This is page numbers 845 - 886 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 services.

Topics

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

I apologize for the situation that's happened over at the Stanton Hospital with the Member's constituent and patient. I am open to looking at options with the Member to be able to see what can we do to improve our interpretation systems in the healthcare system. I will commit to looking at some ways to improve. Right now, with the COVID situation, it's very difficult for us to do anything other than virtual. That is something that we can look at. Thank you, Minister.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Question 246-19(2): Alcohol Prohibition
Oral Questions

May 28th, 2020

Page 853

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned in my Member's statement the problems related to excess alcohol consumption and the avenue afforded the community leaders for TPO. The leaders of my community genuinely wanted such an order during this state of emergency as this was the quickest way to stop all alcohol from entering the community, quelling all of the problems associated with alcohol. My question: why is it that a coronavirus public health emergency, a state of emergency, is not enough to override any current legislation or acts in order to issue a TPO should one be requested? Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The situation of alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse certainly isn't new, as a result of the pandemic. It has, sadly, roots that extend long before the pandemic, and sadly will likely continue after, but the pandemic has certainly given us an opportunity to have quite a number of conversations about alcohol abuse and its causes and the troubles that abuse then causes, as well.

Unfortunately, the Emergency Measures Act doesn't give any special powers over any other piece of legislation. I shouldn't say, "unfortunately." It simply is the fact. It doesn't give special powers to overwrite the Liquor Act. Mr. Speaker, in this particular case, I don't have a tool available in the context of the pandemic to rewrite the Liquor Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi cho to the Minister of Finance for that answer. In the community of Fort Providence, the liquor establishments were working with the leadership and agreed to shut down the bars. Could this not be deemed as consultation and agreement with the liquor establishments and perhaps written into the act in a time of crisis in order to issue a TPO?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I'm certainly pleased to hear that there has been coordination and communication between the private establishments and the local government. I know I have also been in contact with the local government, and the Liquor Act is written such that, where there's a licensed establishment, a temporary prohibition order is not an option, unfortunately. Certainly, if there can be that communication within the community, that is good news. Going forward, as I've sort of alluded to in my first answer, Mr. Speaker, it's quite clear that there needs to be a much bigger conversation around the Liquor Act but perhaps also a much bigger conversation about alcohol abuse generally, which would be far and beyond the Liquor Act.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

It seems like, when this pandemic started, we started off slow, but, eventually, we were working. We had patience on this side of the House for the actions of all involved with the CPHO and the emergency measures organizations. It has always been a problem that we just couldn't harness the very thought that this is a public health emergency and a declared state of emergency. We should have been afforded all avenues to change acts for emergency purposes. Perhaps we really have to look at that as part of the lessons learned.

It's been a while, this coronavirus pandemic. I believe there's an element missing from this process, this consulting with Regular MLAs. There are many heads on this side who would have ideas having to deal with this pandemic. We have a vast range of experiences on this side that could offer suggestions to make it happen. It is that side of the House that is going to want to make it happen because we keep harping on this, and, probably, it'll never end until they find a solution. I just want to ask: can the Minister commit to seeking advice or comments from Regular MLAs on an ongoing basis?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

If what is sought is simply a "yes," then I'm happy to simply give a "yes," Mr. Speaker. I gather that perhaps slightly more may be in order, which is to say that there are a lot of ways of communicating, and I want to ensure that I commit to certainly informing Members before there are changes, where I can. On this particular instance, we certainly did have some correspondence on this particular issue, on liquor regulation amendments. I had a lot of conflicting comments about liquor regulation amendments, some people seeking complete prohibition, others saying, "Please don't do that." This was a very difficult issue, and I will certainly continue to, as best as I can, have those conversations with the Members, so I appreciate that request.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice tell us what Indigenous programming is currently being offered in the NWT corrections facilities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Justice.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The correctional service did develop what's called "Northern Sessions." It was developed specifically in the Northwest Territories and was meant to bring northern Indigenous perspective into the correctional programming that's available. There are also other programs that are built upon from Correctional Services Canada and then adapted and delivered by local facility staff members.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the justice Minister tell us how many of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action have been implemented within the NWT corrections?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I want to start by acknowledging that that is going to be ongoing work and that it has to be ongoing work, and there are still quite a number of the calls to action that, quite frankly, are still outstanding. Number one that comes to mind with me is the over-representation of Indigenous people in the correctional system. That continues to be a challenge, and it's one that I've certainly spoken about many times, both in my past life as well as in this House.

