confidence in a Member of the Executive Council.

Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear in stating my opinion that events surrounding the Mid-Term Review do not represent a failure of consensus government. Rather, it was a failure of good governance. Consensus government is not defined by how we choose our leaders or how we hold them accountable. Our system is based on the role of Honourable Members to get their fingerprints on legislation and spending decisions. Through our strong committee system and generous information sharing between Cabinet and Regular Members, each Member is afforded great opportunities to contribute to the development of our laws and how public funds are invested in our communities.

Good governance is another matter, Mr. Speaker. There is nothing inherent to consensus government that prohibits accountability mechanisms like the Mid-Term Review. In respect to holding government accountable, Regular Members serve as an unofficial opposition and work to represent the concerns of their constituents when government is failing to deliver results. Suggestions that accountability mechanisms like the Mid-Term Review or opposing what the Cabinet and Premier bring forward is party politics is simply false, Mr. Speaker. It is part of our jobs as Regular Members. It is the duty of this side of the House to ask tough questions and, yes, to make tough decisions when Cabinet is not performing in its duties.

Mr. Speaker, I share the frustration of my honourable friends on this side of the House who have criticized Cabinet's outrageous approach to the Mid-Term Review. They acted in bad faith. I think we deserve an apology, and the people of the Northwest Territories deserve an apology for how they handled the Mid-Term Review. But I do not believe that consensus government is dead, nor do I believe that it is dying. Now is the time for reform, to strengthen our ability as Regular Members to hold government to account, and to establish new, transparent rules and conventions that will restore trust in the public that our government is accountable to the people it serves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Yesterday, the Auditor General of Canada released a very critical report on our government's management of climate change. Every jurisdiction in Canada is undergoing a similar audit to allow for some comparisons, best practices, and lessons learned, with a roll-up final report in 2018. While the NWT is a very small contributor to Canada's GHG emissions at 0.2 per cent, the effects are already being felt here, and we will experience some of the greatest impacts. We must do our fair share of mitigation and adaptation.

Environment and Natural Resources was reviewed as the lead department responsible for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The Department of Infrastructure was also reviewed in terms of its energy efficiency mandate and impacts on infrastructure. The audit reviewed whether the departments took adequate steps to meet stated commitments on mitigation and adaptation.

The audit found, and these are direct quotes, Mr. Speaker, that:

• ENR did not develop a territorial strategy to adapt to climate change;

• ENR did not fulfill its commitment to provide departments and communities with information needed to take action on climate change;

• The territorial greenhouse gas strategy did not have a significant impact on reducing emission levels; and

• ENR did not address long-standing deficiencies affecting its leadership on climate change.

These are very serious findings that do not reflect well on our climate change efforts and commitments. Clearly, climate change has not been a priority of this government, even though it is contained in our mandate.

The Premier signed on to the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change in December 2016. That agreement sets a crystal clear target for GHG reductions of 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is what we promised, and it needs to form the core of the upcoming Climate Change Strategic Framework. If our framework does not clearly demonstrate a set of actions to achieve such reductions, any applications for or access to federal funding assistance is at serious risk. I will have questions later today for the ENR Minister on how this recent audit will inform the development of the Climate Change Strategic Framework. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.] Mr. Speaker, on September 13, 2017, many people, including myself, lost a good friend in Joe Norn. In his younger days, Joe was known as "Sonny." Joe was born on May 19, 1946, and was given the name Joseph Maurice Norn. Joe was born to Albert and Ernestine Norn. Ernestine was a Lafferty, and her mom was Catherine Beaulieu before she married Napolean Lafferty.

Mr. Speaker, Joe had many relatives from the Beaulieu, Lafferty, and Norn families and even has some relatives here in the House. Mr. Speaker, I met Joe Norn when I was a kid and watched him box around the NWT. He was an excellent boxer and also fought in northern Alberta. Some of his friends called him "Smoking Joe."

