This is page numbers 1413 - 1442 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 health.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Housing
Members' Statements

October 27th, 2020

Page 1418

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I've said before that a house is not a home. A home is a place that assures us safety, individual and community health, a platform for participating in community, and is embedded sustainably into the fabric of an emerging North and provides reliable comfort. The focus of a home, Mr. Speaker, is the person.

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights argues that housing is a human right that underpins an adequate standard of living throughout all stages of life with focused attention on mothers and children. Article 21 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples distinguishes the right to housing as an integral part of the Indigenous right to economic and social development consistent with their unique cultural character in the context of self-determination. A home is not a big box commodity available to those that can afford it. A home is fundamental to the dignity and worth of every human life that is free of poverty, underdevelopment, and discrimination.

Housing must support and express the diversity and richness of our communities and cultures. Canada's 2017 National Housing Strategy begins with the principle that every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable home grounded in the principles of inclusion, participation, accountability, and non-discrimination. It is intended that housing program should align with sustainable and accessible communities, climate change, the needs of the most vulnerable, and the values of Indigenous self-determination, reconciliation, respect, and cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is at a fork in the road, and it is time to prioritize housing NWT residents. We need to look at the barriers NWT residents face to access affordable housing. We need to actively set up partnerships to build housing, and we need to ensure trauma-focused client service is there to support the GNWT's efforts to house Northerners. Housing is theme that permeates the priorities of this Assembly. It shows up as affordable homes and the reduction of core housing. It shows up by enabling seniors to age in place with dignity. It shows up as the container for childhood development and as economic benefit retention in home construction. It shows up in the adaptation and transformation of climate change impacts. Housing is critical to building a North that provides a secure and healthy home for us now and into the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Housing
Members' Statements

Page 1419

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members, before we carry on, I'd like to recognize Ms. Elaine Keenan-Bengts, who is with us in the gallery. She was appointed as the first Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories in 1997 and has held the position for the last 23 years. Wish you all the best in your future time. Mahsi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

SPCA Core Funding
Members' Statements

Page 1419

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin today, I'd like to thank the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh for raising the idea of Detah providing fire services for the Ingraham Trail. I'll note that this is actually from Detah to the junction as opposed to the Yellowknife North Fire Hall to the junction is actually a few kilometers shorter, so it could result in a quicker response time. Also, the risk profile of a fire occurring in the Detah and the Ingraham Trail at the same time is much lower than a fire occurring in Yellowknife and the Ingraham Trail. I hope the Minister can get all those parties together and find a resolution for that.

My statement today, Mr. Speaker, is about something that has been mentioned in this House multiple times by multiple MLAs, and that's core funding for the SPCA. I think, in one sense, core funding for the SPCA is the ultimate goal, but my frustration lies in that we've had dribs and drabs of funding in different policies over the years and we haven't even got to the process where there is some sort of application funding for the SPCA. Mr. Speaker, presently, it is not clear in the GNWT who is responsible for animal welfare.

There is an argument that dogs in ditches is just municipalities. However, the work of the SPCA and the work of animal welfare is so much larger than that. Rabies is endemic to Arctic foxes in the NWT. There is no way for us to meaningfully address rabies in this territory other than consistently vaccinate our dogs. Public health has provided rabies vaccines in the past, however, consistently making sure they got out into the public has fallen on the wayside. Our ENR wildlife vet does great work making sure anthrax outbreaks do not occur, making sure that we are tracking, as ticks move south, the possibility of Lyme disease. I am grateful for their work, but the ENR mandate stops as soon as it stops being wildlife.

Climate change is going to make these issues more apparent, and I'm not asking for a lot. I'm asking for a pool of funding such that a very important organization can have some stability, and to make sure someone in the GNWT across all these departments is looking at the issues surrounding animal welfare. ITI has part of that mandate if we are dealing with livestock or egg producers and the commercial aspects of it. As we sit here in a global pandemic and as we see the increases of viruses largely due to animal and human interaction, I think it is not too much to ask to make sure there is someone in the GNWT looking for this and one of the key organizations who has long brought stability to this area is properly funded. Today, I will have questions for the Minister of health on the public aspect, health aspect, of animal health. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

SPCA Core Funding
Members' Statements

Page 1419

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Self-Isolation Exemptions
Members' Statements

Page 1419

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak about the exemptions of many of the medical travel patients and their escorts, which, in most cases, include family such as children. Many of the patients have to go to Edmonton to see a specialist for serious ailments as there are not many or very few specialists in the Northwest Territories. Upon return to the NWT, they would have to self-isolate at a regional centre for 14 days. According to the document, thresholds and criteria for exemptions to self-isolate in a non-hub community for compassionate or exceptional reasons, the Chief Public Health Officer after review of requests in relation to set criteria may grant approval to self-isolate at home in their home community.

