This is page numbers 739 - 766 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 health.

Topics

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

In the community of Tsiigehtchic, we do have a nurse who comes in. I believe the schedule is twice a week. I'd like the Member to be aware that I've been talking with the MLA from the Mackenzie Delta on possibly extending this service in the interim, to have someone there more frequently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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. I want to go over a few questions that I received over the weekend from constituents. The first is that a number of news releases or public advisories have gone out with phone numbers for people to call in the event that they have symptoms to report. My constituent called the Yellowknife number, which is the public health unit number, yesterday afternoon, and there was no answer. I'm concerned that, in fact, these numbers are only monitored during work hours. Can the Minister assure me that there is some kind of seven-day-a-week coverage of these phone numbers that are being advertised to people to call? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was not aware of the phone number and no one being on the other side of it. We do provide numerous numbers. We also have a website, www.hss.gov.nt.ca. That website contains the most up-to-date information on what to do to keep your family safe if you've been travelling or concerned that you may have been exposed to this virus.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I appreciate that answer from the Minister of Health, but it's simply not good enough. If somebody feels that they have symptoms and they require testing, a two-day delay can result in a lot more exposure between them, their families, and the public in a grocery store or any other place. Can the Minister make a commitment to have at least one number that everyone can call 24-7 to talk to somebody in person about their symptoms?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

I will go back and look into this, because it is crucial. Communication is key in keeping everybody up-to-date and informed. This is something I will look at.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Another question I received on the weekend was: why is it that the health department has decided that, if and when a case is confirmed, the location will not be shared with the public? Can the Minister tell us why that is the case?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

On Friday, when we did the press release with the Chief Public Health Officer, she did make that announcement. I don't know the rationale about why we won't disclose this, but it is something I can find out and get back to the Member.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that this is really a key point. People will want to know, and they're going to be asking us, as Members, where this case is. From my point of view, it would be better to be able to provide factual information than for the rumour mill to crank up on social media, that it's in one place, another place, it turns out it's in 10 places that it's not. I would appreciate the response on this.

We know that we're asking tourists to self-isolate for 14 days. Are we reaching those people in languages other than English? Are we talking to them, for example, in Cantonese or in Japanese? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

I'm not aware that we are, other than our official languages at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I have three written questions today. The first written question: Contracts for work related to the Slave Geological Province. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure.

Please provide a list of all contracts entered into by GNWT for work related to the Slave Geological Province Road from September 1, 2015, to present, and:

  1. Indicate the date of the contract signing, date of completion or anticipated completion, whether the contract was sole-sourced, the value of the contract, the general purpose or scope of work, whether there were any financial or scope amendments and a summary of same, the name and location of the contractor; and
  2. In providing the list of contracts, indicate whether any of the contractors were or are registered under the Business Incentive Policy and received such consideration in the evaluation of bids or proposals; and,
  3. What future actions are planned to maximize northern employment, training, and business opportunities in future contracts related to the Slave Geological Province Road?
Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Number two, Mr. Speaker. Pointed Mountain gas field compliance and reclamation. My questions are for the Minister of Lands.

The Pointed Mountain gas field near Fort Liard went into production in 1972 under British Petroleum Canada and stopped in 2001. The site was acquired in 2010 by Apache Canada and the name of the owner was changed to Paramount Resources in 2017. There currently a land use permit covering this site until June 4, 2022, but no water licence. A Government of the Northwest Territories inspection of the site was carried out on July 24, 2018, and on June 5, 2019 the owner was notified that the site was in violation of the Waters Act. What, if any, enforcement action has been taken against the owner of the Pointed Mountain gas field, and:

  1. What, if any financial security is held for the Pointed Mountain gas field, including the form and amount of such financial security;
  2. Whether there is a current and approved closure and reclamation plan for the site and all its facilities;
  3. Whether there is a current cost estimate for the full and final closure and reclamation of the site and the amount of that cost estimate; and
  4. If there is no current and approved closure and reclamation plan, and no current cost estimate for the closure and reclamation of the site, what further action does the Minister intend to take and when?
Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

My questions are for the Minister of Lands. Section 3.1 of the Commissioner's Land Act establishes the requirement for the posting of security, the factors for determining security amount, for restoration of lands and for refund of security. Please provide a listing of the commercial and industrial leases on Commissioner's Land issued since February 15, 2011, including the lease number, general location, issue date, amount and form of security required, and:

  1. Whether an exemption was granted under any leases from the requirement to provide security, including the reasons why the exemption was granted;
  2. A general explanation of how the amount of security is calculated under this regime;
  3. A general explanation of how the posting of security is managed and tracked under this regime; and
  4. In instances where securities have been returned, the amount and reasons for the return of security.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to the Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on review of bills. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: "Interim Estimates (Operations Expenditures), April 1 to June 30, 2020". Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minster responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents: "Letter from the President of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to Minister regarding the 2019-2020 Capital Spending Budget"; and "2020-2021 Corporate Plan - Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Item 15, notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that, notwithstanding rule 4, when this House adjourns on Monday, March 16, 2020, it shall be adjourned until Tuesday, May 26, 2020; and further, that at any time prior to May 26, 2020, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.

Mr. Speaker, At the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Item 16, motions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with the motion he gave notice of earlier today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may continue with your motion.