This is page numbers 345 - 392 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.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the things I believe in is that it is important to get the straight goods, and the only way to do that is one-on-one with the people in an industry. There is not a lot of people in the fishing industry. I would ask the Minister if she would commit to meeting with the fishers on a one-to-one basis and discuss their vision for the industry and any concerns that they may have with it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

As the Member is aware, I have already started to have discussions with fisherpeople out of Hay River. I do commit to the Member to continue having those conversations. The Member has requested that I come down and meet some of the businesspeople in Hay River soon. We are trying to coordinate that meeting. I would be more than happy to meet with the fisherpeople at the same time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs responsible for amateur sport. CBC's revelations about sexual abuse in amateur sport was really a call to action for prevention measures given the large number of children affected. One clear and obvious precaution is a requirement for a criminal record check for persons who are working directly with amateur sports players. Can the Minister tell us whether there is a requirement for a criminal records name check, whether that is for coaches, for every adult involved in these team activities? What kind of criminal record check requirement is there? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to report that all organizations that receive sport recreation and physical activity funding from the department will also be required to have the new policies and practices in place by 2021 in order to continue the eligibility for funding. The department is not undertaking the establishment of registry related to abusers for this, as this would be a criminal justice system matter. I am committed to be working with my colleague from the Department of Justice and look at this further. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Lots of good information in that answer. Can the Minister tell us more about the new policy that is being developed, what areas it will cover?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and partner organizations work to support the Northwest Territories athletes, and take their responsibilities related to the protection and wellbeing of young athletes very seriously. The Red Deer Declaration approved on February 15, 2019, has committed all governments and sport organizations to make improvements to make sports safer, more inclusive, and free from abuse and harassment. The department is taking steps through the development of the Northwest Territories sports, physical activity, and recreation framework, and the associated Western Canada lottery funding policy, to work with the Northwest Territories' sports organizations to update and develop their policies and programs in these areas, to make sure these athletes are safe from harassment experiences during their sports activities.

The department is in cooperation with Sport North in planning a safe sports summit in Yellowknife at the end of May. The summit will include sports organizations across the Northwest Territories.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you to the Minister for that response. One thing that I've heard consistently is that implementing new policies within volunteer organizations can be challenging because they are volunteer organizations. Has the Minister given any consideration to how the new policy that is being developed will be implanted within these volunteer organizations?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

I'd like to inform the Member that, as we go forward, we will be developing these policies and including the surrounding sports organizations, including, I don't know them at the top of my head, but we will be working in conjunction with each other.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to speak a little bit about my Member's statement earlier about the NWT Housing Corporation allowing appropriate small businesses to operate within their units. It's great, you know, when we did our round table, I always mentioned that we need to humanize our policies right across the board. I couldn't figure out a word to describe it, but I think my colleague from Yellowknife North really, in his address, mentioned that a lot of our policies are rigid. There is too much rigidity there, so, I'm happy to see that we're moving forward and being more proactive in changing our policies. On that, I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, and that's: will the Minister be open to give the tenants affected by this amendment a six-month grace period on their rent scale?

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a new approach that the Housing Corporation is looking at right now, looking at the small businesses to be operating out of public housing units. It does require a lot of information-seeking, and looking at the six-month grace period, I would really have to look at this case-by-case, because, if the client is going to be entering into a business program, they are going to end up having to access a number of our government grants. Right now, I'm not going to commit to the six-month grace period because we need to review this further.

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you for the response from the Minister. I kind of feel like I got a contact hit with a bat; not quite a home run, but that's something. I want to make sure that the public is aware of this, too, so my next question is: will the Minister commit to putting a communications plan in place to let the public know, who are living in these units, to be aware of this new program?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

This is a new initiative the Housing Corporation is taking to task. There is going to be a lot of conversation discussing how we are going to be delivering this program. I am a supporter of small businesses within the communities, and looking at enhancing is existing right now. I will be communicating with the territory and keeping them up to date on what it is we are bringing forward. I will keep the Member informed as we have further discussions within our department.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions, Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today was on MTS, and providing services to our communities on the coast, and making sure that the MTS is a lifeline to our three communities; Sachs, Ulukhaktok, and Paulatuk. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to make sure that the Minister is committing and ensuring the schedule for the planning 2020 sealift is under way. They have a schedule out, but where is this Minister standing in regard to talking with their department on going forward with the 2020 season? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister of Infrastructure.

Question 115-19(2): Marine Transportation Services
Oral Questions

February 28th, 2020

Page 351

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Excuse me, here. Marine Transportation Services continues to improve capacity to upgrade a professional and reliable marine shipping service in a challenging Arctic environment. It remains committed to providing the best possible service to all customers. I am currently looking to instruct my department to provide me with a fulsome summary of the marine transportation system so I can have a better understanding of how it all operates, so I can ensure that it is moving forward in the proper manner. I can commit to sharing information with the Member as I receive it, and we can have further discussions going forward, so that he can see that we're moving forward on track. If he has concerns, he can raise them in real time with me, and then we can make sure that they're addressed prior to it impacting our season.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

I just want a commitment from this Minister in regard to putting contracts aside and making sure the people are served first. Is the Minister willing to commit to that in the House today?

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Yes. It is my belief, personally, that the marine transportation system's first priority should be the resupply and refuelling of our communities, ahead of any charter or business interest that they may have. So, yes, I commit to the Member that the priority of MTS will be the resupply and not the business aspect of it.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

That's my first yes, I think. I ought to thank the Minister for that, and letting the people know that we'll be providing service for the people first. Will the Minister come to Nunakput to meet with my leadership in coastal communities, which MTS provides that service to, and meet with them to see the proper sailing dates and stuff like that, that work that with the communities to ensure that, you know, for housing, if their material lists are coming in, and equipment lists, to make sure that they're providing the service?

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Even in my former life, I had heard some concerns around the MTS, the shipping industry in the Northwest Territories, so, yes, I commit to the Member that I will come to his region and see it firsthand. It was unfortunate that, while I was up in the Beaufort-Delta, my schedule didn't permit for me to go and visit the communities as much as I wanted to, so I commit to making it to the Member's home communities as soon as I possibly can.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Nunakput.