Good afternoon, Members. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update Members on the fiscal situation and ongoing challenges we are facing for the next few years.

Yesterday the Premier talked about the government's vision for the future. Twenty years from now we want to see a healthy and prosperous territory where people have good-paying jobs built on the foundation of responsible resource development. We see residents who have achieved economic independence and who do not have to rely on income assistance to get by. We see people who can own their own homes, provide for their children, and purchase healthy foods. As a government, we need to make sure we are managing our financial resources responsibly so we can continue to fund the programs and investments that make this vision a reality.

When I presented the 2017-2018 budget in February, I was cautiously optimistic that we had started to turn the corner towards a more sustainable financial footing. The decisions we have made to reduce our spending on programs and services and implement initiatives to increase our revenues were intended to reverse the pattern where we spent more in the year than we bring in as revenue.

Preliminary actuals for the 2016-2017 fiscal year show we achieved a $155 million operating surplus last year, which has allowed us to deliver our capital program without adding to our short-term debt. Mr. Speaker, the actions we took to better align our expenditures with our revenues were a necessary first step. However, the challenge of the expected slow growth in revenues over the medium term means we need to continue to manage spending in the coming years. Over the next five years, we are forecasting revenues to increase on average by 1.8 per cent or about $34 million annually. It is from these increases that we will fund new programs or services and respond to forced growth from increases in demand or in the cost for delivery of existing programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, our fiscal pressures are significant. However, to achieve our collective vision, we cannot just manage our financial resources and not make investments into our population and our infrastructure to help create a future where our people can thrive and be healthy, where a well-managed environment contributes to our economic wellbeing and quality of life, and where a strong economy provides the necessary jobs and opportunities for our communities as well as funding for essential government programs.

Planning has already started for the 2018-2019 budget, including the capital estimates which were tabled yesterday. The 2018-2019 capital plan totals $237 million and includes investments:

• for health facility replacements, renovations and equipment, including for the Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal project and initial work to build 48-bed long-term care facilities in Hay River and Inuvik and to invest to improve long-term care facilities in Yellowknife. This funding will also be used to begin the replacement of the health center in Tulita and to complete the health center in Sambaa K'e.

• for highways, including the GNWT contribution to the Tlicho all-season road, and additional Building Canada projects;

• to begin the work for the replacement of the air terminal building in Inuvik;

• to continue providing funding to community government for their infrastructure needs;

• for new education facilities and renovations to existing facilities, including completing the school in Lutselk’e, the addition of the gym and classrooms to Ecole Allain St-Cyr in Yellowknife, and the ongoing work on the renovation and addition to the school in Tuktoyaktuk; and

• for deferred maintenance and energy upgrades to existing GNWT assets.

In addition to our own capital plan, we are working closely with the federal government on the significant infrastructure investment programs that they have recently announced. While we continue to get more information on program criteria, there is little doubt of the potential for significant and transformational investments that may come from these programs. As GNWT contributions will be required on these projects, we will need to plan carefully to ensure alignment with our overall fiscal planning.

Mr. Speaker, this government’s fiscal strategy has yielded results and has put us on a much stronger financial footing. That gives us the flexibility we need to fund investments in our economy and our residents, but only if we maintain our discipline. We know that infrastructure investments have a significant impact on our short-term economic conditions, while also providing the base for sustainable economic growth and improved social conditions.

We also know infrastructure spending alone will not address all of the challenges facing our territory. Our government remains committed to working with Regular Members as we move into the business plan review, which is an important step in the development of the 2018-2019 budget. The business plans describe the steps we are taking to ensure our programs and services are addressing the priorities of the Legislative Assembly and implementing our mandate.

Mr. Speaker, within this fiscal context the assurance that I can provide to this House and to residents of the NWT is that this government will remain mindful of our long-term financial objectives, and the future well-being of our constituents, as we move into the second half of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Lands.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands takes its responsibility to administer and manage public lands in the Northwest Territories seriously. That is why, over the summer, the department engaged with Indigenous governments, stakeholders, and the public on potential changes to the Northwest Territories Lands Act and the Commissioner’s Land Act. This input will, for the first time, allow for a made-in-the-North approach to managing land in the Northwest Territories.

Since devolution, administration of public lands in the Northwest Territories has fallen under two separate acts: the Northwest Territories Lands Act and the Commissioner’s Land Act. These two acts were developed independently of one another, one by the federal government and one by the Government of the Northwest Territories. With devolution, both lands acts became the responsibility of the Government of the Northwest Territories, and our government made it a mandate commitment to improve how they work together to advance our vision of land and resource management.

Mr. Speaker, our work has focused on building from the foundations that these two pieces of legislation provided. As a first step, the Department of Lands developed an engagement paper on the two acts. The paper was used to facilitate discussion around potential administrative and technical changes that could provide better system alignment where appropriate, and improve consistency and clarity for the public land users. This was a key tool for jump-starting the conversation about the kinds of changes that might be needed to the two acts.

With this engagement tool, the department got to work reaching out to Indigenous governments, stakeholders, and the public through open houses in regional centres, presentations to interested groups, and online feedback gathered through the department’s website. This feedback will be reflected in a report that will be shared with Members and made available to the public in October. The report will be placed on the department’s website and sent out to those who participated in the engagement. Afterwards, we will follow the legislative process to begin developing legislation later this fall.

Making revisions to our lands acts is one step towards meeting our shared land and resource management goals and will not end with the development of new legislation. We will continue to take a collaborative approach to implement the legislative, regulatory, and policy systems. As our territory continues to change and evolve over time, we need to ensure our legislation isn’t left behind.

