Debates of Oct. 16th, 2020
This is page numbers 1277 - 1298 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 911.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 63-19(2): Fiscal Update
- Addictions
- Long-Term Care in Small Communities
- Housing Requirements in Thebacha
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan
- Contaminated Sites and Economic Recovery
- Home Care and Language Barrier for Community Elders
- 911 Underfunding
- COVID-19 Secretariat
- Indigenous Procurement Policy
- Eulogy for Sharon Pierrot
- Question 353-19(2): Housing
- Question 354-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Northwest Territories Action Plan
- Question 355-19(2): Contaminated Sites
- Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
- Question 357-19(2): Addictions Support
- Question 358-19(2): Long-Term Care Facility
- Question 359-19(2): Home Care
- Question 360-19(2): Indigenous Procurement Process
- Question 362-19(2): COVID-19 Secretariat
- Tabled Document 181-19(2): Capital Estimates 2021-2022 Tabled Document 182-19(2): NWT Liquor Licensing Board 66th Annual Report 2019-2020 Tabled Document 183-19(2): 66th Annual Report 2019-2020 Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission
- Tabled Document 184-19(2): 2019-2020 NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Progress Review Summary Tabled Document 185-19(2): NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program 2019-2020 Annual Report
- Motion 16-19(2): Referral of Tabled Documents 165-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT; and Tabled Document 167-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 3-19(2): Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery - Recommendations to the GNWT
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Orders Of The Day
Question 355-19(2): Contaminated Sites
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Again, this is an opportunity to demonstrate the whole-of-government approach. The polluter-pays principle is certainly a foundation of the modern environmental assessment and regulatory regime that we have here in the Northwest Territories, and that is something that ITI, in terms of our involvement within our resource sector, is aware of and something in which the department of Finance is also involved, in terms of constantly monitoring those who are providing securities. Of course, it is the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Lands who work closely to determine an accurate amount of liability to ensure that, in fact, the GNWT would be protected against the need for remediation liabilities, should that fact arise, and that the companies that are performing their work here are adhering to all of those requirements, again, with that foundation simply being that the polluter would pay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 355-19(2): Contaminated Sites
Oral Questions
Page 1288
The Speaker (Hon. Frederick Blake Jr) Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Great Slave.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions for the Minister of MACA about the lack of transparency by this government related to the actual operation costs of the 911 program. The 18th Assembly placed a fee cap of $1.70 per user per month for three years, regardless of the program costs. Will the Minister be open and transparent and provide the 2020 actual costs to the Members? Thank you.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
The Speaker (Hon. Frederick Blake Jr) Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The annual report for the operations of the NWT 911 Program will be tabled during this session. This includes the operation costs for NWT 911 during the first six months of operation. The delay in tabling the report is targeted toward public safety being solely focused on COVID-19.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
One of the 19th Assembly's priorities is to reduce the cost of living for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Will the Minister guarantee that the GNWT will subsidize the zero-based budget of NWT 911, keeping the call-answer levy at no more than $1.70 for the life of this Assembly?
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Paulie Chinna Sahtu
The Northwest Territories 911 Act includes provisions to cap the call-answer levy at $1.70 for the first three years of operation of the system. We are just entering into the second year of operation, so no change to this fee will be made prior to 2022-2023.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Will the Minister agree to properly fund the NWT 911 before funding the COVID 811 service? When will 911 be funded correctly so that the staff are not burned out, doing double shifts, missing meals and breaks, and potentially compromising the residents need in case of emergency?
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Paulie Chinna Sahtu
The NWT 911 service and the COVID 811 service are operated in two different departments for two totally different purposes, and accordingly, the budgets of these programs are developed independently. These are both important services to residents who need appropriate resources. The 811 service and the COVID agency is under the authority of the Premier. I will not comment on the funding for the program beyond saying that it is important and I do support it.
The department is adding additional terms and relief staff to the dispatch centre to support existing staff. I also wanted to include that stress management training is also offered, and quiet rooms and fitness machines to alleviate stress. Online and phone therapies are available, as well as peer-to-peer support through Alberta critical incident network, and one-on-one counseling following critical calls and support from the medical professionals to intervene on particular trauma calls.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
The Speaker (Hon. Frederick Blake Jr) Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Great Slave.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to advocating with the Premier so that the funding for 911 that is not being provided properly is not spent on COVID 811 or ProtectNWT? Thank you.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
Paulie Chinna Sahtu
I will have a conversation with the Premier in regard to COVID-19 and the 811, and I will follow up with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 356-19(2): 911 Actual Operation Costs
Oral Questions
Page 1288
The Speaker (Hon. Frederick Blake Jr) Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.
Question 357-19(2): Addictions Support
Oral Questions
October 16th, 2020
Page 1288
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently, I talked to the sister of a young lady who was murdered in Hay River a few weeks ago. The sister I talked to is also married to my nephew. This shows you how we can all be impacted by events. She understands that her sister is gone and is looking for answers to ensure that something positive comes from her sister's death. She requested that I ask the Minister of health: what supports are available for young adults between the age of 18 to 30 who may be fighting addictions or drug use as there appears to be a support gap in that age range? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 357-19(2): Addictions Support
Oral Questions
Page 1288
The Speaker (Hon. Frederick Blake Jr) Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Health and Social Services.
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