Mr. Speaker, Joe is survived by his spouse Vitaline Lafferty; siblings Nora Rhinelander, Joan Delorme, Stan Norn; adoptive child, Angel Lafferty, and many stepchildren. Mr. Speaker, Joe is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Ernestine Norn; grandparents, Napolean and Catherine Lafferty, George and Helen Norn; and siblings, Marcel, Ernest, Herbert, Walter, Bill, Lena, and Leona.

Mr. Speaker, my sincere condolences go to the late Joe Norn and all his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Our condolences and prayers go out to the family as well. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome chief medical officers from across Canada who are meeting in Yellowknife this week for the annual meeting of the Provincial Territorial Medical Advisors. We are in good hands here today.

Those joining us here today include Dr. Stephanie Starks, Yukon Health and Social Services; Dr. Ray Dkystra, BC Ministry of Health; Dr. Cliff Fabian, BC Ministry of Health; Dr. Neil Hagen, Alberta Health; Dr. Jude Coutinho, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care; Dr. Bruno Rainville, Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec; Dr. Anne Tweed, Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness; and Dr. Helmut Unruh, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living. Welcome. Thank you.

Welcome to our great territory. Masi for being here with us. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize two Pages, Satee Antoine and Destiny Klee, and the chaperone Lisa Moses, for coming here, and I thank them very much for their hard work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is always a pleasure to have guests as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my last home visit, I heard a large number of concerns about the lack of moose in the area. There were concerns that some hunters were taking cows and that overhunting is occurring in the areas, as well as the lack of accountability when it comes to keeping track of the number of moose being taken from the region. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of ENR tell us if his department keeps track of the number of moose being taken yearly during the hunting season, and if not, why? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, harvest from licensed resident hunters is estimated from an annual survey. Results are sorted into three large areas: Fort Smith, Yellowknife, and Inuvik, for the whole of the NWT. For the 2015-2016 hunting season, I can inform this House that 182 moose were harvested by residents of the NWT. An additional 76 bulls were harvested by licensed non-resident hunters through outfitted and guided hunts in the Mackenzie Mountains that help bring money into our communities. The moose harvest by general hunting licence holders or people exercising an Aboriginal harvesting right within their traditional area is not tracked, or if it is by an Aboriginal government, it is not shared with the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi cho to the Minister for that answer. As I previously stated, there has been a number of cows being taken. This is a huge concern for the community and elders alike. We all know that taking a cow has a huge impact on our moose population. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister have his department look into doing a five-year ban on hunting cow moose to help increase the moose population?

Regular moose surveys in the Deh Cho region have shown a fairly stable trend and no evidence of any decline in the Mackenzie Valley. There was a community meeting in Fort Liard at the beginning of the month, and we actually heard that moose numbers in the Liard area have improved recently. Also, some of the other Deh Cho communities have not raised concerns over the moose population. I can inform the House that the next moose survey in the Deh Cho region is planned for November 2017 and February 2018, after which we will assess the population trend.

I appreciate the answer from the Minister. I guess we are talking to different people, because when I was back home, they were saying there was a huge decline in my area and a number of communities. Fort Liard Road was one of the places where people were taking moose from outside the region.

Mr. Speaker, in the past, there has been a ban from allowing hunters from hunting from the side of the road. It is my understanding from the residents this may have been stopped. Can the Minister advise if the department has revised their policy and regulations to stop hunting from the side of the road?

Specific regulations to ban hunting from the side of the road may not be needed. The Wildlife Act already has provisions to ensure dangerous harvesting practices are not occurring, specifically, no person shall discharge firearm, bow and arrow, or anything that pass along and travel portions of highway while hunting of wildlife.