Mr. Speaker, the document goes on to state that in addition to ensuring that there are clear, compassionate or exceptional circumstances associated with an application, there is also a need to ensure that community leadership is advised of decisions made by the CPHO respecting exemptions. It goes on to state this is not an approval nor an opportunity for leadership to deny but an opportunity to expect concern or not of exemptions to isolate in their community and to be aware of exemptions.

Mr. Speaker, this is good news for many of the patients on medical travel and, perhaps, alleviate their stress of having to be away from home for long stretches of time and then do the routine all over again after the next appointment. There could be many more appointments. Mr. Speaker, a decision that is made solely by the CPHO who does not live in the communities where there are concerns with people self-isolating in the community without submitting a coronavirus test result is very concerning to the local leadership. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

Self-Isolation Exemptions
Members' Statements

Page 1420

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, I'd like to talk about how we receive funding. I'm talking about billions of dollars, and it's very difficult. Sometimes, it's really difficult to get an addiction treatment centre here in our homeland. Instead, I'm going to talk about the treatment centre [Translation ends]. Why can't we as a territory with our billion-dollar budgets find a way of providing residential addiction treatment here in our homeland in the Northwest Territories instead of spending $2 million a year sending people south?

Mr. Speaker, our sister territory Nunavut is proceeding with a new treatment centre. That territory is using $25 million to leverage an additional $50 million in federal funding for a treatment centre to be built in Nunavut. Furthermore, they have committed $11 million for training counsellors because, unlike the Northwest Territories, Nunavut believes in Northerners caring for Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, the federal contribution stems from a call to action by the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Call to action number 20 calls for a sustainable federal funding for "New Aboriginal healing centres to address the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual harms caused by residential schools," and to ensure, Mr. Speaker, that the funding of healing centres in Nunavut and Northwest Territories is a priority. Unlike the NWT, Mr. Speaker, Nunavut took the action seriously.

Mr. Speaker, shame on us. Shame on us that we would take this so lightly, dismissed the recommendation of truth and reconciliation commission report. Shame on us, Mr. Speaker, which we would so recklessly disregard the federal funding, opportunity contained into call to action number 20. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Masi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Eulogy for Isadore Sam Ekotla
Members' Statements

Page 1420

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Isadore Sam Ekolta was born September 20, 1936, in Snake River, B.C., and passed away on July 10, 2020, at the age of 84. Isadore was preceded by his father, Charles Edward, his mother, Alice, his sons, Gordon (ph), Frederick (ph), Leonard (ph), Emile (ph), and his daughter Joan.

Sam was a very knowledgeable hunter and trapper that was well-respected in the community of Nahanni Butte. He was always able to provide good advice when asked. He had an open-door policy and was always encouraging people to drop by and chat. Isadore is survived by his wife, Maribella; his son, Brian; his daughters, Helen and Ellen; and his sister, Pauline Bertrand; half-brother, Frederick Work; his greatgrandchildren, Hailey , Shawna, Destiny, Shawn, Gary, Tangris, Trevor, and Leonard; his aunt, Mary, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank everybody for their kind words and for those who were able to attend the funeral from out-of-town during this trying time. He will be sadly missed by the family and the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Eulogy for Isadore Sam Ekotla
Members' Statements

Page 1420

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Members' statements.

Colleagues, before we begin, I'd also like to welcome with us today, the staff of Ms. Keenan-Bengts: Lee Pipers, I hope I pronounced that right; Tyla Cra. Welcome. Also, the husband of Ms. McLeod, Ted. Welcome to the proceedings today. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

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

Page 1420

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to introduce Ms. Deborah McLeod and her husband. They are my constituents, and I wish them the very best for their retirement. Thank you.

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

Page 1421

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

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

Page 1421

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

I'd like to recognize Ms. Elaine Keenan-Bengts as my constituent, as well, and congratulate her on her retirement. Thank you.

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

Page 1421

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. For all those joining us today, welcome to the gallery. It's always good to have an audience with us. Mahsi.

Item 5, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 6, reports of standing and special committees. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission's annual report and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations Committee has reviewed the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. The committee thanks Mr. Charles Dent, chair of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission; Ms. Deborah McLeod, director of Human Rights; and Mr. Sheldon Toner, chair of the Adjudication Panel for their appearance before the committee on June 1, 2020.

The Human Rights Act requires the commission to prepare annual reports. These reports include information on the numbers and grounds of complaints filed. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, committee reviews the report.

