Debates of Nov. 5th, 2020
This is page numbers 1689 - 1724 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 work.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 95-19(2): Work Plan for the Development of the GNWT Action Plan in Response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Final Report
- Minister's Statement 96-19(2): Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Support to Employers during COVID-19
- Minister's Statement 97-19(2): Sport Canada COVID-19 Funding Support
- Minister's Statement 98-19(2): Family Violence
- Remembrance Day
- Food Security
- Recognition of Interpreters
- Affirmative Action
- Remembrance Day
- Reflections on Effecting Positive Change
- Remembrance Day and Wish List
- Call on All Politicians to End Systemic Racism
- Elders' Housing Issues
- Guaranteed Basic Income
- National Skilled Trades and Technology Week - Recognition of Michael Turner-Davis and Nathan Dunn
- Remembrance Day
- National Skilled Trades and Technology Week - Recognition of Joel Hanthorn and Joseph Lemieux
- National Skilled Trades and Technology Week - Recognition of Slavomir Rohac
- Eulogy for Elaine Blake
- Return to Oral Question 358-19(2): Long-Term Care Facility
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 477-19(2): Direct Appointments in Government of the Northwest Territories
- Question 478-19(2): Food Security
- Question 479-19(2): Income Assistance
- Question 480-19(2): Addressing Systemic Racism
- Question 481-19(2): Elders Housing
- Question 482-19(2): Hiring Local
- Question 483-19(2): Alcohol Strategy
- Question 484-19(2): Ingraham Trail Fire Services from Dettah
- Question 485-19(2): Increased Winter Trucking and Covid-19 Considerations
- Written Question 21-19(2): Applications to the National Co-Investment Fund
- Return to Written Question 19-19(2): Homeowners Insurance
- Tabled Document 235-19(2): Taking Action - A Work Plan to Address the Calls for Justice in Reclaiming Power and Place: Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Tabled Document 236-19(2): Interim Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the Year Ended March 31, 2020 Tabled Document 237-19(2): Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation 2019-2020 Annual Report Tabled Document 238-19(2): Grants and Contributions Results Report 2019-2020 Tabled Document 239-19(2): Consolidated Budget 2020-2021 Tabled Document 240-19(2): Northwest Territories Oil and Gas Annual Report 2019
- Tabled Document 241-19(2): NWT Health and Social Services System Annual Report 2019-2020 Tabled Document 242-19(2): Tlicho Community Services Agency Health and Social Services Annual Report 2019-2020 Tabled Document 243-19(2): 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Tabled Document 244-19(2): Hay River Health and Social Services Authority Annual Report 2019-2020
- Tabled Document 245-19(2): Annual Report 2019-20 Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation
- Tabled Document 246-19(2): Annual Reports for the Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2019-2020 School Year Ending June 30, 2020 Volumes 1 and 2
- Tabled Document 247-19(2): Operations Report 2019-2020 Western Canada Lottery Program Tabled Document 248-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Annual Report 2019-2020
- Tabled Document 249-19(2): Excerpt from Globe And Mail, November 3, 2020 - "In Manitoba, An Omnibus Bill Puts Systemic Racism Against Indigenous People In Plain View"
- Motion 22-19(2): Appointment of Law Clerk, Carried
- Motion 23-19(2): Appointment of Sole Adjudicators, Carried
- Motion 24-19(2): Changes to Committee Membership, Carried
- Motion to Amend Motion 24-19(2), Carried
- Motion 25-19(2): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 3, 2021, Carried
- Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Motion 59-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Authorizing Speaker to Conduct Remote Session, Carried
- Committee Motion 60-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Display of Mace during Remote Sittings, Carried
- Committee Motion 61-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Authorization by Speaker of Remote Attendance of Members for Session, Carried
- Committee Motion 62-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Application of Rule 12(10) for Remote Attendance, Carried
- Committee Motion 63-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Training and Headsets for Online Sittings, Carried
- Committee Motion 64-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Neutral Background for Video Conferences, Carried
- Committee Motion 65-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Recorded Votes in Remote Sittings, Carried
- Committee Motion 66-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings Report on Remote Sittings - Registration of Votes in Event of Loss of Connection, Carried
- Committee Motion 67-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Roll Call Procedures, Carried
- Committee Motion 68-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Disconnection and Reconnection during Oral Questions, Carried
- Committee Motion 69-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Redirection of Questions during Loss of Ministers' Connections, Carried
- Committee Motion 70-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Announcement of Written Questions, Carried
- Committee Motion 71-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Members' Statements in Event of Loss of Connection, Carried
- Committee Motion 72-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Revised Daily Orders for Remote Sittings, Carried
- Committee Motion 73-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Reference Guide for Remote Sittings, Carried
- Committee Motion 74-19(2): Committee Report 6-19(2): Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Remote Sittings - Standing Committee Review of Remote Sittings, Carried
- Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
- Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
- Recorded Vote
- Assent To Bills
- Orders Of The Day
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1720

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Perhaps I'm a little less stubborn than my colleague from Frame Lake, but I share many of his sentiments. Ultimately, I will be voting in favour of this capital budget. I think there are a number of problems, but I believe our Cabinet and our government are aware of them. One I would like to see addressed is some of the smaller infrastructure at times. I'm happy to see that $2.5 million for our municipal funding gap, but we know there is plenty of more work to do. The Department of Infrastructure's deferred maintenance budget is growing every single year, I think, sometimes, as politicians, shiny, new, large infrastructure projects can seem very attractive, but if we're not making sure the existing infrastructure we have is properly maintained, that's ultimately going to cost us in the long run.
Additionally, I think there is a lot of work to be done with procurement, but I'm confident that this Cabinet will go out and do that work. Therefore, as we roll out this capital budget and we catch up on those carry-overs and we get this money out the door, it will truly employ Northerners. Lastly, I think all of us in this House are happy to see more money for housing and more money for our communities. I think both of those items are essential to our economic recovery and to the prosperity of our citizens. I would like to thank everyone for their work on this capital budget, and I look forward to continuing in the new session on the next one. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
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Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1721

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Marsi cho, Madam Speaker. Again, we can always make compromises and I think this was a good example in the last couple days how all 18 of us worked together and looked for solutions to find ways to pick away at our mandate items. We have some lofty goals, and we're doing this through a pandemic. I'm really happy that we earmarked some allocation of funds for housing and for MACA. I'm very glad to work with our colleagues. It was good to see that chemistry happen and make those things happen. I'm very happy for that.
In terms of the appropriation act as a whole, again, it's one of those things that I don't want to say upsets me; I'm disappointed. We need to see more for our small communities. There needs to be more evenness throughout our infrastructure items. I said in the House before, in the last, I'd say over 100 years ago, 80, 90 years ago, there was a depression. The Great Depression happened and what a lot of the governments did, too, is they put money back into their infrastructure projects to keep people working. Again, I'm starting to see that trend again happening. I'm hoping that happens here because this is going to be a tough time for the next while, and we're going to find ways to keep people working, keep people housed, keeping the food on the table and not just in the larger centres and our regional centres but in our small communities, as well. That's what we need. With that, I won't be supporting this motion, but I just wanted to say that, moving forward, I'm hoping we can find more equity. I want to say marsi cho to all my colleagues.
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1721

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler
Thank you. To the motion. Member for Hay River South.
MR. ROCKY SIMPSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm going to vote in favour of this motion. We have to work with what we have. We have a lot of issues out there, and I think a lot of them were raised and addictions was one of them that I think that we as a government really have to take seriously and put some effort into and some financial backing. I look at housing in Hay River; there is a real shortage, so I'm glad that there is money going into that so we can access some of that co-investment dollars, rapid housing and so on. The other thing when I think about this budget, I think about Hay River requiring a new waterline or at least a waterline repair. We also need a new water plant. We need new pipes in the ground. Some of them are probably as old as me, so there you go. I think that what we did here is we compromised. It was consensus government maybe not at its best, but I think it worked. I think we should be proud of what we did here and move forward. I'll be voting in favour of the motion. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1721
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1721

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wanted to speak briefly to the collaboration that was already described, and I appreciate that. The collaboration sometimes to the outside, to the public, isn't necessarily obviously or transparent. It's one of those things that we don't want it to be seen as something that happens behind closed doors; it doesn't. It happens between MLAs. It happens between the people who have been elected here and the conversations that are being had between Cabinet and between all of the Regular MLAs. Those conversations started all the way back in the summer. There have been presentations between the department, multiple departments, in fact; there have been multiple conversations, both in terms of individuals coming to me and then, of course, on behalf of committee. I do want to emphasize that collaboration, it really is quite a meaningful thing. There were a lot of conversations that were had, and that was what ultimately made this capital estimates better, made it strong, and it made it more representative.
