This is page numbers 1347 - 1388 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 going.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

COVID-19 and Economic Recovery
Members' Statements

Page 1354

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Firstly, I would like to begin by thanking our public health department and all the work the department of health has done to date in response to COVID. I believe in our contact tracers, and in large effect I am supportive of the measures to date. I think, at times, we spend too much time attacking these measures, as if they are hurting the economy, but in many ways, our protective measures are making sure we can have an economy. Our restricted border measures allow us to open up more. I believe we need to reframe some of these narratives. Wearing masks out in public, washing your hands, allows us to have more interaction, allows us to keep our businesses open. I believe we are spending too much time criticizing public health orders, as if they are shutting down the economy. In fact, the thing that will truly shut down the economy would be mass community spread of COVID-19, Mr. Speaker. There is nothing more that would shut down the economy than our residents getting sick and dying, so I would like to thank the Minister of health for her update and thank all of their team.

However, Mr. Speaker, there are many things we can do to support the economy beyond criticizing public health measures, and today, I would like to renew my commitment to the Vote Growth platform from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. Many of the Yellowknife Members in this House supported that platform the election, and I believe we have to relook at those priorities and make sure we are making progress on them.

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 let the cat out of the bag. The government can move quickly. We created 160 positions. We shut down our borders. We mobilized border enforcement. We created brand new units. We passed more regulations in a few weeks than I expected us to do all year. The rapid response of mobilizing 5,000 public servants showed how fast this government can work. I am proud of that response, but we must take that initiative to respond to the economic crisis we now find ourselves in and the recession we will inevitably be heading into.

I stand here and I renew my platform to the Vote Growth platform. I believe we need to create a more reasonable business environment for the sale of alcohol in Yellowknife. I believe we need fibre redundancy. I believe we need to fund our community governments more. I want us to lead the world in our post-secondary transformation and truly build a world-class university. Lastly, I believe we need to transfer the land to the City of Yellowknife. These are the issues I campaigned for under the Vote Growth platform, and I am committed to continuing them. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

COVID-19 and Economic Recovery
Members' Statements

Page 1354

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak about the businesses in the NWT and the state of the economy. I want to echo some of the comments that my colleagues had on both sides of the floor. I think it's really encouraging for our business community to hear that they are being looked after. More specifically, I wanted to talk about Aboriginal and northern procurement in the NWT. I would like to delve into this a little more and hopefully get a good sense of how this government is going to address this issue.

In my reply to the budget address earlier this year, I mentioned that businesses will be key to getting us through this financial and economic stagnation and decline we are going through right now. I've been seeing some of the employment numbers lately, and the news scares me, quite frankly. I am worried about how our constituents are going to keep roofs over their heads and food on their tables.

With that, in my research, Mr. Speaker, I noticed that we are one of the few jurisdictions here in the NWT that do not have an Aboriginal procurement policy. A good example of this for best practices is in the US. The US Small Business Administration, through the 8(a) Business Development program, supports disadvantaged businesses.

There are quite a few items to go through, but I'll try to keep this brief. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the Americans, our neighbours to the South, have set guidelines, and one did stand out, that businesses must be at least 51-percent owned and controlled by their citizens who are economically and socially disadvantaged. To me, that means that our American partners are taking steps to help their minority populations and their businesses.

How does this apply to the NWT, Mr. Speaker? It begs a few questions: where is the support for Indigenous businesses in the NWT to keep bidding on government contracts? What business specialists will help Indigenous businesses compete on bids, mentor businesses, and form joint ventures, and provide management and technical assistance? This service is not available in the NWT for Indigenous businesses who are starting up, developing, or expanding. These are definite service gaps that I believe this government can easily address.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, a solid Aboriginal procurement plan will no doubt be a path toward capacity building, creating employment, and will support Aboriginal governments toward self-determination. Undoubtedly, this will translate to more jobs in the North. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of ITI at the appropriate time. Marsi cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

COVID-19 Secretariat
Members' Statements

October 21st, 2020

Page 1355

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Today, we are talking about economic recovery here in the Northwest Territories. I believe it's time that we listen to our business sector and the public on how to boost our NWT economy.

