This is page numbers 105 - 162 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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Since 2015, two annual reports have been released under our Alberta-NWT transboundary agreement, and a report for 2017-2018 is currently being finalized for release.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Can the Minister ensure that the reports will be shared with the public, especially the effect on First Nations in the Akaitcho Territory, the Dehcho Territory, and K'atlodeeche First Nations?

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

All reports are publicly released and available on the ENR website, but specifically to the Member's question, we will make sure they get a copy of the report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are going to be for the Premier. Over the last few years, I've had the pleasure to attend different events with the Premier in regard to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women inquiry, so I know that it is important, as well, to her. My first question is: will the Premier ensure that each of her Cabinet reads the calls for justice? This is not only for the Minister responsible for Women, but all Ministers, so they work with their departments and they can ensure that they use them to guide their work, as there are many small changes that can be made with big impacts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to start by recognizing the honourable Member for noticing. It is a huge issue that should not only be important for all Indigenous women, but it should be important for all women, and all men, actually. This is a serious issue that is affecting our people, and it's not okay. I do know I kind of had to get some okays because I have looked at the recommendations and I know that they are huge binders, so what I will commit to, recognizing that, is I will share the binders, all of the report, with the Ministers. I will ask that they read the second section of the binders, which is really the recommendations. The first part is actually the stories of people. For myself, it was heartbreaking, having a friend in that book, but what I will do is ask the Ministers to read the recommendations from the review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

I would also like to ask the Premier to commit that she would have all senior-level management read the final report, because I think a lot of our senior managers may not know the stories and the history, so I feel that it's important that they read it. The reason why is, I feel like how can they provide direction to their departments without the complete understanding of the history of the people they're providing service for?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Yes, I will extend the recommendation to read it, or the direction to read it, to our senior managers, as well, at the deputy-minister level, and then they can decide from there.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

I have one last question: can the Premier ensure that there are sections on both the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report and the TRC in the cultural awareness training for all staff of the GNWT that is being piloted right now, and, if not, can they ensure that it's in there?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I'm a little bit cautious because I do know how big the reading is and training is not usually at that level. What I can actually request for departments is that they look at any cultural awareness training that they actually have key points from all of the recommendations and calls to action in their key points. I don't think it would be appropriate to ask every person in training to read the whole report.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, now that we have the snow blower, we have to widen the airport. The widening of the airport is the next thing. Northwestern Air Lease was only informed of the lights being changed and replaced, with no mention of the runway narrowing, until a week before the work was to start. My question is: why were Northwestern Air Lease and Air Tindi, which is a medevac supplier, not consulted prior to all of these airport infrastructure changes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Infrastructure.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 112

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department talked with the Northern Air Transport Association, or NATA, and Northwestern Air Lease and Air Tindi are members of that association. The runway level of service did not change, therefore the aircraft used by Air Tindi and Northwestern Air Lease were not impacted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 112

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

When was the decision made to make all these airport changes, and why were the major users of the airport and the Town of Fort Smith not part of that decision?

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

The decision was made in September of 2017. The level of service at the airport did not change. Only the air carriers as part of the Northern Air Transport Association were approached, as the airport operational certificate was maintained. Any aircraft that Air Canada or WestJet could operate in the Northwest Territories can land in Fort Smith.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

It was noted last summer by Northwestern Air Lease that the Electra water bomber now has to taxi all the way to the end of the runway in order to turn around, thus delaying fire suppression activities. Was this risk factor taken into account when the decision was made to narrow the airport runway?

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

We feel taxiing down the runway does not pose a significant delay and thus can perform fire suppression activities accordingly.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Thebacha.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If there was a need to bring in heavy air tankers for the fire suppression, would these aircraft be able to use Fort Smith as a reloading base, or would the tankers have to reload in Hay River or Yellowknife, thereby delaying fire suppression activities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 112

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

The Fort Smith airport is designed for a 737. The geophysical features allow the operation of water bombers; the same level of service is maintained. Every aircraft that can land in Hay River can also land in Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 66-19(2): Fort Smith Regional Airport
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice. Media is reporting that a woman was held on remand in RCMP cells for 11 days because of a number of reasons. Can the Minister say why this choice was the best one available at the time? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Justice.