Item 2, Ministers' statements. Minister of Justice.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Justice one of my responsibilities is to set the objectives, priorities, and goals of the Territorial Police Service. While the GNWT respects the operational independence of the RCMP, the intention of setting these objectives is to establish a broad strategic direction for the delivery of policing services in the Northwest Territories that incorporates the unique needs of our communities. Through past priority-setting exercises, the RCMP have been asked to place a focus on increasing public trust in policing services, working with partners to improve responses to vulnerable populations, being innovative in addressing community safety, and ensuring a culturally-informed, safe approach to service provision.

Mr. Speaker, the annual policing priorities have traditionally been set directly by the Minister. To ensure that I consider the diverse perspectives of the many unique communities in the Northwest Territories and that this process is undertaken with transparency, I have invited the leadership of Indigenous, municipal, and community governments to share their views with me on what is most important to their community when it comes to community policing services.

As leaders in their respective communities, I know they are best positioned to share this perspective with me. Seeking their input reflects Cabinet's commitment to support and enhance our relationships with community and Indigenous governments and to promote community self-sufficiency. Their contributions in this regard will be used to guide the development of the 2020-2021 broad strategic direction that I will set for the RCMP. It is my intention going forward to engage in this outreach on an annual basis.

These priorities help lead the RCMP and community leadership to develop annual policing priority action plans. This collaborative work supports the building of trust between RCMP members and the communities they serve, and formalizes the engagement efforts of RCMP detachment commanders across the NWT. The action plans are revisited annually and revised as necessary by the community and the RCMP, recognizing the shared responsibilities in addressing service provision. Through this process, communities have a direct role in making their community safer. I applaud the work that the RCMP and community leadership have accomplished together to enhance the quality of life in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, few services have as direct an impact on our citizens as the policing services provided by the RCMP. Although we are very fortunate to be provided a professional service by a national police force and by a division dedicated to community policing, it is incredibly important that we ensure that service reflects the unique context of our territory. The ultimate goal that we are all working towards together is safe communities where our citizens can thrive. I look forward to hearing and understanding the insights of community leadership in shaping the Ministerial priorities for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Ministers' statements. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, today, I wish to give well deserved recognition to Team Northwest Territories who were scheduled to compete at the 2020 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, from March 15^th to 21^st. At the same time as providing this recognition, we, of course, have to acknowledge the profound disappointment at the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 Arctic Winter Games due to the risk presented by the COVID-19 virus. The decision to cancel the games could not have been an easy one, but ultimately, doing what was in the best interests of the health and safety of all those involved had to be the priority.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly unfortunate that there will be no games. Team NT still deserves our thanks and our recognition. Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide Members with some information about Team Northwest Territories: at the territorial trials, 746 athletes, coaches, and chaperones from 23 NWT communities competed for the opportunity to represent the NWT. Of this, 344 were female participants and 402 were male participants.

The 2020 Arctic Winter Games Team consists of 355 participants, including athletes, coaches, and mission staff from 20 different communities. In addition, 17 officials from across the Northwest Territories were scheduled to be involved. Team Northwest Territories athletes were set to compete in all 20 sports. Team Northwest Territories also included a cultural contingent that was going to celebrate our cultural heritage. Seventeen NWT Youth Ambassadors, with representation from all regions in the Territory, were also set to go to Whitehorse as volunteers. The Northwest Territories Youth Ambassador Program has been in operation in the Northwest Territories for 12 years, and offers a guided and structured volunteer experience for Northwest Territories youth at major territorial, national, and international events. Participants have the opportunity to develop life and job skills, as well as to build the confidence necessary to deal with complex life challenges.

Mr. Speaker, everyone who is part of Team Northwest Territories and the contingent who was going to the Arctic Winter games had worked hard for many months and, in some cases, years to prepare for these games. Team NT is built with the collaboration of so many people who deserve our thanks: volunteers, sport organizations, and the tireless efforts of parents. I want to say thank you to everyone for all their efforts in the early morning drives, the long hours of practice, and the lessons in fair play and determination. We know the life lessons that involvement in sports teaches are very valuable. What we hope our young people take away from this difficult lesson is that the reward and pride in accomplishment is in the journey.

Mr. Speaker, I want to advise Members that Team NT will be refunded for their deposits and to keep their uniforms. Unfortunately, due to the scope and magnitude that goes into planning events of this type, postponing the games or holding alternative events is not an option. To close, I would like to extend my thanks to Mr. Doug Rentmeister, Chef de Mission, Mr. Damon Crossman, and Mr. Bill Othmer, Assistant Chef de Missions for Team NT, and all the rest of their mission staff as well as the Sport North Federation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister of Justice's statement and respect it, but there are gaps in the system. Mr. Speaker, in my 13-plus years in leadership, I have constantly brought up the lack of enforcement in the drug trade in the community of Fort Smith. Members of the community have approached me on numerous occasions over the years and have stated that they have gone to the RCMP with pertinent information about suspected criminal activities taking place in the community but feel that nothing becomes of it.

