This is page numbers 5713 - 5790 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 women. View the webstream of the day's session.

Topics

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

There are a lot of priorities within the Department of MACA, and this is one of them, especially when it comes to the health and safety of our residents, due to the dry season that we had. Thankfully, we have been getting this rain and even the snow that is helping us out. I want to say that this is something that we will look at. We are not sure what the summer is going to look like, but it is something where we will make sure that all communities, especially in the regions that have dry conditions, we will make sure that we reach out to them and make sure that we have a plan in place with the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice. In the last couple of years, I have talked about third-party reporting of sexual assaults. In this situation, the victim reports the assault and provides the information to a trained support worker who likely works for a non-profit. She then has a period of time to consider making a formal complaint to the RCMP. In October, and then again in February, the Minister said that his officials and the RCMP are exploring this option. What is the result? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Justice.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Member opposite for the question. The Department of Justice, Community Justice and Policing, and RCMP have accepted a proposal to implement third-party reporting of sexual assaults, as well as advocate review of sexual assault files closed without change. We have made progress in this very important matter. We do recognize this as a very serious issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

That is good news. I am pleased to hear that there has been this advance. Can the Minister at all elaborate on what he means by "accepted a proposal"? What kind of a proposal, and from whom?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I thank the Member opposite again for her question. I do know that the stakeholder and public engagement is scheduled for June 11th and 12th in Yellowknife, and advocates have been invited to attend from across the NWT. That is the next step that we are taking very shortly.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate the answer. Can I just clarify that the public engagement is around the concept of third-party reporting? Is that what the Minister is saying?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, I believe that to be the case. I will check on that, and if that is not the correct information, then I will certainly supply it to the Member opposite.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you to the Minister. I wonder if the Minister could tell us about the steps following on from the public engagement. Is it likely that this third-party reporting will be in place in the life of this Assembly? Thank you.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Of course, we don't have much time left, so I am not certain whether I can make that commitment, but as I say, we are looking forward to this public engagement, which will give us direction to take next steps, I am sure. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Time for oral questions has expired. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to the Commissioner's opening address. Item 12, petitions. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls," volume 1A, in English and in French; and "Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action: An Update on the Government of the Northwest Territories' Responses." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents entitled "Mental Wellness and Addictions Recovery Action Plan"; and "Follow-up Letter to Oral Question 716-18(3), Coerced and Forced Sterilization." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Manufacturing Strategy 2019-2024." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Minister of Lands.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document entitled "Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board 2019-2020 Budget." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, June 6, 2019, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on Thursday, June 6, 2019, it shall be adjourned until Monday, August 12, 2019; and further, that at any time prior to August 12, 2019, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice, and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. WHEREAS tabled document 442-18(3), 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework 2019-2023 Action Plan has been tabled in the House;

Therefore, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife North, that tabled document 442-18(3), 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework 2019-2023 Action Plan, be referred to Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.