This is page numbers 4831 - 4856 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 housing. View the webstream of the day's session.

Wealth Inequality
Members' Statements

Page 4834

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Sexual Abuse in Amateur Sport
Members' Statements

Page 4834

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many of us will have heard the shocking and disturbing revelations of this week's CBC Sports investigation into sexual abuse in amateur sport. For those who haven't heard, here is a summary of the findings.

The CBC investigation found that at least 222 amateur sport coaches in Canada had been convicted of sexual offences in the last 20 years. Those convictions involve more than 600 victims under the age of 18. Thirty-four cases are before the courts, including new charges against a Hay River swimming coach previously convicted of sexual assault in 2015. Because sexual abuse is an underreported crime, experts say there could be thousands of cases still unreported.

No sport is immune, Mr. Speaker. Hockey and soccer are Canada's most-played sports and have the largest number of coaches charged and convicted, but convictions were found in 36 other sports.

Anti-abuse policies exist at the national and subnational levels, but transparency is lacking. CBC journalists contacted 160 sports organizations across Canada and asked if they had a public list of coaches and volunteers who have been banned and/or charged or convicted of a crime. Only half responded, and of those, only seven said they publish some form of this information online. Importantly, Hockey Canada didn't respond at all.

Local clubs are often on their own. After multiple sexual assault cases involving Canadian national team coaches, the federal Sports Minister introduced new anti-abuse rules that national sports organizations must follow in order to get federal funding, but that doesn't protect hundreds of thousands of kids competing below the elite level. Local clubs and associations often lack the resources to enforce measures like background checks that could make a difference.

All of this makes me wonder about the situation here. There are clear, common-sense steps that can be taken that do not require a lot of resources to achieve. MACA working with Sport North and other organizations could help supply clear rules around sexual abuse and promote training for coaches, parents, and players. We also need clear and easily accessible ways to report suspected abuse. I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Mahsi.

Sexual Abuse in Amateur Sport
Members' Statements

Page 4834

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Speeding on the Deh Cho Bridge
Members' Statements

Page 4834

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] My constituents have brought a safety issue to my concern, and I would like to raise it in the House today. It isn't the first time my constituents have raised it with me, nor is it the first time that I have addressed it here. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, road safety is the problem. Deh Cho residents, particularly in Fort Providence, are worried by an increase in speeding semi trucks on the Deh Cho Bridge and surrounding highway.

When the Deh Cho Bridge opened in 2012, it introduced uninterrupted 24-hour traffic to Highway 3. At this time of the year, when the winter roads north of Yellowknife open up a temporary route to the diamond mines, traffic volume increases even more, reaching its annual peak.

This isn't just a Deh Cho issue. Commercial traffic can disrupt regular road use all down the road. Residents of the Ingraham Trail area will be familiar with the trials and tribulations, and even the hazards, of living along a busy trucking route.

When it comes to our highways, our laws are clear. Speed limits are clearly posted, including speed limits for the recently repaired Deh Cho bridge. There are no surprises there, Mr. Speaker. Yet my constituents tell me that commercial trucks are still flying down the highway, posing a danger to other road users and to themselves, especially close to the community of Fort Providence and the Big River service station.

These peak traffic volumes aren't a surprise, either. We know that, when winter traffic to the mines begins to ramp up, that means law enforcement, including both the RCMP and the GNWT motor vehicle officers, need to be prepared to get out on the highways and enforce our laws. The safety of our highway depends on it.

Later on I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Speeding on the Deh Cho Bridge
Members' Statements

Page 4835

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Arctic Sovereignty
Members' Statements

Page 4835

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about advancements in the development of a new Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and the role that the GNWT and northern Indigenous governments will need to play in making this framework a reality.

Arctic people want to have a seat at the table. We want to see capacity-building and the application of traditional knowledge. We want to see our government, the GNWT, guiding the federal government in the right direction, Mr. Speaker.

It is well known that other circumpolar countries, like Russia, Finland, and other Scandinavian countries, and other major global powers, like the United States and China, are making rapid advancements in their Arctic policy.

Mr. Speaker, Finland is testing a 5G network, Russia is advancing its military interests, and China is exploring how it can get involved in Arctic governance and development as a near-Arctic state.

I recently read an editorial in the Hamilton Spectator that quoted governance policy specialist Mr. John Higginbotham, who said, "We are falling further and further behind the European Arctic, Russian Arctic, and the East Asian Arctic in terms of all kinds of measures of development and capacity. We have very primitive airports up there, very poor east-west links, limited icebreaker capacity, limited deepwater ports. There's just really nothing happening up there now."

Mr. Speaker, this is a painful truth, but I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the federal government will make major decisions for the Canadian Arctic on the global stage, but I also know that, without the benefit of Northerners' expertise and Indigenous local knowledge, without a united voice advocating loudly and proudly for our Arctic interest, the Arctic will become developed and designed without us. In fact, I worry that we will be left behind altogether.

Mr. Speaker, we have many mutual benefits to maintaining a close relationship with Canada and other Arctic states. Sovereignty is a priority for Canada, and we need to be engaged in the discussions to ensure that our people can participate in future discussions to ensure that the Arctic remains a peaceful and stable region.