The commission's 2018-2019 report highlighted its focus on accessibility and outreach. It also addressed recent changes made to the Human Rights Act. The commission's work and recommendations are reflected in committee's observations. In our report, committee makes recommendations to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities to government buildings and information on the Internet.

The committee acknowledges the unique circumstances of this year's review of the commission's report. The COVID-19 global pandemic created challenges for everyone, and particularly those living in vulnerable circumstances. The committee noted that inclusiveness and accessibility are critically important in government responses to the pandemic.

I will now pass the reading on to the Member for Kam Lake.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

The NWT Human Rights Commission is separate from the Government of the Northwest Territories. It is part of the human rights system set up under the Human Rights Act. Most legislation in the Northwest Territories has a Cabinet Minister responsible for the act. This is different for the Human Rights Act. It says the commission is responsible to the Legislative Assembly for the administration of the act. The Assembly's Office of the Clerk is responsible for the oversight of the territory's statutory officers, including the Human Rights Commission.

The commission's role is to protect people from discrimination. They promote equality through education, research, and advocacy. The act makes it illegal to discriminate or harass anyone based on age, disability, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, social condition, religion, political belief, or pardoned criminal conviction. The commission promotes the compliance with the act, and they also monitor and assess how well the act is working.

Transitioning to a Restorative Approach

The committee has followed the transition of the Human Rights Commission to a restorative practice approach with interest. It began in 2014, with the comprehensive review of the Human Rights Act. This was followed by the three independent agencies of the NWT human rights system: the commission; the adjudication panel; and the director accepting the review's recommendations. In 2015, the three agencies published an implementation plan for the commission's transition to a restorative approach to human rights work.

The restorative process moves away from the existing legal and confrontational court-like process. Instead, the process focuses on the relationship between the parties and on resolving the dispute. The goal is to "manage conflict and tension by repairing harm and building relationships."

The committee supports the commission's offering opportunities for settling complaints voluntarily through a dispute resolution process. During the public hearing, Director McLeod stated that the commission started with the restorative approach early in 2017, and immediately saw a large number of parties participating.

The commission reports that 40 percent of all files closed in 2018-2019 were settled through restorative dispute resolution. This is similar to 2017-2018, where almost half of the complaints settled this way.

Committee learned that, in 2018-2019, 60 percent of complaints went into the restorative dispute resolution process. This is a positive sign. It shows more people are sitting down together to work out their human rights issues.

Organizational Structure of the Human Rights Commission

When preparing the 2018-2019 annual report, the commission was composed of three agencies: the appointed members of the commission (five individuals); the director; and the adjudication panel (five individuals). Both the Office of the Director and the adjudication panel have support staff. Commission members are members of the public appointed by the Legislative Assembly. The director's office administers the complaint process, refers complaints to the adjudication panel, and acts as secretary to the commission.

The number of parties navigating the system without support or representation was a key concern in the comprehensive review of the act. The change to the structure of the commission by combining the commission and the director's office into one agency is part of addressing this concern.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass it to the MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In March 2019, an amended Human Rights Act consolidated the Office of the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Director into a single agency: the Human Rights Commission. With the amendments, the commission gains a role in the complaints process by looking after complaints and preparing to bring them before the adjudicator. This is referred to as "carriage of complaints." Complaints that cannot be resolved through the director's dispute resolution process go to the adjudication panel for hearing.

Committee welcomes that the commission now has a legal counsel who can provide advice in the later part of the complaint process.

During 2018-2019, commission members and staff took a course on fairness as a principle of restorative practice. The commission also held sessions for members of the adjudication panel. They also offered educational sessions and workshops on restorative practices to interest groups.

The committee welcomes the commission's proactiveness and preparatory work toward implementing the changes made to the Human Rights Act. The amendments will come into force annually over a three-year period, from 2019 to 2021.

Focus on Accessibility

During 2018-2019, the commission focused on accessibility. The commission's key achievement of 2018-2019 was developing an accessibility checklist to help make public events more accessible to persons with disabilities. Committee notes that the commission's goal is to create inclusive hamlets, villages, towns, and cities by ensuring people are feeling "welcomed in a way that respects each person's dignity."

Accessibility includes physical access, web access, and access to services. It also includes social inclusion, equality, respect, and equity in opportunity. The checklist helps businesses and groups to identify if their services and products are accessible to all people. It also talks about how to accommodate people with specific needs.

The commission's website now offers a separate tab for accessibility. The webpage provides resources and links for improving accessibility to all services, including how to improve web experiences for users with disabilities, how to use plain language, and other ways to improve accessibility. It also provides information on legal rights for people who use service animals.

