Good afternoon, colleagues. Item 2, Minister's statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to improving the health and the lives of Northerners. To achieve this goal, Health and Social Services, along with the Tlicho Government and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, submitted a proposal to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish a Strategy for Patient Oriented Research SUPPORT unit in the Northwest Territories. In February 2016, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research approved funding over five years to the Tlicho Government to establish this unit. This funding is made available under Canadian Institutes of Health Research's strategy for patient-oriented research. While similar units have been established in all provinces, this is the first territorial unit. It is unique in Canada due to its shared governance structure and its focus on Indigenous health research.

The goal of the Strategic Patient-Oriented Research SUPPORT Unit is to support health research that is relevant to improving outcomes and leads to innovation in the health system in Canada, which is responsive to the needs of patients, communities and governments, and creating a culturally competent health system. The unit is housed within the Tlicho Government, but staff will be embedded in other Indigenous government offices across the Northwest Territories. The unit has a facilitation role to bring together stakeholders and provide a platform to support researchers in the

Northwest Territories. It will accomplish its goals by identifying local research priorities and then identifying researchers that can help address those priorities. It will provide a critical mass of methodological expertise to support this research through partnerships and affiliations and will support the training of new researchers, which will build capacity in the Northwest Territories. It will also support the application of research findings through knowledge translation activities. Today the governing council of this unit hosts its first gathering of Indigenous, community, and regional caregivers, elders, and health professionals in Detah. This gathering of the Hotii ts'eeda, which means "working together for good health," will provide an opportunity to share best practices in Indigenous health research methodologies and to set priorities for the first year of operations.

Mr. Speaker, Aboriginal governments are important partners with the GNWT, and we continue to work with them to foster our government-to-government relationship and provide better services and supports to their people. Through our sponsorship of this innovative initiative, the Department of Health and Social Services hopes to promote greater understanding and improved health outcomes for NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recognizes that legacy arsenic contamination in the Yellowknife region has many residents concerned. To this end, ENR continues to conduct monitoring, in collaboration with universities and the Government of Canada, on arsenic in water, sediments, soils, and fish in the Yellowknife region. Under-ice water sampling was done by Environment and Natural Resources at seven sites on Kam Lake and three sites on Grace Lake in April. Results from Kam Lake are consistent with recent Surveillance Network Program sampling done by Miramar Northern Mining Limited under its existing water licence. Another round of sampling at both lakes is being done this summer. The department, in collaboration with the University of Alberta, is also working to determine the concentration of metals, including arsenic, in fish from several lakes near Yellowknife and along the Ingraham Trail. A report on this three-year study will be prepared and made available to the public when it concludes in 2018. Three additional monitoring projects, funded through the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, are also examining arsenic contamination in water, sediments, soils, and fish in the Yellowknife region. This work is being done by Queen's University, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Carleton University.

Preliminary results of these projects will be publicly available. Mr. Speaker, the department recently met with the Department of Health and Social Services to identify ways to improve interdepartmental and external communications to ensure information is shared in a timely manner. This provided a good opportunity to share and confirm both existing and new sources of data. Based on the meeting, Health and Social Services will be updating the map of arsenic concentrations measured in Kam Lake, as well as other nearby lakes. Moving forward, both departments will be refining their information-sharing process to ensure future public health advisories are accurate and are released in a timely manner.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, additional work on the human health and ecological risk of contamination in the Yellowknife area is also being undertaken through the Giant Mine Remediation Project. I assure you and Members of this Legislative Assembly that the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Health and Social Services will continue to work collaboratively on this matter and ensure the public is kept informed with accurate and timely information on legacy arsenic contamination in the Yellowknife area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, as residents considering their future, our economy is top of mind. As both a promoter and contributor to the NWT economy, our government is working to spark economic growth across all sectors and to foster an environment in which companies and individuals feel confident investing in northern opportunities and jobs. Our agenda for economic development is threefold: we are working to responsibly unlock the potential of our non-renewable resources in a way that will both power and sustain the economic future of our territory and its communities; we are supporting companies and residents who are enhancing and growing their communities and economies through their investments; and we are investing in the diversity of our economy overall, targeting sectors that will improve the cost of living and the quality of life for NWT residents while strengthening our economy at the grassroots.

Mr. Speaker, the foundation of our economy is and must continue to be a strong and stable resource sector. In addition to funding government programs and services through royalty payments and corporate income tax, mining contributes billions in exports, hundreds of millions in economic activity, and thousands of well-paid jobs for the NWT each year. The mineral potential of our territory remains strong and includes so-called "green metals" like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which will be needed to meet the demand for clean technology. If our territory is going to have producing mines in the future, we need to discover and develop new mineral deposits. Improving the investment climate for new exploration and development has to be a priority for the economic development.

