This is page numbers 1011 - 1034 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 indigenous.

Topics

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that. The Ekati Mine provides a substantial amount of revenue to the GNWT in the form of payroll taxes, property taxes, corporate taxes, sometimes, when it files in the Northwest Territories, mining royalties, carbon and fuel taxes, and more. Can the Premier tell us whether any of the Dominion Diamond group of companies have any outstanding liabilities to GNWT and what are those amounts and types of liabilities?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Again, that is within the Minister of Justice's department, so I'll defer the question to her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Minister of Justice.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I suspect many of the other creditors might still be fully compiling some of the data, we are in no different of a position than many others in that regard. I can say that in 2019-2020 the GNWT did collect $14.6 million in terms of taxes. Obviously, I'm not sure if that's necessarily the same. With COVID-19 some of the reporting dates have been deferred and delayed so that data is going to still have to continue to come in. We do, again, have the royalties that do come into us. Again, that reporting date was delayed. In addition to which, under regulation, I'm unable to break part the reporting of the royalties. They are reported in aggregate according to law. Mr. Speaker, it's just under $2 million in general liabilities that are owed, some of which have been invoiced but some of which we're still putting together. There certainly are some risks in terms of what is owed to the GNWT from Dominion Diamond. I would just note that CCAA proceeding doesn't mean that they would be unable to pay any of their liabilities to any of their creditors. Not to minimize the significance of the proceedings or the fact that we're monitoring them very closely, but it is simply an opportunity that we hope they will fully take to restructure their finances and be operational again.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that. I know I'm kind of skating close to the line here, but I do think that the public deserves to know what kind of liabilities are outstanding. I mentioned in my statement how GNWT now holds $295 million in financial securities of the Ekati Mine to ensure it fully complies with its regulatory requirements around reclamation. I understand the Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board is still conducting a review of parts of the third version of the inner enclosure reclamation plan that was submitted in August 2018. Can the Premier tell us whether the financial securities for the Ekati Mine are up to date and cover all the environmental liabilities at the site? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Actually, the question has to go to the Minister of Justice unless she passes it on to the Premier.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will certainly defer to you on the rules. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm happy to answer this particular question. Yes, Mr. Speaker, absolutely. The securities that are required by the land and water board are up to date, and we have every confidence that they are available to the GNWT if they are needed. They are in accordance with the reclamation plan that was approved by the land and water board. I suppose it's all good news in that regard for the moment. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions, Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister of Finance for that. I guess I'm not quite as optimistic as the plan. It's still under review. Until that's done and we get an up to date security estimate, I'm not sure it's fair to say that it is completely up to date. In any event, for the first time I can recall, GNWT accepted surety bonds as financial security at the Ekati Mine. Insurance companies don't stay in business by paying claims. Can the Premier or the Minister of Finance tell us with complete confidence that the form of financial security, surety bonds, from insurance companies, provide the necessary clarity and certainty to ensure full and final closure of the Ekati Mine? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

The short answer is "yes," Mr. Speaker. I would be naive to think that that is going to satisfy the nature of what is really being asked here. Surety bonds are a little bit different. A lot of times, securities are held with what is called an irrevocable letter of credit, but in this particular case, these surety bonds are more like an irrevocable letter of credit than what they might be in some other circumstances. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has the ability to call in the bond if we had concerns about it. In addition, if, in fact, the bond were to be cancelled, again different from many situations with a surety bond would be, the GNWT has protection because there is notice of cancellation. Again, in such circumstances, the GNWT would have the ability to call in the bond. The Department of Finance takes it quite seriously. The Department of Finance monitors these insurance companies. These are not small companies. These are very, very large companies. Just as much as we would have confidence in a large banking organization, Mr. Speaker, we have confidence that these large insurance organizations are not going anywhere and that the bonds are secure. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following this House electing the Honourable Caroline Cochrane as our Premier, she gave a speech on October 18, 2019, where a number of commitments were made. One of them was that the Department of ITI would be renamed the "Department of Economic Diversification and Development." Mr. Speaker, my question is: when can we expect to see that change?

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those conversations, those are conversations we started, actually, as a Cabinet before COVID-19 hit. We were looking at all of our departments and how they fit, if they needed to be changed, et cetera. It was an idea I put out in my speech, but I also said that I am open to feedback on it. In honesty, Mr. Speaker, due to COVID-19, that kind of got put on the back burner, but I do know that, after this session, once we take a break and give our departments a break because everybody has been going 24/7, we will be starting those conversations again.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

To be honest, I don't much care what the name of the department is, but I believe, when the Premier makes a commitment, it's important that it be followed through with, especially if it's solely within her authority. Additionally, during that speech, the Premier committed to requiring a gender- and equity-based lens be applied to any new program or service delivery in the GNWT. When can we expect to see that implemented?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I am not going to take credit and say that, because there are nine women elected, we are doing that, but we are doing that right now. It was the right thing to do, whether it be women or men. In this House, it is the right thing to do.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

I am happy to hear that we are applying a gender- and equity-based analysis to all new programs and service delivery. Perhaps the Premier could provide the Regular MLAs with how exactly that is occurring. Additionally, during that same speech, the Premier committed to amalgamating the Departments of MACA and Lands. When can we expect to see that change, Mr. Speaker?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Again, those were conversations at the beginning. I did promise to have feedback from MLAs. Those are the conversations we will be having. I will not make that decision on my own; I don't think it's appropriate. I will be having conversations with our Cabinet, and then I will present to committee, the appropriate committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Final supplementary, Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am quite confident that both the Ministers of MACA and Lands would be quite curious to know if their departments are being amalgamated, so I look forward to the outcome of those discussions. Additionally, in that same speech following being elected as Premier, there was a commitment to mandate public surveys for all priorities for each department. Has that work been done, Mr. Speaker?

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I will have to meet with the Member after. I don't remember the commitment that I would ask for public surveys for every priority. I will have to look at Hansard and meet with the Member to understand what the meaning was behind that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In continuation of the questions posed by my colleague from Inuvik Twin Lakes, I would like to ask some questions of the Minister of Health and Social Services today. One of the questions that was asked by my colleague was in regard to working groups and who our GNWT collaborates with on those working groups, so what I would like to know is: who outside of the Government of the Northwest Territories does the Government of the Northwest Territories collaborate with on its working group for creating its action plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Health and Social Services works with a variety of organizations and NGOs, including NWT disabilities and status of women.