Complaints on the Grounds of Disability

Disability is the basis for the majority of complaints filed. This is not just in the NWT but across Canada. Disability includes mental and physical disabilities and can relate to hearing, vision, mobility, memory, or something else.

During 2018-2019, two-thirds of all new complaints alleged discrimination based on disability. The rate was almost the same for the previous two years.

According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, 20 percent of adults 15 years and over in the NWT are limited in their daily activities due to a disability. This is a large increase compared to 2012, where 8.2 percent of adults were limited due to a disability. It is expected that the population with some sort of disability will increase, partly based on the aging of society.

According to the NWT Bureau of Statistics, the population of seniors, those aged 60 and older, grew by 68.5 percent over the past 10 years. Nationwide, the territories experienced the second-highest growth in seniors population, with only the Yukon having higher numbers. Seniors present nearly 15 percent of the NWT's total population. Aging increases the risk of having disabilities, and many seniors experience moderate to severe disability.

I will pass the reading of the report to the Member for Yellowknife North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Accessible Design for Buildings

The committee heard the commission's concern that many NWT businesses and service providers believe that the National Building Code sets the standard for accessibility and that "compliance with this code allows them to meet their responsibilities under the Human Rights Act." The commission says this is not always the case.

The commission held an International Human Rights Day event with the theme "accessibility" in Yellowknife. Mr. Van Dyke presented on how the National Building Code affects him as a person with a disability. The commission expressed much concern about limitations of full accessibility for all in the NWT.

The commission believes accessibility is one of the most important parts of building a healthy community. The commission is concerned about the barriers that prevent full accessibility, including:

  • the lack of connection between the requirements set out in the National Building Code and what is actually considered an accessible space;
  • that the ongoing update of the National Building Code will be completed soon; and
  • that the National Building Code in the NWT include reference to Canadian Standards Association standard B651-18, "Accessible Design for the Built Environment."

For the coming year, the commission will campaign on the relationship between the National Building Code and the act to enable NWT businesses and service providers to better understand their rights and responsibilities under the act.

The committee recognizes the need for the GNWT to ensure that residents have equitable access to opportunities and services and that standards and codes adopted in the NWT are consistent with legislation.

Other options under discussion are that the GNWT adopt the National Building Code to have legislation that includes rules for accessibility. One challenge is that the code is part of the Fire Prevention Regulations by the Fire Marshall. This could mean that accessibility is not a priority, as the code sets a minimum requirement for buildings that may not meet the requirements under the human rights law.

Committee agrees that NWT residents, builders, and building owners need to know what is required to make a building completely accessible. Committee also identified many points that are unclear regarding who is responsible for funding accessible building design or renovations. It is not clear whether the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs would be responsible for retrofits and, if yes, whether this would apply to communities outside of Yellowknife or not.

Finally, the committee wondered whether the GNWT would consider incentives for builders to use building designs in projects such as small-scale construction, renovation, or retrofit programming that would provide the accessibility requirements under the NWT Human Rights Act.

Consequently, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories investigate and take the necessary steps to solve the issues, and remove the barriers, that prevent the alignment between building codes and standards and the Human Rights Act.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will now pass the reading of the report on to the Member for Deh Cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Outreach and Digital Transformation

A key task of the commission is to educate employers, businesses, community groups, and residents about their rights and responsibilities under the act. During 2018-2019, the commission reported that 15 communities were visited in person. Thirteen of these were visited as part of community wellness fairs organized by the Indigenous Health and Community Wellness Division of Health and Social Services. Due to the pandemic, the fairs have stopped and outreach will focus on online activities.

The committee commends the commission on improving their website. This includes enlarged buttons and increased colour contrasts to aid persons with visual disabilities. Other improvements include that documents and resources are made in an accessible format, such as MS Word documents.

Now is the time for government to update its web services, focusing on online communication and digital access. The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic relied heavily on online service.

Committee encourages the GNWT to take this important step to open the doors to persons with disabilities. Examples of service standards for accessibility of electronic platforms exist in other Canadian jurisdictions. Regulations created in Ontario establish accessibility standards for customer service, including training requirements of staff and service standards.

The GNWT can make concrete changes that will make a difference. This includes ensuring documents posted to government websites are accessible for users who do not have specific software for reading documents saved in portable document format.

Consequently, the committee recommends:

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance digital access and inclusion for people living with disabilities in the NWT by reviewing current practices in serving the public and identifying measures to improve the existing situation with the goal to reduce the number of complaints to the Human Rights Commission on the grounds of disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I will now pass the reading of the report to the MLA for Thebacha. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Member for Thebacha.