We have committed to supporting mineral exploration and the mining sector through the implementation of the NWT Mineral Development Strategy. This means increased funding this year for the Mineral Incentive Program, as well as additional investments in geoscience, marketing, and Aboriginal capacity. We have also initiated work on a standalone, made-in-the-NWT Mineral Resources Act that will establish clear and modern rules for mining in our territory and fulfill our commitment to match our legislative and policy framework to our vision of land and resource management. Similarly, we are working to realize the potential of our oil and gas resources. We have committed to advancing an Oil and Gas Strategy to attract oil and gas development back to our territory, and will be engaging NWT residents and stakeholders this summer on its implementation and proposed evaluation framework. We know that these are challenging times for this sector. We must confirm our right to negotiate on the potential that exists off our Arctic coastline, and to ensure the future of economic development in the petroleum-rich regions of our territory. Of course, Mr. Speaker, the economy of the Northwest Territories extends beyond resource development. Our approach to economic development also includes attracting and retaining a healthy, vibrant population.

The government has committed in its mandate to increase the number of immigrants working in the Northwest Territories, and increase investment by immigrants. Together with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, we have completed work on a formal immigration strategy for the NWT, and are now developing a marketing plan aimed specifically at increasing the number of immigrant entrepreneurs living and investing in our territory. We know that as investment and residency in the NWT grow, so too will opportunities to expand and diversify the NWT economy in other sectors. Mr. Speaker, the challenge of converting economic opportunity into tangible development is one best met by NWT entrepreneurs and small businesses. We are working to support and strengthen this important backbone of our economy. Our role is to establish a competitive business environment in which economic opportunities can be identified, pursued, and realized by NWT residents willing to invest, take risks, and prosper. We were successful in protecting the interests of our small businesses sector in the negotiation of the new Canadian Free Trade Agreement and in retaining recognition for the unique economic conditions that exist in the North, even as we are maximizing the benefits that trade agreements offer to expand our small domestic market.

We have increased the amount of funding available to individual applicants under the SEED policy, and introduced a new stream of strategic economic support that will advance economic development and diversification. We have invested in our new tourism markets: training; skill development; and infrastructure. As visitors increase, so does the demand for service products. In response, our industry has grown in size and capacity, and the value of our tourism sector has climbed to new heights. Meanwhile, we are also setting the stage for investment and growth in our territory's manufacturing and film sectors, with targeted approaches to help residents capitalize and benefit from their own ingenuity, hard work, and investment. Working with the NWT Manufacturer's Association, we have developed marketing and promotional materials for the NWT manufacturers and their products, and are now addressing the commitment to develop a manufacturing strategy. Meanwhile, thanks to renewed investment, our film sector is thriving, and the increased competencies that we have committed to realizing are being increasingly recognized. NWT films are garnering awards and recognition for their creators, our industry, and our territory. Four major film projects have now received funding support under the NWT Film Rebate Program, and over $200,000 was invested in 2015-2016 in individual film initiatives and projects. Mr. Speaker, the winning formula for economic development in our economy is to replace imported products with made-in-the-NWT alternatives. It reduces costs, promotes entrepreneurialism, and enhances economic diversity. The development of our territory's first-ever Agriculture Strategy and our planned revitalization of commercial fishing on Great Slave Lake both fit this model of regional economic development, to improve the quality of life and reduce the cost of living for our residents. We have committed to expanding the agricultural sector by developing and implementing an Agriculture Strategy. First, we must put processes and regulatory frameworks in place to guide and protect it, and we need to develop food safety and inspection guidelines and regulations. We are now taking these important first steps. Likewise, we have committed to finalizing and implementing the Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy. Changes in our fishers' support program have seen increases to catch volumes on Great Slave Lake. We are advancing work on marketing strategies for the NWT's Great Slave Lake fish, and a training program in Hay River is developing the first of a new generation of fishers that we hope will invigorate our industry. Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs and private business operators engaged in traditional harvesting bridge the gap between the wage and subsistence economies in our most isolated communities, where costs are highest and conventional cash incomes are the lowest. We are committed to supporting this sector by promoting NWT products to international markets.

