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

Mr. Speaker, as part of this government's mandate to diversify the economy to provide greater opportunity for our residents, we are moving forward with our vision to revitalize the Great Slave Lake fishery.

Since the release of our revitalization strategy last year, we have been working to put into place the many elements needed to move our vision forward. We have researched and are confident that the market exists for the unique fresh-water fish that Great Slave Lake can supply. We have identified, with the Tli Cho Cooperative, a viable business plan that will enable current and future NWT fishers to regain their livelihood and benefit from a direct say in the revitalized commercial fishing sector. More importantly, we have met and talked with fishers from both north and south of Great Slave Lake who have expressed approval and support for our plans.

As we prepare to take our next steps, Mr. Speaker, there are five components that will be essential to revitalizing our vision that includes a new fish processing plant in Hay River, run by the fisher's cooperative which can continue to sell to the Fresh Water Fish Marketing Corporation and its successor, as well as direct to market; collection stations in Yellowknife and Fort Resolution, to enable fishers to access quota in other parts of Great Slave Lake balance harvest and increased production; new fishers, to maintain quota and supply and ensure the continued viability of the sector for the future; a marketing strategy that will be develop a new northern brand, identify target

markets, and expanded sales; and new products, such as roe, fresh and frozen fillets, and fertilizer, that will bolster the NWT production, make it more competitive and marketable, and add to its economic value in support of local jobs and opportunities.

If anything, Mr. Speaker, our work to date has shown the importance of being flexible and fully responsive to opportunities and circumstances as they present themselves. To that end, we are moving quickly, in light of the federal government's upcoming year-end, to leverage partnership dollars that will allow us to finance the processing plant that is so pivotal in our revitalization plan. Costs for the plant will depend in part on equipment options. Should all funding be secured, we are prepared to invest as much as $12 million into this critical piece of infrastructure.

We see the signing of the Integrated Bilateral Agreement with Infrastructure Canada as a positive step that opens the door for us to advance our work on the Hay River fish processing plant under the Investing in Canada Plan. In the meantime, we are already working with the Department of Infrastructure on site selection, equipment purchasing, and a tender for a building design.

Mr. Speaker, rebuilding a commercial fishery won't happen overnight. There is still much work to be done. Even as we pursue funding options with the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories was the first to sign on to the new six-year Canadian Fish and Seafood Program Framework Agreement. Our participation in this framework will support the marketing requirements of our strategy and allow us to capitalize on growth opportunities in the Northwest Territories as we transition to a more streamlined and collaborative fish and seafood sector in Canada.

The challenge before us, Mr. Speaker, is to connect and put all of these pieces in place in the next couple of months so that construction can begin in the summer of 2019 and a new fish plant will be ready to go in Hay River for the 2020 fishing season.

I look forward to updating Members of this Legislative Assembly on the progress of this exciting investment that will result in a revitalized and sustainable sector, a renewed livelihood for fishers, greater community wellness, local food production, and added value to the Northwest Territories economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I can feel it. I can feel it in the air. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to provide Members with information on the 2018 Arctic Winter Games, which are being hosted from March 18 to March 24 in the South Slave Region.

The Northwest Territories has been an active participant in the Arctic Winter Games since its inception in 1970. These games are an important celebration of sport and culture for youth from the circumpolar region. We are proud to host the 2018 Games, and we are even more proud of Team NT who will be representing the Northwest Territories.

Team NT will consist of approximately 350 athletes, coaches, cultural performers, and mission staff. Territorial trials were held in December and January in the communities of Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. I would like to congratulate all the participants who tried out for Team NT. These athletes should be applauded for their commitment to their sport, their communities, and to active living.

Team NT will join athletes and cultural performers from Alaska, Yukon, northern Alberta, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik, the Russian province of Yamal, and the northern European region of Sapmi. The Arctic Winter Games play an important role in the development of our athletes. Our youth look forward to the games every two years, for the opportunity to share in competition and cultural exchanges. I am confident that our youth will once again benefit from this experience. Friendships will be formed and our young people will return with many lasting memories.

I would like to extend my thanks to the Sport North Federation, the Territorial sport organizations, regional coordinators, and the many hard-working volunteers who are leaders in our sport system. Without their hard work and the thousands of hours they give, the Arctic Winter Games and many other sporting events would not take place.

I am pleased to confirm that we will also be sponsoring 20 Youth Ambassadors, ranging in age from 16 to 24, who will be assigned volunteer roles in both Hay River and Fort Smith. These young people come from 14 different communities, and they have been preparing since November to represent our territory as part of the host society welcoming the circumpolar world to the South Slave.

Our Youth Ambassadors will have a variety of roles, including athlete care and comfort, food services, medal ceremonies, and providing support to sport venues. I understand they may also have a special role in the opening ceremonies.

