This is page numbers 2329 - 2354 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 program.

Topics

Members Present

Hon. Glen Abernethy, Mr. Beaulieu, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Ms. Green, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Hon. Alfred Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. O'Reilly, Hon. Wally Schumann, Hon. Louis Sebert, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Vanthuyne.

The House met at 10:00 a.m.

---Prayer

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

I would like to say Masi to our elder for our opening prayer. Elder Mary Louise Drygeese from Detah.

Good morning, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, the secret is out; or, to be more precise, 150 secrets are coming out.

They are the foundation of a Canada-wide promotion highlighting the many reasons our territory is a spectacular place to live and visit.

From coast to coast, Canadians are learning about things like the Rabbit Kettle Tufa Mounds in Nahanni National Park, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the Canol Trail, Ice Road Truckers, and Fort Smith’s annual Paddlefest.

The campaign, which is also taking advantage of Canada’s 150th birthday, was conceived and is being led by our government’s Destination Marketing Organization, Northwest Territories Tourism.

It is being promoted to Canadians at major trade shows in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto; in restaurant promotions; on decaled public transit; and in advertising on TV, social media, newspapers, radio and the web.

The goal of the campaign is to generate national awareness and conversation about the Northwest Territories as a must-see travel destination. Mr. Speaker, it is safe to say that our goal has been achieved. The response to this campaign is already astonishing, and it is not over yet.

In the first three weeks of the campaign, it exceeded its marketing targets with 60,000 contest entries, 157,000 visitors to the Spectacular NWT website, 385,000 webpage visits in search of our spectacular secrets and 3,000 new subscribers to the NWT Tourism’s Quarterly Newsletter. The campaign will end on April 10th.

Mr. Speaker, the Secrets campaign features five grand prize packages that will take five couples on all-inclusive adventures, one each, into our territory’s five regions. Subsidiary prizes will see 140 individuals fly to Yellowknife, where they will be encouraged to travel further into our territory.

The entire campaign is just part one of the NWT Tourism's broader $2.76 million plan to attract domestic and international visitors to our territory that I will table in the House later this afternoon.

The tourism sector offers the best opportunities that we have to advance economic diversification in the NWT; and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is working diligently to build the foundation on which our tourism sector will flourish.

Our Tourism 2020 strategy is the blueprint for this work and aims to increase tourism spending in the NWT to $207 million by 2020-21. Our strategy outlines the steps we are taking to attract visitors to the Northwest Territories. It outlines the programs and initiatives for which we are strengthening the products and capacity of NWT operators.

Under the banner of our Tourism 2020 strategy, the new Aboriginal Tourism Champions Program was launched in October. More recently, we have introduced the new Community Tourism Coordinator Program to advance regional product development and packaging.

We continue to deliver the Community Tourism Infrastructure Contribution Program to encourage the development of community tourism infrastructure and we want to continue to facilitate and invest in our territory’s greatest tourism resources with our businesses and youth mentorship programs.

Mr. Speaker, in 2015-16 we increased our visitors to the NWT by 11 per cent over the previous year. As importantly, the increase was reflected in a 14 per cent increase in visitor spending and the direct spend in our territory related to tourism in 2015 rose to $167.1 million. That means new money for our economy, increased business for tourism operators and our hospitality industry; and business development. The growth of our tourism industry also means growth in employment opportunities and improved quality of life for northern residents in terms of dining and activity options.

With creative marketing campaigns, strategic planning and timely, targeted programs, we will continue to build our tourism sector and the growth and diversity that it will bring to our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Ministers' statements. Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, the decisions we make here in the Legislative Assembly have real impacts on the people of the Northwest Territories. Make no mistake about it; they are watching us to find out what our plans are and how they will be affected. This puts a big responsibility on us to make sure that what we say here is accurate and does not cause any public fear or misconceptions about the government’s plans.

We have a particular responsibility to our staff, Mr. Speaker. We make the decisions here in the Legislative Assembly, but it is the dedicated professionals in the GNWT public service who put our direction into action. Without them, we would have nobody to plan and deliver the programs and services the people of the NWT rely on.

To provide the people of the NWT with the good programs and services they need, it is critical that we recruit the best staff we can. We are also committed to developing our employees and to making every effort we can to retain them as members of the GNWT public service.

As with any employer, our organizational structure and staffing levels change over time. Mr. Speaker, often these changes are small, but there are times when we go through a more significant restructuring process. When that happens, we make an effort to reduce effects on our employees, first by eliminating vacant positions and then through our Staff Retention Policy.

The Staff Retention Policy provides a clear process for working with affected staff to find them other employment options within the GNWT. An important feature of the policy is a commitment to give affected employees staffing priority for up to 21 weeks. This provides our employees some confidence that a restructuring does not mean the end of their GNWT career and it gives us the opportunity to retain someone with valuable experience and training.

Through this process, Mr. Speaker, we are often able to reduce the number of employees impacted by position reductions and to accommodate the majority of affected staff. For instance, the GNWT identified 124 positions for elimination in its 2016-17 budget. There were 56 staff affected as part of that reduction, with 40 of them being redeployed to other positions within the GNWT. Five others retired, and nine were laid off, having received a layoff option.

We have eliminated 65 positions in this year's budget. As is our normal practice, we looked at vacant positions first and initially identified 36 as affected employees. We will work toward retaining affected employees, as we have in the past.

I would also like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that our 2017-18 budget actually creates more positions than it eliminates. With new positions such as the 23 being created in Norman Wells with the opening of the new health centre and long-term care facility, the GNWT expects to have 17 more positions next fiscal year than it did this year. This budget is creating opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure Members of the Legislative Assembly, the public, and our employees that the GNWT is committed to the retention and retraining of our impacted staff. Employees are our most valuable asset and we will make every reasonable effort to retain affected employees as a part of the GNWT public service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, our territory is a region with massive petroleum potential, and we have committed in our mandate to delivering a long-term strategy to capitalize on these reserves and to bring oil and gas investment back to the NWT. The need for this work was first identified during public engagements informing the development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy.

Across our North, industries, businesses, and residents pointed to the need for strategic planning and preparation to position our territory to capitalize on the opportunities that the responsible development of our oil and gas resources will bring. Many in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta regions said that this development could provide the same economic growth that diamond mining has provided in other regions.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has drafted a strategy that we believe offers a viable, balanced, and made-in-the-NWT approach to advancing oil and gas development in the NWT. Our plans balance the priorities and interests of NWT residents, businesses, and industry. In response to recommendations from the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, it also includes an implementation and evaluation framework.

Our work has taken place in consultation with many of the same stakeholders that first highlighted the need for this strategy. We believe it represents an approach that NWT residents and businesses can both support and benefit from and one that will help restore investor confidence and investment in our territory.

Mr. Speaker, the next step in our strategic process is to return to our stakeholders and partners to confirm that we have it right, that the balanced approach represented in our draft strategy will enable us to benefit from our oil and gas resources while ensuring the traditions and environment that we value are protected.

Over the course of the summer, we will be organizing community engagement sessions in regional centres to give NWT residents an opportunity to learn about and comment on the draft strategy and to provide input on its eventual implementation and evaluation.

Ultimately, this strategy will set a path for responsible oil and gas development by identifying challenges like our transportation infrastructure deficit, reinforcing the GNWT's commitment to environmental and social sustainability, and recommending a smart, sustainable path forward for oil and gas development.

Mr. Speaker, as oil and gas markets begin to show signs of recovery, this strategy is one of several steps our government is taking to address the economic approach, the oversight, and public confidence in future oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories.

Next week in Calgary, our government will facilitate a workshop of Aboriginal and government partners on the subject of northern transportation corridors; not just pipelines, but railways, highways, waterways, fibre optic infrastructure, and transmission lines that can play an important role in realizing our North's energy and economic potential.

For the most part, the oil and gas and energy infrastructure that we have needed is not in place, but like so many pivotal moments in our territory's history, we see this as an opportunity to shape our future with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion of Northerners to find new ways to develop northern energy corridors and resources.