In April, the fur industry's biggest auction drew nearly half a million in sales for NWT wild furs sold under the government's Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur brand. That is nearly double the sales total from 2016. The results can be credited to new buyers from Asian and European markets, engaged by our presentation of NWT furs at the China Fur and Leather Products Fair in Beijing in January. Meanwhile, following a long and concentrated lobby effort by our government, the immense purchasing potential of the European Union is now open to Inuvialuit-harvested sealskins and sealskin products, just in time for the cruise ship season, which we are also supporting with training, event infrastructure, and funding. Mr. Speaker, there is no single way to address the economic well-being of our territory but, as we work to build our future, we know that a balanced and stable economic foundation is paramount. The economic agenda defined by our mandate is one based on the direct and indirect contributions of the non-renewable resource sector, the diversity offered by investments in renewable resources, and most importantly, our support for the men and women who own and operate the many small and medium-sized businesses that make up our economy and empower our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if there was one thing we heard loud and clear during the election, it was that people of the Northwest Territories want the government to be more open. The Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency is currently in the process of holding a series of public engagement meetings. At one of these recent meetings, the Minister was challenged on the transparency of Cabinet and its deliberations. His response was that, basically, everything was okay. Clearly, based on the input he received at that meeting and what I am hearing from constituents, everything is not okay. In taking a look at the Minister's accomplishments thus far, it is my view that he should be further along the process than he is at this point. The government has succeeded in launching its online mandate tracker. As well, the government has been successful in improving gender parity in board appointments and in launching this searchable website for these appointments, commendable indeed. However, this positive progress has been overshadowed by a lack of progress on other key initiatives. I am reassured that the government is taking steps to bring forward ombudsman legislation, but I remain concerned that the Minister has fallen behind on the commitment to have the legislation in place within two years.

Mr. Speaker, while the public engagement process is under way, there is no substantive progress on the development of an open government policy. This was to have been completed by the second quarter of 2017. Similarly, there has been no apparent progress on making residents aware of an appeal process existing under legislation. This online directory is supposed to be launched in the third quarter of this year. A new website reporting on ministerial travel and meetings is about six months behind schedule, but I understand that its launch is imminent, which is a good thing. Finally, perhaps most importantly to the public, I have seen no evidence of progress on how the government intends to report on the ways that public participation has shaped government decision-making. With so much work left to do in the area of transparency, I would encourage the Minister to listen carefully to the input he receives from the public and make this work a top priority for the remainder of his term. If it is done correctly, this 18th Assembly will be remembered for its innovations and progress in opening government up to the people it serves. After all, public business should be public. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories offers many natural wonders, a rich and vibrant culture, and a completely unique experience that draws in tourists from Canada and the entire world. It is appropriate that we give special mention to our spectacular Northwest Territories on the occasion of National Tourism Week. Tourism Week in Canada is a grassroots initiative that brings attention to the economic opportunity created through travel and tourism. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the public policy challenges preventing the sector from capitalizing on those opportunities and challenging governments on their approach to supporting this vibrant sector of the economy. It is no secret that our territorial tourism sector is a growth industry, exponentially increasing year-on-year to become a $146.6-million industry, rising to our most promising path to future prosperity and a key sector as the government pursues greater economic diversification. More than 93,000 visitors come for northern adventures in our territories, and that's up from 64,000 only five years ago.

Mr. Speaker, National Tourism Week is also an opportunity to celebrate our communities, and I would like to take a moment to tell you a few of my favourite things to do in the City of Yellowknife, a place I am very proud to call home. Yellowknife has a vibrant local cultural scene with plenty to do for our residents and tourists alike. We have outstanding musical performances at the annual Folk on the Rocks festival and world-class filmmaking on display at the Dead North Film Festival. Why not enjoy a refreshing craft-brewed beverage at the NWT Brewing Company, recently recognized in Red Racer's Across the Nation Collaboration national celebration tour with their Miner's Refresh Grissette? In the winter months, there is no finer place to see the aurora than here in the capital, or how about watching The Canadian Championship Dog Derby on the side-lines or throw on some long-underwear and join in the festivities at the Long John Jamboree. These are a just a few of the reason I love my home town and why Yellowknife has become a premier destination for tourists the world over.

