This is page numbers 295 - 344 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.

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

Page 301

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Kieron Testart, who is a constituent of Range Lake riding, and was also a one-time MLA in the 18th Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Page 301

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we have missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber, and I hope you are enjoying our proceedings. It is always nice to have an audience with us. Thank you. Item 6, replies to the budget address (Day 3 of 7). Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the mandate we are approving here, enabling our seniors to live at home with dignity. The three Ministers that are given responsibilities, the Minister of ECE, the Housing Corporation, Health and Social Services: are their responsibilities separate as Ministers, or are they going to be working together? Question is for the Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Absolutely. This government is actually working closer than, what I understand, from any other government before. All three Ministers will be working on this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Since they are working so fast and working together, could we move up the timeline in regards to getting into our communities, in collaboration, in a coordinated visit to move up for the Elders in our community?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

My Ministers are willing to visit constituents as people invite them. Unfortunately, though, I can't make a commitment on what time, because they all have schedules that they will have to coordinate. Invite us and we will come.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

April 4th.

---Laughter

This government is openly considering a pilot project in Nunakput to make the improvements to help my seniors age in place. If so, I would be happy to work with the appropriate Minister on the proposal as it goes forward. I think that is the Minister of Health.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Again, all Ministers are more than willing to work with our Members across the hall. Please contact our Minister, and I am sure that they will make arrangements to work with you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Arnica project is a good project in that it brings in federal dollars. The other thing it does is: it will create employment and also provide some opportunities for contractors. Most importantly, it provides 42 extra beds for people who need housing. Mr. Speaker, I have asked the Minister of housing if she will commit her department to develop a policy setting a process that would ensure future proponents accessing federal housing programs are provided timely assistance with completing such applications. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With this new federal funding that is rolling out with the $60 million co-investment fund, it is a new set of money, and it does come with a unique approach. We are willing to work with people within the Northwest Territories to complete their applications and to assist them the best that we can.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

In Hay River, the family support centre is trying to, over the past the couple of years, they have been trying to get a housing project off the ground, and again, non-profit limited resources and running into a bit of a problem. I know the Housing Corporation has been assisting, but will the Minister of housing structure the department to assist the Hay River Family Support Centre with their co-investment application, as well?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Yes. The Housing Corporation, we are there to help and assist with the application process. It is quite lengthy. I just want to explain to the Member, as well, that this is a federal program. It is offered through CMHC, and we don't even see the applications. It would be two different approaches, that the family support centre in Hay River would be working solely with CMHC and their representative, and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, we are here as a support system for people of the Northwest Territories to access this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for Victim Services for this government. Can the Minister tell us about the comprehensive review of Victim Services, who carried out this work, and when it will be available to MLAs and the public? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister of Justice.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The evaluation is currently underway. It is not complete yet. Right now, I am anticipating it will be received by the end of April to myself, and I will then endeavour to have it to the Members of this House as quickly as possible thereafter. Thank you.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that. I do not think I heard who is actually doing the study, but maybe she can throw that in with the next response. The exact duties and job descriptions of the Victim Services coordinators, they are not very clear. These are delivered through third parties in various communities. It is my understanding that some of these individuals perform many functions above and beyond the call of duty, including cleaning up crime scenes. Can the Minister explain exactly what type of supports are available for these coordinators and whether there has ever been a review of the effectiveness of these supports?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I apologize to the Member. I had missed that part. The review is being done by FWCO Management Consultants. Now, with respect, Mr. Speaker, to the work being done by Victim Services providers in the communities, I have had the opportunity of working directly, prior to being in this role, with some of the individuals who provide Victim Services. They do tremendous work. They do often go above and beyond.

As for cleaning up crime scenes, that is the very first time I have ever heard that, and I would certainly hope I can speak to the Member further if that is, in fact, the case. That said, with respect to generally their duties and the supports, I am assured that the current review that is underway will consider whether or not our Victim Services workers are being given adequate supports and what more might need to be done, if anything, to better support them.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that. I can assure her that is what I heard first-hand, directly from a constituent who had to serve in that capacity before. The community-based approach to Victim Services makes a lot of sense, of course. It has been in place since 1996, but clearly, the network of supports and coordinators has never been completed. As I understand it, there are 11 coordinators in eight communities. Can the Minister tell us if there are plans to expand these services to all of our communities, and when will that happen?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

At this point, between now and April, we will be waiting on the review to determine whether or not there needs to be an expansion. In the meantime, Victim Services workers do provide assistance by phone, though certainly I have no illusions; that is not the same as being in person. Again, Mr. Speaker, I will be waiting on that review to determine whether or not some further action needs to be taken to expand or how else we might better support victims of crime across the territories.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. Can the Minister tell us, though, whether there are any specific plans now to improve Victim Services here in the Northwest Territories, and what will those improvements look like, hint, hint, budget 2020-2021? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.