Mr. Speaker, these efforts to improve legislation, policies and systems will help us to achieve our greatest objective, to create more certainty for land users throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Mr. Speaker, the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly include a commitment to take action so that seniors can age in place. Our government’s mandate builds on this priority by committing the Department of Health and Social Services to complete a projection of programming needs, develop updated capital plans to address the need for long-term care beds, and to develop a regulatory framework and financing options that will allow us to meet the growing demand for long-term care in the Northwest Territories.

As Minister of Health and Social Services, I remain committed to supporting seniors and elders to continue living in their homes and their communities for as long as possible, but we also need to provide for those who can no longer live independently, even with the appropriate supports.

Looking after our seniors and elders is an important part of this government’s vision for the future, which the Premier outlined yesterday. Looking ahead 20 years, we see a healthy and prosperous territory built on northern strengths and advantages. We see residents who have good paying jobs, who are able to provide for their children and to purchase their own homes and healthy food. We see a territory where people have broken the hold of colonialism to achieve economic self-determination and who no longer have to rely on income assistance to survive.

That is why our government undertook a major review of the current state of long-term care in the Northwest Territories and the projected need for these services as our population continues to age. The Northwest Territories Long-Term Care Program Review Final Report, completed late in 2015, provided projections for long-term care bed needs over a 20-year period and achieved an important mandate commitment.

The report projects that, by 2026, there will be a shortfall of 258 long-term care beds in the NWT, which represents a substantial increase over the 180 beds available today. Plans were already in place at that time to replace and expand the Jimmy Erasmus facility in Behchoko and to build an 18-bed long-term care facility in Norman Wells, but the addition of these 27 new beds did not begin to meet the projected needs as identified by the report.

Mr. Speaker, we know that today there are elders who are waiting for a spot in one of our long-term care facilities, and that these lists will continue to grow. We must take action. In response to this need, the departments of Health and Social Services, Finance, and Infrastructure worked closely to develop a plan to respond to these needs.

Today I am pleased to confirm that the Capital Estimates, 2018-2019 include the first concrete steps towards addressing the long-term care gap in the Northwest Territories. Funding is included to develop 72 beds in the old Stanton Hospital in Yellowknife; to begin planning for a 48-bed long-term care facility in Hay River to serve the entire South Slave region; and to begin planning for a similar facility in the Beaufort Delta region.

As we move forward, we also recognize that we need to address future pressures in the Dehcho region and in Yellowknife. In the near future, we will undertake a feasibility study to assess the potential for a combined health centre and a long-term care facility in Fort Simpson that would add 28 new long-term care beds in that region. To support our continued partnership with AVENS A Society for Seniors, the Capital Estimates includes funding for a much-needed kitchen and laundry renovation to support future expansion.

Mr. Speaker, there is more work to be done, and the support of Members, stakeholders, and our partners throughout the NWT will help us continue to advance this important work. We have committed to developing a regulatory framework and financing options for long-term care, and that work will get under way in the near future.

The improvements and investments being made in long-term care will support our seniors and elders to remain as close to home as possible when it is no longer possible for them to remain in their community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Wally Schumann will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the federal-provincial-territorial Ministers of Infrastructure meeting in Ottawa. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are living in a time where mood and anxiety disorders affect Canadian youth in shocking numbers. Statistics Canada reports that those aged 15 to 24 have the highest rates of all of the groups.

First Nations and Inuit youth are even more severely impacted, Mr. Speaker. We see this in our own communities and in the communities across Canada. Among First Nations people, suicide rates are above the national average. Among Inuit it is between six and 11 times the national average.

Mr. Speaker, this is painful knowledge with real and brutal impacts on the people we serve. I have tried to explore available research, tried to begin to understand why this is happening and what we can do about it. I'd like to share some of what I've learned, Mr. Speaker. In researching I've looked for "the three C's": studies that are current, Canadian, and culturally relevant. As I said yesterday, programs addressing Indigenous youth health absolutely must be region- and culture-specific.

Programming must also recognize the continuing impacts of colonization. While it is conventional for physicians today to understand suicide as something deeply personal, specific to individuals, we can't deny the systemic roots. Researchers have described the mental health crisis in Indigenous communities as a "collective response to ongoing cultural assaults."

Looking at a study of 200 Indigenous communities in British Columbia, I saw valuable lessons learned by our neighbours. Where Indigenous cultures were respected, active, and empowered to grow and flourish, suicides rates were lower. Where communities enacted self-government and the restoration of land title; where languages and traditions, including leadership roles for women, were protected and practiced; and where Indigenous governments exerted control over education, child and family services, and community safety, Indigenous people were healthier and safer.

That means personal is political, Mr. Speaker. Person-specific solutions like the NWT Help Line, expanded counselling options, and enhanced mental health education are certainly critical, but they can't stand alone. Any plan to confront this crisis must support the political and cultural sovereignty of First Nations and Inuit people. Mr. Speaker, what happens at the negotiating table at the Department of Executive is of critical significance to the practices and priorities of the Department of Health and Social Services.

Member for Nunakput, your time for your Member's statement has expired. Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, high school students aren't only taking on the regular challenges of back to school, they're also thinking about their futures and the future of their community, and they're asking the tough questions that we need to answer to help the community thrive in the years to come.

Through their principal Shanna Hagen, the students brought me their concerns about meaningful employment opportunities in Fort Providence. As young people preparing to enter the workforce full-time, either after graduation or following post-secondary education, they're interested in job creation. They want to know what actions the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking to work with the regions and communities to create new jobs, not simply subsidize existing programs or positions.

Mr. Speaker, myself and several of my colleagues are interested in this very same thing. Earlier this year, during budget deliberations, Regular Members and Ministers debated the Small Community Employment Support program. This side of the House wanted to see the program expanded beyond subsidy into job creation.

With the support of Cabinet in the final 2017-2018 budget, I think we're on our way to the program enhancements we need to get the results that will make positive changes in our communities.