Mr. Speaker, each year since 2007 our Youth Ambassador Program has offered an opportunity for Northwest Territories youth to volunteer at a major event such as the Arctic Winter Games. These opportunities help build self-confidence and develop skills, and they provide a way for our youth to learn more about other people and cultures. I am extremely proud of the Northwest Territories Youth Ambassador Program and all of the participants who have humbly served at major events. They are our future leaders.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the South Slave 2018 Arctic Winter Games Host Society, the volunteers in the South Slave Region, and to those who will be travelling from within the Northwest Territories to volunteer. Without these volunteers, the games would not be possible, and it is important to recognize the tremendous work they have done and they will continue doing, during the games and after.

In closing, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to wish Team NT the best of luck at the 2018 Arctic Winter Games. I would also like to reaffirm to them and to all our young northern athletes and volunteers how proud we are of their accomplishments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Thank you to all the volunteers who are making the games a reality. Good luck to all the athletes. Ministers' statements. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Minister of Health and Social Services will be late arriving in the House today due to a personal matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to speak on my biological mother, the Late Monique Sabourin of Fort Providence, in honour of International Women's Day.

Monique Sabourin (nee Lefoin) was an elder featured in the book Nahecho Keh, which was written in the 1980s. Here are her words of experiences: [English translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker, my mother had TB, and I was born at the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton. I was adopted to another family as a child. I was blessed to have had the experience of having two sets of parents in my life. I want to thank my biological mother, the late Monique Sabourin, for making an enriching family life.

She passed away in April 2002. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge an impressive young person of the Nahendeh region, Jonah Sanguez, a resident of Jean Marie River, who is in her second season of trapping. She was taught by her mother and continues striving to learn more about her family's background and living off the land.

Jonah is one of the five young trappers in the NWT awarded a Trapper Recognition Award from the territorial government. The NWT Trapper Recognition Award recognizes the hard work NWT trappers put into their craft and the contribution they make in the Genuine Mackenzie Valley fur Program.

Jonah values being out on the land and learns plenty from her mother, such as hunting, trapping, and survival skills. According to Jonah, inspiration came from her mother's family trapping for many years and her brothers teaching her while growing up. They were always encouraging her to further her knowledge.

Jonah's proudest moment was when she receiving the NWT Trapper Recognition Award this year for all her hard work. The recognition of something that has been passed down for generations in Jonah's family has been an honour for both Jonah and her family.

Although trapping runs in the family, Jonah has faced several obstacles, such as the cold winter temperatures, breaking trail where there wasn't one, and checking traps set 1 kilometre or more away from camp.

The past two years have been memorable for Jonah. After regular participation in traditional teachings and being awarded for her contribution, Jonah looks forward to the many successful years to come.

I would like to thank the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for recognizing trappers across the NWT. Mr. Speaker, we are very fortunate to have young individuals advocating these principles in our communities. On the behalf of the region, mahsi cho and congratulations, Jonah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to reflect on the debate we had a year ago about the introduction of junior kindergarten. Much of the discussion at that time concerned funding, but I also talked about the impact junior kindergarten would have on existing early childhood development programs. I was concerned that parents would have fewer choices for their four-year-olds. In fact, a year later, that is the case here in Yellowknife. I'm also concerned that pouring resources into JK has diminished what's available for children up to three years old.

Mr. Speaker, the introduction of junior kindergarten has pushed Ecole St. Joseph School to maximum classroom capacity within their school, and Weledeh isn't far behind. ECE has agreed to increase capacity at St. Joe's by investing $1.5 million in portable classrooms. This isn't counted as a cost of JK, but it is.

The uptake in junior kindergarten has resulted in the loss of one classroom of 16 children at the Montessori School in Yellowknife, and they may lose another one in the fall. They are trying to stay viable by offering after-school and full-day care on professional development days.

There have also been changes at the Yellowknife Play School. Children are a lower average age, and that's resulted in adjustments, including a new focus on toilet training and purchasing age-appropriate play resources. Mornings are well attended, but afternoons have been harder to fill, resulting in an overall drop in income, the board says.

Mr. Speaker, there have also been significant changes at the Aboriginal Head Start programs. They have lost most of their four-year-olds, so their total numbers are down, and their funding is down as a result. Some programs have had challenges, but they continue as community-based language and culture programs for children ages zero to three. It's worth noting, in this context, that JK is still not fully funded for Aboriginal language and culture, with an overall shortfall of $300,000 across the NWT. Until that's resourced, Mr. Speaker, the Minister has not met his promise to fully fund JK.