With so much on the go in Yellowknife, I often find it hard to keep up. I'm thankful that visitors to Yellowknife have access to a fantastic visitor's centre in the past to help them connect to these local events and to adventures all over the NWT; however, it is a sad day when that institution is forced to close. The Northern Frontier Visitors' Centre has delivered premium tourism information services for many years and, in its absence, it is sorely missed. I'll have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment on the long-term plans for tourism information services here, in the City of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Mr. Speaker, there are without any doubts impediments when it comes to accessing quality food for affordable prices in the North, especially for the economically disadvantaged. It is such a problem that even food banks are now charging a user fee for each flat of donated food that an individual or family will receive. It is understandable that being in remote communities causes higher freight and transportation costs for retailers and so they must mark up their products to compensate for the additional costs. Although these mark-ups are implemented to ensure the retailers maintain their profits, they cause inflated food costs to the public and do not correlate with better quality foods. Much of the produce and other perishables sold at retailers in the North have a very short shelf life. There is also a percentage of the population that is below or near the poverty line and, as a result, cannot afford much of their basic needs especially food due to these price mark-ups. Mr. Speaker, Nutrition North was implemented to ease the consequences of these overpriced, low-quality foods to consumers and was proven ineffective. This program was proven unsuccessful for many reasons, such as the lack of information the public received about the program and its implementation, and the regulation of the program, including which products were subsidized. Most residents noticed that some of their most essential food products, such as flour and baby formula, were not subsidized and, alternatively, many affluent food items were. There has been a lack of accountability on the retailers' part in terms of reporting of spoilage and actual costs prior to the application of the subsidy.

Mr. Speaker, another issue is the availability of the program in the Nahendeh riding. Only Nahanni Butte and Sambaa K'e were recognized for this subsidy, and it served neither community at all. This raises yet another issue with the program: there are limited vendors that retailers can purchase from. Mr. Speaker, this program must be fixed to ensure all residents are able to attain their basic necessities, nutritious food being of the most important, from the sources they want to deal with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 1966, a 23-year-old Russell King and his wife Mary King opened King's Service, a welding and mechanical repair shop, out of their home-based workshop at Mile 5. Earlier today, after five decades of hard work, Russell King was officially inducted into the Order of the NWT. I want to congratulate Mr. King, but I also want to express my regrets that this honour was not also bestowed on Mrs. King as well because, since King's Service opened in 1966, it has always been Russell and Mary.

Mr. King was inducted into the Order of the NWT for his contributions to business in the territories, so I am obliged to mention that, from King's Service, Russell and Mary built something of an empire, which included the Hay River Esso station, Kingland Ford, Tire North, Kingland Freightliner, King Manufacturing, and Klassic Autobody, and they expanded their operations to Yellowknife and the diamond mines. I apologize if I have left anything out. I grew up in Hay River, and I can attest that everyone knows the names Russell and Mary King. Those names are intertwined and inseparable from Hay River itself, and not just because of their business ventures. There have actually been quite a few successful businesses to come out of Hay River. There have even been other dealerships in town, but the reason Mr. King received the Order of the NWT today is the same reason that Hay River remains a Ford town. It is because of how Russell and Mary treated people. As a customer, you knew you would be treated right. Not only did customers know they were getting a fair deal, they were made to feel like a priority. That is just how business was done. Mr. King was also known to take chances on people if they were just starting out in life and did not quite have the credit needed to purchase a new vehicle.

As an employee, you felt equally appreciated. The Kings always made it a priority to hire locally and to develop that local talent. Their five decades of hard work and dedication to Hay River and the Northwest Territories have created hundreds of permanent, well-paying jobs in the territory and, I imagine, thousands of residents who have been happy to, at one time or another, work for Russell and Mary. It goes without saying that their contributions are not confined to just their customers and employees, as they have always been big contributors to any community event. Mr. Speaker, I would like this House to join me in both congratulating Mr. King for being awarded the Order of the NWT and in showing appreciation to both Russell and Mary King for their 50 years of contributions to Hay River and the entire Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Masi. I would also like to say congratulations to the King family for all their years of services. Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well said, and I totally agree with my previous colleague, Mr. Simpson, on those remarkable historic words. Mr. Speaker, education is the most valued possession one can have. This learning capitalization gives you lifelong abilities for creating a wide range of prosperity, life choices, independence, and above all, security. The education system, and more important, "delivery." Our indicators of engagement on measurable is in the hands of community, regional, and territorial leaders. Mr. Speaker, it has been said many a times, education starts at home.