There has not been a large drug bust in the community in about 20 years. Everybody knows who the drug dealers are. I have spoken about this problem at various Dene leadership meetings and with the present leadership of the RCMP, and there has not been a marked difference or positive results regarding this whole problem. Illegal drugs have inflicted our community and have brought many bearings on many families and must be addressed. The RCMP has a job to do, and as an MLA and leader of this community, I expect them to do their job.

There has been a sign that has gone up and down in Fort Smith and on the Internet, right under the welcome sign, the sign that says, "Welcome to Fort Smith," and this is what the sign says, "Fort Smith jobs wanted: Coke, crack, and meth dealers." The dealers we have are overworked and make too much money. The RCMP are okay with dealers and don't do anything about it. Residents shut their mouths. Apply with the RCMP, and then they give the RCMP phone number, 872-1111.

Mr. Speaker, see this type of signage, especially directly underneath the town's welcome sign is totally unacceptable. This message just underlines my point about the lack of policing enforcement in relation to the illicit drug trade. Even the drug leaders know they can get away with their criminal activities because of the RCMP inaction. Based on the sign, the dealers are literally laughing at the system that is supposed to enforce the rule of law and rein in on their criminal activities. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The majority of businesses that operate in the North are mostly small businesses, and they are exactly that, small businesses. Most of the contracts for these small businesses would be government contracts and primarily with the NWT Housing Corporation or the Department of Infrastructure.

Small businesses operate in regional and isolated communities face hardships and costs associated with doing businesses. In the NWT, labour costs are generally higher than our southern counterparts. Although unemployment exists, these businesses experience labour shortages due to social policies that force local residents to turn down work. Businesses must then import workers which result in higher project costs. Small businesses also rely on barging and winter roads and air transport for delivery and material and equipment. This can make or break a small business if there are delays and payment is not timely.

Mr. Speaker, within the GNWT and no matter which department, our northern businesses expect to be treated fairly and with respect. Every so often, we will find a department or a government employee who, for one reason or another, strays from this practice of fairness. To give an example of where fairness is paramount would be the placement of a contractor on a suspension list which may or may not be for legitimate reasons or, for that matter, be based on factual information.

I know the use of suspension lists are a practice of both the NWT Housing Corporation and the Department of Infrastructure. Being placed on a suspension list with the GNWT could result in a business being forced to close down. It may result in layoffs of local employees. It may result in families going without financial resources to put food on the table or pay basic living costs.

Mr. Speaker, as it is this government's practice to place northern business on suspension lists, as such, I would expect that this government has policies in place that establish a fair and objective process with reasonable criteria in place. A decision such as this must incorporate factual information and/or circumstances from the person who is qualified to provide such information. The circumstances surrounding the suspension must be clear and unambiguous, and the business must be provided due process in a timely manner.

A northern business being placed on a government suspension list can immediately bankrupt the small business, the very reason we need fairness and opportunity for due process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Preparing for the coronavirus in small communities. Mr. Speaker, I'm reluctant to talk about the coronavirus a the second day in a row because it is important to let the people know not to panic, but knowing that good plans are in place to help reduce panic, so that's what I want to focus on today. Knowing that yesterday, the World Health Organization confirmed that the coronavirus outbreak is a pandemic. There's 149 cases in Canada today. There is no universal definition. There are three general criteria of the pandemic, Mr. Speaker. A virus that can cause illness or death, sustain person-to-person transmission, and evidence of spread throughout the world.

Yesterday's announcement sent a signal to many countries to shift focus on trying to stop the spread of the virus, trying to slow it down. In some countries, containment is not realistic in point, however, the remote location where our communities could take advantage of that, Mr. Speaker, in stopping the spread. We need to be clear communication from this government today about the illnesses. What are we doing? Is the NWT to confront this illness, Mr. Speaker? My phone is blowing up from my mayors regarding when are we going to start hearing from our Municipal and Community Affairs?

I want to know: where are they going to put all the people if there's illness in the communities, Mr. Speaker? What is the government considering on closing the highways or halting travel or checking people at the main airport in Edmonton or here in Yellowknife before they go north? Will there be more healthcare providers put in the community, and when? How is Health and Social Services marshalling respirators to send into our communities? How will the food supplies to get into our communities if there's a sustained outbreak, Mr. Speaker? They also need to know, when can we trigger the emergency plans? Can we do that now, or do we have to wait until people are getting sick? We have to be proactive, not reactive, Mr. Speaker. We need emergency plans that have to get acted on. As I said, because of the remote location, we might still be able to stop the spread of the virus in or communities, but we'll have to take action fast, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I want the Deputy Premier to provide assurances that Health and Social Services and MACA are working together on emergency plans for the coronavirus that will be communicated to the public as quickly as possible, and be proactive, not reactive. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Sorry, it was not English. I'd like to apologize for that. Okay, I've got it. [Translation ends]

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I'd like to talk about the bridge, the Frank Channel Bridge.