In the coming months we will also be taking important steps to enhance the legislation governing oil and gas development as part of our mandate commitment to advance the territorial vision of land and resource management in accordance with the Land Use and Sustainability Framework. We will also be taking steps to advance the understanding and capacity of NWT residents to engage with and benefit from oil and gas development in their regions.

As we move forward this year, this work will ensure that residents have meaningful opportunities to participate in the assessment of potential benefits and risks associated with the development of all of our natural resources.

I look forward to working with colleagues, stakeholders, Aboriginal governments, and constituents on finalizing and implementing the NWT's Oil and Gas Strategy in pursuit of economic opportunities and prosperity for all citizens of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Crystal Serenity Cruises is planning another trip through the Northwest Passage this summer. More than 900 tourists and 600 crew are expected to come aboard for the summer cruise season, the majority of them from the United States, Mr. Speaker.

The Crystal Serenity is a luxury cruise liner, nearly three football fields long and 13 storeys tall, and the largest cruise ship ever to traverse the Northwest Passage.

Mr. Speaker, tickets start at $20,000 per person and guests can watch polar bears and muskoxen, kayak along Canada's northernmost shores, and land on pristine beaches to hike where few have ever set foot. Other activities include birding, rafting, and helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft flights. In Nome, Alaska, the annual Blueberry Festival was rescheduled so that visitors could enjoy blueberry pie while watching Inuit dancers and browse traditional handicrafts made by local artisans.

Mr. Speaker, while environmentalists are seeing doom, some Nunakput communities are seeing economic opportunities. Mr. Speaker, as we know, seal and ivory products cannot be brought into the USA. In interest of maximizing benefits to the communities and Inuvialuit from cruise ship opportunities and providing the best available experience to the tourists, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will host workshops in the ISR to prepare for the upcoming cruise season as restrictions prevented Inuvialuit of Ulukhaktok from selling seal and ivory products to cruise ship passengers, which had an impact on traditional crafts sales and to coverers and seamstresses.

Mr. Speaker, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species has exemption provisions that we should explore, such as the EU, which now agreed to accept Inuvialuit-harvested seals. This is a milestone for our region, and I commend IRC and the GNWT in this example of coordination and cooperation. Mr. Speaker, I see that Arctic cruises are an opportunity for remote communities in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Family Violence Survey
Members’ Statements

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following the discussion that took place in this House yesterday, I am renewing my call for the Minister for the Status of Women to repeat the survey of attitudes toward family violence. It is clear that we 19 Members do not share a common understanding of what family violence is, and I suspect that we are representative of the territory as a whole. The information the survey will produce is fundamental to creating policy and programs that reduce rates of family violence.

The mandate for the 18th Assembly calls on us to take action on the crisis of family and community violence. It is also one of three priorities of the Standing Committee on Social Development. The rate has been high for many years and has resisted any and all efforts to reduce it. It is time to look for a systemic fix. That means we need to promote acceptance of women's equality.

A first step along this road is to ensure we have a common understanding of what family violence is. Ten years ago, the NWT Bureau of Statistics surveyed 753 people in communities large and small to answer this question. At that time, 88 per cent of respondents said they were either very worried or somewhat worried about family violence. There was a significant number of men and women who said they believe that physical violence between a couple is a private matter to be resolved within the family. There's a general reluctance to define family violence as a problem for which help is needed, and we saw that only too clearly here yesterday. Finally, there is also a considerable misunderstanding that men are victims of family violence to the same extent as women. It's simply not true.

I believe that updating the family violence survey will give us the information we need to create effective policy and actions that are aimed at the attitudes that perpetuate family violence and women's inequality. The Coalition Against Family Violence and the Status of Women NWT have also requested the survey be repeated.

Members had the opportunity yesterday to be role models in family violence prevention, and they decided not to take it, but the issue is not going to go away. It is time for us to get serious about reducing rates of family violence and to work in smart and consistent ways to ensure that every NWT hears the message that women are equals and violence -- Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to bring out my last sentence. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Family Violence Survey
Members’ Statements

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is time for us to get serious about reducing rates of family violence and to work in smart and consistent ways to ensure every NWT resident hears the message that women are equals, that violence is not inevitable, and it is preventable. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Family Violence Survey
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today wraps up what has been a demanding and at times a difficult session. It has been a bit of a long haul, but looking back, we have made some significant accomplishments.

All Members of this House should be able to look back with some pride at the achievement of the budget. It may not be exactly what any of us had in mind at the outset, Mr. Speaker, but by defending our different perspectives, and through good-faith discussions and negotiations, we made progress and achieved an overall success. We have committed money to establish a 911 service after it was talked about for years, we can take pride in fully funded junior kindergarten, and it is important that we reinstated funding, at least for now, to the teacher education and social work programs at Aurora College.

This session wasn't just about passing a budget, though, Mr. Speaker. It was also about communication between the two sides of this House and with the public. I believe we made progress there as well. We have to keep working to make the relationship between Cabinet and Regular Members become the cohesive one that I know all of us believe it can and should be.

The residents who elected us are counting on us, Mr. Speaker, to continue to move forward on the many issues and challenges that face us. We must continue to work to make the Northwest Territories competitive on the national and international stages. We can do that by building on our strengths and assets.

Our products and resources are world class, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am referring to our mineral wealth, which is rich and largely untapped. I am also including our renewable resources: an under-developed fishing industry in one of the largest lakes in all the world, and forests that would lend to a healthy reforestation opportunity that would continue the development of wood products and support the biomass industry. Our land, water, skies, and culture are the basis of another world-class industry that is just beginning to be realized, and that is the tourism sector. The Minister spoke about this earlier today.

Our people are another world-class resource, Mr. Speaker. Northwest Territories businesspeople are resourceful and hardworking. Our tradespeople are second to none. Our artists, filmmakers, authors, and musicians are emerging and accomplishing great things on the national and international stages. Of course, our furs garner the highest prices in the world markets. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Lastly, in challenging times, the road will sometimes be bumpy, Mr. Speaker. Solutions can be found if we apply our assets, human or otherwise. I look forward to the road ahead as we continue to deliver on the mandate commitments to best serve our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today we conclude our winter session. With it we conclude our 2017-18 budget.

I know that some of my colleagues here and some residents we serve may view our work as incomplete.

Not all needs were met.

Not all needs can be met.

Together we achieved the budget that will bring services to Northerners, especially Northerners in critical need, like our elders, our youth, our people with housing needs, and our people living below the poverty line.

We are also seeing some important investment in major highway infrastructure projects.

Although I would like to see this kind of spending brought to the Sahtu region, I am still glad to see the new projects that have come forward.

That is because, as MLAs, we work hard to move the NWT forward together, to serve the best interests of our people.

Remember, each day in the House, we are all reminded that we are here to work for the benefit of all our people. Those aren't just words.

So, Mr. Speaker, although session may be coming to a close, our work will not stop. Members will go back to their respective ridings and connect with their people and hear their questions and concerns. Committees will keep working on the legislation and progress before them. That includes review of the government's public account in April, so stay tuned. I know that the departments will keep on working, too. After all, the government is still facing a big backlog of work on federal acts and regulations that were mirrored in devolution.

Our growth as a territory depends on the work, Mr. Speaker, and successful economic development depends on what that work can do, such as -- Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, colleagues. Such as:

● Clarify regulatory and permitting processes;

● Give certainty around land access;

● Engage with all stakeholders; and

● Strengthen us against the ups and downs of national and global markets.

We need that work. We need to collaborate and strategize. Why? Because, at the end of the day, we are very vulnerable to those ups and downs. When it comes to what we produce, whether it is diamonds, oil and gas, fish, timber, or tourism services, our products are only as valuable as consumers' desire to purchase them.

To weather these storms, we will need to work together, like we did for this budget. It will be difficult and have challenges on differences, but we have already proven that we can work together. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Passing Of Virginia Lafferty
Members’ Statements

March 9th, 2017

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I will do my statement in loving memory of Virginia Lafferty. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to send my condolences out to the family of Virginia Lafferty. Everybody called her Virginie.

