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

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ITI supports the business of arts to the tune of $1.6 million every year for a variety of projects. Our regional program delivery routinely includes support for the marketing, promotion, and delivery of arts initiatives. In addition to providing funding support, our regional offices provide regular marketing support for artists, such as making business cards, helping to update online profiles, and assisting during craft fairs in a non-COVID era. We have a micro-business program under SEED that provides funds to purchase materials, up to $5,000 over three years, and no business licence is required, just proof that they are commercial artists.

Recently, we provided artists with the opportunity to take advantage of the Creative Industries Economic Recovery Funding. We are now considering these proposals. Up to $3,000 is being made available to successful Northwest Territories artists or commercial film and media arts producers; up to $5,000 is being made available to successful and registered Northwest Territories arts businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and collectives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

I'm not sure I have any more questions after that. Anyway, the main issue for artisans in the South Slave is access to materials such as beads, stroud, and, more importantly, naturally tanned moose hide. This government has talked about a tannery building for a number of years, but this has not become a reality. I ask the Minister: is her department willing to identify and work with a proponent in the South Slave to build a tannery?

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

ITI is in the business of helping Northwest Territories businesses and the Northwest Territories economy grow and prosper. If a Northwest Territories resident has a legal and viable business plan and meets the required qualifications, ITI supports, programs, and services are there to be accessed. When it comes to a tannery, I understand that there is an initiative being pursued by our South Slave regional office and a project that Fort Providence is leading. The department has supported a pre-feasibility and business plan for this work.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

That's good to hear. I know that's been ongoing for several years, so hopefully, it will come to fruition. The next question or comment: in some of the regions or smaller communities, one common theme is a location where artisans can showcase and make their work available to the public. Fort Liard is a community that has a beautiful building where local art is showcased and placed for sale. We need that type of facility in every community. Will the Minister commit her department to work with a community organization willing to provide space for artisans to work out of and showcase their art?

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

ITI and ECE share responsibility to support the arts and fine crafts. We are currently working with ECE to finalize an updated strategy to guide and inform our government's support of the arts sector in the future. We do have a variety of commercial operators who sell and showcase art. We also showcase regional artists in our artist displays at the airports and in our parks. I do commit to the Member to have a conversation with my department about ensuring that there is commercial space in every community.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is important for Indigenous people to pass down traditional knowledge. Would the Minister commit to work with the Minister of ECE to support and develop the grant program beyond what is in place, without a requirement, to artisans willing to teach their children or grandchildren or extended family the craft? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

I am certainly willing to follow up on this matter with Minister of ECE. ITI, and I personally, recognize the value of our traditional arts and crafts. I have been supportive of our jewellery makers for quite a while now. Passing on the traditional knowledge is a very valuable and needed thing in the Northwest Territories, and I'm very happy to support initiatives like this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I hope I'm not crossing any lines or anything in my Member's statement and in my questioning regarding the sensitive nature of the subject that I bring up related to health centre concerns. If I do, I apologize to the House. When complaints are not taken seriously by the Department of Health and Social Services, I believe the residents of the Northwest Territories are in serious trouble, especially in small communities with no doctors nor specialists. My question to the Minister is: how serious is the department about the serious health crisis concerns of the residents of my community and to the people of the Northwest Territories? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Health and Social Services authorities have a complaints process in place where clients are encouraged to talk with their local healthcare or social service provider as a first step. If they're not satisfied, there is also a follow-up step with the regional quality representative. For serious private practice concerns, confidential investigations are carried out by the NTSSA, with the support of the Department of Finance and the Department of Human Resources. In all investigations, principles of due process are followed to hear from everybody who is involved in the complaint, including the staff. The employer can then determine what action is required to address the concerns. Complaints of misconduct can also be submitted to the complaints officer of the regulatory bodies for nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, and midwives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi to the Minister for that answer. That's pretty much the standard process, and I believe we've gone beyond that. We've already filed a formal complaint, and there have been other formal complaints filed that have gone unheeded. Northwest Territories residents, especially the Indigenous residents of my community, should not be treated like the treatment they receive at the local health centre. They should also not be treated with racist overtones just for being Indigenous. Comments such as, "Just because you are Treaty," and, "You Indians are a bunch of drunks," should never have to be heard. My question to the Minister: when are you ever going to take the concerns of the residents seriously in regard to the complaints against the health centre nursing staff?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

I followed up with my department to confirm my understanding of the process. Unfortunately, because there was a complaint filed with the Nurses' Association, it is not appropriate for the Minister to meet and respond to the specifics of the complaint because I was told that we can't be seen as interfering in any judicial or quasi-judicial process that is currently under way.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi for that answer. I think we had this discussion already, that there is a total disconnect by the department and the registered nurses' group, but the GNWT does the hiring of all nurses and doctors, and whatnot, and they are passed over to RNANT/NU, their governing body. Once we've done that, there is a line severed right there. They've got no control over any aspect of how they operate, those nurse practitioners and whatnot, and that's a big concern in our small communities. I don't know why the department does not have a mechanism in place to help the residents address these issues. My question to the Minister is: will she look into mechanisms to be put in place to help the residents of the Northwest Territories?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Quality of care. We are working with the way we change and provide services in order to ensure that the practices are respectful to the values of residents. Through primary healthcare reform, we are focusing on improving cultural and safety and relationship-based caring. The Member is asking if we will commit to that relationship? Absolutely.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Question 287-19(2): Highway Safety and Cell Service
Oral Questions

June 3rd, 2020

Page 1020

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Cell phones, Mr. Speaker. I spoke earlier in my Member's statement about the cell phone services between Behchoko and Yellowknife. We have no access to cell phone services between Behchoko and Yellowknife. Again, this is an ongoing issue because there have been some issues happening between Yellowknife and Behchoko. [End of translation]

[Microphone turned off] ...asked about safety when I asked about the summer students, so I will continue with the safety avenue on Highway No. 3. Is the Minister of Finance aware of the number of people or of cars and trucks passing back and forth daily between Behchoko and Yellowknife? I'm just wondering if she has travelled Highway No. 3 lately. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I can say certainly, in the last eight months or so, I have not travelled that road, but in my past life, for some 10 years, I used to be on that road quite regularly, attending court in Behchoko. I am well aware that there are some spots where there simply is no coverage, and it's a safety risk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

I'm glad that the Minister identified it as a safety risk between Rae Junction and Yellowknife. From a risk management point of view, what can the Minister tell us about the danger of leaving commuters and truckers without cell coverage along such an important stretch of the highway? We're talking about the safety of our NWT citizens.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I am not a risk analyst, and I'm not going to pretend to provide to the House or to the people who are on that highway my own personal views on what is or isn't a risk or how much of a risk it is, but I do acknowledge the point that's being made that there are people on that highway. It's a stretch of highway that, while frequently travelled, still has lots of parts where there are risks in terms of it being a highway. There can be an accident, and then there is maybe no one there coming along who has a phone or a satellite phone. I certainly acknowledge that that's a reality and that there are some obvious risks associated.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

The next question I have is: would the Minister commit to calling Northwestel to convince the company to provide critical cell phone coverage that commuters and truckers need on the stretch of highway? One would assume that she has clout over them as the Government of the Northwest Territories is their biggest customer.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

I am certainly more than happy to phone Northwestel and have some engagement with them. In fact, I do think that that's an easy "yes." As far as what I can or can't convince a private corporation to do, I'm not going to be in a position to say "yes" or to make any commitment in that regard. Certainly, they are an important private sector partner in the Northwest Territories, and I'm sure they will want to have discussions and engagements with the GNWT.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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