This is page numbers 3325 - 3360 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 know.

Topics

Oral Question 881-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3340

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. So over the course of the last 18 years then, we've been slowly watching a decline happen, but there hasn't been a response then from the GNWT to actually address what we now understand to be -- and quite thankfully, I'm going use this one probably quite a bit -- the number 1 priority of this government. And I might get a talking to from some Ministers after that, but I'm going to run with it.

Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering if the NWT Housing Corporation intends to bring forward new legislation specific to public housing, because right now the NWT Housing Corporation's legislation speaks largely to the corporation's ability to be a corporation, to borrow money, and to spend money, or to lend money. But it doesn't speak to the Housing Corporation's responsibility to keep Northerners housed as housing is a human right.

And so I'm wondering if the Housing Corporation will make a commitment to bring forward a legislative proposal in the life of this Assembly for public housing? Thank you.

Oral Question 881-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3340

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As part of the renewal strategy, the Housing Corporation anticipates a comprehensive look at the Housing Corporation's role and relationships with the partners to addressing housing in the territory. Coming out of that conversation, we anticipate being able to identify what legislative changes may be necessary moving forward. The renewal strategy identifies the changes to legislation but would be identified as part of the current work. But that, the legislation proposal and advancing the legislation, would be advanced in the next Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 881-19(2): Housing
Oral Questions

Page 3340

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3340

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. In my June 4th, 2021, statement, I noted the old name of the museum here in Yellowknife. I've been raising this issue now for about six years in this House. I don't understand why we just don't change the name to something that embraces reconciliation and our northern reality.

Can the Minister tell us why the name of the museum has not been changed and what the obstacles are to moving forward with a name that reflects our northern realities? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3340

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3340

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We can't just change the name, as the Member says. And I think that if I would have started the process of changing the name on my first day in this position, it still wouldn't be changed because there has to be an extensive consultation process. I would not unilaterally change the name to something I thought was appropriate. There would have to be extensive consultation with Indigenous governments and the public.

The process of renaming the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is definitely on the radar. It is something that we are looking into. And it is being packaged together with some of the other work that's being done. We are looking at some big changes for the museum.

The Member knows very well that the building itself is in need of repair. It's in need of expansion for certain areas. And we are looking at the governing structure of the museum. And so I wouldn't want to go and just change the name outside of all of those as well. I think that we really need to look at this holistically and move forward in a way that makes sense. But it is something that is being worked on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I've seen so many documents calling for renovations or a new facility that it isn't even funny anymore. Some of us have visited the museum and seen the problems firsthand. If our government actually made culture and heritage our higher priority, I think we would have had a new museum by now. And that's exactly what the Yukon did, Mr. Speaker.

Does the Minister have a renovation or upgrade plan to address the museum's practical needs that he's going to bring forward for funding approval or when will such a plan be presented? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If this government, as the Member said, made culture and heritage a higher priority it doesn't mean that we would have a new museum; it might mean that we have more resources in communities. Making something a higher priority for the territory isn't synonymous with making something a higher priority in Yellowknife. So there are people outside of Yellowknife who we want to be able to access culture and heritage resources as well. So this is not the only culture and heritage resource in the territory.

That being said, it is a very valuable one, and it does more than display artifacts. You know, children go there to learn. It houses the archives. And as the Member said, there have been a number of different documents stating that something needs to be done.

And when I first came into office, there was a building study that was nearing completion, and that was completed in 2020. We went back and said what other options can we look at, because while we would like the Cadillac of museums, we really need to be realistic here. So that work is being done, and we are looking at it in consultation or at the same time as this revenue study and the governance study which is sort of hand-in-hand with that.

So all that to say that the Member will be the first to know when I come across new information. I will call him personally because I know how passionate he is about this. And I expect that to happen early in the new year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. I look forward to a call on New Year's Day from him, a personal call. But, yes, look, we can do a lot more on heritage.

You know, I've mentioned that there's a revenue review underway, and I'm just not sure that it's actually going to result in any significant new funding. You know, I think the much more likely route for us to get more funding is go to the federal government and build on COVID relief or a tourism product development.

Can the Minister tell us the status of this revenue review and whether there's any likelihood of raising enough money to fix up the museum? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The revenue review will be completed by the end of this fiscal year.

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is unique. Most museums aren't 100 percent funded by a province or territory. It's generally run by a third party who can then access federal funding. There is not a big pot of money that the GNWT can access to just build a new museum. But that being said, if we look at other ways to operate the museum perhaps we can find some of that funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Frame Lake.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. And I'm really happy to try to help him get the money but I'm sure that he can work more closely with his Cabinet colleagues. But I'm still just not convinced that culture and heritage gets all the attention it deserves, especially when it comes to federal relations and opportunities.