The students of Deh Gah School have also offered their suggestions, identifying areas in the community where new jobs would create spinoff employment and health benefits for all residents. For instance, the students have suggested providing locally available training for the fire department, creating jobs to deliver improvements and regular maintenance to community recreational assets like the baseball field and the arena, and undertaking new initiatives like a skateboard park for children and youth.

Employment in our small communities continues to be a difficult challenge, and to date the Small Community Employment Support program hasn't made a significant dent. With the changes agreed upon by all the Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly, I'm hopeful that we can demonstrate to the students of Deh Gah School and to the youth and young families across the NWT that the GNWT is there for them, ready to deliver meaningful support. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, shortly after the end of the last session I received a copy of a confidential assessment of Aurora College completed in 2013. After reading the report I wonder why the college is being studied again less than four years later. It would take less time and cost less money to follow through with the recommendations that were made then.

The 2013 study focused on the college's purpose, its roles and responsibilities with respect to the Education Minister and his department, and to "strengthen the college and its successes." The consultant met with everyone and anyone with an interest in the college.

The 2013 report made 36 recommendations about governance, operations, planning, and accountability. The consultant noted that many of the issues and challenges weren't new even then. The college's broad mandate requires it to be all things to all students. Then, as now, the college was required to reduce operations because funding from the GNWT had declined. To quote the assessment, "Possibly the greatest challenge facing the college is that of rationalizing its purpose against the resources available." Ditto today. The consultant recommended that "the Minister, in cooperation with the board, examine the college's purpose with the intention of confirming a long-term direction for the college." He also references a forthcoming strategic plan. That plan was scrubbed to make way for the foundational review this spring, although how it would differ from the study before or after is anyone's guess.

The foundational review ordered by the Minister in March has similar terms of reference and the contractor will meet with a similar group of people, and it is very likely that he or she will come up with similar recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, I'm unsure what the government of the day did with the 2013 study recommendations, but surely the Minister is familiar with them. If not, why not? If so, why take the time and money for another review? I believe the Minister already has the information he needs without spending another $413,000 on the question of the college's future. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the Honourable Minister of Justice for taking real action on cannabis and actually getting out and starting to do this work. It's a bit late, but we're making progress.

Other provinces are also making progress, Mr. Speaker. Recently the Ontario government announced it will create a Cannabis Control Board and open up 60 store fronts in the first year to manage the sale and distribution of cannabis products in the province, while privatized cannabis dispensaries in Ontario will be shut down over the next 12 months.

Now, I wouldn't recommend the Minister take this approach; it's been very controversial, and this monopolization of the entire industry has not been well received in a positive light by the public. We need to create real opportunities with cannabis production in Canada. Once it is legal, our country will be facing a huge supply issue and, further, as other countries across the world open up cannabis markets either through medical or commercial production, Canada can plug that gap, which is why it's essential that the North has the opportunity to play in that market.

New Brunswick recently announced a multi-million dollar deal with a pair of federally licensed marijuana producers, OrganiGram Holdings and Canopy Growth Corp. This new deal is worth $90 million of cannabis production, and at the end of this deal both companies saw their stock increase 2 per cent and 16 per cent by the end of the day that the announcement was made. There's clearly growth in this area, Mr. Speaker.

Furthermore, the New Brunswick government has set up a Crown corporation to have clear oversight on how recreational cannabis will be sold, but will not run a retail operation, instead counting upon other entities, the private sector and entrepreneurs, to do it. This public/private model is an ideal fit for the North's needs to both further economic diversification and ensure that Northerners have access to safe, legal product, and will allow us to compete in an explosive market for something that not only Canadians but the world wants.

Mr. Speaker, it's time for us to assist in the creation of real opportunities surrounding this new cannabis industry, and not just solely capitalize on them as a source of revenue. It's time to let northern entrepreneurs take the lead on this file. I hope the Minister agrees with me. I'll have questions for him later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Healthcare Strategic Plan: six regional health and social services authorities were established into the NWT Health and Social Services authority system, known as NTHSSA, which are agencies of the GNWT governed by the NWT Leadership Council. Regional wellness councils provide strategic advice and valuable input on the needs of priorities of the residents within their respective regions to better improve healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, the complex care needs of residents of the Northwest Territories must be addressed in a way that achieves the best efficiencies to operate within the GNWT's current fiscal challenges and logistically remote areas, while ensuring access to high-quality patient care. Later I will have questions for the Minister responsible. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Power Corporation wants to raise our power rates again. We keep hearing the same arguments over and over. Water levels are low, so hydro is compromised; rates have to go up. Homeowners and businesses are doing such a good job at using less power; rates have to go up. Our infrastructure is old and needs replacing; rates have to go up. It costs more and more to produce energy in the thermal communities; rates have to go up.

A 4.8 per cent hike last year, 4 more per cent this spring, now another 4 per cent coming: that's an increase of almost 13 per cent in just over a year. It will be almost 40 per cent over six years. It has become unbearable. In a government and Assembly that committed itself to transparency and openness, Mr. Speaker, the Power Corporation remains shrouded in mystery. Forgive me for the bad pun, but we are all in the dark when it comes to this organization.

The government pretends that the Power Corporation is still an arm’s-length Crown corporation, but in reality the government has brought the Power Corporation half in-house. By the Minister's own admission, he dissolved the board to save money. He admitted that, because the GNWT had significantly subsidized NTPC's operations during the low-water years, it was acting like a department anyway, so he assigned an internal government board of directors. He is right. In practice, it is almost another government department.

However, Mr. Speaker, the public deserves to know the government's vision for power generation and distribution in the NWT. As MLAs, we deserve the chance to question and evaluate that vision. We deserve to know when the rate hikes are going to end and what alternatives are being pursued to wean our communities off diesel. We deserve to know what is happening with the generators that we bought from a California company nearly three years ago. We deserve answers to all these questions, Mr. Speaker, because any Power Corporation issue affects everyone's bottom line.

