Debates of May 26th, 2020

This is page numbers 767 - 824 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.

Topics

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
May-June 2020 Sessional Statement
COVID-19 Public Health Response
Recognition of 90th Birthday of Alex Morin
Pandemic Lessons Learned
Reflections on COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Pandemic Overview
Reflections on COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Reflections on COVID-19 Pandemic
Condolences on Passing of Community Members
Recognition of Passing of Community Members
Eulogy for Robin Mercer-Sproule
Helping Businesses Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
Lessons Learned to Date
Frank Channel Bridge
COVID-19 Testing
Mandate Letters for Ministers
Public Availability of Mandate Letters
Data Used by Epidemiologists
Distance Learning for Post-Secondary Students
Number of Visitors in Hospital
Status of Personal Protection Equipment on Hand
Staffing at South Mackenzie Correctional Centre
Written Question 12-19(2): Virtual care
Return to Written Question 4-19(2): Action Plan on Core Housing Need
Return to Written Question 5-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Road Project Contracts
Return to Written Question 6-19(2): Educational Facilities
Return to Written Question 7-19(2): Virtual Health Care
Return to Written Question 8-19(2): Repatriation of Northwest Territories Residents with Disabilities
Return to Written Question 9-19(2): Contracts for Work Related to the Slave Geological Province Road
Return to Written Question 10-19(2): Pointed Mountain Gas Field Compliance and Reclamation
Return to Written Question 11-19(2): Commissioner's Land Act Security Deposit
Ms. Martselos' Reply
Tabled Document 64-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 104-19(2): Closing the Municipal Funding Gap Tabled Document 65-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 113-19(2): Sexual Abuse in Sports Tabled Document 66-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 161-19(2): Building Standards Act
Tabled Document 67-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 110-19(2): Addressing Drug Use in Northwest Territories Communities Tabled Document 68-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 128-19(2): Mental Health and Wellness of Seniors in Long-Term Care Tabled Document 69-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 141-19(2): Oral Health Report Tabled Document 70-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 144-19(2): Full-Time Psychologist for Children and Youth for Treatment Centre Tabled Document 71-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 145-19(2): Traditional Counselling Models Tabled Document 72-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 150-19(2): Oral Health Care Tabled Document 73-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 169-19(2): Fort Providence Health Centre Tabled Document 74-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 175-19(2): Home and Community Care Review Tabled Document 75-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 203-19(2): COVID-19 and the Timeliness of Updates
Tabled Document 76-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 12-19(2): Fort Smith Airport Infrastructure Tabled Document 77-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 23-19(2): Economy of the Northwest Territories Tabled Document 78-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 116-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Road Contract Tabled Document 79-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 159-19(2): Yellowknife Motor Vehicle Office Hours Tabled Document 80-19(2): Businesses Participating in the TASR Project Tabled Document 81-19(2): Slave Geological Province Corridor Contracts List September 1, 2015-March 31,2020
Tabled Document 82-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 117-19(2): Response to Affirmative Action Policy Tabled Document 83-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 171-19(2): Daylight Savings Time Tabled Document 84-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 190-19(2): Lack of Enforcement in Illegal Drug Trade
Tabled Document 85-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 56-19(2): Cantung Mine Surface Lease Tabled Document 86-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 70-19(2): Thaidene Nene Status Tabled Document 87-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 90-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Use of Limiters and Oral Question 211-19(2): Line Repairs and Power Limiters in Nunakput during COVID-19 Pandemic Tabled Document 88-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 96-19(2): Cameron Hills Oil and Gas Field Environmental Liabilities
Tabled Document 89-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Summary of Program Initiatives 2015-2019 Tabled Document 90-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Action Plan 2019-2022
Tabled Document 91-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 34-19(2): Income Security Client Banking Issues Tabled Document 92-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 62-19(2): Improving Income Assistance Administration Tabled Document 93-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 97-19(2): Income Assistance Tabled Document 94-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 111-19(2): Mental Health and Suicide Resources for Students Tabled Document 95-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 147-19(2): Day Care at Ecole J. H. Sissons Tabled Document 96-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 156-19(2): Women in Trades Tabled Document 97-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 170-19(2): Income Assistance Tabled Document 98-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 177-19(2): Support for Trades Employment Tabled Document 99-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 207-19(2): Succession Planning for Interpreters Training
Bill 6: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