Mr. Speaker, last August, the territorial government announced that it had secured a $30 million contribution from the federal government's National Trade, and also a $10 million contribution will fund environmental assessments, and also, I would like to talk on this issue. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, [microphone turned off] ...million contribution from the federal government in the National Trade Corridor Fund. This contribution coupled with a corresponding $10 million from the GNWT to fund the environment assessments and planning for the Slave Geological Transportation Corridor. The planning component of this $40 million investment will, along with other things, bring the first section of corridor to a "shovel-ready" state.

We're having a technical issue. It keeps cutting out. Is everything okay? If we could start over, please. Thank you.

Masi, Mr. Speaker, I'll do it for a third time. Mr. Speaker, last August 14, the territorial government announced that it had secured a $30 million contribution from the federal government's National Trade Corridor Fund. This contribution coupled with a corresponding $10 million from GNWT to fund an environmental assessment and planning for the Slave Geological Transportation Corridor. The planning component of $40 million investment will, among other things, bring the first section of corridor to a "shovel-ready" state. Mr. Speaker, that section is running from the end of our existing Highway 4 to Lockhart Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the previous government is to be commended for acquiring federal support for Slave Geological Corridor. However, Mr. Speaker, it is regrettable that the territorial government has not had the same success with the Frank Channel Bridge, which the Minister of Infrastructure acknowledges is in dire need of replacement, Mr. Speaker, which is also the subject of an application for National Trade Corridor funding, and which is vastly more critical to the people of this territory than the Slave Geological Corridor. It's ironic, Mr. Speaker, that, without the Frank Channel Bridge, the Slave Geological Transportation Corridor won't see a single truck axel, won't carry a single stick of freight. That is, of course, because one must cross the Frank Channel Bridge in order to reach that corridor.

Mr. Speaker, this department's "cart before the horse" logic makes me wonder if the Minister's department has given sufficient priority to the Frank Channel Bridge. It makes me wonder, also, if perhaps this department has been too busy pandering to the whims of mining industries rather than providing the real meat-and-potatoes infrastructure needs of our people. I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Masi.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to share some remarks regarding the ongoing situation on COVID-19, and I just want to add a little bit to what my colleague from Nunakput has already said regarding that. It is a pandemic, yes, and we need to be proactive as a government. I want to remind everybody, the general public, that there have been zero confirmed cases of this virus in the NWT to date, and officials within the Department of Health and Social Services have remained adamant that the risk of contracting this illness in the NWT remains low because of time. As well, our territory's Chief Public Health Officer said just yesterday during a press conference that the NWT has already been treating the situation as a pandemic for two weeks. I want to make sure that everybody puts their mind at ease in my riding that our territorial government is actively monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.

However, Mr. Speaker, for all people in the NWT, they must remain vigilant and be cognizant and accepting of the fact that cases of this COVID-19 could very well occur in the NWT. This is a fluid situation that continues to unfold and change on a daily basis. As of this morning, Canada had one death, along with 149 confirmed cases of this virus, spanning across several provinces. As of this morning, this has resulted in dozens of planned public events being cancelled or postponed across the country, and around the world, as a precautionary measure to try to limit the spread of this virus.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, there was a travel advisory by our government for non-essential workers to not leave the territory, and I advise that our Indigenous governments and our industry should follow suit, as well, just to help contain this problem. Yesterday, our federal government has responded to the outbreak by responding with a $1-billion spending package to help our country's healthcare system and economy cope with this outbreak, and about half of this money is being transferred to the provinces and territories directly to prepare and react to this virus.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, I just want to reiterate to the public that it is important to remain calm and not to panic. As a territory, as a country, as a global community, we will hopefully get through this together. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services afterwards. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think every day there are more and more reminders that we are living in an increasingly globalized world. Whether it be a pandemic or the crashing of oil prices, we are not immune from global forces, Mr. Speaker, none of which is greater than climate change. I increasingly think it needs to be stated that we are not doing enough, nor is any other government. Consistently, scientists are reporting that we will not meet our targets.

