This is page numbers 4399 - 4434 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was family.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Family Violence Awareness Week
Members' Statements

Page 4407

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. [Translation] There is a social norm that affects us all, if not in our own home then in the homes of our families and of our friends. It affects so many of us, mostly women, but not exclusively.

Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of just how complex the issue of family violence is. Even worse, the NWT has the second highest rate of family violence instances in the country. The situation here, in the NWT, is at epidemic proportions.

"Family violence" is any instance where a family member is threatening, intimidating, or using any method to illicit fear. Behaviours can include: physical abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, forcible confinement, and sexual abuse.

It is our duty as legislators, as parents, and as family members to help foster an environment free of fear and free of violence, where the future generations of our children and grandchildren need not suffer in silence, nor live in an environment where abuses, when brought to light, are hushed up and repressed.

At three years into our term, this year's Family Violence Awareness Week is an appropriate time to reflect on what we have done as northern leaders to end the crisis of family violence in the Northwest Territories.

[Translation] Family Violence Awareness Week is an educational and cultural effort to ensure that the citizens of the Northwest Territories are able to identify abusive actions and have the necessary tools to combat and reduce incidents of family violence. Merci, Monsieur le President.

Family Violence Awareness Week
Members' Statements

Page 4407

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Addressing the Issue of Family Violence
Members' Statements

Page 4408

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, family violence commonly happens in a family situation, where there is a relationship between two people. What needs to be understood is the personal wellness of individuals caught up in the cycle of violence. Often alcohol is a major contributor to the incidence of violence and the debilitating legacy of intergenerational trauma because of residential schools.

Mr. Speaker, family violence rates in the Northwest Territories are appalling and at crisis levels. Therefore we made it a part of the mandate of the 18th Assembly.

In 2013, the Northwest Territories' rates of family violence was cited by the Coalition Against Family Violence at nine to 12 times the provincial average. According to Statistics Canada in 2013, the rate of violence against women was nine times the national rate.

In 2014, 75 percent of reported intimate partner violence victims in the three territories were Indigenous, according to a study published in 2016. In 2014, the GNWT reported that 95 percent of those involved in the child welfare system are Indigenous children.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that we all made family violence a priority and will make efforts to address the crisis, particularly developing a plan and allocating resources and personnel and mobilizing to address the crisis.

Mr. Speaker, I have seen some efforts, and I am hopeful that more concrete plans and actions will be undertaken. Programs such as the New Day Program were changed, and the Domestic Violence Treatment Option is somewhere in the department, prominent program initiatives that gave people hope that, yes, the government is doing something.

Mr. Speaker, the government must at least throw a meaningful lifeline to the issue of family violence. I will have questions for the Minister later in the House. Mahsi.

Addressing the Issue of Family Violence
Members' Statements

Page 4408

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Passing of Dennis Buboire
Members' Statements

Page 4408

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Dennis Buboire was a true warrior, battling one disease after another up to his passing on June 23, 2018, at St. Boniface Hospital, with his wife, Gloria, and his son, Levi, at his side.

Dennis was born and raised in Pine Falls, Manitoba; lived and worked in Winnipeg and Thompson, Manitoba; Toronto, Ontario; and most recently, Fort Simpson, NWT.

In 2001, Dennis accepted a position with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Municipal and Community Affairs as a Capital Infrastructure and Works Planning Manager for the Deh Cho region. Fort Simpson was their home for 17 years. I had the honour of knowing Dennis from the first day that he started working for the department. His door was always open, and he enjoyed when people stopped in and chatted with him.

To say he loved and cherished Levi and wifey, Gloria, would be an understatement. I had the opportunity to talk to him about Gloria and Levi at least once a week. He truly loved them both. They were his reason for getting up in the morning, going to work, and, more importantly, why he was excited to go home at lunch and after work.

With Dennis' health failing and keeping a promise to Mama and Papa Law that he would take care of his family meant that he had to bring them home to Winnipeg. Their five-day journey of 2,800 kilometres was extremely difficult for their family. They were home for one week when Dennis was hospitalized with his fourth heart attack.