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

Page 822

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

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

Page 822

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. The other issue I guess with fuel is the barging of the fuel and it's going north. I've been to Sachs Harbour when the fuel has actually showed up and it had to get turned around and sent back because it didn't meet spec. Do we take that into account, those types of things into account, during delivery or in our costing? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Page 822

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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

Page 822

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair. If you're referring to a couple of years ago when that all happened, no, just in general. Well, I'll refer to that incident anyway, where fuel was not good when it showed up. The department looked at that. They took a look at their procedures through that, and they implemented measures afterwards, to not have the bad fuel sale again, and they did put in more controls. I don't know if Dr. Dragon would like to add to that, but I'll give him an opportunity to do so. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Page 822

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Dr. Dragon.

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

Page 823

Dr. Dragon

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, in terms of going through and figuring out the fuel that's coming up, there's a very rigorous process that come in where they test fuel based on the shipments. The situation the Minister was talking about, we got into a situation where we couldn't bring rail cars through because of the fire and high level, so we ended up having to truck. Every case that you do in terms of that testing amount is in the thousands of dollars, and so, as you go through and test those carloads of fuel to make sure that it has spec and it meets spec, along the way, we do that to ensure as we're transferring fuel. I would say that, even where we had that fuel that was under spec, the folks in fuel services were able to get some engineers on that fairly quickly, and actually made all that fuel right back up to grade, and we were able to do that very efficiently. There was no wastage of any fuel. At no point did anybody not have access to fuel during that situation. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Dr. Dragon. Member for Hay River South.

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

Page 823

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Chair. Another question that comes up with constituents, of course, is the price of fuel. They want to know: why is it so high? What are the components that make up the cost of fuel, the taxes, the freight, and those items? Can you provide to have the information to me? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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

Page 823

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the Member answered his own question. What makes the fuel price? It's the transportation. It's the storage costs. It's paying contractors, the distributors. All of that does add to the cost. I do believe there is supplementation, and that not all of those charges are passed back to the consumers. I don't know that there's really more to add. How about this, that we commit to having a bit more of a detailed outline on the fuel services for the Member, if that would satisfy? Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Hay River South.

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

Page 823

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

No further questions. Thank you.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Are there any other questions under programs and services? No. We will turn to page 235, Infrastructure, programs and services, operations expenditure summary, 2020-2021 Main Estimates, $34,366.00. Does committee agree?

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

Page 823

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Noting the time, I am going to go to Mr. Norn.

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

Page 823

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress.

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

Page 823

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will have the Sergeant-at-Arms escort the witnesses out of the Chamber. Please put on your masks.

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

Page 823

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

May I have the report of the Committee of the Whole?

Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Report Of The Committee Of The Whole

Page 823

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, and would like to report progress, and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Report Of The Committee Of The Whole
Report Of The Committee Of The Whole

Page 823

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Do we have a seconder? Member for Hay River North. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

The motion is carried. Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Page 823

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Orders of the day for Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.:

  1. Prayer
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. Oral Questions
  8. Written Questions
  9. Returns to Written Questions
  10. Replies to Commissioner's Address
  11. Petitions
  12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  13. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  14. Tabling of Documents
  15. Notices of Motion
  16. Motions
  17. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
  18. First Reading of Bills
  19. Second Reading of Bills
  20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
  • Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021
  1. Report of Committee of the Whole
  2. Third Reading of Bills
  3. Orders of the Day

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Page 824

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 7:57 p.m.