Mr. Speaker, Virginie was born on February 13, 1935, on the Hay River Reserve and passed away on January 4, 2017. Virginie married Louis Mickey Lafferty in Fort Resolution and lived there for the rest of her life.

Mickey and Virginie adopted their first son, Edward Overvold, and then went on to have Cecile, Doug, Louis, Lloyd, Ralph, Michael, Linda, and Mary Olive. They also raised many of their grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Virginie was a very kind person. When I was a very young boy, my family relocated from Rocher River to Fort Resolution. As a boy I was a regular visitor to all the households that were from Rocher River and relocated to Fort Resolution.

Mickey and Virginie's house was the first Fort Resolution household I began to visit regularly. Virginie was always very kind to me and my brother. My brother was also with me visiting the Laffertys. All of the other children would be visiting, and she would be kind to all of us.

Later on in life, Virginie began to lose her hearing and her memory they say; although when I would walk into the house, her son Doug, who was caring for her would say, "Mom, you have a visitor. Do you know who it is?" She would take a quick look at me and say, "Yeah. That is Tom." She would never forgot me, even though she was old and in her last days and was not well.

Virginie will be missed by all her family around the Hay River Reserve, her family in Fort Resolution, and her children and her grandchildren. It was very difficult for the grandchildren, one of whom is my son, to see their grandmother and their mother sick. She passed away, but she is in a better place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family as well. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Into today's society, we have become more conscious about recycling our waste material. However, in saying this we should be doing more.

In Fort Simpson, Troy Bellefontaine, owner of the business Beauty Mark, has taken this idea one step further. Mr. Bellefontaine has partnered with Green Circle Salons to make his business a more sustainable venture, but more importantly it has helped him divert a majority of the business waste away from Fort Simpson Landfill.

Mr. Speaker, Beauty Mark is the first salon in the Northwest Territories to sign on. He says, "We are a small salon, but if other salons in the Northwest Territories follow what we're doing, this would help the environment."

Beauty Mark and other salons that use the service offered by Green Circle, they sort leftover hair, foils, cotton, and other materials into separate bins. These bins separate out the hair from the metals, color tubes, aerosols, paper, plastic, and other containers for excess or unused bleach and hair colors.

In speaking with Mr. Bellefontaine, he figures that he will be able to divert up to 95 per cent of the waste from his business. To take this one step further, he takes this waste down to a facility in Edmonton, instead of having them send a truck up to pick up the waste.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Dehcho Drum article, the hair clippings are repurposed; one of the products being created was a broom that absorbs oil from oil spills. Metals are shredded down and processed through an incinerator to remove chemicals, allowing the clean aluminum underneath to be used in creating other items, such as bicycle frames. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Bellefontaine for continuing with what we were taught in school, "Recycle, Reduce and Reuse," and taking it one step further. I would encourage all of us, to follow his example and make the territories and Canada a better place to live by recycling everything we can. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate all Members of this House for being strong voices of their people over what has been a long and often, as other honourable Members have pointed out, arduous session, but the debate in this House and differences of opinion ultimately make us a stronger Assembly and a better government for the people of the Northwest Territories.

We've seen a great deal of success in the passing of the budget that was a compromise between two viewpoints and, again, is a stronger budget because of it. We have new funding for homecare, for mental health support for youth, to address the homelessness crisis in downtown Yellowknife, to support our industry through new subsidies for fishing and the mining industry, and, of course, through sticking together, Regular Members were able to demonstrate a very strong united front and articulate the concerns of their constituents in a cohesive way.

The level of public engagement, I've never seen it before in my life, Mr. Speaker, and I think that level of public interaction is exactly what we were elected to do: to provide a more transparent and accountable Assembly, and the benefits of raising those issues out in public came back into the House and ultimately made for a better Assembly.

We still have a lot of work to do, Mr. Speaker. We still have to come to a conclusion on carbon taxes; we still need to settle land rights agreements and land use plans. We still have to determine how to make best use of post-secondary opportunities in the North with a new strategic plan for Aurora College. I'm thankful that the biggest issues that faced us, the two programs at Aurora College and, of course, junior kindergarten, have been addressed and now we are working collectively to make better programs out of both of those.

I am disappointed that Bill 7 is moving forward and we will see a new increase to our cost of living; however, we have some other great bills that we are working on over the summer and by the next Assembly we will be able to address many issues that are outstanding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Budget Session Reflections
Members’ Statements

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1998, when I was the Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations, UN Rapporteur, Miguel Alfonso Martinez of the University of Cuba, visited the Deh Cho and the Hay River Reserve as a representative of the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, which was a sub-commission of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The purpose of this visit was for the Rapporteur to take a look at Canada's treatment of its Indigenous peoples and gather evidence on the status of the Dehcho First Nations' self-government proposal, the Deh Cho Process.

Mr. Martinez was preparing a report on "Treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between nations and their Indigenous populations." His work later informed the development of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

During the visit, the Rapporteur heard testimony from many esteemed elders, such as Ted Landry of Fort Providence, who is regarded as a Dene political historian, the late Daniel Sonfrere, Paul Wright, Leo Norwegian, Joa Boots, and Gabe and Mary Cazon, to name a few. They spoke of the negotiations of Treaties 8 and 11, which they understood to be peace and friendship treaties. They also spoke of the promises made by a colonial Government of Canada. Today, most of those elders have passed on and those promises remain unfulfilled.

Fast forward. Last year in June, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories announced the appointment of Anne Marie Doyle as a ministerial special representative for negotiations with the Dehcho First Nations. Ms. Doyle has produced a report to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Carolyn Bennett and Premier McLeod that is expected to address issues such as land quantum, land access, and regulatory structures on the claimed territory.

Mr. Speaker, I believe UN DRIP paved the way for the work of the ministerial special representative by signifying that countries need to pursue participatory approaches in their interactions with Indigenous peoples that require meaningful consultations and the building of partnerships. It is hoped by all parties that this highly anticipated report of the MSR will find a way to get negotiations back on track and resolve outstanding land, resource and governance issues. I hope both Ministers will be willing to adjust their negotiating mandates if the report's findings point in that direction. The Deh Cho Process has been long and involved; it is time to bring it to a successful conclusion. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. On March 8th our government issued the media release "GNWT Extends Key Mineral Exploration Support Program." The release describes the extension of the Work Credit Program, which sets the value of exploration work required to keep mineral claims in good standing. Claim holders are now credited $1.50 for every eligible dollar spent. The release says the program originally "arose from recommendations made by the Ministry Industry Advisory Board."

I fully recognize that mining is important here, so we want to protect the integrity of our decision-making on this section. This move to extend the program was made with no consultation with standing committee; part of a troubling pattern by Cabinet. This is not consistent with our process conventions, which state:

Except under extraordinary circumstances Members of the Legislative Assembly should be made aware of and have opportunity to discuss significant announcements, changes, consultations or initiatives before they are released to the public or introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

During the 17th Assembly, standing committee expressed concern about the non-inclusive nature of the board that recommended this measure and the potential for regulatory capture and potential conflicts of interests when mining company representatives give advice to the Minister responsible for Mining.

Several of the board members are from firms that hold active mineral claims in the Northwest Territories. There is a potential for those firms to directly benefit from any cutting costs of keeping their mineral claims in good standing, rather than having some lapse and open up for others.

The terms of reference of the board state that part of its objectives is reducing constraints "including regulatory constraints." The problem here is that the people advising the Minister are giving advice that may place them in a conflict of interest on occasion. There does not appear to be any requirement for disclosure of financial interests, and the board's recommendations are not made public. In fact, the terms of reference say that all communications are confidential except by mutual consent of the Minister and the board.