Mr. Speaker, whether the vision is to make NTPC a government department or to fully privatize it, the people of the NWT deserve to know the plan. They deserve a government that will level with them. NTPC, bring your annual plans to MLAs for meaningful discussion and debate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I have in the past, I rise today to speak about the needs of Aklavik's Moose Kerr School, needs that are just not being met. Let us review what we know. We know that Moose Kerr School was built close to half a century ago, in 1969, the same year as Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik. Samuel Hearne Secondary, though, was demolished in 2013, while Moose Kerr continues to support approximately 15 teachers and 160 students, not to mention a wide range of community and sporting events year-round.

We also know that, although various small projects and maintenance work has continued, Moose Kerr last received a major retrofit back in 1999 and that, according to GNWT capital planning standards, building replacements are scheduled 20 years following work like that.

The Minister himself told the House on October 19, 2016, that the school had "been identified for renovations or replacement in approximately 2019."

A building assessment would be one of the first steps to get that ball rolling, so earlier this year, on February 8, 2017, the Minister also told the House that, "Should the assessment determine that a renovation is required, a planning study will be launched in 2018-2019 to begin this process."

With all this in mind, Aklavik has been looking forward to significant work on the school for some time. However, I am disappointed to report that the capital estimates tabled yesterday don't mention this work. This seems like a clear-cut case of communications breakdown, Mr. Speaker, and I will have questions at the appropriate time so that we can sort this out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Medical travel: where do I begin? There are issues with scheduling. There are issues with where patients are sent and how those decisions are made. There are issues with escorts. In Hay River, we have even had issues about the accessibility of the actual medical travel office.

Today I want to talk about an issue that does not receive enough attention in this House or from the government. Most people in the territory have some sort of extended health benefits which cover virtually all the costs associated with medical travel. The GNWT provides such benefits to its employees and their spouses and dependants, as do other public entities and many private companies. Similarly, benefits are extended to individuals registered under the Indian Act, Indigenous Metis, seniors, and those from households with incomes under $80,000 per year.

This means that the only NWT residents who do not qualify for full medical travel coverage are those from households that earn over $80,000 a year. To be fair, there is some coverage for those who earn above the threshold. Return flights to medical appointments only cost $250, and they receive $50 a day for accommodations and $18 a day for meals when on approved medical travel trips.

According to the government, the fact that these amounts do not cover all of the medical travel costs is a recognition that these costs need to be shared between the GNWT and those who can afford it; but, Mr. Speaker, can they afford it? A young, relatively healthy single individual who makes $80,000 a year may be able to foot the bill for the few times just to travel to Yellowknife for medical issues. What about the family of four that earns just above the threshold? What if a child has a medical condition that requires monthly visits to the specialist in Yellowknife or Edmonton? What if a parent must take time off work to accompany that child, and what if they have to bring their other two kids, as well? Suddenly, that $50 for accommodation allowance and $18 a day for meals are not cutting it. I have had constituents in that bracket who have had to push back psychiatrist appointments for their children because they just could not afford it that month.

A living wage in Yellowknife for a family of four is actually above the current threshold, and that does not include medical costs. Assuming a similar living wage for other communities, it is clear that the threshold is too low. This threshold was introduced 14 years ago as an interim measure. Adjusted for inflation, it would be over $100,000 now, Mr. Speaker. Clearly, this threshold needs to be updated as well as the other policy issues surrounding this. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. In the winter sitting, I raised some issues regarding consumer protection under our legislation. The Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, who has responsibility for this area, committed to improving public information on consumer protection, and MACA has recently produced a pamphlet. I thank her for that.

Since then, I have also become aware of concerns regarding our regulation of the real estate sales sector. Our Real Estate Agents Licensing Act regulates the real estate business to some extent, but this is mainly in regard to the licensing and procedural practices of realtors. It provides, for example, that you must have a licence to act as a real estate agent, how contracts and funds must be handled, and the like. It provides that the license may be cancelled for general reasons, including doing "anything that dishonestly influences, discourages, or induces a trade," but in the modern sense of regulating realtors, it does not get down into any detail, specifically, what practices may or may not be ethical or proper.

A good example is the lack of regulation of the practice of realtors acting on behalf of both the buyer and the seller, a practice called multiple representation or dual agency. Realtors are supposed to protect their clients' interests and make transparent disclosures. A realtor acting on behalf of the seller has knowledge that could be very valuable to the buyer. Having information about a buyer's circumstances could be useful to the seller. Dual agency is not permitted in some jurisdictions, is the subject of extensive ethical guidelines in other places, and presents obvious concerns regarding how the interests of each client are protected. It is not even mentioned in our legislation.

The purchase and sale of homes are the biggest financial transactions in most people's lives and should be properly regulated. Cabinet makes much of how full its legislative workload is. Although, again, it would be hard to know that on the basis of the very few bills this Assembly has passed to date.

I am putting my hand up now to get this piece of legislation, a review in modernization of realty legislation, on the list of future legislative initiatives. I will have questions for the Minister regarding real estate regulation and the protection consumer affairs can provide. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to speak about a member from Fort Simpson who recently passed away, Mrs. Marilyn J. Lee. Marilyn was born and raised in Trail, B.C., before coming north and calling it home. In her early years, Marilyn quickly picked up the art of cooking from her mother. Her passion for cooking and adventurous spirit brought her north.

Marilyn moved to the community of Fort Simpson in 1986, after spending the previous five years as a camp cook at the military base in Inuvik. In Fort Simpson, Marilyn served as a cook with the kitchen staff at the Fort Simpson long-term facility. Her generous spirit was reflected in her wonderful meals that not only leave your stomach filled, but your soul, too.