Mr. Speaker, it is by no means all bad news. ECE reports that 85 per cent of four-year-olds across the NWT are enrolled in JK, and they attend eight days out of 10. That gives parents an opportunity to set children up for success at school. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What parents don't have is as much choice in programming for their four-year-olds. JK is rapidly becoming the only option. I'm also concerned that it may be using up resources that used to be ear-marked for early childhood development programs for children up to three years old. I'll have questions for the Minister. Mahsi.

Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it feels like spring has come early to the Mackenzie Delta. This means that ice roads will probably see a shorter season. Mr. Speaker, last year, the access toward Aklavik closed early due to warm weather, and this year the Department of Infrastructure increased the minimum ice thickness requirements for the operation of ice roads. Increasing the minimum ice thickness means a longer wait for the road to open and a shorter season to use it.

Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Aklavik has three projects on the go that were scheduled to be completed by Christmas. The use of the road is required in order to bring in supplies, but the road opened later than usual after the ice thickness requirements were changed, and these projects are still delayed. I commend the Department of Infrastructure in reconsidering requirements for safe operation of ice roads, but shorter seasons mean that our communities need to wait longer to get groceries and supplies, and our businesses are suffering.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to see the Department of Infrastructure implement flexible requirements, such as allowing personal vehicles that are lighter to go on the road earlier than heavier semis and tanker trucks, or even consider reversing the thicknesses required, given that not all ice is the same.

Mr. Speaker, shorter seasons due to a changing climate are made worse with the increase of the required ice thicknesses to operate ice roads. These changes have deep impacts, deep effects in communities that are not connected by land year-round. I urge the Department of Infrastructure to reconsider options for increasing the ice road season so that ice roads are kept open longer, and our communities have enough time to get resupplied. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have questions later today.

Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in approximately four and a half months, Canada will be lifting a 95-year prohibition on cannabis and will formally legalize the recreational use of cannabis nation-wide. This will truly be a monumental moment for both our country and for the world, because Canada will become only the second country in the world to legalize consumption and sale of recreational cannabis.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, I believe this move by the federal government is a smart one. Simply put, prohibition has not worked. I am glad that our country is finally ending the criminalization of people over cannabis. The lives of countless people have been disrupted due to harsh penalties for cannabis-related offences, as many people have received criminal records and have faced jail time for minor, non-violent drug offences.

Mr. Speaker, I must also state that there are aspects of the legalization that I think have been overlooked. I am referring specifically to amnesty for those who have been criminalized for cannabis-related offences. What will happen to people who are presently in jail for marijuana-related offences? Is Canada ready to modify sentences to let people out of jail? Will Canada pardon, suspend, or expunge criminal records related to marijuana?

Mr. Speaker, we can look at California as an example. In 2016, California legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and contained within their legislation was a provision that enables people with prior marijuana convictions to be able to apply to the courts to have their convictions dismissed. This resulted in thousands of cannabis convictions dismissed from people's records and many people released from jails with reduced prison sentences.

Mr. Speaker, according to a recent poll by Nanos Research, 62 per cent of Canadians said they support pardons for people with marijuana possession convictions. There have also been numerous organizations, law firms, and advocates who have been urging the federal government to provide cannabis amnesty. I sincerely hope that if, in fact, our federal government does decide to provided cannabis amnesty, then our government here in the Northwest Territories will follow suit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Today, my Member's statement is going to be about expansion of Ecole Allain St-Cyr, and I'm going to attempt it in French. [English translation starts] today it's good news in my Member's Statement. For anyone driving or walking along Taylor Road here in Yellowknife, something new is happening. The long awaited expansion of Ecole Allain St-Cyr is underway and the work space has now been closed in. When completed, this work will finally give francophone students in Yellowknife access to the same facilities enjoyed by other children in our community. This was a very long process that included court challenges, negotiations, a lot of planning, and many funding applications. I congratulate the Commission scolaire francophone Territoires du Nord-Ouest, Association, Association des parents ayants droit de Yellowknife, all the parents and students who have patiently waited, the Departements of Education, Culture and Employment and Infrastructure, and the contractors working on the project.

The expansion will include a gymnasium with a wooden floor that is up the standards required, a stage, an industrial kitchen and another specialized classroom. These new facilities will be made available to the community as a whole when they are completed, just as the school itself is now available and has been used for public events such as the Aurora Fiddle Society weekend workshops. The expansion should also assist in student retention that allows Ecole Allain St-Cyr to compete with other Yellowknife High Schools. [English translation ends].

Merci, Monsieur le president.

Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, climate change is the most pervasive, overarching issue of our time. It is the one thing that is having a significant impact on everything else, and whether we like it or not, no government or community, no business or industry, and no individual or household will be able to avoid its impacts, and it's going to cost us big dollars.

Those costs are already beginning to add up, Mr. Speaker. When water levels are lower, our hydro generation is less efficient, so we have no choice but to pay more for diesel. When our forests burn at an unprecedented rate, we have no choice but to protect communities and property. When shorelines erode, we have no option but to pay to relocate houses, repair roads, and fix the damage. When permafrost thaws, we have no choice but to spend more on heating piles and rollercoaster highways.