Also, no person can harvest wildlife without due regard for the safety of others, and that is just common sense as well for property. This applies to all licenced hunters in the GNWT as well as harvesters with Aboriginal harvest right within their recreational area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the answer from the Minister. I guess there are some concerns from the residents of my area. People are hunting from the road and there is a safety concern out there, so I greatly appreciate the answer and understand the rules, but we need to find out how we can enforce it. Is the Minister willing to come to my riding to do a regional tour to meet with the residents to hear about their concerns and other issues they have with ENR first hand? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would be pleased to accompany the Member on a tour of his riding and hear from the folks in his riding. I will also give the invitations out to all the Members opposite that, if there is an opportunity for you to go to their riding and explain some of the work that we are doing within ENR, I would be pleased to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. In the summer of 2016, her department awarded a contract of Concept Energy Services in Hay River to construct 19 modular duplexes to communities throughout the NWT. How many of those duplexes have been completed and how many have been shipped to their destinations? Mahsi.

Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, what we have is eight of the 19 buildings are now partially completed. We have three that are in Ulukhaktok, one in Inuvik destined for Fort McPherson, and four are now under construction in Concept's Hay River facility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Unfortunately, the contract is not publicly available, or at least I can't find it. Can the Minister tell me whether the completion rate, that is an eight out of 19, and the partial completion meet the terms of the contract with Concept Energy Services?

No, the original contract completion dates were between March and June 2017. There were some delays that have been happening, so at this point they have not met the completion date.

What action is the Minister taking to either revoke the contract with Concept Energy Services or work with Concept Energy Services to have the terms and conditions met?

At this point, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is exploring all of the options that are available to us to ensure that all of the houses actually meet their needs within the communities. Our number one foot priority is to ensure that homes are in communities. That is why some of the units actually were pulled into Ulukhaktok and like I say, partially completed as the Honourable Member pointed out, because we were conscious that they needed to meet the barge. So we are working diligently. Our number one focus is to make sure that we have houses in communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be interested to know whether the Minister can make the contract available so that we on this side can see what the terms and conditions are. In addition, I wonder if she could tell us whether these units were paid for in advance or whether they are going to be paid for when they are complete. What is the situation with the money? Thank you.

I believe those were two questions, but I will answer them. I do apologize. I had said that the contracts would be available on the procurement website and for some reason, I have learned that there is some issue with not getting them on there. If the Member would like, I will be able to provide her with a manual copy of the contract. I will commit to doing that.

As for the money, some money was provided up front to help. It is not a normal practice, but it was provided up front to support the manufacturing strategy and recognizing that this is a new strategy that we are trying. To date, though, there is no upfront money. The money has been recouped for the work done, so there is no money that is with Concept at this point that is owing to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. We will not make any further payments until the products are complete or near completion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I spoke about safety concerns about highway crossings in Hay River that were brought to my attention. One issue was about how bright, or rather dim, the lights are at the crosswalk by the Red Rooster. I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure if we can upgrade those lights so that they are brighter and more noticeable similar to the ones at the new health centre crossing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there is a difference between the two lightings at the two crossings in Hay River. The one that we just put up at the Hay River Hospital has the latest technology that has been introduced right across the country. Moving forward, the department has a program that we are going to install the latest version within this fiscal year at this crossing at the Red Rooster. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That is good news. My constituents will be happy to hear that. I would like the Minister to confirm that this upgrade is only to the electrical portions of the crosswalk, just to the lighting. I know that yesterday we discussed the Frank Channel Bridge has been delayed because Industry said that it would rather -- they want to bring wide loads through and high loads through. I know the new crosswalk in Hay River, the arms on it don't swivel so there is a limit to the loads it can go under. I want to make sure that we are going to keep the swivelling arms on this crosswalk and just upgrade to electrical. Is that correct, Mr. Speaker?

This is correct. We are going to be installing the new flashing beacons that are the LED ones similar to the or exactly the same as the ones at the hospital, but we will also be changing the panels that house those lights.

I also discussed the unofficial highway crossing at Poplar Road. Has the department considered installing some type of crossing lights here, or even signs warning motorists that there are pedestrians on this highway? Has that been looked into at all?

When we consider new crosswalks anywhere in the communities, or in particular on the highway system, there are a number of factors that are involved. We have to figure in the projected traffic flows, the type of traffic, the volume of traffic, the width of the highway, the speed limit, all these sorts of things, but we also sit down with the community and talk to the RCMP about these types of things. I can commit to having the department have a conversation with the Town of Hay River and the RCMP for consideration.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good to hear, that the Minister is going to sit down and have that conversation. I will just ask: would the Minister keep me informed of this so I can keep Nicholas informed of the progress we are making? Thank you.