During her tireless effort as a cook Marilyn served countless elders of the community. Marilyn's accommodating nature caused her to constantly advocate for traditional food in the long-term care unit. She ensured traditional meals that meant so much to the local elders were served.

Marilyn was a kind woman with a big heart. Many current adults of the community remember turning to Marilyn for support in their teen years. One defining characteristic of Marilyn was her lively facial expressions. You could tell how Marilyn was feeling about something by the look on her face. Her generous nature did not allow her to mask her feelings and emotions when sought out. She also had a big, accepting heart and a warming, welcoming home. It was not only citizens of the community that Marilyn cared for, but she was also known for always caring for animals, whether they were her own or strays.

Marilyn will always be remembered for amazing food and very large, generous servings. Her family and friends will tell you there was always too much food on Marilyn's table, but Marilyn cooked everything with love and always wanted to ensure everybody was well-fed.

Marilyn leaves behind two children, Natasha and Tim, and five grandchildren. She passed away in her daughter's arms after a brief battle with cancer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well, as well as the region. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has become an unfortunate tradition of mine to do eulogies for the people who have passed from sitting to sitting in my riding. Today, I have two such eulogies.

First, I would like to speak of Marie Jackie Smith, born May 29, 1939, and sadly passed away on July 7, 2017, at age 78.

Mr. Speaker, Jackie came from a large family in Fort Smith, the Benwell family; and also a family in Ndilo who loved being around her. Jackie was a very kind-hearted person who loved to work hard for her family. Jackie wanted to make everyone happy, so she always took time around her family and friends. Jackie's passion was her grandchildren. She had a passion for her grandchildren, and she loved spending most of her time with them.

Jackie is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Lockhart; grandchildren Amber, Catherine; sisters Shirley, Betty, Joyce, Jessie; and many other friends and family.

Mr. Speaker, Jackie is predeceased by her spouse, Jean Louis Lafferty; parents Mary Lockhart McKay, William Lockhart, and Paul McKay.

Mr. Speaker, my sincere condolences go out to the late Marie Jackie Smith, daughter, grandchildren, sisters, cousins, and all her friends and family.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to send my deepest condolences to the Mackenzie family of Ndilo. Helene Jean Mackenzie was born June 9, 1924. She passed away on July 13, 2017, at the age of 93.

Helene came from a large family in Ndilo, the Mackenzie family, and also had family in Behchoko. Helene was a very kind-hearted person who loved her family. Helene always took time to be around her friends and family, and did have a real passion for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Helene is survived by her children Napoleon, Rose, Jimmy, Paul, Bertha, Kathy, Nora, Dixie Lee, Carol, Hardy; sister Roseanne Manthla. She had many grandchildren, great grandchildren, family, and friends.

Mr. Speaker, Helene is pre-deceased by her spouse Alexis Mackenzie, children Louis, Moise, Therese, Stanley, Eva, Marie; grandchildren Eddie Paul, Savannah, and Todd.

Mr. Speaker, I recently was introduced to Helene by her son Napoleon. Mr. Speaker, my sincere condolences go out to the late Helene Jean Mackenzie's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family. She will be missed by all who knew her. Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Again, our condolences to the family and also to the region. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, I'd like to drawn your attention to visitors in the gallery. We have with us Yellowknife Mayor Mark Heyck. Thank you for joining us today. Also from Whati, Mike and Sally are here with us today. Their daughter is here as one of our Pages, and I would like to say masi for coming. Welcome to our proceedings.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the members of the Antipoverty Advisory Committee as visitors in the gallery today. The committee plays an important role in helping to guide the planning for annual antipoverty roundtables. They have helped us to establish performance measures for poverty in the Northwest Territories, and they do a hard work in reviewing the applications to the Antipoverty Fund. I really respect their guidance and their commitment to the Northwest Territories and residents and communities. I am happy to have them here with us today. We have with us here Committee Chair Mayor Mark Heyck from Yellowknife, Elder Pat Martel from K'atlodeeche First Nation, Knute Hansen from Aklavik, and the two members who were not able to join us today are Nora Wedzin and Ruby Jumbo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this week we are joined by students from the Chief Sunrise School, plus their chaperone Grace Sabourin. I would like to welcome them during this week. Sonya Sabourin and Sheena King-Sabourin as well will be working here this week. I also recognize and acknowledge Elder Pat Martel, K'atlodeeche First Nations Councillor and Chief as well. Mahsi.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Knute Hansen, the band manager for Aklavik. Welcome to the House. Mahsi.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge my constituent Mayor Mark Heyck and thank him for his leadership and his service.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Have we missed anyone in the gallery? Thank you for joining us. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, early in my statement, I had talked about the small community employment initiatives, so my questions are to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

In most of our small communities there's a description that caught my attention; it's called "non-market communities" and it's pretty true. Most of our small communities are remote and isolated and, of course, there is no economic market in those small communities, but for the most part our small communities have 50 per cent employment rates, are very strong in our traditional economy, and as I said, they are remote and isolated. With that in mind, can the Minister describe the changes made to the Small Community Employment Support program following the 2017-2018 budget deliberations earlier this year? Mahsi.

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I'd just like to commend the Member's community of Fort Providence and the youth for all the work that they are doing in the community that he mentioned in his opening comments.

On April 1, 2017, with the enhancements that were implemented with the Small Community Employment Support program, we did look at expanding eligibility, increasing benefit levels, and adding flexibility for communities and employers as well as organizations.

We are also looking at communities that were previously ineligible to allow them to apply for funding, and the communities of Behchoko, Hay River, Inuvik, Simpson, Smith, and Norman Wells are now on those lists. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister clearly had indicated there's a big slant towards regional centres, and he just described that, and what this program was intended for was for small communities. What further changes will be forthcoming and when can we expect their implementation?

