Debates of Aug. 12th, 2019
This is page numbers 5877 - 5944 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 report.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 212-18(3): Sessional Statement
- State of Downtown Yellowknife
- Child Care Funding
- Health Care System in Hay River
- Nursing Services in Tsiigehtchic
- Strengthening Democratic Institutions in the Northwest Territories
- Programs and Services in the Sahtu Region
- Affirmative Action Policy
- Tuktoyaktuk Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project
- Housing Issues in the Northwest Territories
- Eulogy for Phillip Gargan
- Eulogy for Rene Fumoleau
- Return to Oral Question 771-18(3): NWT Carbon Tax Implementation Plan
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 785-18(3): Bed Bugs in Fort Simpson
- Question 786-18(3): Nursing Services in Tsiigehtchic
- Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife
- Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
- Question 789-18(3): State of Health Care System in Hay River
- Question 790-18(3): Affirmative Action Policy
- Question 791-18(3): Cremation Regulations
- Return to Written Question 17-18(3): Strategic Oil and Gas Ltd. Holdings in the NWT
- Return to Written Question 18-18(3): Giant Mine Long-Term Funding Study
- Return to Written Question 19-18(3): Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Fees and Compensation
- Bill 25: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act Bill 39: Environmental Rights Act
- Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act
- Bill 42: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act Bill 43: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
- Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act
- Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act
- Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act
- Bill 54: Standard Interest Rate Statutes Amendment Act
- Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act
- Bill 46: Public Land Act
- Bill 45: Corrections Act
- Bill 57: An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act
- Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act
- Committee Report 20-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report
- Motion that Committee Report 20-18(3) be Deemed Read and Printed in Hansard in its Entirety, Carried
- Committee Report 21-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 Annual Reports for the Office of the Languages Commissioner for the Northwest territories
- Motion that Committee Report 22-18(3) be Deemed Read and Printed in Hansard in its Entirety, Carried
- Committee Report 22-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 Annual Reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
- Motion to have Committee Report 22-18(3) moved to Committee of the Whole for Further Consideration, Carried
- Committee Report 24-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act
- Motion to have Committee Report 22-18(3) moved to Committee of the Whole for Further Consideration, Carried
- Committee Report 25-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act
- Motion to have Committee Report 24-18(3) moved to Committee of the Whole for Further Consideration, Carried
- Tabled Document 468-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 720-18(3): Environmental Assessment following Hay River Highrise Fire Tabled Document 469-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 721-18(3): Recruitment of Physicians in Hay River Tabled Document 470-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 722-18(3): Fort Providence Seniors' Facility Tabled Document 471-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 737-18(3): Mental Health Services for Youth Tabled Document 472-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 744-18(3): Foster Family Recognition Tabled Document 473-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 775-18(3): Mental Health and Addictions Plan
- Tabled Document 474-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 718-18(3): Nutrition North and Cost of Living in Nunakput Tabled Document 475-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 730-18(3): Northwest Territories-Nunavut Bilateral Meeting on Transboundary Caribou Tabled Document 476-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 738-18(3): Affirmative Action Policy
- Tabled Document 477-18(3): Petroleum Interests Held in the NWT by Strategic Oil and Gas Ltd. Tabled Document 478-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 705-18(3): Fort Simpson Ferry Service Tabled Document 479-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 710-18(3): Mackenzie Valley Highway Environmental Assessment Working Group Tabled Document 480-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 732-18(3): Dredging the Hay River
- Tabled Document 481-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 773-18(3): Third Party Sexual Assault Reporting
- Tabled Document 482-18(3): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 13-18(3): Report on the Review of Bill 31: Northwest Territories 911 Act Tabled Document 483-18(3): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 632-18(3): Community Government Funding Gaps
- Tabled Document 484-18(3): Unsigned Letter to Prime Minister from Conservative Premiers of Canada
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Motion 157-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Expansion of "No Smoking" Areas, Carried
- Committee Motion 158-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Raising Minimum Age, Carried
- Committee Motion 159-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Smoking Cessation Aids, Carried
- Committee Motion 160-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act - Public Education and Awareness, Carried
- Committee Motion 161-18(3): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapor Products Control Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Orders Of The Day
Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife
Oral Questions
Page 5888
Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife
Oral Questions
Page 5888

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question concerns a constant complaint I hear about the open consumption of liquor on the streets downtown. Can the Minister say whether he has a plan of his own or with his cabinet colleagues to address this issue? Mahsi.
Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife
Oral Questions
Page 5888

Glen Abernethy Great Slave
The responsibility in this area is not one department alone. It is not one body alone. It is a combination of many, many individuals and many organizations. I did raise this exact issue with the Minister of Justice earlier this summer when the Member raised it with me. I did receive an update from the RCMP that they have performed over 258 proactive patrols in the downtown core on foot, 139 proactive patrols in the day shelter area. This is between January and June of 2019. It has resulted in over 280 alcohol pours and/or seizures. We have this information by month, showing the amount of patrols and how it has increased significantly over the years. I will work with the Minister of Justice to see if I can get that data and share with the Members of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 787-18(3): New Services in Downtown Yellowknife
Oral Questions
Page 5888
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5888

