Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we live in a huge territory with a small population spread out over a huge vastness of land and water, so it's important that we develop our transportation infrastructure, and it's why we committed to three major road systems in our mandate.

Mr. Speaker, other mandate commitments include lowering the cost of living, more educational opportunities, more affordable housing, support for small business, and diversifying the economy. So should we spend money on roads, or on these other things? My answer, Mr. Speaker, is that roads will support these other important goals. Building roads will create jobs, and, yes, when the road is built, some jobs will end; but let's think about what comes after that, and how we can support communities.

We can plan for economic investment to support measured, manageable growth of local economies. We can help small businesses start up and grow as they gain affordable access to suppliers and markets. We can help them be ready for an abundance of new opportunities. We can plan for supports to help communities through social changes. We can ready families for better access to healthcare services, more educational opportunities, and access to lower-priced goods and services.

Families need to be able to connect and stay in touch. Communities like Whati understand the importance of inclusion and accessibility. Cultural gatherings, community festivals, and sporting

events are important elements of northern community and culture, which will be more easily available with better road connections.

Mr. Speaker, as long as people have to fly everything in or wait for the winter road, it will be harder to build new and affordable housing. Business start-ups will face tougher challenges or may not happen at all. Agriculture projects will be harder to achieve, and food security more distant. Everything from groceries to construction materials, clothing to books, vehicles, and fuel will cost more. Not to mention that winter roads are at increasing risk from climate change impacts every year, with increasing costs to build them and shorter seasons to use them. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We know for a fact that all these necessities are cheaper and more readily accessible in communities with permanent roads. Building roads generates jobs, boosts the economy, and creates opportunity. In our mandate, we committed to taking advantage of federal investments and industry partnerships to improve infrastructure. Roads don't exist in isolation. They will contribute to other mandate goals — lowering the cost of living, raising standards of living, and connecting communities.

Mr. Speaker, for me it's not a choice of having roads or having other things. It's recognition that roads, as part of our overall direction, will help us move forward toward fully achieving our mandate. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two days ago I spoke about the commercial fishing industry. The proposed budget released yesterday means that I'm talking about it again. Noticeably absent from that budget is the $1.4 million dollars that had been set aside for the last two years to revitalize the commercial fishing industry and to build the fish processing plant in Hay River. The Minister told me Tuesday in this House that there were plans for that money, but now we see that it's not included in the budget at all.

Does this mean that revitalizing the fishery is no longer a priority of the government? Or are they just giving that particular line item a rest for a year? I don't know why we need it. It hasn't been doing anything for two years. Whatever it means, the honourable Minister of ITI and the MLA from Hay River owes an explanation to its community, and especially to the fishermen who have partnered with ITI in this revitalization strategy and have been working hard and doing their part.

If the department needs ideas on how to spend the money, I've got plenty: we need strategic investments to help bring back the wintery fishery; we can start providing fishermen with affordable financing, which is hard to come by in their profession; we need to provide administrative support so that the fishermen can get out on the lake and fish, not write proposals and respond to e-mails; and so we can end the subsidies and let the commercial fishery thrive on its own, we need to work with the fishermen to develop markets so they can sell their products once they decide to leave Freshwater.

Mr. Speaker, I'm very confused. I sought and was given assurances from the department during the business planning sessions for this budget and the capital budget that the money would be carried over into 2017-2018. One way to avoid these types of miscommunications might be to make some internal reorganization in ITI. I suggest moving the manager of Fisheries and Agriculture out of Yellowknife and into Hay River, the heart of the fishery and agriculture in the territory. The manager is responsible for developing, expanding, and setting the direction of these sectors and for consulting with industry organizations.

Mr. Speaker, the president of the NWT Fishermen's Federation didn't even know this position existed. How is that for consultation? If this position were in Hay River, where it logically should be, I'm confident that we would be much further along with the revitalization strategy. At the same time, we should probably also move the agricultural consultant position in that unit back to Hay River from Yellowknife, and while we're at it create a fisheries consultant position. I appreciate the great work of the ITI employees in the South Slave in regard to commercial fisheries, but if there are positions dedicated to a particular industry, they should be where the industries are. At the appropriate time, I'll have questions for the Minister of ITI. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Tlicho All-Season Road that will connect the community of Whati with the greater Northwest Territories. This is an important initiative for the growth and development of our future here in the Northwest Territories, and shows that this government is capable of working in partnership with many levels of governments, including Indigenous governments who have made the choice to ask for this important strategic investment.

People are very excited about this road, I think, across the territory and the potential that it represents for our communities, for our economy and again for our future. This will mean access to cheaper goods and more of them in this once isolated community. It means potential for developing hydroelectric resources and bringing cheaper power to the community, as well. It means opening up the door for increased mineral exploration in the region and finally getting a major mine that's been stalled in development off the ground and create jobs for the people we represent.