Mr. Speaker, these impacts are already upon us, and with them, the incredibly high costs of repair. Frankly, these costs are not going away. In fact, they will continue to grow for some time. The only viable solution, Mr. Speaker, is to do everything possible to reduce our carbon footprint. Let's embrace new technologies like solar and wind power, so that we burn less fossil fuel. Let's support energy retrofit programs for our houses and buildings to save on energy use. Let's stop assuming that nuclear is a bad topic. Molten-salt reactors have the potential to deliver affordable, clean, and safe energy that could support the mining industry without endangering the climate.

Mr. Speaker, initiatives like these are essential as we move into the future, and we will have to find the money for it while we adjust to paying the new carbon tax. While that tax is federally mandated, we have the opportunity to design the regime to suit our specific needs.

It is imperative that our carbon tax system supports the transitions we need to make, Mr. Speaker. Industry, transportation, and households need support to make the changes that will lead to a low carbon future. The revenues from a new carbon tax must go back to them to help them make those changes. Anything less, and we will be failing our children's future and letting down the next generation.

At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to speak on the issue of climate change as my honourable friend, the Member for Yellowknife North did. Everyone from Her Majesty the Queen to His Holiness the Pope have addressed climate change as the key crisis facing the planet and future generations. I'm really pleased to see so many leaders in the world step up. Just 10 years ago, there was a still a debate on job-killing carbon taxes, and now everyone from industry to the grassroots are calling for carbon pricing as a method to curb carbon emissions and ultimately reduce the impact of our industries, our homes, and our communities have on increasing the rates of climate change.

Northerners and Canadians know that polluting isn't free. Here in the Northwest Territories we are affected most by climate change. All of the Arctic is subject to extreme shifts in weather over recent years, and we have to do our part. I hear from a lot of people that carbon tax will be a hardship and potentially exemptions need to be sought. We need to find ways to get out of it. I hear that from this government as well, and I think we need to do our part to ensure that the cost of living is not made unbearable by Northerners.

We can't afford to have people leaving our communities. They deserve to have a stable and prosperous North for themselves and their families, but at the same time, we need to show real leadership and find a way to embrace the carbon pricing system that will protect our environment and show to the rest of Canada and the world that we are part of a progressive movement to address climate change definitively and to protect our future and the future of future generations as well.

I believe we can do that. I know we can do that. I know my colleague, the honourable Minister of Finance, is working diligently towards this. My questions for them later today are going to be where he is at. Even though I know from my work on standing committees, a lot of work is going on. I think the public deserve an update because they have questions, and I want to answer those questions with information I can provide them. Let's see if we can get it on the floor of the House. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Pages we have from Aklavik. In my riding, we have Tristen Elanik and Tisha Koe; also chaperone, Liz Wright. I would like to welcome you to the House and hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Yellowknife North constituent Arlene Hache and thank her for all the many years of service that she has provided in social advocacy. Thank you, and welcome. Thank you for being here.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize two Pages today working this week in the House, Phoenix Crevier-Walsh and Harvey Havioyak-Kaladhok. Thank you for what you are doing.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Arlene Hache, who is here as the Yellowknife representative for the Northwest Territories Status of Women Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Page from Yellowknife South, Liam Butte, and also all of the other Pages who have worked here these past few weeks. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Premier. Yes, we are nearing the end of our session, so thank you to all of the Pages who have endured with us over the past six weeks. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I, too, want to welcome all of the visitors in the gallery. One who doesn't want to be recognized, so I won't mention her name, as well as Debra Richards, a new constituency assistant. I don't think people realize how vital constituency assistants are to what we do. They are the first point of contact often for constituents and they are integral to our system of government, so welcome. Of course, Ms. Arlene Hache, welcome. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, acknowledgments. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to follow up some questions dating back to May 31 and October 20 of 2016 with the Minister for Lands. There seems to be some confusion around the issue, and I would like to try to clear it up once and for all. With the changes with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the creation of Lands, can the Minister please advise us: does the department has all the files as it pertains to equity leases at Cassidy Point? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't speak for all of the files. I do know that the 41 properties out at Cassidy Point, those files are in the hands and have been reviewed by the Lands Department. I can't speak to other files in other departments from that area. Thank you.

I thank the Minister for clearing that up. In regard to the commitment made by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs in 1992, was this commitment made in an email or letter to all the residents and lease holders at Cassidy Point?

Yes, there was a commitment made many years ago to the Cassidy Point Prosperous Lake Lease Holders Association. That has been supported by the previous Minister of Lands in the 17^th Legislative Assembly. I'm not certain which department or which person actually made that commitment.