Because we put the program in April 1st, 2017, we've been trying to get that funding out to more communities so that it's being utilized at a better rate. We are also looking at some of our other initiatives. With Skills 4 Success, working with some of the small communities on projects where we've seen successes, and I think the Member had mentioned some in his Member's statement. We are going to continue to review those and see how we can look at other policy changes that need to be developed, but we're going to have a look at this.

As the Member knows, and as Members of the Assembly know, the previous funding that was allocated for Small Community Employment Support programs wasn't fully utilized. We made a significant increase and we're trying to make sure those dollars are being spent so that we are creating employment in our smallest communities.

The Minister had indicated again that more communities could be able to access this program and that there are other smaller communities besides the City of Yellowknife and the larger regional centres. The question I'm interested in is, through the rest of this fiscal year, how will the Department of Education, Culture and Employment work with regions and communities, especially the small communities, to create new jobs, for example under the Small Community Employment Support programs?

We have career development officers, employment transition officers in all the regions, and we are trying to get them to get that information out to our NGOs, our companies, our businesses, our band offices to make sure that they understand that this program is actually in place and how we need partnerships, we need better dialogue and communications on how we can work together to get more employment in small communities.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it seems that we have a lot of interest from our small communities in terms of trying to enhance and at least reinvigorate the economies in small communities, especially for people who are out of work.

The Minister has clearly indicated partnership arrangements, work in progress with various organizations, including the small communities. Before the conclusion of the sitting of this House, would the Minister be able to provide a status report in terms of some substantive figures that show that this program has impact and that we're lessening the unemployment rates in small communities? Mahsi.

Since the beginning of this fiscal year, we're about halfway in now, and there is a significant increase to the Small Community Employment Support program. I have asked the department what significant investments and changes have been made and seen in terms of getting those contributions out to the small communities. I will get that information, and I can share it with the Members for their respective regions and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past winter a situation occurred when one of the communities that I represent, and we all heard it in the news, the Nahanni Butte Dene Band were doing some work on an old logging road. Unfortunately, the situation led to them being taken to court. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Lands explain what arrangements were made to have this injunction lifted? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise this House that currently there is no injunction in place because the Nahanni Butte Dene Band has stopped work voluntarily. The Government of the Northwest Territories did initially file an application for an injunction, but the matter was removed from the court docket by mutual consent and on the understanding that the band would not conduct any further work without a land use permit issued by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.

The matter may be brought back to court to get an injunction if the band begins work without the necessary permits in place. I won't be commenting further on the merits of the case, which might possibly be before the court again, but it appears that the two parties are working together through their lawyers. Thank you.

I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister confirm if he spoke to the chief directly any time before or during or after this situation to discuss it and come up with a possible solution before it has to go to court?

This issue has been managed from the beginning by the regional office in Fort Simpson and the support from headquarters. The Member opposite will know that I was in the community in April and again in July and listened to concerns raised. I certainly heard the concerns of the chief and the SAO. I made no comment or made no negotiation with respect to this matter, which would been inappropriate, as the matter was before the court. Again, I think the matter has been dealt with by legal counsel on both sides.

I thank the Minister for his answer. I was actually quite disappointed that the Minister didn't actually talk to the chief before this got out of hand, but we're happy to hear that it's moving forward. With this situation taking place, has the department learned anything from this situation so we don't have to take a local government to court in the future?

The department is always learning from its experiences, and our strongest desire is to have voluntary compliance with our laws and regulations. We only go to court as a last result if all the measures have failed.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for his answer. Mr. Speaker, in speaking with the communities, they were talking about the permitting process and challenges they were having. Can the Minister commit to having his department work with the community to get the necessary paperwork done so they have a permanent place so they can do work in the near future?

The department does not issue land use permits in the Mackenzie Valley; that is, of course, the responsibility of the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. I understand the department has provided assistance in the past to the band to assist with the necessary paperwork, and we would certainly be hoping to do so again, to provide that assistance so that the permitting process can be properly followed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier, I spoke about suicide prevention and that the negotiations of the Department of the Executive is of critical significance to the practise of the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Speaker, effective, lasting, positive change must be built on a foundation of bilateral collaboration between the GNWT and Indigenous governments. Mr. Speaker, how is the GNWT working with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to coordinate mental health action and intervention in the Nunakput region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, prior to the move to a single authority, the Beaufort Delta Regional Health and Social Services Authority had a really good relationship with the IRC and the Gwich'in. I am confident that that relationship is still strong and still working since we have moved to a single authority. I know that the regional operation of the territorial authority has worked closely with the IRC in the delivery of some training, things like applied suicide intervention training and others. At a departmental level, we have worked with different Aboriginal and Indigenous governments on the development of the Strategic Framework for Mental Health and Addictions, where we directly consulted with Indigenous governments and got their input on key directions.

Mr. Speaker, all levels of our government have a role to play in supporting mental wellness, and one of the key directions outlined in the strategic framework is to take a whole-of-government approach. This includes the Government of the Northwest Territories, community governments, and Indigenous governments. I think that is working well. We have a good relationship with the IRC. The IRC has been a leader in this area. They have worked with the Red Cross to establish a suicide prevention program in Ulukhaktok, which I think gives us an opportunity to learn and maybe apply in different regions. This program, Mr. Speaker, works alongside health and social services authority counselling and other supports and is a great example of the two groups working together.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, the Minister recently delivered a public briefing on the draft Child and Youth Mental Wellness Plan to the Standing Committee on Social Development. I know that the final plan will be coming out soon, but in the draft plan the Department of Health and Social Services set out a timeline to establish child and youth care counsellors across the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us more about how these specialized counsellors will be deployed, particularly in our rural and remote communities?

This is a very exciting initiative. Child and youth care counsellors will be an important part of the overall continuum of mental wellness services for children, youth, as well as families. They will work in the schools and the broader community and will work in an integrated fashion with other community-based professionals to ensure person- and family-centred services are delivered as close to home as possible.

