This is page numbers 5453 - 5490 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 assembly. View the webstream of the day's session.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I support this recommendation, as well. For those who are transitioning out of political life, sometimes, there can be some dramatic changes. What this is proposing to do is to just make sure that there is some guidance in place to help with that kind of transition. We already have a training assistance program that can provide assistance up to $10,000 for Members as they move back into private life. This is just recognizing, and comes from the members of the commission, that sometimes there are other things that people have to consider in terms of their retirement and pensions and so on. This is just making sure that there is a more holistic approach to MLAs as they transition into private life. For that reason, I support it. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion. Minister Cochrane.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just as yesterday, when we were talking about assisting women to get into politics and I spoke about not knowing the roles and responsibilities as a Minister, I know that, when we first became elected Members, we were given an orientation session, but in all honesty, it was a blur. Things came really fast. I hardly remember any part of that.

One thing I have learned, I have learned my roles. One Minister I have to give credit to, the MLA from Great Slave, who taught me to never do anything unethical, illegal, or immoral. I respect that, and I have upheld that throughout my term here.

I recognize this is for the next Assembly, but I want to make sure that any Members who leave have full comprehension on what they are dealing with and what their obligations were. I fully support this motion. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Any further questions, committee? Seeing none, to the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed. Any abstentions? Motion carried.

---Carried

Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I move that this Assembly recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories should pay for the Planning for Retirement Course or the Successful Transition to Retirement Course for any Member who is leaving the government at the end of their term.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion. Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Chair, this recommendation should properly refer to the Legislative Assembly and not the government, but its intention is clear. The government provides excellent courses to the public service to plan not only for the financial aspects of retirement but also the emotional and lifestyle implications that are often of equal or greater importance. If adopted, the board of management will consider whether the fee for this course will become an allowable constituency budget expense or will be paid by the Legislative Assembly. I support this recommendation, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion. Next, we have Mr. Vanthuyne.

Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. While I appreciate the comments and the points noted by the previous speaker, I, too, recognize that this particular motion actually should have maybe referenced the Legislative Assembly rather than the Government of the Northwest Territories as the payee. That aside, I am of the opinion that, while I supported the previous motion with regard to an exit strategy and that there should be support provided in that way, I feel that Members who are planning to retire or, in some instances, are not re-elected have the obligation within their own purview to plan ahead and do their retirement planning and take that as their own personal responsibility. Through the time in which they are here in the Legislative Assembly, I feel that they have access to our human resources division, including the Legislative Assembly's director of corporate affairs, here to help them with their planning as it relates to their retirement. For those reasons, I won't be in support. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Unlike the previous speaker, I will be supporting this. I think most good employers do actually provide some assistance with pension and retirement planning, and I don't know why the Legislative Assembly would be any different. I think we should be doing this for the Members who are not returning, so I will support the motion. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion. Mr. Testart.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I agree with my friend the honourable Member for Yellowknife North on this one. I think there is a distinction between the roles that we play in this Assembly and the benefits and allowances that are afforded to us by virtue of those offices. It's very different than, say, a lengthy career in the public service or with a private employer. Those kinds of transitions are expected and, if you have a good employer, a good job, a good career at that job, you're more likely going to continue on, and receiving that support is a tangible benefit. I don't think that this will have the end result of adding much to, you know, attracting Members to run for office, or anything like that. I think this benefit is properly dealt with, or this issue is properly dealt with, through the individual interested Members. Not everyone who leaves politics is going to be retiring, and I think the nature of our roles, with four-year terms, this doesn't fit as well as some of the other recommendations about leaving politics. I don't think it's necessary, and I won't be supporting it. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Testart. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that Members of the Legislative Assembly continue to have access to the GNWT Employee and Family Assistance Program, known as EFAP, for one year after their term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly ends.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Ms. Green.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Chair, Members of the Legislative Assembly, like members of the public service, have access to the GNWT Employee and Family Assistance Program. Access to this program continues for one year after our employees retire. This recommendation reaffirms the ability of MLAs to access the program for one year after leaving office. The EFAP provides valuable resource material and counselling services for a wide range of personal and family challenges that may continue into retirement. Mr. Chair, I support this recommendation.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Ms. Green. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I, too, support this motion. The information that we've received is also that this would cost about $100 per year per Member who doesn't return and would like to be able to access the service, so it really is a minimal cost and I think it provides the kind of support that some people may need as they leave political life. I am in support of this. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Next, we have Minister Cochrane.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's well-known that my degree is in social work, and the basic concept of social work is wellness; mental wellness, as well. Never in my career have I ever been in a position that I have had so many people appreciate my work and so many people hate me for my work. I am a degreed social worker. I have had 20-some years' experience in that. I know self-care, I know where to go for clinical support for myself. I'm not 100 percent sure that other people do have that.

The other issue is that, when you leave here, depending on how you do in this House, you might not be offered a job. Jobs might not be as plentiful as they come, so I think that, in order to ensure that we are treating our Members properly and that we are caring for their mental well-being, this should be something that is provided. I am fully in support of this motion. Thank you, Mr. Chair.