It's a far cry from the model of a similar board in the Yukon, which was established by regulation under their Economic Development Act, with publicly posted terms of reference and annual reports containing summaries of recommendations published since 2003. I will have questions for the Minister of Mining later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year when it appeared clear that the government had already determined the fate of the A New Day program, the Minister of Justice kept assuring us that the third-party evaluation report on the program would determine A New Day’s ultimate fate. The $40,000 report was completed last November. It’s actually quite interesting, and I encourage someone at the Department of Justice to read it -- preferably whoever is designing the new program.

I’m making a lot of assumptions about the new program because details are sparse, to say the least. The RFP that was released on the 7th of this month does tell us that program facilitators must strictly adhere to the curriculum as set out by the department. This requirement ignores the evaluation report’s recommendation that consideration should be given to the fact that the program is "more than a curriculum," and community outreach should be considered as part of any future program. The community outreach includes a workshop at the North Slave Correctional Centre, in adult education centres, for the YKDFN, at the Salvation Army, Bailey House and more, as well as training sessions delivered to nurses in Stanton’s psychiatric unit. Unfortunately, the department apparently sees no value in any of these activities.

The evaluation report also states that some men are not well suited for group counselling sessions, and future programs should include provisions for individual counselling based on A New Day’s curriculum. However, Mr. Speaker, according to the new RFP there are no provisions for individual sessions, and men who aren’t suited for group sessions are to be referred to outside counselling services.

The report also indicated that the lack of administrative support burdened the program providers, burdening them with paperwork and other tasks not directly related to counselling. The Minister mentioned that the GNWT Coordinator position was created to alleviate that burden. Mr. Speaker, the current providers asked many times to be funded for an administrative assistant position. Instead of this simple solution, the department’s solution was to bring the entire program in-house.

However, Mr. Speaker. The saddest thing about this whole situation is that this is the only men’s healing program in the territory, and even though it’s successful, we have to fight tooth and nail to keep it, instead of figuring out how to expand it. On the bright side, after my questions yesterday the department updated the RFP to include the missing Schedule A. It adds little in the way of details, but at least someone at the department is listening. I’ll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the following pages from my riding. We had with us all this week Tylene Tsatchia and Autumn Football, both are from Alexis Arrowmaker School in Wekweeti.

In addition, all the pages who have done a great service for us during our session days since February until today. I would like to thank all the pages for their hard work. Mahsi.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize our interpreter for the Chipewyan and the Denesuline language, Tommy Unka. His granddaughter is also a page who is from the Premier's riding, Kailyn Unka. Thank you.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the elder who was here earlier who gave our opening prayer, Mary Louise Drygeese. She made my lovely vest and I'm very proud to wear it in this House. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the current pages and the previous pages who assisted us during the session, and the staff in behind the scenes, as well as the interpreters and writers of the Hansard who help us during the session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today to acknowledge my constituent Lydia Bardak. Ms. Bardak is the North Slave region Wise Woman award winner for 2017. Ms. Bardak came north to work with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Work with a blind prisoner led her into the career she is best known for, executive director of the John Howard Society. Ms. Bardak made a strong connection with the street population and remains an effective advocate for them in the justice system. Congratulations to Lydia Bardak for this well-deserved award. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have questions for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, yesterday at the rise of the House we had a presentation on the Taltson Hydro Expansion. I asked the Minister if they were going to do any consultation with Aboriginal groups that are affected by the Taltson River Expansion and he said no. So I would like to ask the Premier if that's the policy of this government not to consult with people on potentially the biggest project that this government is going to be taking on?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Honourable Premier.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can assure the Member that as soon as we have a project where we have a customer and where we have secured federal funding and support, we will be out there consulting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Several other organizations, including the Saskatchewan government, are aware of what is happening obviously because they're going to be the main customer. What would be the issue with engaging Aboriginal governments now rather than later?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

We've been down this road before. Previously we spent $13 million in the hopes of finding a customer. That project did not materialize and we do not intend to go forward without a customer or without an indication of federal support.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

That project that moved forward previously was Deze; that had Aboriginal partners. Aboriginal people were instrumental in moving it forward and supporting it so that the diamond industry could become a customer. Because of the life of the diamond mines we were unable to make a deal, this is a little different scenario. If they were involved in Deze, are we just living off the consultation from back then or are we planning on engaging Aboriginal governments sooner than later?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

The Taltson River has 18 megawatts of installed hydro capacity but has 200 megawatts of hydro potential which could be developed over the next decade. The Taltson Hydro Expansion combined with a southern transmission link, could provide a green energy corridor that would stabilize power costs in the North, displace coal generation in the South and remove economic barriers to remote resource development. The first phase, if we go down that route, would leverage past work to build a 60-megawatt hydro expansion within five years that would double the Northwest Territories hydro capacity and eliminate 360,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has engaged the Saskatchewan government and SaskPower to explore the costs and market conditions for a project linked with their jurisdiction. Alberta is also an area of interest. Our government has signed on to the Pan-Canadian Climate Framework. We have identified this as a priority with the Government of Canada. We have no indication whether they are committed to that. We are hopeful that we have a positive signal from the federal budget that will be out on March 22nd, and we have been criticized for advancing the House in projects. Until we have customers and until we have an indication of federal support, we do not think we have a project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the mid-1960s, the Taltson Hydro Project was brought in without consultation at all with Aboriginal organizations. This is an expansion that is going to increase the size of that at least threefold. The first time it was done without consultation, I asked a previous Minister before: what would happen if the Talston project started today? He said there would be an EA. During an EA process, there is consultation, usually consultation with the people who are affected. What would be wrong with consulting the Aboriginal people now? Is it because they are in the way, or what is the issue that we can’t consult with them now? Thank you.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, we do not want to raise false expectations. We do not want to suggest that there is a project, when there is no project. Like I said, I can reassure the Member that as soon as we get an indication of federal support, and as soon as we have a power customer, we will be very pleased to consult. We have a duty to consult, which is a legal requirement.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Can the Minister tell us why there was no consultation with the standing committee on the extension of the Work Credit Program for another two years? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The extension was a procedural one. We have moved forward with that. It was based on recommendations from the Mine Advisory Board, consultation with the Chamber of Mines, and numerous companies that are involved in the mineral industry, and it is consistent with our mandate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for that. How we learned about it has become a pattern through news releases, but the news release boasts about the 2015-17 implementation period for the Work Credit Program, how it is going to save exploration companies $725,000. That is money that should have been spent in the Northwest Territories to generate more activity. Why would the Minister extend this program that saves companies money that should have been spent in the Northwest Territories, to the benefit of our citizens?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

The rationale for the extension is, in fact, the overall state of the financing and exploration sector remains the same. As we all know, the market conditions are tight, and we are trying to attract new mining people to the Northwest Territories to spend their money. We still need to overcome the perception of the Northwest Territories being a difficult place to do business, and this is one of the avenues that we see that can attract investments.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

There is a potential for a conflict of interest when the Mineral Industry Advisory Board provides advice to the Minister generally, and in this specific case of the Work Credit Program, what is the Minister prepared to do to deal with this issue of potential for a conflict of interest and to improve transparency around the recommendations he gets from this board?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Actually, I have met with the Mineral Advisory Board and one of the first things I had done is I have actually put a pause and disbanded the board for now. I have met with them since then, but not as a board but as individuals, moving forward and getting their advice. I will continue to have a look at how this board operates and how it suits the Mineral Development Strategy of the Northwest Territories moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Mr. Speaker. Well, that certainly comes as a surprise. I look forward to trying to work with the Minister moving forward on this, and hopefully he will work with the standing committee, as well. We do have another model at hand in the Yukon, where there is a more transparent and accountable way of receiving advice from the mining industry. Is the Minister prepared to review how this happens in the Yukon and elsewhere, to ensure that the advice he may receive from such a board is more inclusive of other interests, free of potential conflicts of interest, and publicly report it? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like I said, I have disbanded the board, and have been having a look at how this thing works and how it is going to best suit the residents in the Northwest Territories. I would love to sit down and have a conversation with the Member on some advice, moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, we have heard from the Minister of Human Resources about success in retraining GNWT public servants. I have some questions for him here. Mr. Speaker, when there are no vacancies in the community where the position is cut, does the government offer the affected employee the opportunity to move to another job in another community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the short answer is, yes, there is an opportunity to move into another community, and it is my understanding that that has been done in the past. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for his answer. That is great to hear. Does this government offer removal assistance to affected employees who do not get offered a new position within this government?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, that depends on when they were hired, how long they have been employed, and where they were hired from.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I kind of didn’t get an answer, but I got sort of an answer, so I will move on to my next question. Does the affected employee have to go through the standard probation period with the new job offer?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I don’t recall that exact detail. I can find out and share it with the Member.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his commitment to finding out and making sure that people are well informed. From my last question, Mr. Speaker: should the affected employees be offered another employment opportunity within this government and they take it, but during this time, something else in the government comes up that is more suited to them, are they able to apply for that position? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am looking forward to some “Shane” days at the end of this session.

