Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you to the Premier for that explanation. I am not sure where this might lead with regard to my next question, but I am going to ask it to the Premier. He realizes that currently there are developing projects, such as Nighthawk, Osisko, and even TerraX, that, if they need to operate more than two drills, they need to make and continue to administer two almost identical applications for the same water board, one for land use permit with 100 cubic metres of water, the second for another 200 cubic metres of water on the same land. Will the Premier, in consultation with Cabinet and the Minister of ENR, consider revising the current 100-cubic-metre threshold to put us in line with the best practices in comparable northern jurisdictions?

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

We are not currently considering revising the requirement for a type B water licence for the use of over 100 cubic metres of water per day. It is my understanding that this volume is consistent with other northern jurisdictions. In the Yukon, the 300 cubic metres is a threshold specifically related to type B licences for placer and quartz mining. All other mining has a threshold of 100 cubic metres for a type B water licence. In Nunavut, anything between 50 and 300 cubic metres requires a type B licence.

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you to the Premier for that clarification again. We will get off water just for a moment, and I would like to ask the Premier: will the Premier consider a made-in-the-North solution for prescribing what information applicants for a water licence are required to submit, to ensure that the boards collect the relevant and proportionate information to practically and efficiently evaluate an application?

Bob McLeod Yellowknife South

The Government of the Northwest Territories works closely with regional land and water boards on information guidelines relevant to water licensing and land-use permitting processes. Guidelines exist with respect to completing water licence applications in the Mackenzie Valley. The Government of the Northwest Territories will provide feedback to the boards on recent process and any improvements that can provide efficiencies in process.

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Premier for the reply. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, NRCan has just announced that exploration expenditures in the NWT have declined to the lowest level in 10 years. I would like to ask the Premier: will the Premier consider a made-in-the-North solution for prescribing timely, proportionate, and predictable procedures to be followed for a water licence application to the boards?

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement on homecare services, my questions are to the Minister of Health and Social Services. It's said that we have a growing number of senior-aged people in the country, and especially here in the NWT, and so this government has gone on record to say that we encourage our elders to live in their homes for as long as possible. How does the department determine what elders may need? Sorry, I will rephrase that question. How does the department determine what elders may need in terms of special care in order for them to live well in their own homes? Mahsi.

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Minister of Health and Social Services.

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The authority identifies a client's care needs based on a home and community care assessment that is done with each client. If a client is receiving care and services through the home and community care program, their care needs are assessed on a regular basis and, if they change or they need to be modified, the program for home support can be modified. So it is based on an assessment to determine the level of supports they do need.

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

How are our elders currently referred to homecare services, and who is responsible for those referrals?

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Healthcare providers such as nurses, physicians, or nurse practitioners can actually refer clients to the home and community care program. They will do the assessment and figure out what levels of support an individual needs. However, if somebody in the Member's constituency is under the impression that they do need some home supports, I would encourage them to go to the health centre, make an appointment, and get a referral.

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

In the community of Fort Providence, and more likely some other communities that had undertaken programs to try to increase the level of services that could be brought into the community, and particularly for elders, there was a program that was operated by the band. I am just curious as to why the funding for the Deh Gah Gotie homemaker program was discontinued?