This is page numbers 6125 - 6186 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 land.

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Transitional Housing in Nunakput
Members' Statements

Page 6131

Herbert Nakimayak

Herbert Nakimayak Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have often spoken about the critical need for housing in my region. Today I would like to focus on a particular need for transitional housing.

Historically, transitional housing has been focused in our larger communities through organizations like Inuvik Transition House or the YWCA here in Yellowknife. Homelessness isn't a problem limited to the regional centres. Residents themselves have made their voice heard, calling for more transitional housing with options spread across the Northwest Territories.

The NWT Housing Corporation responded with the Northern Pathways to Housing Program, a five-year partnership with three communities to introduce new transitional housing units and fund ongoing case-worker support. The program is intended to help tackle homelessness in small communities specifically because even though public housing is typically the norm, some residents are unable to access housing. They are simply being left out in the cold.

Mr. Speaker, Northern Pathways to Housing is making significant headway on a serious problem. Unfortunately, it is not enough. Nunakput communities are not included, and neither are some of the communities that rely on ice roads during the winter shipping season.

Although the funding agreement between the Government of Canada and IRC has brought much-needed housing replacements to the region, that money did not result in additional units. Today we have current residents in need and many Nunakput residents looking for other options.

Mr. Speaker, this is an area that needs urgent attention. Looking at options for tiny homes in remote communities in the Northwest Territories should be on the radar of the Government of the Northwest Territories. As the fall arrives, we are still awaiting completion of buildings that had missed the shipping season last year.

In closing, I believe that we need to be planning two to three years in advance for remote communities who rely on ice roads in the winter and the barges in the summer and the fall shipping season. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Transitional Housing in Nunakput
Members' Statements

Page 6131

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Eulogy for Catholique Boys
Members' Statements

Page 6132

Tom Beaulieu

Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, there are a couple of elders, Edward. I want to do a prayer for them. [Translation ends]

I would like to eulogize a couple of brothers who have passed away in Lutselk'e in the last several months. The first is Joseph Victor Catholique, better known as Joe V. Joe V is somebody who I visited often, as he lived in the senior citizens' home. He often talked about being involved in the construction of most of the houses around Lutselk'e. Most of the houses were built back when he was younger. Joe V was a carpenter. He worked here in Yellowknife on some buildings and some of the larger buildings up in the uptown core. He often spoke about how he felt, that he ended up in a small senior's apartment with his wife, Wanda, and his sons Miles and Edwin. He had built many houses himself but never ended up actually owning a homeownership unit.

Also, I would like to speak about Edward Catholique. Edward Catholique was Joe V's older brother. He passed away several months ago, also. Edward was known as Edward Cho. When he was a young man, he was a big man. He lived the majority of his life with a wooden leg, as they say. He lost his leg in an accident. It never seemed to affect him much. He was able to do just about everything. He was able to do as if he was completely able to so, even though he had one wooden leg.

Edward was a person who I visited often. Almost every trip into Lutselk'e, I would visit Edward and his wife, Mary. They were wonderful people. When I was coming into town, he would make sure he had enough dry meat for me to take back to Yellowknife. I was always interested to go visit. He had laid out all the dry meat for me and tell me, "Pick what you want out of that."

He was quite a person. He has left a wife, Mary. They, themselves, didn't have any kids, but I know he was very close to his nephew Herman. I noticed that often, when I went there, Jerry Lockhart would also be sitting with him.

I would like to pass my condolence onto their one sister, Loraine, who is left and their one brother, John, who is left. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Eulogy for Catholique Boys
Members' Statements

Page 6132

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well, and to the community. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Eulogy for Floyd Daniels
Members' Statements

Page 6133

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I regret to inform that Floyd Daniels passed away on Sunday, August 18th, at the University Hospital in Edmonton after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Floyd was born December 16, 1956, to Beatrice and Victor Daniels in Fort Smith. Floyd retired March 2017 after a long, committed, and dedicated career with the Department of Public Works with the GNWT. Floyd was a journeyman carpenter for many years, then he and the family decided it would be a good idea to go back to school to get his Project Management diploma from NAIT.

His career took Floyd and his family from Fort Smith to Inuvik, Fort Simpson to Hay River, where he retired.

In the Deh Cho and South Slave, there were a number of projects that had Floyd's fingerprints on them. Floyd ensured that the projects were done properly with professionalism and great attention to detail. Floyd took a great deal of pride in the work he did for the people.

Floyd was well-known across the North for his athletic ability. As a young athlete, he became known as a tough competitor with a strong work ethic, as well as being an exceptional team player. It was never about him, but instead, it was about his teammates and always ensuring he gave 100 percent of each effort in each sporting endeavour as an athlete. However, if you look at his trophy room, you could see how good he was. This is what he practiced throughout his life. If I could say one thing about Floyd, he did things with intention.

As he became older, he became a coach and transferred his skills to mentoring young players to love sports as he did.

I had the privilege of playing against him and alongside him. To be honest with you, it was much more enjoyable playing alongside him as a teammate than against him.

I may be a tad biased, but I believe he was one of the best pitchers in the NWT and Canada. He was like a fine wine. He got better and better with time.

His beloved wife, Janice, would always joke that his teammates spent more time with Floyd celebrating their wedding anniversary than they did as a married couple. September 2nd would have been their 41st anniversary. They were like all couples, had their ups and downs, good and bad times, and easy and difficult times. It was love at first sight, and you could see their love when they were together.

