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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Sunday, March 8, 2020, is International Women's Day, and the theme this year is Because of You, which pays tribute to the diverse and inspirational gender equality change-makers we know in our own lives.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to talk about the most inspirational woman in my life, my Granny Agnes Semmler. She was a vibrant and inspiring person; one could know this from the moment she began to talk. She was a strong advocate for women and children, as well as for the people for the Delta. She was a founding member of COPE, the Committee for Original Peoples Entitlement, a negotiator for the Inuvialuit final agreement, and a strong advocate of Indigenous rights. She served on and helped establish many boards in the community of Inuvik. In 1975, she became the first northern Indigenous woman to be appointed Justice of the Peace. In 1984, she was the first Indigenous female Deputy Commissioner of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, although all these are remarkable, I want to tell you why she inspired me. She raised me and loved me unconditionally and always made time for me. She taught me things that some may think are not that important, but were important to me as a child, like jigging in our kitchen, which was gave me pride in my culture when I danced at many events. She instilled to me how important education was and never let me forget, as she would even have my purposely forgotten homework flown out to out camp by one of our local bush pilots during ratting season.

She taught me to hunt and skills to survive on the land. She was the example of person who truly lived her life in both worlds. I can remember watching her jump out of the boat after being on the land for a few weeks, putting the guns and our furs away and all the gear, and then putting on her famous blue suit and heading to court as the JP or one of her many meetings of the boards she belonged to.

She taught me to respect the land, and that the land was important for our future as Indigenous people. Without the land, we have no future. She taught me to respect everyone, and never forget where you came from. She taught me to stand up to what you believe, even if it takes time. She taught me resilience and to listen, and I listened to her life story from being born in the bush to attending residential school, and the many things she endured and overcome throughout her life. Because of you, I will strive to be the role model that you were to me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honour of this Sunday being International Women's Day, and my constituency assistant Cat McGurk recently receiving her Red Seal in carpentry, I want to speak about women in trades. Canada is facing a spike in trade and technology positions, without the skilled labour to fill those positions. The NWT presently heavily relies on southern labour to supply our various trade needs. Our infrastructure projects, our mines, and our private sector are all put at risk because skilled labour has become such a precious commodity in the North. We need to build up our skilled labour here. I believe one of the solutions to doing that lies with the women of the NWT.

The numbers for women in construction trades in the NWT is less than 3 percent, Mr. Speaker. That's half our population who have never been encouraged to enter the trades. The reality is that most women still don't see the trades as an option for them. Despite changing attitudes, we still avoid teaching young girls physical capacity, and most guidance counsellors neglect to discuss shop classes with female high school students. Our small communities face many unique barriers to entering a fulfilling career in the trades.

I propose we take an active stake in supporting northern women and develop a women in trades program. Other such programs in Canada have been met with terrific success; programs like Women Unlimited, with their 93 percent completion rate. Trades Discovery for Women, Trade Herizons, and Women Building Futures have a 90-percent work placement rate: proof that these programs work, and not only can women do the work they set out to do, employers want to hire them.

Often, when the idea of female-focused pre-apprenticeship programs are brought up, it is deflected by the sentiment that we must encourage all people to consider careers in the trades, not just women. We must consider all people to enter the trades but, Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is a testament that gender-based programs work. When we championed campaign schools for women, it resulted in more women entering this Assembly and, if we champion women in trades, it will result in more tradespeople, something we are in desperate need of.

Just this week, we heard the Minister of ECE say that apprenticeship in the NWT is dropping. We know women in trades programs are effective, the majority of which are based on the east coast, where they boast the highest inclusion rate for women in trades.

Mr. Speaker, we need more tradespeople, period, and there is clear data that establishing a women in trades program does exactly that. I will have questions for the Minister of ECE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Before I was born, a baby girl was born in a town west of London, England. Her family moved to Canada, where she eventually achieved a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts in Journalism, and Master of Arts in History. Along the way, she fell in love with the North and served its people as a reporter, active volunteer, and now a two-term MLA. Sometimes we need to hear about how one person traveled from point A to point B to achieve their goal to help us chart our own path to success. Julie Green's Women on the Ballot Workshops were a significant catalyst that led me to this role.

This year's theme of International Women's Day is Because of You, because of the trailblazing women who went before us. Now, the same number of people serving here today is equal to the total number of women who have ever served this Legislative Assembly; Lena Pederson, Lynda Sorenson, Nellie Cournoyea, Eliza Lawrence, Jeannie Marie-Jewel, Rebecca Mike, Manitok Thompson, Jane Groenewegen, Sandy Lee, Wendy Bisaro, Julie Green, Caroline Cochrane, and now Lesa Semmler, Frieda Martselos, Paulie Chinna, Katrina Nokleby, Diane Thom, Caroline Wawzonek, and myself.

