This is page numbers 3939 - 3964 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 indigenous.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize the language board members. Welcome to everybody, especially three of my constituents, Joshua Oliktoak from Ulukhaktok, Emily Kudlak from Ulukhaktok, and Betty Elias from Tuktoyaktuk, as well as my relative Ann Peters, who is somewhere in here. Welcome, everybody, and have a good weekend. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 3943

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

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Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a page from Yellowknife South, Jaida Dowe, and also thank all the pages that are here this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 3943

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too want to recognize some pages from the riding of Yellowknife North that will be assisting us during this sitting. I want to recognize Christopher Mathison, Ellie Mia Taylor, Ramanda Castillo, and Thomas Willoughby. Thank you for your work, and we would be lost without you. Welcome to the House. Thank you.

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

Page 3943

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

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Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, me too, I would like to rise and recognize the language board members that are here and thank them for the work that they do in terms of initiating revitalization projects throughout the Northwest Territories. I would like to especially recognize Jonas Landry, a constituent of mine from Fort Providence who got to go through training; also, Sarah Gargan from K'atlodeeche but from Hay River. I would like to welcome them to the House. Mahsi.

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

Page 3943

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

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Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a former Inuvik resident working here in Yellowknife, Mr. David Bob, as well as Richard Latourneau and Diana Marie-Jacobson. I will also take the opportunity to just thank the official board members for all the work, dedication, and passion that you guys have for languages. Mahsi.

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

Page 3944

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

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

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Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Karen Mitchell, who is marked down as from Yellowknife but is originally from Fort McPherson. I would also like to take this time to thank her for all the work that she has done for the Gwich'in language. Mahsi cho.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

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

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm sorry if I garbled anyone's name earlier. They always give the MLA for Hay River South easy names, but I failed to mention my constituent, Ms. Myrtle Graham, is with us today, and I would like to wish her a happy birthday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 3944

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we are missing anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It's always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the global population grows, the climate changes and Arctic ecosystems experience unprecedented warming. Marine shipping companies have continued to expand operations through the Arctic as a result of increased traffic. One of the concerns that have been raised at the international levels is a prevalent use of heavy fuel oil, or HFO, that fuels marine vessels, as well as a lack of infrastructure in the Arctic, such as deep sea ports, small and medium craft harbours. This is something that needs to be addressed by the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, Inuit and Indigenous people that live in the Arctic, working together to ensure our communities and the people are prepared as traffic increases in the Northwest Passage.

HFO is dangerous in that it is several times more polluting than other forms of fuel. For instance, HFO spills are 50 times more toxic to fish than medium and light crude oil spills. HFO produces higher amounts of black carbon than other fuels, which is the second-largest contributor to climate change after CO2. In 2012, more than 75 per cent of the fuel mass of the vessels in the Arctic was composed of HFOs. Recognizing the dangers of HFO, it has been banned in Antarctica, Mr. Speaker. However, in the Arctic, there are no regulations.

The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, is the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. As part of its work in developing international shipping-related regulations to prevent pollution of marine environments, the use of HFO in the Arctic is currently a topic of concern. This is especially true for Inuit and Indigenous people that live in the Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, there are currently no independent organizations to represent the Arctic and Indigenous peoples at the IMO. This means that the Inuit and Indigenous groups who will be most affected by the potential setting of new international policy have no direct say in how Arctic policy is developed. Instead, Indigenous groups must rely on United Nations member states to effect change.

Indigenous knowledge plays a fundamental role in Inuit culture. Without adequate representation at the IMO, Inuit voices are not heard and Indigenous knowledge is not considered, leading to potential policies that do not take into consideration the views of those who will ultimately be the most impacted.

There currently exists a gap in setting international Arctic policies, where Indigenous knowledge of Arctic Indigenous people is not considered. Until a better solution is found, Inuit and other Indigenous groups continue to partner with Arctic states to carry our voice as we regulate marine shipping. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Small Community Employment
Members' Statements

May 25th, 2018

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Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the unfair allocation of capital resources by this government. For three terms, Mr. Speaker, I have been asking this government to increase spending in smaller communities. In addition and as a mandate of this government to create employment where jobs where needed most, all one has to do is to examine some Northwest Territories statistics to know that our smaller communities are where jobs are needed most.

Mr. Speaker, over the years, I have asked this government to work with our small communities on a wide variety of community projects and strategic spending items. Some of these include building more access roads around the communities, building a new healthcare centre in Lutselk'e, building a new school in Detah, all of which would stimulate our economy by creating new jobs and improving services.

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I have asked for a more economic and feasible way of allowing seniors to age in place in their homes and in their communities. This could be done by increasing homecare services and making seniors' homes barrier-free. Instead, Mr. Speaker, this government is choosing to invest in more expensive models of senior care by building long-term care facilities in Hay River, Inuvik, and Yellowknife. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Speaker, I think that these long-care facilities will be needed by our government, but, for a government that is struggling to increase revenues, it is very apparent that other economic alternatives are needed.

Mr. Speaker, there is a proven and acceptable economic model that shows that, if you put people to work, the government will see returns of at least $2.50 for every dollar that is spent.

Mr. Speaker, Ministers have told me that this point is true but that the returns were too long-term, and the government often chooses to prioritize short-term returns. Indeed, some of this spending does take time to return results. As an example, in the last 15 years, the percentage of high school graduates has gone up by 35 per cent.