There is progress happening, though, Mr. Speaker. For instance, in terms of that particular call to action, number 30, of eliminating over-representation, there is work underway. We are taking efforts to again change the way that people are brought into the system and change the way that they go out and are reintegrated, with the hope that that will impact those numbers. With respect to addressing the needs of offenders with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, another call to action, Mr. Speaker, that is one where there has been a lot of effort made within the correctional service here around better diagnosis and treatment options and simply more awareness. Again, Mr. Speaker, there are others with respect to providing culturally relevant services, and, as I mentioned, there has been some effort to design local programming to better reflect the local culture and not just a sense of some sort of "pan" culture which really has and, perhaps, continues to be a problem, that we need to be more adaptive to the unique need of individual cultures across Canada.

Mr. Speaker, there are also calls around ensuring that there is better training about cultural sensitivity. Again, with the development of the Northern Recruitment Program in the North, it is our intention and effort that we are responding to that call by providing that localized cultural training. I'm conscious of the time. I'll stop there. That is an important one and I'll commit to providing the Member with going through those calls and providing some more detailed responses, again being conscious of time, but that is certainly an overview of the work that is happening, and I am conscious that there is more work to be done.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

It is very important to have rehabilitation programming being led by properly qualified people, especially people who understand historic trauma and Indigenous healing, not just people trained in corrections or regular counselling. My question is: can the Minister list all the corrections programming that is being led or overseen by Indigenous personnel with proper qualifications?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, again, I'm going to commit to firstly put that into writing for the Member. I think there are quite a lot of programs that are happening, and I don't want to be seen as missing one or simply reading out a list and not getting to the root of what is being requested. I will just briefly say, Mr. Speaker, that there has been trauma-informed care being provided as training for correctional staff now for, I believe, two years. There are Indigenous liaison officers meant to be stationed at all of the facilities, although I acknowledge that sometimes those positions have not always been filled. I believe they are at present, although I will confirm. There is an effort at the facilities, often coordinated by the liaison officer, to bring elders into the facilities to provide spiritual guidance and cultural supports for offenders or inmates who may be there. I'll also note, as I think I've spoken about in this House more than once now, the South Mackenzie Correctional Facility in Hay River, although the work has been a bit delayed, there is still an effort to make that into a therapeutic community in line with Indigenous culture in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Indigenous healing work with elders and knowledge holders is an important component. My question is: can the Minister explain what collaboration is taking place in the NWT corrections regarding Indigenous elders in terms of healing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

At the risk of repeating it a bit, there is a liaison officer position at every institution. It is a major part of their role to provide exactly that: the liaison between the community and elders in particular, and to have elder visits coordinated and available for anyone at the facility. That includes not only, for instance, here in Yellowknife, elders who might be part of the local Indigenous community but also Inuit elders. We certainly have a number of individuals coming from across the territory from different Indigenous cultures. There is a conscious effort made to be inclusive as much as possible. I know that, when I went to the Fort Smith Women's Facility, too, they again have focused on having that space available to be able to bring the elders in from the community. Fort Smith was one that has a long history of doing that and one that we are hoping that we will certainly want to put up as a shining star of what to do in the future, hopefully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today was in regard to the Minister responsible for the NWTPC. Since we are still in this pandemic of COVID-19, is the Minister prepared to instruct the board for making exemptions to late payments to the power bill and to ensure disconnections and late fees, once this pandemic is done, making sure that the date from, say, August to the end of April, our coldest months of the year, making sure people are not put on power limiters, and getting rid of the power limiter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've heard the Member and other Members in this House here about limiters and the impact it has on our residents. As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic happened, we stopped limiters and we did not ask people to be charged or making them pay because of their needs. We're working with the people right now and trying to make sure that they are treated fairly and are looked after. As for what we're doing with limiters, as I've said previously in this House, we are looking at that issue. We are researching across Canada to see what it is and to make sure that we are being fair for all of our residents in the Northwest Territories.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

I ask the Minister if he is prepared to stop using limiters across our territory and to discontinue use. It's really belittling to people. I know it's a tough situation. People in the communities are really affected by this, and it's pretty tough to cook for families; like I said, planning for the winter already. COVID-19 is still here. Pandemic is still here. Why are we charging them? Why is the ministry able to push aside the bills, the power bills for the communities, and then, come September sitting, I'll be making a motion in the House to get rid of all the power bills and charge it to COVID-19. That would be the best way to do it. Is the Minister willing to do that?