In 2013, 79 per cent of students in the communities were operating below standards in math. Students in Yellowknife were operating at 43 per cent. Mr. Speaker, our NWT graduation rates are also below national averages. Mr. Speaker, as a first-term MLA, and I am still learning myself, but also glad our Sahtu schools began the 2016-2017 academic year with initiative courses in Math, English, Social Studies 30-1 and 30-2. As I understand, a minimum requirement for southern institutions. I think we can no longer ignore our system, but it is certainly questionable, and delivery principles need reviews on efficiencies. Later, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of ECE on the progress of this new initiative in the Sahtu region. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, poverty is a national issue which requires national solutions. The federal government has acknowledged this fact by working on a Canada-wide poverty reduction strategy. Yellowknife is a focus of special attention in this effort because it is the location of one of six case studies on poverty across the country, and there have been several consultations here in the last month. Mr. Speaker, today I am going to talk about the public consultation hosted by the No Place for Poverty Coalition and Vibrant Communities Canada. About 30 people attended, including some of my colleagues here, as well as advocates, people who live in poverty, and those who work on the front lines. Participants were asked to identify priority areas for poverty reduction efforts. The top two are food and housing. People noted that, in the NWT, we have both a food availability problem and a food affordability problem. This is not news to Members who have seen increasing food insecurity firsthand and through media reports. There is a need for both a short-term solution and systemic solutions to hunger. There is also an urgent need to revamp the Nutrition North program, as my colleague said earlier today.

On housing, the waiting list is long and getting longer rather than shorter. The federal decision to reduce support for the operations and maintenance of social housing is an obvious problem, as is the scheduled end of the program in 2038. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has a leading role in addressing these two areas, but this government has a role to play as well. Our mandate commits this Assembly to increasing the availability of affordable housing and improving food security. These are areas that need urgent and sustained attention if people are going to get out of poverty, stay out of poverty, and give their kids hope for a different future. In order to make the most of federal interest in this area at this time, the territorial government must consider how to align its poverty reduction efforts with those in Ottawa. That may be self-evident, but there is not a word, not one word, about these issues in the territorial government's federal engagement strategy. Mr. Speaker, we can build roads to every community in this territory, as outlined in the engagement strategy, but you can't eat a road, and you cannot sleep in it, either. The need for more housing and more food is not going to go away. The GNWT and Ottawa have to work together to make a difference. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Poverty. Mahsi.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all over the country, we are seeing Canadians get ready to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday in a little over one month. People are booking campsites, planning parades, and learning more about the country's history. Mr. Speaker, in my riding of the Mackenzie Delta, our Canada 150 celebrations will feature our own amazing race, the Race the Peel canoeing challenge. The Hamlet of Aklavik is organizing the race between that community and Fort McPherson, and the race will include cultural games and activities and games on the banks of the Peel. It's not only fun and games, Mr. Speaker, it is for a good cause, a very important cause. Race the Peel will also raise awareness for the Save the Peel Campaign that grew out of the Peel River Watershed legal case. It is also raising awareness of the urgent ongoing work to save the Porcupine caribou herd.

What better way to celebrate Canada 150 than to enjoy the Mackenzie Delta's beautiful lands and waters, and take action to protect them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Recently, the Member for Range Lake, the Member for Great Slave, and I had an opportunity to speak with teacher Rebecca Aylward and her senior high school students at Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the K'atlodeeche First Nation. The students' names are Edmond Bugghins, Selena Bugghins, Shawna Sabourin, and Trinity Cayen.

These bright students asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of MLAs and about issues and concerns facing their community. The students are approaching graduation and have some concerns about their community. They are concerned about limited employment opportunities on the reserve. Besides the store, daycare, or band office, there are really no opportunities to work, unless job seekers travel outside their home community. While there are jobs available in Hay River, finding a way into town is another issue. The commute is 17 kilometers. Many people do not have transportation. As a result, many KFN residents have perished while trying to make their way into Hay River. There have been traffic accidents, drownings, and dangerous encounters with wildlife.

Students have concluded that a pedestrian bridge is essential and critical. If a pedestrian bridge was established to link the KFN with the town of Hay River, many residents would benefit. It would provide a safe way for KFN residents to go to town to access recreational facilities, healthcare, employment, and other services. The students also have concerns about the environment. They would like to see many more recycling facilities in the community. They would like to be able to recycle paper, plastics, and metals. They are concerned about the dump and its location. They wonder if the dump is affecting the groundwater and river, since it is located so close to the river.

The students are also alarmed by global warming and want to make a difference. They would like to know if there are opportunities to help them establish a green roof on their school, or to help produce more food organically for the community. The students are also wondering why there are no treatment facilities in the North. They see firsthand how devastating addictions are in their community and wonder why the treatment centre located on their reserve is not a viable option for the North. Mr. Speaker, I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of these young people and I enjoyed hearing them talk about matters that are important to them. I would encourage all Members of the Legislative Assembly to listen to the concerns of our young people. They are our future. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.