I am not looking for the person or persons who made that commitment. I am asking if the Minister is aware that there was a commitment made to the leaseholder, whether it was made in an email or a letter to the leaseholder.

I am not certain as to the manner in which the commitment was made, but I do know that a commitment was made which the government is prepared to honour, and has been honouring.

Thank you. Final question. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the House, the Minister was reading a document, and he said he couldn't share this document with us, so I guess I am a little confused and maybe he can clarify that: was this document that he was reading an email or a letter to the leaseholders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Unfortunately, I can't remember which document I was referring to; however, I can look into that and get some more information to the Member opposite. Thank you.

Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the federal government has put in place a carbon backstop for jurisdictions that don't embrace their own carbon pricing model. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance if he can speak to ongoing negotiations with the federal government over carbon pricing, and whether or not he has prepared our own carbon pricing model for implementation here in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been working on our own carbon price modelling, and as we all know, the federal government has backstopped. They plan on implementing that backstop if the jurisdictions don't come up with their own modelling, so we have come up with some modelling, and we have updated committee on our approach with it. Once we have our discussions with the federal government, then we will be able to share that information.

The deadline the federal government is calling for is March 31^st. Will the Minister be prepared to implement our carbon plan before that deadline?

We are just in the final stages of our modelling. We still need to have discussions with the federal government. Of course, at the end of the day, our goal is to mitigate the impact it is going to have on people in the Northwest Territories. Again, once we have had those discussions, once we have more information to share, we will make it all public because the public needs to know. We can't pre-empt our discussions with the federal government and release it to the public just yet.

I appreciate that we don't want to potentially impact the negotiations that would result in the backstop. I don't support the backstop model. I think we need our own made-in-the-North model. Can the Minister assure us that we will get a made-in-the-North model, and we won't be forced to accept the unfavourable backstop model that is being proposed by Ottawa, unfavourable to people in the Northwest Territories and my constituents?

Well, I can assure the Member and all Members and the public that the NWT government is going to have a made-in-the-NWT approach to it, because we do want to mitigate the impact it is going to have on the high cost of living and doing business in the Northwest Territories. Also, I can add that the Northern Premiers have had some discussions. They all have some concerns with the federal backstop, as well. They have had their discussions, and they will continue to do so. As we move further into the process, I will continue to update committee and update Members of the House.

Thank you. Final question. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that assurance. As the Minister knows, the Prime Minister of Canada committed to allow the NWT to keep all the revenues raised from the carbon tax. I have heard the Minister say that there is going to be a program that will mitigate any new taxes that will impact our already too high cost of living, but that other important piece of public policy is leading the way forward to a green economy with renewable energies and less carbon-intensive industry. Is the Minister proposing a carbon plan that will do that as well? Because the only thing I heard in his past statements was mitigating the impacts of this on people's bottom line. That's important, but we also need to grow this economy towards a green, clean energy economy. Can the Minister answer if that is part of the plan? Thank you.

The Member is correct. I mean, we have looked at a number of different options as to how we are going to roll this out. A lot of the feedback we got from the engagement, there were a lot of suggestions in there as to what we could do with the revenue from the carbon pricing. We have looked at a number of different options. I have laid out some of those options to committee. I am looking for some feedback from committee as to our approach going forward, but again, I can assure the Member and members of the public is that our government is doing what we can to mitigate the impact not on the cost of living but on the cost of doing business, and the potential for investments into a greener economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank my colleague the honourable Member from Kam Lake for the warm-up. My questions are to the Minister of Finance, and I am going to go down the same lines as it relates to my Member's statement on carbon taxation today. I appreciate the work that the Minister is doing, and especially with his federal counterparts, and I recognize that nothing is written in stone yet, and I certainly don't want to compromise any negotiations that are going on between the two governments. Can the Minister begin to tell us, at least, how he might be planning to structure the carbon tax revenue to help NWT residents and, in particular, businesses to transition into cleaner technologies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Minister of Finance.

Yes, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I pointed out before, we have been doing some modelling. We have got a lot of feedback on our approach to carbon pricing and the effects it is going to have on the people of the Northwest Territories. I would prefer not to get into too much detail right now as to the work we are doing, because we have had discussions with committee. We need to have the discussions with the federal government, and I don't want to pre-empt or jeopardize any discussions that we might have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the difficult position that the Minister is in. It seems that we will maybe get some repetitive answers, but this is the nature of question period. I am going to put another one to the Minister as it relates to people that are of lower income, lesser income, sometimes a struggle with new forms of taxes. Let's get off what the deal is between the federal government and the territorial government, and just maybe ask the Minister what the Minister intends to do with any form of a newfound tax as it relates to lowering, the impacts it will have with folks with lower income levels. Will there be rebates or income assistance or what have you that will be available for these folks?