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the quick answer is that affected employees have priority on all new hires, so if there was an opportunity in their home community, again, they do have priority, and that could be taken into consideration.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. In my statement, I made reference to the UN Rapporteur visiting the Deh Cho and, shortly after that, there was a measure that all parties agreed to the appointment of Peter Russell, and he helped bridge the mediation and facilitation of a dialogue that became part of the Common Ground Principles, in terms of trying to bridge the log jam that existed then. The Common Ground Principles, which the GNWT was part of, identifies the fundamentals that the parties understand, that the ownership jurisdiction and sovereignty of the Dehcho First Nations process, as an essential tenet of the Deh Cho process. My question to the Minister is: why do most First Nations lands and resources negotiations take so long, and how could this government help speed up the process? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Honourable Premier.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is it goes back to the signing treaties. At the time treaties were signed, there was the oral version and the written version, and, from what I understand, the oral version is interpreted differently than the written version by a number of Aboriginal governments. That is possibly one of the reasons for the long time.

I think one of the benefits of ministerial special representatives is we ask them to outline and find out what some of the reasons for the delays, what are the challenges, what are the road blocks. I think, in my view, some of them have been mandates, and I think that we need to take a new approach to negotiating so that we do not wait until somebody blinks before we make progress. So I am hopeful and optimistic that the report of the ministerial special representatives will allow us to find a way to move forward on these long-standing claims, some of them that have been negotiating for over 25 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

I think I saw the Minister wink, so there is a possibility. It's encouraging. Treaties as far back as the Royal Proclamation of 1763 were bilateral in nature between the First Nations and the Crown. Will the GNWT accept the lead role of Canada in the negotiations of lands and resources?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

That is something that the federal government has indicated that, with devolution, we should be at the table, and that we have programs and services, and we have responsibilities as a public Government of the Northwest Territories.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

For people that follow First Nations history and the evolution of land claims and negotiations of lands and resources, the incident at Ipperwash opened up everybody's eyes that these long-standing lands and resource negotiations have been far too long and that there has to be an agreement that is just and fair for First Nations in terms of having a role in the Canadian society. The MSR report is complete. What are the possibilities that the Minister is considering and different approaches to help speed up negotiations?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Our expectation is that the MSRs will identify a number of options that would allow us to take different approaches and approaches that will allow us to move forward. I look forward to having the opportunity to review those recommendations and to also discuss it with the federal minister and, also, as we determine the path forward, with the appropriate parties and governments.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Moving forward, can the Minister inform this House as to what he thinks could be accomplished by May 2017? Mahsi.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

May 2017, that is two months away. I expect that by then we should have the ministerial special reports, we should have identified a path forward with the Government of Canada, and I think that we will be able to engage our colleagues on the Cabinet committee and the joint committee and hopefully find a way to work with the Aboriginal governments on the negotiations.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Status of Women. I have spoken a couple of times now about the need to update the family violence survey. It was last done 10 years ago. In the June session, the Minister said that she thought the survey was a valuable tool and she would advocate for funds to do a new one. How is that going? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The conversation of an attitudinal survey is actually interesting, and I would like to kind of address that. I would like to start with stating that I am quite offended by the Member's statement, when she stated that it is clear that Members do not agree that family violence is insulting. Because Members do not have a desire to continue to punish individuals who have served their time after committing domestic violence but rather focus on healing, because we want to preserve rights in place, does not mean that Members do not understand or care about family violence in the Northwest Territories. If the Member meant that we do not agree on punishment versus healing, then, of course, the Member is certainly correct. The attitudinal survey, we did discuss it. We looked into it. We talked about it within different departments. We have made the decision that, with the state of the economy right now, with the way we are going right now, spending a hundred thousand dollars on a survey is probably not the best use of the money. I am taking the stance that I would rather focus that money on prevention and healing at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I didn't realize that responses to questions were also a rebuttal time, but that is good to know. What I have asked the Minister for and she said she can't afford is a commitment to redoing the family violence survey. She said that it was a valuable tool, and she said she would advocate for funds to redo it.

How about just taking half the Cabinet to Vancouver? That would free up $100,000, which is what the family violence survey cost last time. How about taking $100,000 out of the infrastructure budget? There are a number of ways that a hundred thousand dollars can be found very readily by this government. I have seen it done, so how about finding that money?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. I would just like to remind Members that, whenever there is a question to a Minister, the Minister has either the right to answer or not to answer a question. Second set of questions to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to state that family violence is an issue within the Northwest Territories. It is something that we have to donate time and energy to. Again, I would like to say that I believe that we need to focus on prevention and healing at this point. I also want to state, since it was in the question, that not only is the issue of family violence an issue within the Northwest Territories, we have to take care of all the residents, and that means we have to provide support and money to our mineral industry, to our infrastructure, to housing, to transportation, to education. We have a lot of priorities, and I will not advocate that we use all of our money to address one issue when we have many issues within the Northwest Territories.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I am advocating $100,000 out of a $1.7 billion budget. I am talking about half the population. I am talking about making people safe. We need to address this problem in more effective ways. What we are doing is not addressing the root causes of family violence. So my question to the Minister is: is she willing to make a commitment to look at a systemic fix to family violence? The information for that would be provided by a new family violence survey.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I am definitely committed to addressing the root causes of family violence, and the root causes of family violence is not an attitudinal survey. It is a lot of other things. It can be a host of ideas, and that is why I will commit to supporting prevention and healing.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. How is the Minister going to prevent family violence going forward? Thank you.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is not my responsibility alone as a Minister, as a human being, to address the issue of family violence and the root causes. We are working across departments. We are working with our colleagues, Regular MLAs. We are working with Aboriginal governments. We are working with non-profit organizations. This is a societal issue, not one person's issue. I will commit to working in partnership with as many people, as many organizations I can, to address the issue of family violence.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of ITI. Mr. Speaker, my question is: cruise ships bring great economic benefit to their ports of call all around the world. How is the department working to maximize the opportunities available for our remote communities from increased marine travel through the Northwest Passage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, ITI was up there to help to facilitate, to get the best economic impact from the arrival of cruise ship Serenity. We worked with all the communities and we were involved with the landing of all the ships within the community, and even our announcement yesterday how we can work with the IRC around the seal products of the fur, to be able to sell that to the European markets, so hopefully we have some European people on the cruise ships in this coming year, but we will continue to work with the people in the Members' riding to leverage the best economic benefits from this Crystal Serenity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, it appears that we may not have time to make seal and ivory sales happen for this season unless things happen very quickly. Is the Minister willing to direct the department to work with communities to seek ways to maximize the benefits from summer tourism and in the interim that do not necessarily involve animal products that can develop and diversity the local economy?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

As we have tabled in the House, Tourism 2020, there are a number of initiatives there that we can work with all the communities in the Northwest Territories and Aboriginal peoples that want to go into the tourism industry, and I would be glad to sit down with the Member to work with his communities on how they can leverage some of that programming.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

That answered pretty much all of my questions. My final question to the Minister is: will the Minister be willing to accompany myself to Ulukhaktok during the Crystal Serenity visit?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

I would have to look at my schedule, but I would be very interested in going up there and seeing the impact of the Crystal Serenity docking in these communities, and the economic benefits it brings to the communities.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement today, and my questions and statement yesterday, I have more questions for the Minister of Justice about the A New Day program. As I mentioned, the RFP is quite sparse on details, and that is raising all the concerns and questions, so I am just trying to get at this, and get some more information out there.