I would like to speak to one aspect of climate change adaptation that I think we must take swift action on, Mr. Speaker, and that is food security. Consistent reports have said those who will be affected first by food security due to climate change are those in rural areas, those on low income, those who are already food-insecure. I don't believe I have to tell this House that that falls to many of our people. No one in this House would deny the importance of food security for the North; in fact, our mandate includes increasing locally produced food as a priority. As we face the challenges of adapting to climate change, it is key for us to be swift in our attempts to build a network of food producers in the North.

Mr. Speaker, the key to any agricultural endeavour, whether crop or livestock, is land. We currently have no leasing process which is regulated specifically for agricultural purposes in the North. Most jurisdictions around Canada allow you to apply for agricultural land at a small cost in order to promote the industry; in fact, the Canadian agricultural industry is largely subsidized as a recognition of the importance to a nation's sovereignty in having locally produced food.

Typically, agricultural land gives you a number of benefits, including allowing you to reside on that land, allowing you to have dwellings for caretakers. We do not have that set up in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker. The agricultural strategy identifies land as a key pillar to the success of our agriculture industry and identifies that the GNWT will establish and review land tenure policies and procedures around this. I'm glad to hear this, but I am afraid that we are moving too slowly. The Department of Lands is going to take years to do this work.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands is at the middle of a Gordian knot that is land use in the Northwest Territories. There is an over-complicated process, and we need to simplify it. I believe, if someone comes to us wanting to produce agricultural land, the first thing should be: how can we make this happen swiftly and now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of Lands.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am continuing with my Justice issues theme week. The Yukon is piloting a new approach to the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in corrections. The Department of Justice there is funding a three-year pilot program to train people to write what are called Gladue reports. A Gladue report provides detailed information about the offender's background, including time spent in residential schools, in the care of child welfare, family and community history, as well as struggles with mental health and addictions; essentially, accounting for the traumas and tragedies of colonialism. The reports are named after a Supreme Court of Canada decision given 20 years ago, which asked judges to consider unique factors when sentencing Indigenous offenders.

A Gladue report is a piece of a toolkit for the courts to consider when sentencing the offender. The intention is to encourage the consideration of restorative approaches to sentencing, rather than jail time or fines. During the first year of Yukon's pilot program, Gladue writers produced 37 reports for use during sentencing. What is new here is that the Yukon has formalized the production of these reports. Instead of someone doing them off the side of their desks, there is now a group of staff experienced in writing the reports. Further, the reports have been standardized so that the information is consistent and readily available to the judiciary.

Mr. Speaker, there are some noteworthy aspects to the Yukon's pilot project. First, it's collaborative. It includes both the Yukon Legal Services Society and the Council of Yukon First Nations. Second, there has been a focus on training Indigenous people as report writers because of their innate understanding of the context of the convicted. Third, the cost of the pilot project is $530,000 over three years. To me, this is a reasonable investment, considering the higher costs of jailing offenders and continuing the cycle of trauma.

There is no equivalent to the Gladue reports in the Northwest Territories. Pre-sentence reports are written by probation officers and focus on risk and risk management. In short, they serve a different purpose. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Mahsi.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our youth are our future, and we need to ensure that we hear what they are saying, because the decisions we make today will affect them when we are no longer here. We continue to hear from our youth, and we need to be mindful when making decisions that we represent them when we are here in this House. Although many of these youth cannot vote, they are looking to us to ensure that, as NWT residents, they are being heard and listened to. I will therefore read the Youth of the Beaufort-Delta Declaration on Climate Change, as well as table the document in this House today. Our Climate Our Arctic - Beaufort-Delta Declaration made on March 8, 2020.

As the youth of the Beaufort-Delta, we are one with the land, the water, and the animals. We stand up for what we believe is right and consider the future of our environment while trying to understand the past and carry forward and value the knowledge of our ancestors.

We recognize that climate change is a worldwide problem; however, the rate of change in the North is much more rapid. Our region is a preview of the effects of climate change. The climate crisis is affecting every aspect of who we are. Our communities need to be less economically driven and more environmentally driven. We can't escape our changing climate, but we can adapt. We don't control our environment, but we are a part of it. We need to ensure that we have effective resources in order to implement our ideas for change into action. We encourage collaboration with the intent of creating a sustainable future. We want to ensure that we as youth, and our future generations of youth, are able to maintain and expand our connection to, and respect for, the environment. We are trying to set a sustainable and well-cultured example. Our voices as youth are powerful and valuable, and we need to be heard.

Climate change is an overwhelming subject, and it's hard to fight the lack of hope. We will work toward our goals, even if they won't be achieved in our lifetime. We are resilient in the face of the challenges we encounter. And they were Maddysen Kingmiaqtuq, Helayna Cockney-Goose, Kata Kuhnert, Kyla Goose, Sienna Gordon, Davonna Kasook, Nicholas Cockney, Olivia Inglangaskuk, and Eriel Lugt. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.