The federal government has come up with the carbon pricing. They have a federal backstop. I think the Member previous to you spoke on federal backstop and his non-support of it. If we went with the federal backstop, then the costs would be a lot higher. We are coming up with a made-in-the-North approach. That is going to look at a number of different groups across the Northwest Territories, and I assured the Member previous that we are going to do what we can, we will do what we can, to mitigate the effects of carbon pricing on all levels of people in the Northwest Territories. It is high on the radar of the Northern Premiers. They have had those discussions. We continue to have our discussions with Ottawa. In fact, I think I have just lined up a meeting for the end of the month with my federal counterpart, so we will continue to have those discussions.

Again, getting into the detail, once we have those discussions and I share the results of those discussions with committee, then we will be able to have more public dialogue on this issue.

One last question that I have for the Minister, then, today. It is a little bit relevant to what is going on between our two respective governments. More so, it is about investing in new technologies. I am just hoping that, at the end of the day, the Minister, this government, can commit to transformational investments that will really affect our ability to lessen the impacts on climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Is the government looking at transformational-type change? Are they looking at things such as nuclear molten-salt reactors, and of course, connecting to the southern grid and providing much cheaper, affordable power to the North?

We are. The government is always looking at transformational projects and ways we can lower the high cost of doing business and living in the Northwest Territories. We continue to do that. I think the federal government has made it a priority of theirs, too. They have made a lot of investment in infrastructure across Canada, and the NWT has our proposals in to get our share of some of that funding. We are looking at a number of different projects that would help offset our greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of living. Again, as we go further into the process, I would be glad to keep committee updated as to the work we are going and seek their feedback.

Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. I have great hope that JK is going to improve student readiness for school and ultimately their success. I am sure the Minister does, too. How is the development of students in JK going to be evaluated and when? Mahsi.

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One way that we are measuring the evaluation of four-year-olds in the education system is through our early development instrument. Later on, we have the middle development instrument that we are introducing into the schools and, obviously, ultimately, at the end of the school year, the graduation rates either from elementary school or even through high school. There are other areas that we are looking. Mainly, it is the early development instrument to make sure we watch the progress and then re-evaluate again at the middle development instrument. I agree with the Member that I do believe this is going to have an impact in all of our schools and our education and the development of our students in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to the Minister for that response. Student achievement is one measure of this program, but I also have questions about value for money. I am wondering if there are other measures that the Minister is going to consider for junior kindergarten.

There are other ways. One way was: everyone knows that junior kindergarten is optional. For the parents, single parents, even, who enter their four-year-olds into the junior kindergarten system, I did mention that it saves the families anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 per year. On the family side of things, it is economically having an impact on some of the families across the Northwest Territories. Also, areas that we are able to help the junior kindergarten classrooms, as well as Aboriginal Head Start, they were able to access the $5,000 one-time funding to get pay-based materials into the school. Other than that, that is really it.

I wonder if the Minister could tell us what the ratio of funding is for early childhood development initiatives, ages birth to three, versus the funding available for school?

This year, when we fully implemented junior kindergarten throughout the territory, we had a budget in the 2017-2018 school year of $5.2 million. Our ECD budget throughout the territory was set at $8.91 million. I don't have the ratio of the education authorities to ECD. Our JK funding to ECD ratio is 1 to 1.7. In this upcoming budget for 2018-2019, we will have a junior kindergarten budget of $6 million. We will also have an ECD budget of $11.6 million throughout the territory. We are making very vast investments and improvements in how we operate with early childhood programs in the Northwest Territories, as well as our support for junior kindergarten throughout the NWT.

Final question, Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the detail the Minister was able to provide in his answer. I guess my last question is about the funding for early childhood development initiatives. I understand that there is money from Canada coming for early childhood development. Could the Minister talk about how that is going to be spent? Thank you.

The Member is right. We do have an agreement that we have signed. We are just waiting for the announcement from the Government of Canada that will increase the amount of funding we will have in the Northwest Territories. As I mentioned in this House, we have 11 communities that don't have any early childhood programming outside junior kindergarten that we implemented in the school.

We want to ensure that we put a focus on those communities that currently don't have early childhood programming and also continue to sustain other daycare spaces and daycare programs throughout the Northwest Territories so that we do have accessible and affordable childcare in all 33 of our communities in the Northwest Territories. Getting into more detail of how we are going to spend that money, once the announcement is made, I will brief committee. I have made that offer to brief committee once that announcement is made. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I would like to recognize some visitors we have in the gallery before they take off. I believe the grade 9 class from Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife. Welcome. It is always nice to have an audience. I like to see when the youth are engaged. Welcome. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to follow up on a motion that we passed unanimously in this House on October 20^th of last year. It was with regard to an apology and compensation for damages from the Giant Mine. I would like to know whether the Premier has had a chance to write the letter to the Prime Minister as contemplated in the motion and whether he can table that letter in the House before the end of this sitting. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I did write a letter to the Prime Minister as contemplated in the motion of October 20, 2017. I will be tabling that letter probably tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank the Premier for the follow-up on the motion. I would like to know whether there has been a response from the Prime Minister of Canada to that letter and whether that response can be tabled in the House before the end of this sitting, as well.