When he travelled with his team, Floyd would always ensure that he had daily conversations with his wife and family. He would always talk about Janice and his children making a big, huge difference in his life. He would always speak of their accomplishments and how proud he was of them.

The most recent conversations people had with Floyd were about his grandchildren, how he was looking forward to spending time with them. Floyd always spoke with pride and love in his voice. He was always very proud of his family.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Janice; his three sons, Tanner, Trenton, and Brantley; his daughter, Richelle; and daughter-in-law, Amanda; and his three grandchildren, Arabella, Lena, and Victor; as well as extended family members.

I honestly believe Floyd is looking down on us with a big smile on his face as he stands on the pitcher's mound, ready to throw his next perfect game. Floyd, you've pitcher a perfect game in life. Thank you for my friend and the other lives you have enriched having known you and your legacy of hard work and dedication will live in your children in life and your lovely wife as your greatest fan.

The family would like to thank the University Hospital staff for all they did for Floyd and the friends who passed on their condolences and prayers. Rest well, my friend.

Eulogy for Floyd Daniels
Members' Statements

Page 6133

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Our condolences to the family and to the community, as well. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

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

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, our culture is our identity, and throughout the North, we have many individuals and organizations working to preserve, revitalize, and promote our cultural practices. I want to recognize the recipients of the 2019 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle from our ceremony this morning.

  • For the Youth Award, we have Mr. Corbin Sinclair from Fort Smith.
  • For the Individual Award, Ms. Karen Novak of Yellowknife.
  • The Elder Award goes to Alfred Taneton of Deline.
  • The Group Award goes to the Northern Life Museum and Cultural Centre in Fort Smith, represented by Ms. Rachel Dell.
  • The Minister's Choice Award today goes to Ms. Mildred Edwards from Aklavik.

Thank you all for being here today. Thank you all for the important work you do for the Northwest Territories.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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

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Daniel McNeely

Daniel McNeely Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the elder from Deline, Alfred Taneton, the recipient of the 2019 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle, and his escort, Morris Neyelle, and all the recipients of the award. Mahsi.

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

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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

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Cory Vanthuyne

Cory Vanthuyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to recognize friends and constituents of Yellowknife North. We have today Rhonda and Sean Ivens who are here with us. Of course, Karen Novak is here, and congratulations on your award. I see up there, as well, Jerry Sharpe. Welcome and thank you for being here.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

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

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Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two of my constituents from Aklavik, Mildred and Agnes Edwards. Mildred received the Minister's Choice Award earlier today for her passion to our culture, tradition, and preserving traditional knowledge. I also had the opportunity to serve alongside her when she was Chief of Aklavik and I was the Chief of Tsiigehtchic. We had a lot of good discussions at the board of directors and a lot of the meetings, so it is good to have her with us today. Thank you.

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

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The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

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

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Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Rachel Dell, the curator of the Northern Life Museum and Culture Centre in Fort Smith. I would also like to recognize Corbin Sinclair from Fort Smith on receiving the Youth Award from the Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle. Mr. Sinclair is 17 and has embraced his culture through drumming, hand games, and Dene games. He demonstrates hand games at school and at cultural events. He attended the 2018 Arctic Winter Games, where he won a gold ulu for stick pole, and the 2019 Canada Winter Games, where he was a demonstrator of Dene and Inuit games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 6133

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister responsible for GNWT procurement policies has made a standing offer to hear complaints on the floor of the House concerning government procurement, and today I rise once again to bring forward the concerns of my constituents.

The Business Incentive Program statement of policy is to "provide an incentive to NWT-based businesses in a manner that recognizes the higher cost of operating in the NWT." I have a constituent now who asks why certain companies have been grandfathered into the Business Incentive Program registry without having to meet the same requirements as northern-based businesses. To quote their concern, "a grandfathered company can move its operations to Alberta, leave a one-person office, and bring in cheaper labour and equipment, but still enjoy the same BIP adjustment." My question for the Minister is: how does this grandfather clause of the BIP policy promote private sector growth and fairness in the NWT? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is one of the Member's favourite discussions that he is having on the floor of the House. To be honest with you, I can't even answer his question. If he would actually give someone a heads-up on a question, I might be able to answer it fully on the floor of this House, but the question that he is asking me right now, I have no idea. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

This issue isn't new to the Minister, and he should be able to know his file well enough that he doesn't need a heads-up. Section 2 of the Business Incentive Policy is all about the eligibility for register. That is section A through E, and then you have section F, which says that anyone on schedule 3 is grandfathered in and doesn't need to meet any of those other requirements. For companies that have moved their operations and are no longer resident-owned businesses, how does grandfathering them into a policy that benefits northern resident businesses consistent with the BIP policy?

Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

I will take this question as notice.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. The question has been taken as notice. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Frederick Blake Jr.

Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my Member's statement, I have a few questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. As I mentioned, we have an issue with grizzly bears in the community of Aklavik, upwards of 14. I would like to ask the Minister: can the Minister update the House on what steps are being taken by ENR officers to deal with the grizzly bear problem? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I share the Member's concern with the number of grizzly bears that are in the community of Aklavik. We continue, obviously, to respond to bear reports. My understanding is that we have destroyed three grizzly bears in Aklavik due to public safety concerns. Our local renewable resource officer is on-call, and an additional renewable resource officer will be travelling to Aklavik to assist with monitoring the bear situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.