Mr. Speaker, International Women's Day does not only include women. I am the mother of three young boys, who are growing into men faster than expected and who will one day play a role in equality. Last night, at a women's leadership event hosted by the Status of Women Council of the Northwest Territories, I was asked if I find it challenging to work in a traditionally male-dominant workplace. My answer was "no" because of the work done by the women before me, and because of the quality and character of all MLAs who serve this territory today.

In addition, in my opinion, it is not just about looking back. International Women's Day is about our daughters and our granddaughters. It is about the next generation of leaders. It is about the little girls who can look at this Legislature and see a woman who served as a powerful chief, and who now serves as a passionate Member. It is about a little girl from Aklavik who loves the land she grew up on and wants to be a future Health Minister. It is about women who work in non-traditional roles knowing that they belong and that they are heard, and we all have a role to play in helping them shape their story.

Because of the vision and commitment of a woman born an ocean away, I found my own path through self-discovery to leadership. As each of you who is listening reflects on your own path of those that helped you accomplish and achieve your success, I ask you: because of who? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On this, the last day of session before International Women's Day, I speak to honour all the women in my life who have fought for equality and have inspired me. It's no secret to those around me that advancing the situation of women and girls is near to my heart and, in fact, it was one of the main drivers for me to enter the realm of politics. In my career as an engineer, and throughout my life, I have often found myself with no voice and no support. I have been the recipient of unwanted touching on the work site, from unsolicited shoulder rubs to the touching of my breasts and my buttocks. I have found myself in exploration camps high on the tundra with drunken men showing up at my room, and I have been passed over for management roles only for them to go to men younger than me with less experience.

During all the hardship I've had as one of the few women in engineering in Canada where only 13 percent are women, I've been able to lean on my support system of amazing women for comfort. Earlier this year, I said goodbye to the main pillar of that support community, my mom. My mom was an amazing woman, who lifted people up, and she was my biggest champion. Born to immigrants who never completed high school, my mom was the first person in her family to attend university, where she studied education and spent over 30 years inspiring young minds as a grade one and two teacher. My mom was a single mom for a lot of my life, struggling to make ends meet while ensuring that me and my siblings never went without.

My mom was an avid reader and a lifelong learner, and she taught me to question life and to be curious. From her, I inherited a love of crossword and jigsaw puzzles, as well as a wicked sense of humour. I learned to be kind and compassionate and to live my life with good intent, and for that, I will always be grateful. Thank you to all of the moms out there, who are holding the hands of their crying daughters as their hearts are broken when the reality of the plight of women in this world slaps them across the face. If it weren't for mine holding my hand over the years, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, the theme of this year's International Women's Day is Because of You. The theme Because of You reminds me of the strongest and most influential woman I know. Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my mother, Shirley Cochrane.

Because of you, Mom, I stand in this House today. Your tribulations, successes, perseverance, and strength influenced me throughout my life.

Because of you, I learned at an early age that women were often the leaders in their families and communities. With Dad being gone most of the time, you were left alone for months on end to care for eight children, our home, and all the duties that come with both. On top of this, you still found time to join the ladies' auxiliary in recognition of our father's contribution to the Second World War and all the men and women who fought to defend the freedoms we enjoy today. Because of you, I learned that, no matter how much you have on your personal plate, it is still important to give back to your community.

Because of you, Mom, I learned to care for myself and never wait for, or expect, anyone to do things for me. With babies in both arms, children underfoot, and an endless list of things needing completion, you tackled every chore, whether it be cooking, sewing, laundry, cleaning, fixing broken items, or completing renovations needing done. I will always remember you standing on a chair changing a light fixture, and as I watched in awe, you told me, "Never wait for a man to do things for you." Your ability to tackle any challenge taught me not to be afraid to try new ideas. Because of you, Mom, I was brave enough to challenge myself and experience many things in life that others would tend to shy away from.