My first question is that, the Coalition Against Family Violence was integral in developing the original A New Day Program, and it is a network with considerable corporate knowledge and experience. My question is: how will the new program integrate the coalition and tap into these resources? Thank you, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Justice.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, a careful evaluation was made of the program which was referenced by the Member opposite in his statement earlier. Naturally, they will be going out, and have gone out to all parties who were interested in the program seeking advice. Hopefully, that good advice is reflected in the request for proposals that is presently out. Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

I believe the Minister said that they went out seeking advice from the coalition which went into this RFP. I have heard otherwise, but that still does not answer the question. Will there be a role for the coalition in the formal program that roles out from this RFP?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I am not certain, Mr. Speaker, whether there will be a formal role. I have not examined the RFP in detail. I do know that those interested in bidding, there will be a meeting put on so that those interested in making a submission will be able to meet with the Department of Justice. That meeting will be held on the 14th. If there is additional information required by possible bidders, they could perhaps obtain it at that time.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

The RFP indicates that all clients must self-refer to the program. When I asked the Minister yesterday if the program would accept referrals from outside organizations like probation services, he said it was his impression that it would but he would get back to me with that information. I would like to find out if the Minister has found out that information and would like to share it with me?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

A New Day is a voluntary program based largely on self-referrals. Men have never needed a referral from an outside agency to access the program. During the pilot, which has taken place over a period of I think five years, community agencies such as probation would often make recommendations to their clients to take the program.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am aware of what has happened in the past. That is why I am asking questions about the future. Going back again, I asked the Minister yesterday if he would make the details of the new program public because, as I mentioned, the RFP is quite vague. Even the appendix referred to was a blank page in the RFP. It has since been updated, and it contains -- actually, the PowerPoint presentation was given to the standing committee. It does not even make sense in the context of the RFP because -- it is going to take me all day to discuss, so I will just cut it short here. There are just too many problems here.

The Minister responded that he had not had an opportunity to view the RFP, but he was confident that it contained what is required of potential contractors. I would ask the Minister again if he will release the program detail, not so that the potential contractors know what they are applying for, but for the sake of the Members of this Assembly who have spent countless hours discussing this program and fighting for this program, and for the members of the public who deserve at least one successful and efficient men's healing program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, there was a very comprehensive report prepared on the New Day Program. Building on that, an RFP has been issued. Those that are interested in bidding on that can go to the meeting on Tuesday and obtain additional information should they require.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I asked a question about procurement reform, and the Minister responsible said that he is not aware of any complaints. Today, I have a complaint for him. Some of my constituents are concerned about the 50 per cent plus one ownership requirements of BIP, saying, it is extremely frustrating for us to stay here year round, pay property taxes on several properties, pay extremely high living costs, and watch all the work go to divisions of southern companies who have a majority of equipment and employees in the South come up on a seasonal basis. There is a complaint.

Will the Minister now commit to actually reaching out to the business community and soliciting their input on how we can make our procurement policies such as BIP, the Business Incentive Program, and other procurement policies better? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Member to be a little bit more specific. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Will the Minister commit to raising the 50 per cent requirement to 100 per cent northern-owned?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

No, I will not.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Again, I might not have all the answers. Clearly, the Minister does not have many answers that I will like today, but I think there are people out there in our business community who are very concerned about these issues and want to be heard. I would like the Minister to hear from them directly. Will the Minister commit to engaging them in a comprehensive conversation around procurement?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

As I said yesterday, I haven't heard any of this. This is the first I have heard of it from the Member. If he has people who would like to talk to me, we will sit down and have a conversation.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, if the Minister is committing to hear from all my constituents who have concerns, I will make those appointments. Again, I think it is fairer not to do this on a one-off, but to have a broad conversation involving procurement experts, perhaps experts who do not reside in the Northwest Territories, and bring them together to discuss this. We have energy charrettes. We hire consultants to look at Aurora College. Why is the Minister so confident that our procurement system doesn't require any reform or any improvements? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He is putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that we didn't need any type of improvements or any type of advice moving forward. I came from the private sector. I spent my whole life in the private sector. I have used the procurement system within the Government of the Northwest Territories. There are rules and policies in place that make it beneficial to northern businesses and individuals who want to participate in procurement with the Government of the Northwest Territories. We will continue to look at those, how we will make it better moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was asking some questions of the Minister of Human Resources today about his Minister's statement. I understand the government does a great job trying to offer positions to affected employers. However, my question to the Minister previously may not have been asked properly, so I am going to ask it again: if the affected employee is offered a job and accepts it because it is the only position available at that time, and during the time he is in this position another position becomes available, is he able to apply for this position? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, anyone seeking employment within the Government of the Northwest Territories is free to apply to any job competition at any time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I thank the Minister for his answer. I, too, am looking for mental health days here at some point in time. I thank him for that. My next question: what is the criteria that is being used to offer positions to affected employees besides them just being affected employees?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Our department is in contact with the employees. They won't be offered a job just because they are an affected employee. They have to actually be qualified for that particular job that they apply for. Our staff is working with those who are affected.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

I again thank the Minister for that answer. It’s good to hear. However, I’ve been in contact with some of these affected employees or even contacted myself and other honourable Members here. What happens if a non-reasonable offer is being offered to these individuals or on an unacceptable timeline? Like you’ve got three days to make a decision on this position; what can the employee do to make sure that this is addressed?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

If the Member has any particular cases that he wants to discuss with me, I would be happy to hear those and bring them forward to the department. As far as timeline goes, we try work with the employees to try and get them into situations that would work to their best.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve been up here for six weeks in Yellowknife and asking questions for six weeks. The only thing I’ve gotten is a couple of signs put up by the Minister in his own riding. I just ask the Minister of Justice for his details of the program that has been one of the major issues of this Assembly that nearly every Regular Member has spoken in defense of. The Minister just told me, if I want those details or if anyone wants those details, they can go to a meeting on Tuesday. Clearly, the info was public. Clearly, there’s an appetite from the public for these details. Will the Minister respond to us for openness and transparency? Make these details public so we can see what this program is all about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, a very extensive report was done about the A New Day healing program which was filed and tabled in this House. I think all of the details about the program are contained within this report. I’m not certain what additional information the Member is requesting. Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

I’ll give a copy of my statements from the last two days to the Minister because I know about A New Day program as it stands now. We’re talking about a RFP that is for A New Day program that looks like a substantially different program. That’s the details I’m looking for. If the Minister heard my statement today, the new program isn’t based on the report. I’ve pointed out various aspects of it that doesn’t fly in the face of the report. Why can’t the Minister release these details that are going to be released at the meeting on Tuesday?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

The RFP, of course, is based on the findings in the A New Day healing program evaluation report. The suggestions in these report, many of them or perhaps most of them, were incorporated into the RFP. The RFP is available to possible bidders. Additional information can be obtained on Tuesday. I don’t have that additional information in front of me because I’m not certain what questions might possibly be asked.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Other than what is in the RFP, then, is there an actual program designed? Because I’m starting to think that they don’t have a program to release publicly.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