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I spoke about the shoreline erosion in Tuktoyaktuk. My questions are for the Minister of MACA. My question to the Minister is: what is the status of work currently under way to address the shoreline erosion issue in Tuktoyaktuk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5888
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5888

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that we have been seeing a lot of videos and photos of what is going on in the community of Tuktoyaktuk on the shoreline erosion there. The first phase of work that we have done is a report was provided to the community, and it identifies both the long-term and short-term solutions. At this time, the community has not decided which of those options would work best for the community of Tuktoyaktuk. We are still making sure that those communications are open, and we are working with them to identify how we can find a solution. MACA is continuing to work closely with the community to identify what is the best, appropriate solution moving forward.
However, in the short term, the hamlet has secured funding to help move several homes that are most at risk. We appreciate the work that they have done. We continue to lobby and work with our federal counterparts to see how we can access the funding and whether or not we can make some of that funding a little bit flexible to get the work done. We are continuing to communicate with the community and the leadership to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5888

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput
Thanks for the update. We have definitely been getting a lot of pressure from constituents. Talking about funding, when the federal government announces funding for projects like this, we really need to ensure that there are government-to-government relationships where the Ministers are working with their ministerial counterparts with the federal government to ensure that the funding is utilized and ensures that it is as effective as possible.
There are concerns in the community that some homeowners need more time to move their homes and want someone to protect the shoreline until they are ready to move. Can the Minister explain why the houses need to be moved now and why there is no effort or funding to protect the shoreline?
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5889

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake
As I mentioned, there are houses that are right on the shoreline that are going to be impacted. We are working with the federal government, and I know that we do have funding that may no longer be available from the Government of Canada come March 31, 2020. That is where we need to put a little bit more emphasis to get this work done.
I do also understand that protecting the shoreline is also the responsibility of the hamlet. We are going to be working with the government to see how we can support them and make sure that things are done in a timely manner. We do know that we had two big storms in Tuktoyaktuk that had an impact on a couple of units. As I mentioned, we are going to be working with the federal government and the hamlet to see how we can address this issue in a more timely manner.
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5889

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput
I remember the community of Tuktoyaktuk was talking about the regulations of the funding. I think when it comes to issues like this, we need to provide additional support and capacity so that we can utilize this. Homeowners have also expressed additional concerns about damage to their homes during the move and after being placed on new foundations. My question is: can the Minister explain how the integrity of these homes will be maintained so that the homeowners can be assured their houses will remain liveable? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5889

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake
It is my understanding that the hamlet is inviting contractors who have experience moving houses and that the structures will be properly braced before moving, which is a big concern, because I know that we do have at least one unit that we need to take into consideration when bracing, possibly two. The new foundations include geotextile material for drainage, various granular materials to ensure good support, and the screw jacks, and the hamlet will be able to adjust the foundation to ensure the structural integrity of the homes. This type of foundation is in common use by the NWT housing authority, and we have a lot of good experience working in that area.
All of this information is available through the hamlet, which has been actively engaged in this effort from the beginning. Residents can seek answers to their questions from the hamlet or through their MLA, and also through our office, so that we can make sure that we do this in the best interests of the residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 788-18(3): Shoreline Erosion in Tuktoyaktuk
Oral Questions
Page 5889
Question 789-18(3): State of Health Care System in Hay River
Oral Questions
Page 5889

R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The residents of Hay River have grave concerns about our healthcare system and many feel that things are getting worse. It is still nearly impossible to make an appointment. At the clinic, physician shortages are now commonplace. The authority can't seem to retain staff, patients are wary of the quality of care that they receive, and the public has generally lost faith in the system.
I don't want to disparage the authority, but it seems to me that these concerns appear to be the result of deep-seated issues that cannot be fixed using a piecemeal approach, and there need to be some substantial, and possibly structural, changes made.
I have some questions for the Minister of Health: is the department aware of systemic issues at the Hay River Health and Social Services authority that contribute to the ongoing difficulties, such as the difficulty retaining staff? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 789-18(3): State of Health Care System in Hay River
Oral Questions
Page 5889
Question 789-18(3): State of Health Care System in Hay River
Oral Questions
Page 5889

Glen Abernethy Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are aware of the concerns and the challenges facing the Hay River Health and Social Services authority. I agree with the Member that some systemic change is required in that authority. To that end, I know that the chief operating officer and the public administrator are looking at bringing about some change in that organization.
I have asked the deputy minister of Health and Social Services and the chair of the territorial Health and Social Services authority to go down and meet with them to talk about opportunities that we have to make some improvements in that authority, to improve the overall management, care, and delivery of health and social services in that community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Help us improve OpenNWT
Please only include contact information if you would like to hear back.