Yes, I will keep the Member informed as this progresses. Just as a note, if there is a consideration of doing something, adding a crosswalk to a highway system in the Northwest Territories, the cost is approximately $40,000 and takes 12 weeks to complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and his leadership role for our climate change efforts. In my statement, I summarized the findings of the audit released yesterday that clearly shows our failures as a government to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Our GHG strategies fail to reduce emissions. We did not provide information to allow others to take action on climate change and we have serious long-standing deficiencies affecting ENR leadership on climate change have not been addressed.

For the Minister, and I would like some specifics if he can because I certainly gave him a heads up before today or the question session today, what lessons have been learned from this audit and how are we applying them to the upcoming Climate Change Strategic Framework? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The first thing I want to do is assure the people of the Northwest Territories that the sky is not falling down and we will still continue to have clean climate and we are taking steps to address that. ENR staff have worked very closely with the Office of the Auditor General over the last year. During the time that the Climate Change Strategic Framework was already under development and the input received during the audit is being incorporated and addressed in the address CCSF, the Climate Change Strategic Framework. The Auditor General's Office can only assess work that is being completed, so they were unable to take into account the work that was already under way by ENR to address leadership, sharing information, reporting on results through the development of the Climate Change Strategic Framework. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for that. I am no Chicken Little, and it is not my leadership that is being questioned by the Auditor General here on climate change. It is this government's. ENR and Infrastructure undertook joint public engagement on the development of an energy strategy in Climate Change Strategic Framework.

That work was done months ago and a draft energy strategy is now out for further public consultation. There has been no public recording on the status of the Climate Change Framework until earlier today. Why is the Climate Change Strategic Framework lagging so far behind the energy strategy? I would like to get a response from the Minister on that.

The Climate Change Strategic Framework is not significantly lagging behind the energy strategy work. The CCSF, and I will use by its initials, is currently going through an internal approval process. I can inform this House and people who are listening that we did get Cabinet approval this morning to go to the next stage so that it will be released now to Aboriginal government stakeholders and the public for review and comment.

The energy strategy is currently out for public review, which is a stage that the Climate Change Strategic Framework will be going through approval for. The Climate Change Strategic Framework is also being developed based on the key elements of the Pan Canadian Framework on clean growth and climate change, which was developed over the last couple of years.

Our release for external review was slightly behind the energy strategy, which is correct, so our mission targets within the 2030 Energy Strategy and key elements from the Pan Canadian Framework will be reflected in the Climate Change Strategic Framework as well as recommendations from the Auditor General's Office.

Thanks to the Minister for that, and I look forward to getting the document shortly. The Minister did talk about how GNWT signed onto the Pan Canadian Framework on Climate Change, and that happened in December of last year. That agreement sets a crystal clear target for greenhouse gas reductions of 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This is a very important target and commitment that we will need to adhere to, otherwise we cannot reasonably expect to get any federal funding assistance.

I would like to get a very clear confirmation from the Minister that this target in the Pan Canadian Framework, the 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, is that going to be explicitly set out in the Climate Change Strategic Framework with a plan of action to achieve that target?