As you know, we've said often a job is the best possible thing we can do for our people to take the pressure off government spending and put money back into our communities, and this is an initiative that will help to deliver on those promises. It is a mandated commitment, and I'm very proud to see the work that's been done to date. I hope we can get more details from the government on exactly when we're going to start work on this important initiative and exactly who is paying for it, so I'll have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has become convention for me today. I'm going to do another tribute today. [Translation] There is one man from the end of the island. I want to talk about that. [Translation ends] I would like to pay tribute to the late Steven Tsetta. He passed away [Translation] October 15 [Translation ends] at the age of 25.

Mr. Speaker, Steven was born in Edmonton on April 26, 1991. Steven lived in Ndilo and Yellowknife. He comes from a huge family, which includes Tsettas, Bowles, Crapeaus, Laffertys, and Abels. He was a talented artist, computer graphics, math, and loved cooking. He tried everything when he cooked. He loved his traditional food, especially dryfish and drymeat. When he was younger, he would put bikes together for him and his friends.

Mr. Speaker, anyone who knew Steven knows his humorous nature. He loved his family and friends, and had so much respect for everyone he met. He had the kindest heart and showed it by helping in any way he could. He loved to help elders as much as he could, either walking them across the street or getting them a chair in a public event.

Mr. Speaker, Steven is survived by his mother, Terri Tsetta; father, Robert Bowles; his sisters Ashley and Joanne; brothers Leo and Jason; aunts Maryjane Dennis, Gina, Shirley Gerry, Cecil, Diane Mike; uncles Alfred, Peter, Leon, Paul, and Narcisse; nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins and friends.

Mr. Speaker, Steven is predeceased by his grandparents Berry and Celine Tsetta; uncles John, Noel, Joseph, Raymond, and Archie; his aunts Harriet, MaryAdele, Alice, and Adeline; also his cousin Leah.

Mr. Speaker, Steven will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He is a baby of his family, and we will miss his good, kind heart shown to all who knew him. He passed away so suddenly, so young. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends. Thank you.

Masi. Our condolences go out to family, as well. Members’ statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to speak about a group of women from Fort Simpson who decided to do a flash fundraiser to raise money for Syrian refugees during the holiday season.

The idea started when one of the ladies saw a social media post on Facebook from the Compassion Collective, a group of authors in the United States who are raising money for the Syrian refugees.

After reading the post and expressing her desire to participate in some form of a Compassion Collective fundraiser, she began receiving posts and calls from a number of her family and friends who wanted to help out, as well. After a number of chats and conversations, the ladies agreed to the idea of a coffeehouse and offering gift wrapping services to the participants.

The ladies thought, as a collective, they could do more. They started to plan and organize an event for December 22nd. As I have said in the past, many hands make a task seem less challenging and achievable.

Mr. Speaker, these ladies went into thinking collectively they could do more than one of them could contribute individually at this time of season. They understood that it was Christmastime and not everyone had a lot of money to spare, but if people who come to the event put in a small amount of money for a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun, they could raise money and awareness for the cause.

I am proud to announce that the fundraisers drew a couple of vendors and a steady stream of people to the rec centre for the event. To help make this event even more successful, five youth volunteered their afternoon to help out these ladies. The group was fortunate to receive a couple of large cash donations and donations for the Northern and Unity convenience store. For the most part, the donations were loonies, toonies, five dollar and ten dollar bills.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say they were able to raise $1,400 for this charitable cause. What true Christmas spirit. In closing, I would like to quote Ellen Goodman, an author from this organization: "I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced that they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference."

Mr. Speaker, these ladies and youth did just that. I would like to ask my colleagues to please give them a big round of applause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. On December 9, 2016, our Premier signed on to the Pan Canadian Framework on Climate Change. This is a good thing, but as usual, it was done with no consultation with Regular Members as to what the GNWT position should be. As recently as July 21, 2016, our Premier was part of a Yukon government news release, "Northern premiers confirm united stance against carbon price." Our Premier was quoted as saying, "A national carbon pricing strategy could not be viable in the Northwest Territories unless it alleviates or compensates for the high cost of living and doing business in the North. Until there are economically viable alternatives, carbon pricing mechanisms will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Northwest Territories."

I would like to know what changed between July and December of last year and overcame the Premier's resistance to real action on climate change? One thing that did happen was an election in the Yukon, where a new government was elected on November 7th. Lucky for us here in the Northwest Territories, as this seems to have had some influence over our Premier's position.