Mr. Speaker, I have to reflect back on 150, again. That's the staff that the Premier's secretariat needs. That is one COVID staffer for every 200 people living in the territory. Eighty-seven million, Mr. Speaker. Eighty-seven million is what the department of COVID is going to cost the taxpayers in the Northwest Territories. That is more than three times what we're spending on the entirety of the Assembly's priorities over the four-year life of this Assembly. I refer to priorities like lowering our cost of living in the Northwest Territories, raising education standards, and decent, affordable housing. It also equals 300 homes for homeless and overcrowded Northerners. It equals the three new addiction treatment centres I spoke to earlier plus six badly needed community centres. It also equals 100 new classroom teachers employed continuously over the next five years of schooling.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, there are better, cheaper ways to respond to the COVID challenge, had the Premier and the Cabinet chosen to consider these options. I stand here today to say: enough is enough. Let's start listening to the people of the North. They are our voices as we stand here today, questioning these very important matters. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

COVID-19 Secretariat
Members' Statements

Page 1355

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Eulogy for Ralph Isaiah
Members' Statements

Page 1355

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ralph Charles Isaiah of Fort Simpson was born to Rosie Isaiah and Phillip Gargan on August 16, 1975. Ralph died suddenly and unexpectedly four days before his 45th birthday, on August 12, 2020. Ralph's dad, Phillip, died the year before, on July 9, 2019. Ralph was the second youngest of four brothers and six sisters.

Ralph was involved in a motor vehicle accident in July 1991. He turned 16 years old that summer. Ralph spent the last 29 years in a wheelchair as a quadriplegic. From 1991 to 2019, Ralph was lucky enough to be cared for in his own home by his loving and devoted mother. Ralph's mother, Rosie, is forever grateful for Ralph's large circle of friends and family members who provided tremendous help, caring and helping, whether it was feeding him, taking him for a walk, or just keeping him company. After 28 years in his own home, Ralph moved into the long-term care facility on March 2019.

Ralph's being in a wheelchair did not hinder him in wanting to learn more about what he loved to do, which was navigate the computer with his mouse stick. Ralph wanted to attend college and take a computer tech course. Ralph's family moved him and his mother to Edmonton in 1999 where he attended MacEwan College taking computer course. Ralph dreamt of going on a road trip. His family planned every aspect of his journey and drove Ralph from Fort Simpson to Fort St. James, B.C. This was a month-long trip that Ralph was forever grateful for his family to make his dreams come true. The importance of family and taking care of each other is shown in its truest form.

His mother, Rosie, and family would like to thank everybody for their kind words, thoughts, and prayers. She would also like to thank Ralph's friends for playing a huge part in his life. She would also like to thank the long-term care staff in Stanton Hospital for their continuous support. He will be sadly missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Eulogy for Ralph Isaiah
Members' Statements

Page 1355

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgments. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide this House with an update on the status of the Taltson hydro expansion project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Work continues to advance this project as it is a priority of this government. We continue to work with Indigenous partners to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding for how we will work together on this project. Efforts also continues towards the development of a preliminary business case on the project that incorporates the views and perspectives of Indigenous partners. Work also continues to collect environmental information to support the regulatory applications. This summer, we were fortunate enough to be able to have some field work to map out the bottom of the Great Slave Lake to inform possible routing for this transmission line.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I want to inform that the participants of this northern youth leadership program were involved with this work, which included 22 youth that participated in Nahidik projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I'm curious whether the Taltson expansion project will be delayed or altered in any way. Can the Minister confirm whether any aspect of this project has been changed or delayed?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

COVID-19 has impacted our ability to do community and stakeholder engagement, just to some degree. We are also currently working with a plan that takes into account the health and safety of our residents. Other work has also continued through this pandemic. For example, the desktop technical work that has continued on the project, and specialized initiatives such as our recent field program on the Great Slave, which was undertaken with some minor delays.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

In May, I questioned the previous Infrastructure Minister about Taltson, and she mentioned the establishment of an Indigenous engagement community relations unit within the Infrastructure department. Can the Minister explain what this community relations unit is and what they have done to date regarding the Taltson hydro expansion?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

