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

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

The Minister mentioned that the working group is currently doing an analysis on the calls for justice from Reclaiming Power and Place. What is the deadline for this analysis?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

At this time, we do not have a timeline. Once we do, we will let the Member know.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

The Minister has mentioned before that we are national leaders in aggressive COVID-19 testing and that we are national leaders in a very timely response to the Reclaiming Power and Place report. I would like to urge the GNWT to be both an aggressive and a timely national leader in its action to do with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Will the Minister commit to providing an annual report to this House on the status of its plans and timelines so we can be accountable to keeping all Northerners safe? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Yes, the department will be looking at doing an annual report.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the Minister's commitment. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to know, when someone disappears, there is rarely evidence that a crime has been committed. However, this is a prerequisite for police to seek the court's permission for a search warrant or for personal records to help their investigation. In the earliest hours after someone is reported missing, access to this crucial information can yield clues to the person's whereabouts held within their cellphone, computer, home, and more. A number of provincial jurisdictions have missing persons legislation which can serve as a model for the NWT. Will the Minister commit to bringing forward missing persons legislation in the Northwest Territories during the life of this Assembly? Thank you.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

We have not explored this kind of legislation in the Northwest Territories. It will require further research and consideration as it will have far-reaching implications. However, we are open to having further discussions on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, today is the one-year anniversary of the tornado that hit the community of Fort Smith. It was a devastating event for a family in Fort Smith, and I just want to ask the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation when the file is going to be concluded for this family in the community of Fort Smith. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Member, for your comments. This is an ongoing file that we have been dealing with. It's very unique. I want to provide information to the Member. I would like to meet with the Member. We do not have disaster funding within our department, but I am willing to look at flexibilities for the service for the client. I would look at this as ongoing, but I would like to resolve this, hopefully, by September. I would like to put that date out there.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

I have been going back and forth with the department, and I think that it has happened since I got elected in October, and I think that bureaucracy is slow. We have a member that had a very awful disaster in Fort Smith with the tornado. It is a big concern for myself and for the family involved in that community. A conclusion to this file is really important.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. I didn't really hear a question, but I'll let the Minister respond. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to express that the Housing Corporation did come out, and we did provide assistance to the individual. I'm looking at what further that we can offer for the disaster and for the unit that was damaged. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 45-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Access Road Contract"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 85-19(2): Tlicho All-Season Road"; "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 187-19(2): National Trade Corridor for Frank Channel Bridge." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Monfwi.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table two documents, both addressed to the Ministers of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Education, Culture and Employment. The first letter dated June 1, 2020, is from the community government of Behchoko regarding cell phone connectivity between Yellowknife and the Behchoko injunction. The second letter dated June 2, 2020, is from the community government of Whati regarding expansion of cell phone services along Highway No. 3 corridor. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday, June 5, 2020, I will move the following motion: Now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that the Legislative Assembly recommend the reappointment of the following individuals to the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission:

  • Ms. Marion Berls of the Town of Fort Smith, for a term of four year; and
  • Mr. Charles Dent of the City of Yellowknife, for a term of four years;

And further, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of these appointments to the Commissioner.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Just a slight correction, I believe that is Tuesday? Tomorrow's the last day, so we'll deal with it on Tuesday. Thank you. Notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021, with the Department of Justice and deferred departments in the pages with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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

June 3rd, 2020

Page 1027

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? 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 1027

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. Committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 30-19(2), Main Estimates 2020-2021 and specifically the departments of Justice; Environment and Natural Resources; Industry, Tourism and Investment; Infrastructure; Lands; Municipal and Community Affairs; and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Marsi cho, 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 1027

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Mr. Norn. 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 1027

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.