As a diabetic for 40 years, Dennis had health issues affecting his eyes, heart, kidneys, limbs, and lungs. Even though Dennis was in constant pain, he was always very sociable and had a great sense of humour.

I enjoyed the friendly banter with him, especially about his allowance. At least once every two weeks, he would show me a small amount of money and celebrate that he was being good and his wifey gave him some money.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons Levi, Nicholas, Michael, and Derek; daughters Melissa, Nicole; brother Harry; sisters Linda and Sandra; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and Mama Law, Catherine Hall.

Dennis was preceded by his parents, Antoinette and William Buboire; sister, Bernadette; brother, Larry; and Papa Law, Henry Hall.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at that Fort Simpson Health Centre, Stanton Regional Hospital in Yellowknife, NWT, the University of Alberta Hospital, and, most recently, Saint Boniface Hospital. The family would like to thank Allison de Pelham, Val Gendron, as well as all the people who helped him.

In closing, it saddens me that he passed on. He was an amazing individual, serious sometimes, funny and entertaining other times. However, I am happy that he is feeling no pain and in a better place. I believe he will always be with his family and friends, looking out for us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Passing of Dennis Buboire
Members' Statements

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well as the community. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to people in the gallery. We have with us a class of students here. One of them happens to be my buddy and my son, Ty Lafferty. Welcome to our assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize all the students from Aurora College, the social worker and nursing program, who have joined us today, in particular, my constituent from Kam Lake, Bovina Beaudoin. Thank you for being here today. Thank you.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take a moment to recognize a lot of schools here. We have N.J. Macpherson School, grade 4 and 5 students, and St. Pat's High School, grade 9. I'm not sure which one is your son, but welcome to the gallery.

We also have students from the second year of the social work program and the fourth year of the Bachelor of Science and Nursing program, 22 students and faculty. Welcome. One of the faculty, Susan Fitzky, I recognize. I apologize if I don't recognize the names of the other ones.

I also want to recognize some constituents within that: Lucinda Kanapetradu from Range Lake. I am horrible with names. I am sorry. Kerry Lynn Dunford and Kathie Pender and all nursing students and from the constituency of Range Lake. Welcome to the Legislature.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome some visitors in the gallery from Inuvik. We have Mr. Jozeph Carnigarsky, who is the president of the DGO; Mr. Jimmy Kalinek, well-known drum dancer and snowmobile racer. Always nice to have another McLeod in the Assembly. I would like to recognize Jordan McLeod. I would also like to recognize all the students who are here. I think one in particular is Jasmine Gordon. She is from Inuvik. Welcome to the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

October 24th, 2018

Page 4409

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Berna Matto, who is the South Slavey translator. She'll be here for the duration of the session to provide South Slavey translations. Mahsi.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize of course the students from Aurora College with regard to the social working and nursing programs, in particular Susan Fitzky. She is also a resident of Yellowknife North. Welcome to the House. I would also like to welcome the grade 9 students of St. Pat's, that is my junior high alma mater, and their teacher, Catherine Coolen. Welcome and thank you for being here.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take the opportunity to recognize a number of individuals in the gallery today from Aurora College, in particular some residents of the Great Slave riding, first off, Jenifer Makyanzi, Hosai Ayoubi, and Jessica Landry. Welcome to the gallery, Thank you.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two students from Yellowknife South, Julie Loomis and Shania Clark, and also Jordan McLeod. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Welcome, Clarky, a.k.a "Clarky." Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize one of the nursing students in the gallery, a former co-worker, we just slang popcorn together, Ms. Trista Nault.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4409

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4410

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Jozeph Carnigarsky, Jimmy Kalinek, Jordan McLeod. I just want to say thank you for all the work that you do up in the Beaufort-Delta region, thank them for their leadership, their community involvement, all the volunteering that you do. I really appreciate it and glad you guys can join us here today. Enjoy the proceedings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 4410

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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