The new program is building on the old program, of course; incorporating in the RFP the suggestions contained within the evaluation report. Information that bidders are requesting is in the RFP. On that basis, they can make bids. If they wish to have additional information, they can attend the meeting on Tuesday, which will assist them in making their bids should they wish to bid on aspects of the program.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll try this: can I get the Minister to commit to either reading the old and new RFP or getting a briefing on the new and old RFP so I can have an educated discussion with him about this at some point in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I understand that a briefing will be provided to the Member opposite should he wish to avail himself of that on Monday.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Finance has no plans to lower the tax on small business any time soon, but I’d like to ask him today if he will commit to implementing a small investment tax credit by next budget which would give a 25 per cent non-refundable personal income tax credit up to a maximum of $25,000 a year. This would reduce financial risk to investors and encourage investment in our economy. Will the Minister commit to introducing a small business investment tax credit by next budget? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Finance.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources. I’d like to ask the Minister along the lines of the questions from the honourable Member for Nahendeh: what is the motivation behind making unreasonable offers to affected employees under the staff retention policy? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Human Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t know where the Member got the unreasonable offer. There are no unreasonable offers that are made to the employees. Thank you.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I have letters from the deputy ministers that indicate, right on there, that this is considered an unreasonable offer. My question is: why? What is the motivation behind that type of offer to individuals? Individuals are affected. During the Staff Retention Policy, the Government of Northwest Territories tries to retain staff, good staff, long-term staff. What would the motivation of offering those members of the public service an unreasonable offer?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

I’m not aware of any unreasonable offers. I would be pleased if the Member would share his letters with me.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

I would be pleased to do that, to share the letter, and I’m satisfied with that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement yesterday, they were getting into the season of winter road closure and looking forward to the barging season. Our session will start at the end of May and, just weeks prior to that or after that, we’ll get into the sailing season. My question is to the Minister of Public Works on the sailing and preparation steps here for the barging season: what sailing schedules, if any, have been done so far for the Sahtu communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Public Works and Services.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For Members of this House and those listening, if you look on the Public Works website, there is a tentative sailing season already posted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

That would mean that the operational schedule has taken into account and is monitoring the water levels, in particular, between Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope? It could be challenging with the two sets of rapids in that area, and the fuel quantum going to Fort Good Hope and Tulita. Is that part of the first sailing season in June?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

We cannot control the levels of the river. We are hoping that this year has a good sailing season. As far as what deliveries are going to be scheduled out initially for fuel delivery to the Members' ridings, I would have to get that information and get back to him.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Seeing that the public owns these assets here, are there any additional benefits such as subsidized freight rates that the customers could realize by this government owning the property, subsidy benefits?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

We have no plans to have subsidized freight rates. I believe that the purchase of us buying these assets has helped lock down uncertainty that would have been brought to this industry and supplies to the northern regions of the Northwest Territories. I cannot tell you exactly what the rates are, but I believe, I think, we are following the rates from the previous sailing season.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: if there is going to be any reductions in our operating from the previous owner in the costs of doing so, and if there is room for reduced benefits seeing and the rate price per freight, would that information be provided to me, please? Thank you.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we move forward, how we are going to operate the marine division, we will be definitely updating committee on revenues versus expenses, and we will have a look at all that stuff moving forward.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and Special Committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Tourism Marketing Plan 2017/18." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister of Finance.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled "Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000, April 1 to December 31, 2016."

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of Documents, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents entitled "Northwest Territories Power Corporation Capital Spending Budget 2016-2017," "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 670-18(2): New Generators for Yellowknife Power Plant," and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 590-18(2): Land Use Plans." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of Documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 10, 2017, it shall be adjourned until Thursday, May 25, 2017;

AND FURTHER that at any time prior to May 25, 2017, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Committee Report 7-18(2), Committee Report 9-18(2), with the Member for Hay River North in the 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

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, the committee wishes to consider the continuation of Tabled Document 7-18(2), Report on the Review of the Members' Conduct Guidelines, and Committee Report 9-18(2): Report on the Review of the 2016 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on support to Communities for Municipal Services – MACA. 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, Mr. Beaulieu. Does committee agree?

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

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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, committee. We will consider the documents after a brief recess.

---SHORT RECESS

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

I will now call Committee of the Whole to order. Committee, we have agreed to continue consideration of Committee Report 7-18(2), Report on the Review of Members' Conduct Guidelines. I believe the last thing we did was a motion regarding recommendation 4. I will go to Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act be amended to expand the duties of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner to include oversight of the Members' Conduct Guidelines or Code of Conduct; and further, that the Commissioner be empowered to receive and investigate complaints from a Member or any other person respecting breaches of prescribed conduct and to recommend sanctions or penalties as appropriate to the speaker; and furthermore, that the newly constituted Commissioner be known as the Ethics Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There is a motion on the floor and in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I'm not going to drone on too long about this, but the committee looked at how enforcement of codes of conduct are dealt with in a number of other jurisdictions across the Commonwealth as well as in Canada; certainly it seems to be best practice that enforcement of codes of conduct is located within an independent party, and we already have such a party in the Conflict of Interest Commissioner who deals with pecuniary and financial matters. In some other jurisdictions, that individual also has the ability to receive complaints, carry out investigations, and make recommendations regarding breaches of a code of conduct. So it was the view of the committee that this would be a reasonable way for us to proceed and continuing to evolve and increase our transparency and accountability, and thus you have the recommendation before you. Mr. Chair, I would request a recorded vote on the motion. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. The Member has requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

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

Deputy Clerk Of The House (Mr. Schauerte)

Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Green, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. Moses, Ms. Cochrane, Mr. Abernethy, Mr. McLeod - Yellowknife South, Mr. McLeod - Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Schumann, Mr. Sebert, Mr. McNeely, Mr. Vanthuyne, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.

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

Deputy Clerk Of The House (Mr. Schauerte)

Mr. Nadli.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. The results of the recorded vote are 14 in favour; zero against; one abstention. Motion carried.

---Carried

Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council Act and other relevant legislation policy be the subject of a public review before the end of the 18th Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There is a motion on the floor and in order. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. During the course of the committee's work, we had some submissions that mentioned that we should be looking at our conflict of interest provisions and make sure that they reflect best practices, particularly as a result of our government assuming new legislative authority and management responsibility over lands and resources. In line with that new responsibility, it does seem reasonable, and it was certainly reasonable in the view of the committee, that we should also take a look at our accountability as a government, and thus you have the recommendation before you. I hope that all Members will support this; it's another step in terms of improving public confidence in our government and accountability as well. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would request a recorded vote as well. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. The Member has requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.

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

Clerk Of The House (Mr. Mercer)

Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Green, Mr. Nakimayak, Mr. Moses, Ms. Cochrane, Mr. Abernethy, Mr. McLeod - Yellowknife South, Mr. Schumann, Mr. Sebert, Mr. McNeely, Mr. Vanthuyne, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.

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

Clerk Of The House (Mr. Mercer)

Mr. Nadli, Mr. McLeod - Inuvik Twin Lakes.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. The results of the recorded vote are 13 in favour; zero against; two abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Anything further?

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

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The only thing I would like to say is I want to thank the committee again for all the work that was done, our staff that helped us get us to this point very ably, and I do want to thank all the Members for their passionate discussion yesterday. I think it was useful to have those matters discussed in public; it wasn't an easy discussion. I know that we will continue to work together on all of those issues as MLAs in this House. So once again, thanks to everybody for their thoughtful submissions yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Committee Report 7-18(2)?

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

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Committee, next we have agreed to consider Committee Report 9-18(2), Report on the Review of the 2016 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories, Municipal and Community Affairs. I will go to the chair of the committee, Mr. Testart, for opening comments. Mr. Testart.

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

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories, Municipal and Community Affairs was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 25, 2016.

On March 7, 2017, the Standing Committee on Government Operations presented its report on the review of the Auditor General's Report. This Standing Committee on Government Operations endorsed the 13 recommendations made by the Auditor General and recommended implementation of the recommendations by the department in a timely manner. We made recommendations related to the development and delivery of future departmental action or implementation plans and we made recommendations regarding the final action plan developed by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

These seven motions are going to be discussed later today and we focused primarily on ensuring when the receipt of -- when these processes, these audits, are going on the Standing Committee is involved in how the processes roll out and is recognized as a partner in evaluating these performance audits and ensuring that the government is living up to its obligations under its own rules.