This is an incredibly important resource that is required in all regions, and it needs to be implemented thoughtfully and with input from all involved stakeholders. We are working with the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and of Health and Social Services, and gathering the data and utilizing the information indicators that we have to put forward a plan to roll out these positions over the coming years. I look forward to discussing that research, that analysis, with committee during business planning, where we will be able to lay out the plan moving forward.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to ask about service options for Inuit who have limited access to counselling in their home communities. For instance, other jurisdictions are testing face-to-face counselling via secure video link. How does the department plan to use initiatives like outreach programming or new technologies to enhance and expand culturally specific services in the rural and remote communities?

Through our discussion with stakeholders across the Northwest Territories, one of the things we constantly hear are that options are important and that one size does not fit all when it comes to programming. The use of technology to assist in delivering services to more remote communities is one that the department is exploring. In the meantime, we do have a number of mechanisms where individuals can receive services, including our 24/7 NWT Help Line. We have the opportunity through things like Facebook to do group sessions, group counselling sessions. There is the Kids Help Phone. As technology improves, we are hoping that there are more opportunities to do the types of things the Member is talking about, but we still need to do some analysis and work on that, as well.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, finally, building on my last question, can the Minister comment on how the department's new action plan recognizes that cultural and political health is intimately connected to individuals' physical and mental health? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Strategic Framework for Mental Health and Addictions Recovery recognizes the importance of culture. This is foundational to the work that we do and will be reflected in the action plans, including the one for child and youth mental wellness. The implications of colonization and the resultant loss of culture are a clear and strong focus of the work we will be doing to ensure culturally relevant and capable services and supports for residents of the Northwest Territories. The Child and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan emphasizes the importance of providing access to land-based programs, cultural activities, and language revitalization for Indigenous youth. These will also be the guiding principles as we work to develop a mental health and addictions recovery action plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my statement, the terms of reference and the group of people to be consulted for the Aurora College foundational review are very similar to the assessment of the college completed in 2013. Why is another assessment of the college necessary at this point? That is my question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.

Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are aware of that review. A couple of things, just an update: some of those recommendations have been addressed in terms of working. Another one of those recommendations was to review the college's programs, and also service structure. The foundational review will, I believe, address that. At the same time, in the previous government, that report was also dismissed, but we also still looked at seeing if there was anything we could take out of that report. We also have new NWT-specific data that is going to help guide us into the way moving forward with Aurora College and developing programs and services, as well.

Thanks to the Minister for that response. He started to answer my second question, which is: what has changed within the college and the department in the last four years that makes a new ground-up study necessary? It goes way beyond having a new labour market forecast. The original 2013 study looked at governance, strategic planning, relationships between the Minister and the department, and so on, so what else has changed to make a new study necessary?

The Member also kind of answered this. The NWT-specific data and the labour market information report that we have now will help guide us and Aurora College into the programs and services that meet the needs and educational needs of NWT residents and Northerners. It is going to help us make evidence-based decisions once we see the results. Just moving forward, that information is definitely going to help us. We are also going to be looking at administration, operations, governance, and legislation with this foundational review.

Will the Minister table the 2013 assessment of the college by Cleveland Consulting so that the public can assess the value for money of that assessment?

As I mentioned previously, that document itself was not for distribution or not made public. I will have to take this back to my Cabinet colleagues to get some direction on whether or not we will release that report.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take that as a commitment that the Minister will explore each and every way to make this document public. On March 6th of this year, the Minister said in the House, and I quote, "The timeline for completion of this new foundational review is fall 2017, with an implementation target of 2018-2019 academic year." Can the Minister update the House when the foundational review will be completed? Thank you.

As the Member mentioned yesterday in her statement, we just signed a contract. Right now currently we're working on a work plan with the contractor and our department is working really hard to get that work plan developed. Once I have that work plan I will share it with Members and committee and get their input, as well as Cabinet to get their input into how we move forward. We're just waiting on that work plan, and I can't commit to anything until both the contractor and our department staff have worked on completing it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last February/March sitting I raised some questions in the House to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation with regard to three generators that were being built by Virdi Power out of California that we had put a million dollar deposit on and they were at that time about two, two and a half years behind schedule. I would like to ask the Minister if he has an update for this House. Are these generators in place and doing the job that they're supposed to do or are we still waiting for these generators? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, the generators are not in place. As I understand it they are still in California. We are hoping that at least three of the five generators will be delivered in the near future. I will certainly keep this House advised as to progress in this matter. I believe we have retained or spoken to legal counsel in the State of California to determine our rights with respect to this matter, but we are hoping to get delivery, as I say, of three of the five generators. Thank you.

Here we go; we're still flying on a wing and a prayer and using the word "hope" quite often when it comes to questioning around these five particular pieces of equipment.

Mr. Speaker, at one point in time it was indicated to us that Virdi Power was going to be responsible for any costs that the Power Corporation had to undertake or incur while we were missing these generators beyond their due date. At the last sitting when I asked about this in February/March, that number was around $500,000. I don't care to know what that number is to date because it's probably exorbitant, but the question needs to be asked. At some point, Virdi Power is going to recognize that they're not making profit anymore and they might pull the string on this.

I mean, to the point that the Minister just raised, are we evaluating when is the right time to maybe cut our losses and look at maybe the other proponents that had bid on these generators? I'm sure that we would have almost had those in place by now. When are we going to stop fooling around waiting for generators that we're never going to receive and cut our losses and take legal action if we have to?

As I mentioned, we are hoping still to get delivery of the three of five generators. With respect to legal action, we understand from our counsel in California that that would be exceedingly complex if we had to take that route; there may be other parties that could have priority. We are still hoping to get delivery of these generators. As I say, we are hoping to get at least three of the five in the near future. If we don't get those and we cannot pursue legal action in the State of California, which as I say may be very, very difficult, we will have to re-tender.