Yes, the overall target for NWT greenhouse gas emissions is a reduction of 30 per cent at the 2005 levels as per the Pan Canadian Framework. We are working with the federal government. They have made opportunities for investment into help us mitigate and adapt to some of the challenges that we are facing, which will in turn help us reach the 30 per cent by 2030.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that very clear commitment. One more question for him, if I may, Mr. Speaker: the audit shows that there is often a flurry of activity around the adoption of a greenhouse gas strategy and then efforts to monitor and report quickly wane. We know that, if we don't get our act together, we may be ineligible for federal program funding. How does the ENR Minister intend to ensure that climate change becomes a real priority for this government with the attention and leadership it clearly requires and as called for by the Auditor General? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I believe there has been leadership shown by territorial government, past and present, on the work in climate change. We recognize and we are at the front line of climate change so we are feeling the effects a lot quicker than people across the country. In having said that, I think this government has invested a lot of money into some mitigation and adaptation measures. We will continue to work with the federal government. They have made it known that climate change is also a priority of theirs. They are willing to put some money into the mitigation of the effects of climate change. I think we are in, through all of the good work that has gone on from the departments, I think we have positioned ourselves very good to take advantage of some of the investments that the federal government. We will just continue to push that. Debates like we are having in the House today will also strengthen our case as we go forward to the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a follow-up to my Member's Statement. I have questions for the Minister responsible for Housing. Mr. Speaker, I believe some constituents may be listening in right now. Can the Minister explain the working relationship between the Housing Corporation and the local housing organizations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, the relationship between the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and the local housing organizations is as a third party entity in that we contract out our services to provide supports on the ground for the housing units that are built in their communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

At the moment, LHOs have to take leave without pay during the Christmas holidays. Does the Minister feel that this is fair?

I just want to remind the Regular Member that, before I came into politics, I came from the non-profit sector, which didn't get paid for holidays as well based on if it is fair or not. The reality is that that is not our determination. We fund each local housing organization at a comparable rate to Government of the Northwest Territories levels. Each local housing organization has the ability to define their pay and their benefits and their compensations to their employees themselves. Those wages and benefits are determined by their board of directors. Some of the local housing organizations, 12 actually, are actually unionized. That, again, is not a requirement. That is an independent decision.

In conclusion, we fund them appropriate to the government's wages that are paid to government employees, and then the board of directors for each individual housing organization defines what they are going to do with that funding.

I would like to ask the Minister: will the Minister ensure employees of the local housing authorities have the same benefits, for example, Donny Days?

It is a really fine line that that Member is asking me to consider, in all honesty, because I do believe in self-determination, and I think that allowing the local housing organizations to have autonomy and determination of how they use their funding is best practice, in my opinion.

I can commit that I would recommend we meet with the local housing organizations on an annual basis. I can bring this up as a topic of discussion, but at this point, no, I am not willing to instruct local housing organizations on what to do with their compensation, the funding that we provide them for administrating their programs.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think there is a little communication gap between what the Minister is saying and the LHOs, because, according to the LHOs that I have been speaking to, they are sort of directed through their budgeting that they cannot take leave with pay. I would just like to ensure that, if the Minister is correct, that she relays that information to myself so that I could pass than on to my LHOs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

If the MLA sends me an e-mail, I will actually address that to him and more to define exactly what he is looking for. Again, I must state that there are 12 of the 23 local housing organizations that are actually unionized, which in my impression is that it is really hard to tell unionized workers what to do because they are unionized. That does not itself state that they have autonomy over what they do with their funding, and like I say, each one is funded fairly. They are paid based on what we would pay government workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. In my statement earlier today, I spoke of the need to make sure that we are ready to take advantage of the opportunities that might be before us as it relates to the Giant Mine Remediation Project. We, of course, want to see some opportunity for local business and local employment, and since ENR is the GNWT's lead on the Giant Mine Remediation Project, can the Minister outline what opportunities will be available under the final remediation plan when we go forward? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The priority of the Giant Mine Project is to maximize possible economic opportunities to Indigenous, northern, and local residents and businesses. The contracts for the main construction manager for Giant Mine will be awarded, my understanding is, by the end of December of this year. The purpose of the main construction manager would be to develop and procure subcontractors for the delivery of the project, and by dividing the project into smaller work packages, local employment and business opportunities can be maximized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you to the Minister for his reply. Hearing from him as it relates to dividing the contracts into smaller work packages, this is good news. I have seen this done before, and it has worked well in the past. Mr. Speaker, there is going to be a lot of responsibility that the GNWT is going to have in this project as we move forward. There will be a lot of overlap going on between a number of our departments, whether it is Environment, Industry, Education, and the like. I would like to ask the Minister: how is the GNWT preparing for opportunities associated with Giant Mine?