Madam Speaker, we cannot possibly do all things all at the same time. That is not possible, and it's not financially feasible or not fiscally responsible. We have to recognize and remember that there are needs across the whole of the Northwest Territories. We lag behind. The age of our infrastructure and the simple lack of infrastructure is a fact across the entire Northwest Territories, and we cannot let that hold us back. We cannot let that hold back the future prosperity of the Northwest Territories, and that prosperity depends in turn on having healthy people, educated people. I am happy to say that the capital estimates include funding for schools; for health centres; for the fish plant in Hay River; lots of investments in parks; include transportation corridors, including in MLA Norn's riding, we have advanced a project. This has really been an opportunity to look across the needs of the territories and try to find ways that we can collaborate and do the best we can with what we have.
It is ambitious, Madam Speaker. It is ambitious. Fortunately, we do have the procurement review that is going to be taking place in advance of the timing of these capital estimates so that, hopefully, we can make the dollars that far going to be spent here more sticky into the Northwest Territories, if that is how the procurement review unfolds, and also ensure that, when we have this plan roll out, we are really delivering on all of our promises to ensure prosperity in the Northwest Territories, as I say. I am very happy, again, that we are able to vote on this today. I am looking forward to support, and I am also wanting to reflect that it was, at times, difficult but, ultimately, a consensus process that brought us here today. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Bill 22: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler
Question has been called. The Minister has requested a recorded vote. All those in favour, please stand.
Recorded Vote
Third Reading Of Bills
November 5th, 2020
Page 1722
Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer
The Member for Yellowknife South, the Member for Range Lake, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Sahtu, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Great Slave, the Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Yellowknife North, the Member for Monfwi.
Recorded Vote
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722
Recorded Vote
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722
Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer
The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the Member for Frame Lake.
Recorded Vote
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler
All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote are: 14 in favour, two opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 22 has had third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, is prepared to enter the Chamber and assent to the bills?
Recorded Vote
Third Reading Of Bills
Page 1722
Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Hon. Margaret Thom
Please be seated. Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, Premier Cochrane, Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and staff.
[English translation not available] [Translation] Thank you very much. [Translation ends] [Microphone turned off] ...your patience during these challenging times.
It is my honour to take this moment to encourage and remind everyone of the dedication and proud service made by current and past brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Remembrance Day is on Wednesday, November the 11th. It is a day when we remember and honour all who left their homes and families to fight for our country and, more importantly, for our freedoms. Some of these brave men and women never returned home; they died serving Canada.
As your Commissioner, I will proudly take part in the outdoor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Yellowknife Cenotaph. I will be accompanied by my aide-de-camp, and, together with others at the ceremony, we will remember and honour the fallen and their ultimate sacrifice for our country.
As this sitting comes to an end, I would like to wish each and every one of you good health, happiness, and prosperity. Please enjoy the Christmas season with your family and constituents. It will be different this year, yet it is still a joyful and blessed season. Be creative, and continue to be good role models, keeping in mind the safety protocols put in place to protect the health and safety of all residents.
In closing, may you be gifted with continued guidance and vision as you work together cooperatively for the betterment of all residents of the Northwest Territories. I wish you all safety in your journey home to your loved ones.
Assent To Bills
Assent To Bills
Page 1722
Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Hon. Margaret Thom
Now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
- Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020
- Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Corrections Act
- Bill 18, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act
- Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act
- Bill 21, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021
- Bill 22, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022
Mahsi cho, thank you, quyanainni, merci beaucoup, koana.
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