Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Northwest Territories Digital Infrastructure
The global response to the COVID pandemic has illustrated the vital importance of digital communications for both human interaction and business continuity. The ability of individuals and families to connect online has been critical to ensuring that people can work and study from home, stay abreast of the changing global situation, and nurture vital family and community networks to support community cohesion and individual mental health.
In 2017, the GNWT completed construction of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link project, a 1,200-kilometre fibre-optic line from Alberta to Inuvik. This public-private partnership project cost the GNWT $95 million in capital costs and will cost an additional $64 million in operational costs over the 23-year duration of the contract. The GNWT claimed to have "connected" six communities with a high speed, fibre optic, digital internet connection. However, the Finance Minister later stated, "Linking this backbone to the community is what's called the 'last mile.' This service is provided by the local service provider as GNWT is not in the business of providing local Internet service...We own Mackenzie Valley fibre optic line. I think we're responsible for getting it out to pop-out, as it's called in the community, and then their service provider would go from there." This has left it unclear which communities are directly linked to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link and which are still waiting for local service providers to make the connection a reality.
There is also no clear plan for connecting those outlying communities that could have access to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link, but which are not located directly on the path of the fibre link.
Lack of access to the NWT's digital infrastructure can put businesses, students, and vulnerable populations at a greater disadvantage during a pandemic. The GNWT must do all it can to ensure not only that the NWT has a robust digital infrastructure, but that all NWT communities are able to benefit from its existence. Committee takes note of initiatives such as the Yukon Government's decision to provide prepaid cell phones to at-risk populations during the COVID-19 emergency, and the provision of Wi-Fi in low-cost housing by some community housing associations. Committee encourages the GNWT to investigate some of the initiatives used in other jurisdictions and consider how they could be adapted for use in the Northwest Territories.
Recommendation 4
The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the GNWT develop digital communications plan for the Northwest Territories, that: assesses the state of telecommunications infrastructure serving each NWT community; identifies the costs and timelines associated with ensuring that all NWT communities have access to high-speed, digital telecommunications; and identifies who will be responsible for the work and how it will be achieved. The GNWT's long-term pandemic response must also include provisions ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to the Internet during a pandemic lockdown, by developing plans on a community-by-community basis for ensuring Internet access for individuals when libraries and community centres are ordered closed during a lockdown.
Human Resource Practices
In the middle of March, the GNWT took the unprecedented step, as did many governments and businesses around the world, of directing its employees to begin working from home. This extreme but necessary decision allowed the GNWT to best protect the health and safety of its employees, while allowing for business continuity. It will, undoubtedly, yield lessons that can benefit the GNWT in preparing for future emergencies and help shape future business operations.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to turn it over to the Member for Thebacha. Thank you.