Can the Minister describe the department's recent attempts to secure federal funding for culture and heritage and how this relates to our efforts to towards reconciliation; and, more specifically, what this means for the museum? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've had a number of conversations with Minister Guilbeault when he was in the role of Canadian Heritage but he's no longer there, and so I have to build a new relationship with the new Minister. And that was typically around the COVID-related funding.

As for funding specifically for the museum, there is money through Canadian Heritage through the museum assistance program, I believe it's called, and they have funding for discrete projects, so minor upgrades, exhibits, things like that. And we have been successful in getting some of those funds.

That funding is something that doesn't flow through us. So any organization in the territory, any Indigenous government who would want that, would have to apply directly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 882-19(2): Future of Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Oral Questions

Page 3341

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Tabled Document 529-19(2): Changing the Relationship: Draft Action Plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Tabled Document 530-19(2): Grants and Contributions Results Report 2020-2021 Tabled Document 531-19(2): Northern Mineral Sector Investment Study Final Report, August 2021 Tabled Document 532-19(2): Public Accounts 2020-2021 - Sections I, II, III and IV
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents: Changing the Relationship: Draft Action Plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples; Grants and Contribution Results Report 2020-2021; Northern Mineral Sector Investment Study Final Report, August 2021; and, Public Accounts 2020-2021, Sections I, II, III and IV. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 529-19(2): Changing the Relationship: Draft Action Plan in Response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People Tabled Document 530-19(2): Grants and Contributions Results Report 2020-2021 Tabled Document 531-19(2): Northern Mineral Sector Investment Study Final Report, August 2021 Tabled Document 532-19(2): Public Accounts 2020-2021 - Sections I, II, III and IV
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Government House Leader.

Tabled Document 533-19(2): Northwest Territories on the Land Collaborative 2021 Report Tabled Document 534-19(2): What We Heard: 2021 Anti-Poverty Roundtable
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Northwest Territories On the Land Collaborative 2021 Report; and, What We Heard 2021 Anti-Poverty Roundtable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 533-19(2): Northwest Territories on the Land Collaborative 2021 Report Tabled Document 534-19(2): What We Heard: 2021 Anti-Poverty Roundtable
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Government House Leader. Tabling of documents. Member for Frame Lake.

Tabled Document 535-19(2): Motion 4-83(2): Testing of Cruise Missile in Canada - Excerpts from Hansard dated September 2, 1983 Tabled Document 536-19(2): Motion 15-86(1): Cruise Missile Testing Opposition - Excerpts from Hansard dated March 5, 1986 Tabled Document 537-19(2): Motion 11-89(2): Low Level Flights in Northwest Territories - Excerpts from Hansard dated November 1, 1989 Tabled Document 538-19(2): Motion 20-12(5): Condemnation of Continuation of Cruise Missile Testing - Excerpts from Hansard dated March 2, 1994
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I wish to table the following four documents entitled Motion 4-83(2): Testing of Cruise Missile in Canada - Excerpts from Hansard dated September 2nd, 1983; Motion 15-86(1): Cruise Missile Testing Opposition - Excerpts from Hansard dated March 5th, 1986; Motion 11-89(2): Low Level Flights in the Northwest Territories - Excerpts from Hansard dated November 1st, 1989; and Motion 20-12(5): Condemnation of the Continuation of Cruise Missile Testing - Excerpts from Hansard March 2, 1994. Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Tabled Document 535-19(2): Motion 4-83(2): Testing of Cruise Missile in Canada - Excerpts from Hansard dated September 2, 1983 Tabled Document 536-19(2): Motion 15-86(1): Cruise Missile Testing Opposition - Excerpts from Hansard dated March 5, 1986 Tabled Document 537-19(2): Motion 11-89(2): Low Level Flights in Northwest Territories - Excerpts from Hansard dated November 1, 1989 Tabled Document 538-19(2): Motion 20-12(5): Condemnation of Continuation of Cruise Missile Testing - Excerpts from Hansard dated March 2, 1994
Tabling Of Documents

Page 3342

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.

Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, Carried
First Reading Of Bills

December 8th, 2021

Page 3342

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, be read for the first time.

Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, Carried
First Reading Of Bills

Page 3342

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 45 has had first reading.

First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.

Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 3343

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, be read for the second time.

This bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 3343

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?

Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2022-2023, Carried
Second Reading Of Bills

Page 3343

Some Hon. Members

Question.