What is next for us? Are we going to sit back and wait for the federal government to impose a federal carbon tax? Are we going to get our act together and design a carbon tax for the Northwest Territories that protects the remote communities and lower-income families and individuals? I see very little evidence that our Cabinet is doing anything with regard to a carbon tax. When I went to the public meeting on the Northwest Territories energy plan and climate change strategic framework in December, here in Yellowknife, there was no discussion of a carbon tax. Of course, this was before the Premier had signed on to the Pan Canadian Framework on Climate Change. What is going on?

By now, our government should have articulated a clear position that any carbon tax funds collected here should have no impact on our territorial formula funding arrangement, and that funds collected will be used to offset impacts on remote communities and low-income families and invested into renewable energy. By now, we should know what specific tools have been identified to offset impacts, including the tax system, and that there will be specific public tracking measures and targets for greenhouse gas reductions. Mr. Speaker, there are lots of questions on our flip-flop positioning, lack of consultation with Regular MLAs, and whether we will become leaders in climate change or continue to resist taking real action. I will have questions later today for our Premier. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss or mention previous highlights. A number of events have occurred since our last November session. To highlight and to move on with a few: first of all, the Almod Diamonds presentation to have a polishing facility in Yellowknife was made. Secondly, the purchase of assets from NTCL will ensure deliveries to our Sahtu communities, being three of them. Thirdly, the federal announcement on healthcare, infrastructure, and the all-season road to Canyon Creek project in the Sahtu, including the Whati road. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement on the federal infrastructure in various communities, including Fort Smith, as well.

Mr. Speaker, from our continued attention, it is common knowledge that our physical position comes across with challenges and solid decisions in the process facing management.

Mr. Speaker, given this and our recent grade F by the CFIB, I look forward to a continuing process on how we can improve the administration of our systems. We should take into account, moving forward, we will take into consideration the certainty facing the attraction of investors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wanted to take a moment to honour a late elder that passed away in Kakisa or K'aagee, the late Monique Providence. In my language. [English translation not provided.] Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. We offer our condolences to the family, as well. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're now about halfway into the Walk to Tuk Challenge, a territory-wide health initiative that encourages Northerners to team up with friends and family to conceptually walk from Fort Providence to Tuktoyaktuk. Even the Legislative Assembly is hosting a few teams, and I congratulate them.

As my fellow Northerners add up their walking, skiing, and jogging, trying to reach the 1,658 kilometre goal, I also want to ask you to consider that distance, consider what it means to be a small, remote community like Tuktoyaktuk or like the other communities of my riding of Nunakput, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, and Ulukhaktok. Imagine how different the life experience of growing up in a place your fellow Northerners understand to be so far away, both the benefits and the challenges, Mr. Speaker.

In fact, Nunakput residents, especially youth, can often feel isolated, and they face other unique challenges, too. For instance, this past October, children's evening programs at Paulatuk's Angik School were cancelled due to wolf sightings. That's not very common down south. Yet, at the same time, living in the North does provide very special opportunities for youth, provided adults and this government stand behind them as their representatives and supporters, Mr. Speaker. For example, last summer one of our Junior Canadian Rangers, Mr. Julian Green of Paulatuk, represented his community at the North American Leaders' Summit in Ottawa. Nunakput also regularly participates in traditional activities, going out on the land to hunt and learn from elders, like Ulukhaktok youth did for the muskox hunt this past December. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation even delivers its reindeer harvesting program. We may sometimes feel isolated, but we also benefit greatly from living in the heart of our traditional territories.

Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear. All in all, I support the Walk to Tuk Challenge and its ability to bring Northerners together for fitness and fun during our long, dark winters. When it comes to our youth, I hope we can walk the distance together, following through on the mandate commitment to create opportunities for healthy lifestyles and community leadership for youth. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my riding, including the communities of Aklavik and Fort McPherson, residents have some hard questions for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. In these communities, there are a number of old units that are empty, boarded up, and no one can live in them, but these units are still standing in the communities, even with residents pinned between long waiting lists for public housing and shortfalls in market rental availability.

I know that the Housing Corporation is hard at work on several new projects. Planned work on the new seniors' facility in Aklavik which was completed in Fort McPherson is a welcome sight, although there have been some delays. So is the pilot project to test singles' housing in Aklavik.

I'll be watching these projects closely, and I'm hopeful that it will lift some of the housing burden from our people. Even with this work, Mr. Speaker, it can be a bitter pill to swallow, to linger on a waiting list while empty, unliveable units fall further into disrepair. Although work may be taking place behind the scenes, it's needed on the ground, too. The sooner the old units beyond repair can be disposed of, the sooner we can move forward to replace them and the sooner we can bring relief to our families, elders, and single people, all working hard to have a home of their own. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'll have questions for the Minister later today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 11 up the orders of the day to now or number 4. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Item 11, replies to budget address. Member for Nahendeh.