The Taltson project team includes the Indigenous relations advisor. The primary focus for the role is to develop an engagement plan for the project in order to communicate what the project could look like while respectfully incorporating input and information from communities, residents, and Indigenous organizations. That work has only just begun, and meaningful engagement on the project will need to factor in the unique interests of the perspectives of Indigenous and Northern residents in order to minimize environmental impacts while maximizing some of the benefits.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, the Taltson hydro expansion is important for a number of reasons for the Northwest Territories, particularly for advancing economic development across the territory. Does the Minister agree that this project will help attract more economic development and business opportunities for the people of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Agreed. The Taltson hydro expansion has potential to connect ten NWT communities, and 70 percent of our population to one renewable hydro system that will stabilize the cost of electricity across the territory, reduce the impacts of the drop in the Snare system, and set the stage for clean economic growth from new to existing resource development projects, north and south of the Great Slave Lake. As we move towards construction, the northern economic impact of this project will only grow while our Indigenous partners at the table, we will enter into the regulatory process, establish critical protocols for business, employment, and training opportunities, and also work to ensure that project benefits stay in the North to the greatest extent possible. For example, approximately 600 construction jobs are expected during the construction phase over a five-year period.

Mr. Speaker, the Taltson expansion project is important to our future and economic recovery. It will provide energy-related infrastructure needed to advance our economy into the future, while also helping meet our mission targets. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about the situation in the NWT. Like I said yesterday, these are not my words. These are coming from the community, and I would like to question the Premier. Yesterday, I did not get an answer, so I am directing my question to the Premier. The Commissioner's report, so I'd like to ask her a question regarding the report. [Translation ends.]

I just want to question the Premier since she has the lead on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The 94 recommendations, more specifically for Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, the first question I have for the Premier is that I note, under this government, there was a promise made for a residential addiction treatment being provided here in the Northwest Territories. That hasn't been so to date yet. It's been a number of years now we've been waiting. I'd just like to know, more specifically what this government is planning to invest in in our people when it comes to residential treatment and as part of the TRC action plan, number 20 and 21, more specifically, Mr. Speaker. Masi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I'd like to start by re-emphasizing the Minister's statement the other day is that we support both residential treatment centres in the South and also on-the-land programming in the Northwest Territories. Only $500,000 is less for the on-the-land. We do put a huge chunk or resources into that fund, and again, quoting the Minister from the other day is that it looks like it's not all being accessed. Please reach out, any Indigenous communities that are looking to access that support; we will work with you through that process. I think, Mr. Speaker, that's a combination, and that's what we're looking at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

I, for one, would like to see more of our territorial investment into our people, and that is addiction treatment. We have so many people homeless, on the street, our downtown core especially. My own people are there, too, and I am trying to reach out to them. Mr. Speaker, the next question I have is more specific to that. It will be focusing on the TRC recommendation on wellness. It has been five years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued a call for new healing centres to deal with the emotion and spiritual damage caused by residential schools across the Northwest Territories in our region. The TRC especially singled out the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, therefore, I ask the Premier: why are we not pursuing a northern addiction treatment centre here in the North, Northerners treating Northerners in northern facilities, as the TRC highly recommended through the TRC actions 20 and 21, to be more specific?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I agree that we need treatment for people in the Northwest Territories. I am a child of family addictions, and I have seen the trauma that comes with it. I have seen family violence to a huge extent, a lot of pain and suffering for families within that. However, I also agree that you need to have different methods of care. One treatment does not work for all people. I know this is a new government. In the last Assembly, the Minister of Health and Social Services actually reached out to committee members and took them down South for a tour of the treatment centres. I was not part of that tour, but what I did hear is that it did open the eyes of MLAs to seeing and hearing the stories of residents and saying that they want choices, that sometimes it's not okay to have it in your community. Again, I have experienced that in my own family and the shame that comes with being a family member of addictions. It's impactful. I did reach out to the Minister, and we talked about it. I think that the Minister agreed that she would reach out to standing committee and offer that. If the Members are willing to take part in a tour, then we would be willing to offer that, as well.