Mr. Speaker, investments that produce more immediate returns can be seen in things such as healthcare costs. It is a fact that a higher individual income means a healthier life. Moreover, other immediate returns can be found through investing and other prevailing social issues such as social housing, mental health and addiction services, which take cost pressures off health care, justice and income support. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Small Community Employment
Members' Statements

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Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Many of our people either end up homeless or incarcerated due to the high rates of alcoholism, drug addiction, and a chronic lack of employment opportunities. Overall, Mr. Speaker, there are many initiatives that this government can do that can help turn things around and improve the quality of life for the people of the NWT. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Small Community Employment
Members' Statements

Page 3945

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

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

Union of Northern Workers Negotiations
Members' Statements

Page 3945

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've avoided making public comments about the ongoing negotiations between this government and the UNW, because I've been under the assumption that both sides are working in good faith towards an agreement. However, I've seen nothing in the past two and a half years to indicate that a deal will ever be reached. It's beginning to look like a strike is more likely than a timely resolution, so I can't keep quiet any longer.

Just look at the centerpiece of the last offer from this government: a 0.1 per cent wage increase over their previous offer. That's the negotiating equivalent of saying, "Here's a quarter. Call someone who cares." Of course, there's more than one party to the negotiations, so it might not be fair to put all the blame on the government. However, I've spoken with a lot of UNW members, and they're more than willing to negotiate. They're aware of the hit that the economy has taken, and they see the struggles that the private sector is facing, so they're not looking to fleece the government. They're just looking for a fair deal, and I know their leadership is aware of that.

Regardless, I'm not here to provide oversight of the UNW. I'm here to make sure that this government is working in the best interests of the people, and I don't think that Cabinet's strict adherence to their untenable offer is in the people's best interest. It's clear to everyone that it won't lead to a deal. What the government's position is doing is alienating its employees, putting their backs up against the wall, and making a strike seem like their only recourse.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that a strike won't do anyone any good. It won't be good for the public. We already struggle to provide services, and a strike will only make things worse. It won't be good for government employees. They have bills to pay just like everyone else, and not all of them will be able to make those payments on strike pay. It won't be good for the private sector, either. Government contracts will dry up, and, if people aren't working, they won't be spending money.

To be clear, I'm not taking a position on whether the union should strike or not. It's their right to do so if they see fit, and I'm confident they wouldn't do so unless they deem it absolutely necessary. What I am doing is telling Cabinet to get their act together and get back to the negotiating table with a mandate to actually make a deal, a fair deal, so our constituents in the public service don't have this hanging over their head and so the people of the territory don't pay the price for Cabinet's stubbornness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Union of Northern Workers Negotiations
Members' Statements

Page 3946

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member's statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Highway No. 1 Road Safety
Members' Statements

Page 3946

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for most, Enterprise is a drive-through community. People stop to take advantage of the facilities and its essential service provided by the communities, such as the gas station. Located at the crossroads of NWT Highways No. 1 and No. 2, Enterprise is an important connector to southern Canada.

While Enterprise's location on the NWT highway system generates some economic activity for the community, residents are concerned about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, around the community. My constituents have expressed concerns over the fact that, in the rush to continue on with the travels, some drivers end up missing signs that are there to protect residents.

Mr. Speaker, Enterprise hosts a busy highway intersection. I would like to see the Department of Infrastructure put up more visible signage to improve the safety of our residents. Simple measures may be enough to make a difference in preventing accidents. I encourage the department staff to reach out to residents to determine how to improve intersections, and I am available to assess, as well. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at a later time. Mahsi. Mr. Speaker.

Highway No. 1 Road Safety
Members' Statements

Page 3946

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member's statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Marriage of Underage Minors
Members' Statements

Page 3946

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, I want to speak today on a subject that often goes unnoticed but deserves to be addressed immediately, and that is child marriage. It is estimated that each year 15 million girls around the world are married before the age of 18. In September 2013, the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario released a report that counted 219 confirmed or suspected cases of forced marriage in Ontario and Quebec from 2010 to 2011. These problems are not far away, but very close to home. Marriage laws vary among provinces and territories, with the legal age of marriage generally set at 18. However, in many provinces, a person with consent from both parents can be married at age 16 or 17. We are one of those jurisdictions, Mr. Speaker, and that needs to change.

In 2017, this government updated the Marriage Act. Prior to the update, a minor actually could be married under the age of 15 in the Northwest Territories, as long as they got a special dispensation from the Minister of Health and Social Services, which would only be handed out if the female party was pregnant. Also, according to the prior version of the act, consent was not necessary from the minor, only from the parents. To say this version of the act was in major need of an update would be putting it lightly, Mr. Speaker.

Sadly, though, after reviewing the updated version of the act, there's still a section of the legislation specifically there to allow minors to marry: section 16. This section stipulates that minors can be married under the age of majority, as long as they have personally consented, their parents or guardians have consented, and they have proper documentation, like a birth certificate or statutory declaration, to prove their age. I must state that I am confounded as to why the department felt we still need to have section 16 of the Marriage Act as part of the updated 2017 version.

You cannot vote until you are 18, you cannot buy alcohol until 19, and, generally, you cannot sign a legally binding contract until you're 19, as well, but you can enter into a marriage at 16 in the Northwest Territories. This seems a very antiquated part of the act that really needs to change.

Mr. Speaker, it's 2018, and child marriages should be relegated as a distant memory of our past. Governments have a responsibility to ensure safety and security of minors, and to have updated our act so recently and not removed Section 16 was, at the very least, an unfortunate occurrence that could cost a minor dearly in the future. I urge the government to remove Section 16 of the Marriage Act entirely, and I'll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services later on today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.