I would have thought that this would have been some homework that we would have undertaken in advance of knowing who we were doing business with, but sadly we're learning the hard way. What reasoning is Virdi Power giving for not being able to provide these generators on the due date? I mean, we're pushing three years now; they have to be providing some legitimate reasoning as to why they're late. What is the reasoning that they're providing the Power Corporation?

I'm not sure of the financial situation or otherwise of Virdi Power. Clearly, we have made apparent to them our grave concerns about this matter and we also retained, apart from legal counsel which I mentioned earlier, an independent quality control inspector to provide progress reports. Progress is slow and, frankly, Virdi Power is way behind in delivery.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In there was no answer really as to why. They haven't provided us an answer as to why they're three years late, but this supports the reason as to why I continue to ask for the Power Corporation to come to MLAs during the annual business planning process to give its capital plan and its annual O and M operating plan.

I ask the Minister: will the Minister get the Power Corporation to come and provide annual operating and maintenance plans through the regular budget planning process to this government, to these MLAs, to representatives of the public? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We're always pleased to appear in front of committee. Of course, Members will know that the Power Corporation doesn't fall under normal business plans as it's overseen by the Public Utilities Board, so that's where they appear in front of, but to provide more information with respect to these or other matters, I'd always be very happy to appear in front of committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Strategic planning is an essential management principle based on the published strategic plan for the health department caring for our people in the Northwest Territories. As part of this vision, can the Minister ensure, for example, H. pylori workshops through education in the Sahtu communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that we do have some resources out there when it comes to H. pylori and providing information. As far as workshops, I'm not sure that we've actually provided workshops in the past or that we actually have the information to provide workshops, but I will talk to the department to find out how best we can get that information out to residents of the Sahtu but also to the Northwest Territories where appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for that reply. Making residents aware of the strategic plan and sharing information is always very important for the remote communities, knowing that healthcare is behind them, with them, for them.

I was very happy to hear, reading the minutes of the Regional Wellness Council, that they had their Sahtu board meeting in the community of Tulita and they engaged with the public there. It was a meet-and-greet, which I thought was perfect in sharing that vision. Bringing health awareness to the remote community residents in that area, can the Minister also ensure health services for additional services provided by the Health Department through communication workshops in every community on a circulating basis?

With the move to a single authority in the Regional Wellness Councils, we are hoping that the Regional Wellness Councils do have an opportunity to travel throughout the regions that they represent. As the Member said, the Regional Wellness Council in the Sahtu did have a meeting in Tulita. They have a meeting scheduled in Colville Lake and they will over time get to all the communities that they represent.

As far as getting information, program information, out to the communities, one of the reasons that the Regional Wellness Councils are so important is they can help us tailor our message to the different regions and communities on what is the best way to get the information out. We do give a lot of responsibility to them to help us identify the best ways and we are constantly looking for that information from them so that we can tailor our delivery to the regions as appropriate.

Will the Minister schedule one of the quarterly board meetings in the town of Norman Wells as we approach closure to the transitional opening of the regional facility in Norman Wells which is scheduled to open later in these coming months?

I do not sit on one of the Regional Wellness Councils. The Regional Wellness Councils are the ones who, to some degree, determine when they are going to schedule their meetings. They are required to have one meeting, I think it is annually in public. All their meetings are supposed to be in public to some degree. They can go in camera. I am not prepared to, and I am not going to, dictate when and where they have their meetings. I think we need to leave that up to them. They know their regions best, and they know when they need to get together to have those conversations.

Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.

My next question, Mr. Speaker, is that scheduling the upcoming regional council meeting here in Norman Wells would be a joint effort to have the regional authority there, as well as the opening session of the Sahtu Health Building when it does open. That is all I am asking, is if it can be scheduled and coordinated together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The opening of the new health centre and long-term care facility in Norman Wells will be a significant accomplishment for the region, for the delivery of services in Norman Wells and that region. We will definitely have an opening ceremony event. The Regional Wellness Council will absolutely, without question, be involved, as well as regional leadership and the MLA, of course. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank the Minister of Justice for moving forward on cannabis consultations, but I would like to ask him today: the discussions that he is having with Northerners, do they involve supply and do they involve production? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, as this House will know, public meetings have been held in I think nine communities. The last public hearing was today. I understand there is a wide variety of concerns being expressed. Of course, production of cannabis will be licensed by the federal government under the Cannabis Act. That is the proposed legislation. Thank you.

Well, given that reality, in New Brunswick they have negotiated for nine million grams of cannabis for their province. Does the Minister have an idea of what the supply demands would be in the Northwest Territories and is he working to secure a supply with the distributor?

No, I have no idea what the demand might be, but I have heard that it may be considerable. We have not yet entered into any sort of an agreement, or even contemplated agreements yet with possible suppliers who, of course, must be licensed by the federal government.

If anyone should know what the demands are, it should be the person responsible for this project, and it is pretty shocking that he has no clue whatsoever. I will ask him now: will he do some research, potentially with his colleagues in ITI, to identify what the supply demands are going to be and how we are going to regulate that? This is a significant issue for Northerners, and they expect to receive safe, legal product. It is not just about the issue of legalization and consumption, but it is about these broader issues of supply that he has got no answer for. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to doing this very important work before we go live with cannabis legislation in the Northwest Territories?

Well, it is rather hard to determine what the demand and supply is of an illegal product. I do not know how we will determine that, but I will say that Federal Minister Goodale in speaking to us at the FPT last week estimated that the illegal market in Canada was somewhere between $7 and $9 billion, so I think we can anticipate that the market is significant throughout the country and, perhaps, no less per capita here than elsewhere.