We did not want to duplicate the efforts that had already been undertaken by the Auditor General and in their recommendations and by the department through their action plan, but we did evaluate the action plan and support the actions of government. So there will be again, seven motions to be considered today, and I hope to have the support of this House moving forward as we dispose of those motions. Thank you.

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

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. I will open up the floor to general comments. Do we have general comments on the committee report? Seeing none, I will just let everyone know at home and in the Assembly that we are, as Mr. Testart said, going to have seven motions. The first would pertain to the recommendation on page 9. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs take the steps necessary to ensure that the 13 recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General in Tabled Document 173-18(2) are implemented in a timely manner. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is being distributed. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate we want to move on. All I will say is that the government has tabled a comprehensive plan to address these concerns. The committee is going to keep an eye on that and ensure they are done in a timely manner. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that, in future, any GNWT department being audited provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its actions or implementation plan at the earliest possible opportunity and no later than three business days prior to the public review on the Auditor General's report, consistent with the process convention on communications between Cabinet Ministers, standing committees, and Regular Members. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we were reviewing this business plan in particular, the government was very late in getting their action plan to us. In fact, probably about three hours was actually afforded in business days. We want to avoid that problem in the future. We certainly do appreciate the hard work that the department did in working with the Auditor General's office in developing their action plan. For us to play our part in this process, as the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Public Accounts Committee for this Assembly, we need to be given that information in a timely manner so we can properly assess it. It doesn't do the public any favours if we are rushed in that analysis and assessment.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, committee.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that any GNWT department selected in the future for an audit provide the Standing Committee on Government Operations with a copy of its action or implementation plan in draft format; and further that this document not be finalized until the department has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations made as a result of the standing committee's review. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Further to my previous comments on the last motion, when the standing committee was given the action plan for this audit, it was in final form, and committee felt that we were not given an opportunity to provide feedback to those concerns. Again, our work on these audits is an important part of that process. We would ask that, in the future, our comments and feedback be considered before any final plans are implemented.

I should add, as well, it is not the standing committee's intention with this motion to be involved in every step of the audit process, merely the final step before we have our public reviews of the action plan and associated documents. We would like those plans to come before us in draft form.

Certainly, the standing committee is not interested in being involved with the audit when it starts on the official's level, and certainly our committee has no place in that process. This is specifically about the reports as they come to committee, when the committee begins its public review of these documents. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs consult with local government administrators of the Northwest Territories and the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities on the proposed actions contained in the action plan before finalizing it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As public engagement is an important priority of this government and we want to make sure we are making informed decisions that take into account the people that are most affected, the committee has put forward this recommendation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, committee.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs include indicators in its action plan which measure progress in implementing identified actions as a means of achieving improvements in essential service delivery at the community level. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor and an order. To the motion, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, this motion recommends something that is quite self-explanatory, ensuring we have appropriate indicators, so we can, in fact, measure the progress that we are hoping to achieve. Given that the audit is related to the provision of essential services in communities including emergency preparedness, fire, water, the committee believes that having clear indicators is of crucial importance to our communities moving forward. We hope that this will be adopted, and we will see those indicators in the final action plan. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, committee.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly strongly recommend that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs simplify its approach in responding to the Auditor General's recommendations at paragraphs 109 and 112 of the Auditor General's report, such that the proposed actions are responsive to the purpose and intent of each recommendation; and further, that the department subsequently adjust its 2019-20 target date, identified under proposed priority action 109.6, to allow for a more timely response. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor and an order to the motion. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a more technical issue that the committee has taken with the report. It relates in particular to the contribution agreements with designated authorities and also adjusting the target dates of the priority actions undertaken therein. There is still a lot of grey area related to designated authorities and who is actually responsible. The department struggles with their relationship with these entities. The committee is quite concerned about this and would like to ensure that how we are proceeding on them is clear and specific to what the department wants to achieve. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion on the floor and an order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Thank you, committee. Committee, do you agree that we have concluded consideration of Committee Report 9-18(2): Report on the Review of the 2016 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services in the Northwest Territories - Municipal and Community Affairs.

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. We have concluded our consideration of Committee Report 9-18(2). What is the wish of committee? Mr. Beaulieu.

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chair rise and report progress.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable.

---Carried.

I will rise and report progress. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

May I have the report, Member for Hay River North?

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 7-18(2), Report on the Review of Members' Conduct Guidelines and Committee Report 9-18(2), Report on the Review of the 2016 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Support to Communities for Municipal Services. I would like to report progress, with nine motions being adopted; that Committee Reports 7-18(2) and 9-18(2) are concluded. Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Report of Committee of the Whole
Report of Committee of the Whole

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Do would have a seconder? Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

---Carried

Masi. Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the deputy commissioner is willing to enter the Chamber to assent the bills.

Assent to Bills
Assent to Bills

Deputy Commissioner (Mr. Kisoun)

Please be seated. Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. Quyanainni, qaiqqafi, and shiik kut hai cho.

I would like to offer my congratulations to the NWT Wise Women Award recipients for 2017, Judy Lafferty, Lydia Bardak, Ernestine Lennie, Jane Grossetete, Linda Ann Mabbitt, and Jennie Jacobson. Best wishes to each of these very fine women. Keep up your good work!

I want to wish each of our MLAs a well-deserved break following this session, safe travels to your homes and communities in your ridings, and a happy and blessed Easter in a few weeks.

Now, as Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

● Bill 7: An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act.

● Bill 13: Marriage Act

● Bill 20: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2016-2017

● Bill 21: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2016-2017

● Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2017-2018

● Bill 23: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2017-2018.

Thank you, hai cho, quyanainni, merci beaucoup, mahsi cho, koana. May god bless.

Assent to Bills
Assent to Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Please be seated. Colleagues, before we adjourn today, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the pages who have assisted the Members during this six-week session. It is truly a pleasure to have young people in our Chamber.

Members, March is Aboriginal Indigenous Languages Month. In the NWT, we have 11 official languages, so let's get out there and promote our precious languages. At this point in time, I would like to say masi to this session's interpreters. They are Mary Rose Sundberg, Ruth Carol, Sarah Cleary, David Black, Tom Unka, Margaret Mackenzie, Suzie Napayak-Short, Dennis Drygeese. Thank you for providing excellent services during this long sitting. Masi. Without you, the language would be lost.

I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all Legislative Assembly Members and staff, to offer a fond farewell to Vera Raschke, who will retire as legislative librarian before the House sits in May. Vera joined the GNWT in 1987 and became our Assembly's librarian in 1993. She is famous among us for finding information that no one else can. Vera has always provided first-rate library and information and also any information services to the Legislative Assembly, the government, and the public, as well. I also want to recognize her contribution to the quality of our Hansard transcripts. Vera will be missed, obviously. We wish her every happiness in her retirement.

A thank you to Cayley Thomas, who has assisted us at the table during the last two sittings and with standing committees, as well, including a few road trips. We will miss you, but we know you won't be far if we need to ask for you again.

I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate one of our own, Michael Ball, committee clerk, and his wife, Dana, on the arrival of their daughter, Bridget Nicole Merrigan Ball. Congratulations.

To you, my colleagues, I wish you safe travels throughout the North back to your constituencies as you return to your communities. Spring is a beautiful time here in the Northwest Territories. The days are getting longer, and the weather is warming up, gradually, slowly. I certainly do hope that you will spend some quality time enjoying the spring carnivals and community events in your constituencies that will be taking place across the Northwest Territories. I also encourage you to continue to work hard during this recess and to take the opportunity away from this House to connect with your constituents and with your family as well.

I look forward to seeing you all back in this Chamber refreshed.

Item 23, Madam Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

Committee Clerk Of The House (Ms. Cayley Thomas)

Orders of the day for Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers’ Statements

3. Members’ Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral Questions

8. Written Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Commissioner’s Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

19. Second Reading of Bills

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

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Madam Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Thursday, May 25, 2017, 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 12:45 p.m.