Mr. Speaker, sustainable development through cooperation of all levels of government will benefit our people and enhance the quality of life of all residents of the Arctic. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.

Arctic Sovereignty
Members' Statements

Page 4835

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. 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 Range Lake.

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

Page 4835

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize my nephew, Jeremy Beauchamp, the second Cochrane to be in the House. I'm so proud of him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 4835

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

Page 4835

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a former MLA, former Minister, good friend, and constituent of Yellowknife North, Mr. Dave Ramsay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 4835

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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

Page 4835

Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize David Ramsay, former Minister, former MLA, and friend. Mahsi.

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

Page 4835

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, my statement was on Arctic sovereignty, and I have questions for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, as I said in my Member's statement, I am concerned that the Canadian Arctic Policy is dragging and that it may have negative effects on our Arctic regions. Apart from the engagement with the federal government, Mr. Speaker, what government partners in Canada and abroad does the GNWT work with to advance its Arctic Policy positions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The Honourable Premier.

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories participates on the Canadian delegation to the Arctic Council, which provides the opportunity to work on issues of importance with the federal government, the Indigenous permanent participants, as well as other international partners. Through the Arctic Council we share our priorities with other governments in the Circumpolar North, and also learn from best practices in other jurisdictions.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also regularly participates in the Arctic Circle Assembly. Participation in this forum has allowed us to both increase awareness of our territory and policy positions and build on our network of contacts with other nations and subnational governments on an east-west basis, as well as a north-south basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

It's good to hear that the GNWT is involved in activities outside the Northwest Territories, especially the Arctic Circle, which is a very important arena for development in the Arctic. Some policy specialists have also highlighted our infrastructure limitations, for example, limited airport capacity and the lack of deep-water ports. How does the Premier and his government address these types of infrastructure issues when engaging with the federal government on Arctic sovereignty?

Question 546-18(3): Arctic Sovereignty
Oral Questions

February 12th, 2019

Page 4835

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

When we attend these different international meetings, we learn very soon how the Arctic in some Arctic countries drives their economy and how their federal governments are investing heavily in large infrastructure. It's the same here, where we need more investment and improved transportation, energy, and communications infrastructure, because we know it's essential for the growth and prosperity of Northwest Territories communities. This is also how we support Canada's work on Arctic sovereignty. As a result, much of our engagement with the federal government has focused on improving key infrastructure that will benefit communities and grow our economy. An example of cooperation in this area is that the federal government has supported this recently with funding to construct four double-hulled barges.

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

I appreciate the response from the Premier. For many years the GNWT has maintained a policy on the application of traditional knowledge in the planning and delivery of its programs and services. My question is: can the Premier give us some background on how this policy is applied in the GNWT's work on Arctic sovereignty and policy planning?

Bob McLeod

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

The Government of the Northwest Territories has had a Traditional Knowledge Policy in place for well over 25 years, and as with any work of the Government of the Northwest Territories, traditional knowledge is considered in work related to Arctic policy. It is a priority in particular of the permanent participants of the Arctic Council. The Government of the Northwest Territories engages and supports Canada in this work. The Government of the Northwest Territories' knowledge agenda recognizes the importance of incorporating traditional knowledge into NWT-based research programs. This is important when working with international scientists working in the Northwest Territories. When Canada was chair of the Arctic Council from 2013 to 2015, the Northwest Territories contributed significantly to a circumpolar project dedicated to promoting Indigenous traditional knowledge and traditional ways of life. This work led to an Arctic Circle compendium of best practices.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs responsible for amateur sport. CBC's revelations this week about sexual abuse in amateur sport is a call to prevention. One clear and obvious precaution is a requirement for criminal record name checks for persons with access to amateur sports players. Can the Minister tell us whether there is a requirement for criminal records name checks, not just for coaches, but for all persons with care and oversight responsibility for young athletes? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I just want to thank the Member for bringing this very serious and disturbing issue to Members of the House, as well as all our residents across the Northwest Territories. I can assure the Member that the department and the organizations that we do work with do support the Northwest Territories athletes and that we take the responsibility related to the protection of our youth and those who are participating, whether it's in sport, recreation, or even in the arts, very seriously.

Our current requirements include the necessity for coaches to submit regular criminal records and vulnerable sector checks, certification by coaches in various training programs including coaching ethics and education sessions, as well as education for parents and athletes through either national or territorial sport organizations on preventing, identifying, and dealing with situations that may be harmful to our athletes and our youth.

It was a very informative article, and in the article it does say questions that parents and caregivers should be asking. I encourage all parents and caregivers who watch over youth and their children who participate in recreation and sport to look at the article and ask those questions when they're putting their youth and some of our most vulnerable people into these programs.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate the information from the Minister. If the Minister will send me an email with that link in it, I'll certainly make it known. Parental responsibility is obviously part of the equation here. Further, does the Minister require a list be kept by Sport North of people convicted of abuse in connection with young athletes, and is there a way for the public, meaning primarily parents and caregivers, to access it?