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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Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 1-19(2), asked by the Member for Frame Lake on February 5, 2020, related to the Government of the Northwest Territories' participation in the Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup from January 18 to 23, 2020, in Vancouver.

This year's Roundup presented a timely opportunity for the GNWT to confirm and action the 19 Legislative Assembly's stated priority to increase resource exploration and development.

Cabinet Members, Indigenous governments, and government officials represented and promoted the Northwest Territories and used this opportunity to highlight that the GNWT recognizes the critical economic importance of realizing new mining projects.

The NWT delegation to this year's Roundup was led by myself in my role as Premier and Ministers Nokleby and Thompson. Senior officials, geoscientists with the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, marketing professionals, and support staff rounded out the delegation of 22 GNWT representatives. The total cost of air travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals, and transportation for the GNWT delegation was $70,753. No allowances were paid. All travel was economy class except in two flight segments where business class flight prices were lower by $130 and $277 respectively than available economy class seats.

Additionally, the GNWT supported the participation of 16 NWT regional Indigenous government representatives at a cost of $99,611 that includes $65,000 in air travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals, and transportation. Ensuring that Indigenous governments are represented at Roundup supports the NWT Mineral Development Strategy goal of enhancing Indigenous engagement and capacity and provides Indigenous governments with an opportunity to demonstrate their support for responsible resource development alongside the GNWT.

Roundup offered an opportunity to showcase to industry that support exists in the NWT for mineral exploration and mining, particularly within Indigenous governments and jurisdictions.

It also provided an opportunity to highlight that key infrastructure and mining projects are advancing and succeeding in our jurisdiction.

The NWT's trade show presence is an important component of GNWT participation at this event. Three booths showcasing the NWT's geology and geoscience, exploration and investment potential, and public infrastructure initiatives, along with four adjacent booths showcasing Indigenous governments and organizations, were part of the NWT trade show presence. The strategic location and positioning of these booths created a 'gathering place' which acted as a venue for networking opportunities, meetings and media events.

GNWT exhibition costs and affiliated registration fees totaled approximately $37,157. No consultant fees were paid. Registration costs totaling $1,124 were also paid for affiliated professional development opportunities that staff attended at the conference.

The GNWT supported and took part in a number of media and networking events to increase industry awareness of the NWT's investment environment and to promote the potential of NWT mineral resources. These included:

  • The annual NWT Night reception at which the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Indigenous leaders had an opportunity to address and network with 334 registered attendees, including industry representatives and other stakeholders.
  • The launch of regional mineral development strategies completed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
  • The signing of a commercial agreement for Det'on Cho Corporation to become the contracted miner for the Cheetah Resources Ltd. Nechalacho rare earth elements project.
  • An Indigenous business panel discussion focused on capacity building and participation in the exploration and mining sectors.
  • A coffee gathering with NWT leaders.
  • A lunch for NWT students enrolled in post-secondary education programs in the British Columbia lower mainland area.
  • The launch of the Invest Canada North Campaign (a partnered three-year marketing and promotion initiative in collaboration with Canada, Yukon, Nunavut, and companies investing in the North).

The costs associated with hosting or supporting these events totaled $52,842.

The total GNWT cost, including supporting Indigenous participation at Roundup, was $261,488. This is a decrease compared to the previous years' expenditures of approximately $286,389 in 2019, and $277,530 in 2018.

Roundup is regarded as Canada's premier gathering event for individuals, companies, and jurisdictions interested in advancing exploration and mineral development projects. It is well attended by the mining sector's junior exploration companies and their financiers and is heavily leveraged by competing mining jurisdictions.

Roundup continues to be a core event for the GNWT to convene valuable face-to-face meetings with key industry representatives, Indigenous governments, and leaders and officials from other jurisdictions. The event helps to advance a key pillar of the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to the Commissioner's address. Item 12, petitions. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, reports of standing and special committees. Item 15, tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document, "Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2020-2021." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the following report card, "Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms and Costs in Northwest Territories: A Policy Review." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Tabling of documents. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought I was going to do this tomorrow, but I will do this now. I would like to table the medical travel expense claim form for the record. Mahsi cho.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Item 17, motions. Item 18, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 19, first reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2019-2020, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. The motion is on the floor and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 2 has had first reading. Item 20, second reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 2, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2019-2020, be read for the second time. This bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 2 has had second reading. Item 21, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 12-19(2), 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories; Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021; and Tabled Document 43-19(2), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2020-2021.

By the authority given to me as Speaker by Motion 1-19(2), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hours of adjournment to consider the business before the House, with the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 27th, 2020

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I will call the committee to order. We will take a short recess. What is the wish of the committee? Sorry. Mr. Norn.

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 12-19(2), 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Okay. We will take a short recess.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

All right, I will now call Committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 12-19(2), 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Now we will return to page 30. Does Madam Premier wish to bring any witnesses into the House?

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to bring in a witness.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness to the Chamber. Would the Premier please introduce her witness?

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my right is Mr. Martin Goldney. He is the Cabinet Secretary and the deputy minister for the Executive and Indigenous Affairs. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Madam Premier. Just to go back to what we decided to go through the mandate, Members, you will have 10 minutes per priority. We are going back to "Increase food security through locally produced, harvested, and affordable food." Questions. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I had someone approach me, actually, last night who has 48 chickens here in Yellowknife. They would like to give away some of the eggs or maybe even sell some of the eggs locally, but there seem to be some issues around that. How are the items here going to help that individual be able to sell eggs locally? Thanks, Madam Chair.