The Departments of ENR, ITI, ECE, and Infrastructure have established a working committee to provide advice to the project and assess ways in which the GNWT programs can be tailored and maximized to prepare NWT residents and businesses for opportunities with this project.

Again, thank you to the Minister for his reply. It is good to hear that we are being prepared in that record. Mr. Speaker, we have heard all kinds of numbers when it comes to potential employment, anywhere between 200 to 300 jobs potentially. I would like to ask, Mr. Speaker: is there a good understanding of the current labour and skills required in order to help go forward with the Giant Mine Remediation Project?

ENR is part of the Giant Mine Project team and is making sure that GNWT interests are considered in the design and implementation of the project. The project has carried out and is currently revising a labour study to assess the labour market and identify gaps in skill and services in the NWT. This will allow the project team and GNWT departments to focus our training and capacity building to maximize opportunities in the NWT.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

bee Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, again, I appreciate the insight shared by the Minister. It is good to hear about the labour study, and I am glad to hear that the GNWT is working with the project team to hopefully fill some of those gaps.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke earlier about the potential energy demands that are going to be associated with the remediation of Giant, and can we meet the demands that the project will need as well as potentially if the needs of TerraX should come on stream at the same time that the remediation project is going forward. I would just like to put that to the Minister. Is the Minister prepared to describe to us how we are going to meet some of the energy demands? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The recent findings of the freeze of arsenic underground at Giant Mine determined that a passive freeze system is preferred, which uses substantially less energy. This means that the energy requirements for Giant remediation may not have a significant impact on energy consumption in the Yellowknife area. I can speak to the Minister of the Power Corporation and would be more than happy to discuss the energy needs of TerraX mine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following up on my Member's statement on strategies, my first question to the Minister of ITI is: how do you think a new manufacturing strategy could help better the territory's manufacturing industry? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The manufacturing strategy that we tabled gives us an opportunity, I think, to reimagine how we approach supporting manufacturing in the Northwest Territories. It is an opportunity for us to possibly rethink how we re-categorize manufacturers and look at new policy ideas that could help bring more businesses to the manufacturers in the NWT and local manufacturers as well, but also use it to build a stronger relationship with the manufacturing community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for the answer. Often, when manufacturing is on the agenda, we are talking about Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. My next question is: are we going to see some benefits for the rest of the NWT? Maybe a dry dock in the community of Norman Wells?

Yes, we are absolutely looking how we can expand the manufacturing sector across the Northwest Territories. In fact, our team was recently in Norman Wells as of a couple days ago engaging with stakeholders and residents in the community to hear what we need to build a dry manufacturing in the Sahtu and what is possible there and what kind of ideas are brought forward. We will be doing this across every region in the Northwest Territories.

Will the Minister provide that information on engagement to the sessions that happened in Norman Wells?

I can certainly talk to the department and see whether we can release publicly to the Member.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question to the Minister is: why do you think manufacturing is an important area to spend time and resources on, given its small part or contribution to our overall economy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Manufacturing is a relatively small part of our economy in the Northwest Territories, but it is a very important one, I believe, particularly with the background that I have. It has high potential. The stats that I have been receiving from the department is, for every million dollars of output from a manufacturer in NWT, it creates more jobs, and these jobs are well-paid jobs compared to other industries in the Northwest Territories.

So we think it is of great importance, and a good use of our time and resources, to look at how we can support the diversification of our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the recent climate change audit reveals, we have a large task before us in addressing our climate change goals and objectives, and also transitioning to a clean energy economy. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation serves an important role there, and I'd like to ask the Minister responsible today if he can respond to a few of the decisions he's made around the governance of that corporation.

In 2005, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat released a report called the Review of Governance Framework for Canada's Crown Corporations. In there, they define a Crown corporation by stating, "Crown corporations derived a raison d'etre from these statutory roles as instruments of public policy." How is the Minister using the NWT Power Corporation as an instrument of policy to drive our clean energy agenda? Thank you.