The Prime Minister has responded. The letter will be tabled likely tomorrow, as well.

While I am on a roll here, I want to thank the Premier for that, as well. It would be good to know if negotiations have started and whether there is a target date or any other kind of details on the process. Can the Premier tell us whether he is aware of any further progress on the issue of an apology and compensation for the damages from the Giant Mine?

The Prime Minister in his response indicated and advised that he was forwarding my letter to the Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and that since then, it is my understanding that the Regional Director General for the Department of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs has agreed to enter into discussions with the Yellowknives Dene First Nations and is working with the chiefs to schedule a meeting.

Final question. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Three for three. Let's go for four for four. Again, I want to thank the Premier for that. That's really great news. This is something people in this community worked long and hard for, so I really appreciate the response from the Premier.

GNWT is a co-proponent under the Giant Mine Environmental Agreement, and it's also a partner in the remediation of the site, not a financial partner, we will be clear on that, through the 2005 Cooperation Agreement. Our staff have a lot of knowledge and information about Giant Mine and its impacts. Can the Premier tell us whether our staff will be supporting the work on an apology and compensation, and whether they have begun to be engaged on this issue? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

I'm not aware that our staff have been directly engaged as of yet, but we have a very good working relationship with the federal Department of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. We will endeavour to engage with them, so that we continue to stay on top of this issue and help facilitate a resolution that we are able to do so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I talked about the amnesty for people who have been charged with marijuana offenses in the Northwest Territories. I recognize that this is a federal government initiative at this point. At some point, the GNWT will be engaged. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice if the department has statistically reviewed the situation or the numbers of people who have been charged with criminal offenses due to marijuana. Thank you.

Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise that the department does not keep statistics on the number of Northwest Territories residents with convictions for simple possession or otherwise, and it may be that some of them will have convictions arising from other jurisdictions. I was looking at an article, however, on Andre Picard, which seemed to indicate there was still a large number of people across Canada being charged. He indicated in that article that, as I read it, there were more than 40,000 convictions, or charges, rather, cannabis-related charges laid in 2016. So there are a large number of people who are still being charged. I'm assuming that some of them are Northwest Territories residents, but we don't have those statistics. Thank you.

Even without statistics, I would like to ask the Minister if there has been any discussion with his department on how to handle I guess it's going to be a huge number of individuals who have been charged, in the case I spoke up in my Member's statement about, with possession as the Minister indicates. I was wondering if there were any discussions at all at the departmental level pertaining to that.

As I have mentioned previously, this matter is primarily a federal one. I do know that, some time ago, the Departments of Justice and ECE established a program whereby clients on social assistance could receive financial assistance to obtain a record suspension, which is the modern term for a probation.

As I say, there may be a lot of applications for record suspensions, or a pardon, rather, coming ahead. Unfortunately, it does seem that there are still a large number of charges being laid. As I mentioned previously, tens of thousands of charges are still being laid. I don't think the federal government is contemplating any change in their policy with respect to pardons for marijuana charges until after the current legislation, regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis comes into effect.

I do realize that we are talking about the legal stuff here, but had there been any discussions, like at some point, we must begin to talk about what's going to be coming in July. I would like to know if there have been any discussions between the Minister and his colleagues in Cabinet.

Of course, I cannot discuss the details of what is discussed in Cabinet. However, we do realize this is a live issue, and it is a live issue for the federal government also. I do know that, as recently as earlier this year, and I'm reading a story in the press that the Federal Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, said the government is examining the implication of possible pardons or record suspensions. This is an issue mainly at the federal level, and I think we could all say we are expecting some movement by them with respect to the issue of passed convictions, but time will tell.

Thank you. Final question. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm asking these questions because it does certainly have an impact on individuals for jobs, employment, travel, and many other things. When an individual who has a criminal record is appearing at the border, for example, whether or not they are able to across the border could depend upon the type of criminal offense they have on their record. I would like to ask the Minister if he could commit to starting to have discussions with the other Ministers who have some involvement in creating employment and having the growth of our economy in the territory so that they have that discussion, so that when July 1 comes and the legislation is passed that this government would be more prepared than not prepared. Thank you.