Because of you, Mom, I learned that one of the most important values in life is to remember to take care of those in need. No matter how many hungry children of your own you had to feed, you never said no to another child wanting food or any person needing a place to lay their head. Because of you, Mom, I also opened my own door to those in need and got to experience the joys of watching many youth transition from a place of desperation to a place of hope. Because of you, I truly understand that it takes a community to raise a child, that it only takes one person to change another's life, and that we must never leave others behind. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you. Because of you, Mom, I learned to never give up hope. I watched you struggle for many years with your addiction and thought you would never quit. Then, miraculously, you quit, never touching another drink for well over 20 years, now. Because of you, Mom, even in my darkest moment as a single parent, I found the strength to go back to school, get a degree, and change my own and my children's lives forever. Because of you, Mom, I learned to never give up on myself or others.

Because of you, Mom, I learned to face my fears and still move forward. I watched your pain in so many ways, and yet saw you face each day fresh. Because of you, Mom, I learned, when I fall or others push me down, to stand up straight, brush off my hurt, and carry on.

Mr. Speaker, the theme for International Women's Day is Because of You. Today, I dedicate my Member's statement to my mother. Because of you, Mom, I was able to see the strength of women and look at each tribulation in my own life as a challenge to overcome. Because of you, Mom, my life has also been full of adventure, learning and successes. Because of you, Mom, and because of the values you instilled, I never gave up, and because of you, I stand here today. Have I told you lately, Mom, how much I love you? I love you, Mom, to the moon and back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In celebration today of National Women's Day and the theme Because of You, I would like to acknowledge and recognize the political achievements of Martha Chinna. Martha was a strong advocate for Indigenous languages. She developed and helped create the Indigenous language for CBC North, which we hear of today. She expressed advocacy at the federal government level, helping the Northwest Territories and the federal government to recognize that languages in the Northwest Territories were not only the Inuit language and the North Slavey language. She got them to realize that Chipewyan, North Slavey, South Slavey, the Gwich'in, Inuvialuit, and Tlicho languages were here, and they were existing in the Northwest Territories.

Martha Chinna attended the University of Calgary, which gives me a fierce understanding and acknowledgement that she was a residential school survivor, but yet was able to attend university right of school. She received her degree in Linguistics and Communications.

Martha Chinna was a strong advocate for language to be interpreted and for us to be speaking about it today. Now, looking at CBC, the majority of their translators are now retiring, who spoke in Indigenous languages. Now, we're going forward as a government in trying to understand and trying to see how we are going to revitalize the language. It's advocates and women in the past who created the Government of the Northwest Territories who stood up in those early days and helped us create what we are managing and what we are working towards today.

My mom had died 17 years ago, April 3^rd, and, looking back at her and looking at the remarkable women who have passed on and who are here with us today, one of the ladies I want to acknowledge, too, is Cece McCauley, the first female chief of the Northwest Territories, to be also included with looking at the Berger Inquiry in those days. That was quite significant to the Northwest Territories and created a huge difference in the Northwest Territories of how we were going to economically develop as a territory, recognizing the traditional use of people and the land in our territory.

Today, I would like to acknowledge the people of the Northwest Territories and also the women who were elected. Also, I would like to acknowledge Caroline Cochrane and Julie Green. Thank you for Women on the Ballot and thank you for encouraging the Northwest Territories' women to put their name forward. Today, we have a very interesting government, and it is going to be a very good four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Sahtu. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South.

Merci, monsieur le President. [Translation] This Sunday is the International Day for Women. [End of translation] The Minister responsible for the Status of Women spoke to the theme selected by the Status of Women Canada for this year, Because of You, recognizing the socio-economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and girls.

There are other themes for International Women's Day. First, the United Nations Women's theme for this year is: I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights. Another, the global campaign theme, is: Each for Equal. This theme highlights that we are all part of a collective whole, and we can each, individually, have an impact on our society and on the goal of achieving equality.

Mr. Speaker, if we are all Each for Equal, we will raise Generation Equality.

My mother was the voice saying, "You can go and achieve the things that I did not have the opportunities to achieve," but without my father's quiet but calm and ever-present support, it would have been much harder. My legal career has been inspired and supported for over a decade by strong feminists. Many of those feminists were men. They encouraged me to start in a career, in a male-dominated area of practice. They encouraged me to take on leadership roles at tables that were still largely filled by men, and they encouraged me to make space for a family life without making me feel that this made me any less of a lawyer.

As the last election drew near, I asked at home, "Maybe this won't be good for our family? Maybe I should be waiting until the kids are older?" My spouse, who happens to be male, would have none of it. "You want to do this, and so we will make it happen."

Mr. Speaker, we each need to support equality. We all need to be feminists. This will help advance the equality of all, and this, to me, is the strength of the Each for Equal campaign. Through that, I commit to raising Generation Equality. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife South. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.