Yes, it has been a challenge for this government to prepare for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis. Certainly, I am willing to discuss these matters with my colleagues in Cabinet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a follow-up to my Member's statement. A little background is, in the past, the ice roads opened at a weight limit of 25 millimetres and today, the changes that were made were, you now have to have 35 millimetres to open roads. I would like to ask the Minister: will the Minister be more flexible as we tend to have colder weather in the Mackenzie Delta compared to the southern part of our territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. The Minister of Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope the Member is not talking about this winter. I think the Mackenzie Delta has been warmer than years. I will have to check into the significant change from 25 millimetre to the 35 millimetre for operation of the ice roads, but I do know, and I have said it in this House a number of times, safety is our number one priority for residents of the Northwest Territories.

We have guidelines for safe construction of ice roads in the Northwest Territories and I will endeavour to have a look into why the change took place from 25 to 35 millimetres. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Last spring, as we are all aware, the ice road closed quicker on the ice road to Aklavik. It was due to a little open section of water. Mr. Speaker, all we had to do at the time was block off a section of that road to ensure that vehicles didn't go near that open water, which was just alongside the road. Will the Minister block off any open sections along the ice road this spring, rather than closing the road all together?

Well, first of all, I'll say no to that, just to protect myself. There are a number of circumstances that have to be taken into consideration on the closure of these ice roads. One of the things is, as I said, we have a guideline around how we operate the ice roads in the Northwest Territories. Climate change is impacting how the Government of the Northwest Territories operates and how we build and maintain these ice crossings in the NWT, and it's become a significant challenge. Even this year, we're having some challenges right now with a number of overflow issues on a number of the roads. They're going to actually bring the cost up of operating these things continually as we go forward. I think the Member from Yellowknife mentioned that in his comments about climate change, how it's affecting us. We have warmer water that is flowing under the ice, and it can degrade the ice surface, the thickness of it, and it's not visible to the naked eye, and people assume that the road is -- just because the ice conditions look on the surface as they can be operated and it's cool out, warmer waters and river currents and stuff are having an effect on these things, and we have to continue to monitor them, and we will continue to do that, but safety is our number one priority.

The Minister talked about increased costs. Maybe if the Minister would listen to some of the things that we're trying to let them know of to bring the costs down, maybe those costs would be half of what they are today. Like heat trace, for example. The other question I had was: our contractors up in the area have years of experience with these conditions, and even your colleague next to you knows of this area that we're talking about, and over the years, it's been the same conditions in that area, and the people have a lot of traditional knowledge in that area. This spring, I'm sure, we may have to do it again, but will the Minister ensure that the department tests the ice in that area to ensure it's safe? If we have to block off a little section of the road, maybe a quarter or half, then, especially for light transfer, because it is safe for light traffic? To let residents, give them time to stock up for the spring. They don't have access to that road until next fall.

I agree, the contractors have a lot of experience in that region building these ice roads. It's been the same contractors off and on for a number of years, but at the end of the day, I'm the Minister whose head is on the line here if something happens. Safety is our number one priority. We will continue to monitor the situation going forward. I can talk to the department if there are any issues arising right now on that section of highway in the Northwest Territories. As I've said, I know that a number of our ice roads have challenges right now, and as you can see by the weather outside, it's going to increase. When it's plus six in Hay River right now, there are challenges right across the board, but safety is our number one priority. I will talk to our department. We'll have our superintendent have a look at the road and make sure it's safe to operate for everybody.

Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up with questions to the Minister of Lands. Can the Minister explain to this House how the Yellowknives Dene First Nations were consulted in regards to the land at Cassidy Point? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do know that there was consultation, and I just want to make sure I get my dates right. In December, formal consultation, December 2014, that is, the department sent formal consultation letters regarding the possible fee simple transfer to the Akaitcho Territory Dene First Nations, ADFN, Northwest Territories Metis Nation, North Slave Metis Alliance, and Tlicho government. Copies of the letters were also sent to the Yellowknives Dene First Nation chiefs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I'm a little bit concerned. This started in 1992, and if I heard the Minister say it correctly, it was 2014 when we consulted with the First Nations, so maybe he'll have to clarify that a little bit later. I guess my concern is, my understanding is that the Yellowknives Dene did not support the sale of this area to lease holders. So how was the government able to move forward with this commitment?

My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that when the letters were sent out on December 14, 2014, to the groups that I have already mentioned, the consultation period with respect to those letters ended on February 3, 2015, which would have been about 60 days later; and by that time, no Aboriginal governments responded to either support or object to the proposal.

I find it hard to believe that the First Nations would not object to this, but I guess I'll go on to my next question. Has the government of the GNWT compensated the Yellowknives Dene First Nations for taking these pieces of land and for that happening?

As I mentioned, letters were sent out to the groups I mentioned, and no responses, negatively or positively, were received by February 3, 2015, which, as I said, was approximately 60 days later. No compensation has been paid, as I understand it, to this point.