Debates of Dec. 9th, 2021
This is page numbers 3361 - 3382 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 work.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 198-19(2): Corrections Act Implementation
- Season's Greetings
- Addictions and Mental Health
- Pandemic Business Support
- Season's Greetings
- Paid Sick Leave and the Employment Standards Act
- Season's Greetings
- Environmental Remediation and Economic Recovery
- Child and Youth Advocate
- Al Reimer Award Recipient Al Harris
- Deline Got'ine Preschool Opening
- Recognizing Hay River Organizations
- Oral Question 883-19(2): Northwest Territories Power Corporation Vaccination Policy
- Oral Question 884-19(2): Paid Sick Leave and the Employment Standards Act
- Oral Question 885-19(2): Home Care Support in Communities
- Oral Question 886-19(2): Addictions Support in Communities
- Oral Question 887-19(2): Community Justice Programs
- Oral Question 888-19(2): Environmental Remediation and Economic Recovery
- Oral Question 889-19(2): Northwest Territories Arts Program
- Oral Question 890-19(2): Public Accounts and Litigation against the Government of the Northwest Territories
- Oral Question 891-19(2): Addictions Education
- Oral Question 892-19(2) Health Care Centre Staffing
- Oral Question 893-19(2) Immigration Medical
- Written Question 33-19(2): Community Based Post-Secondary Education
- Tabled Document 539-19(2): Critical Minerals Workshop Information Package
- Tabled Document 540-19(2): Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2020 Annual Report Including 10 year Review 2011-2020
- Tabled Document 541-19(2): Operations Report 2020-2021 Western Canada Lottery Act
- Tabled Document 542-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Annual Report 2020-2021
- Tabled Document 543-19(2): Annual Report 2020-21 Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation
- Tabled Document 544-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 820-19(2): Staffing at Stanton Territorial Hospital
- Motion 46-19(2): Appointments to Board of Management and Standing Committee on Government Operations, Carried
- Motion 47-19(2): Repeal and Replace Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, Carried
- Motion 48-19(2): Extended Adjournment of the House to February 2, 2022, Carried
- Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Report On Committee Of The Whole
- Orders Of The Day
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Madam Chair. That's a pretty hard act to follow. But I move that the chair rise and report progress.
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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The Chair Lesa Semmler
The motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.
---SHORT RECESS
Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
May I please have the report of Committee of the Whole. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole
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Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23 and Bill 29 and would like to report progress, and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Frame Lake. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Third reading of bills.
Madam Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.
Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole
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The Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Hon. Margaret M. Thom
Mahsi, please be seated.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.
[Translation] Thank you, it is good to be here and see all of you. It seems so long that I was to thank you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times. I want to say thank you. [Translation Ends].
It seems such a long time to see each and every one of you again. It seems so long ago that I was here addressing you, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times.
As we enter the festive season and what is our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to face many challenges.
The challenges will continue and I believe that is what gives us courage, gives us strength, and it gives us the opportunity for personal growth. In spite of the challenges, we must keep moving forward with the best of our abilities and always remember the accomplishments that we have each made - both personally and professionally.
The last two years during this pandemic has been very difficult, particularly to those of us who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic or other reasons. We mourn the loss of loved ones, we celebrate and cherish the ones present, and we must have faith and hope for the future and excitement for the ones yet to come.
As you journey home for this well-deserved break with your families, friends, and your constituents, know that you are going to make cherished memories. Memories are precious.
I wish you sincere blessings of the season and Happy Holidays. Mahsi.
Now as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
- Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act
- Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act
- Bill 31: An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act
- Bill 32: An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act
- Bill 33: The National Indigenous Peoples Day Act
- Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act
- Bill 42: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
- Bill 43: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
- Bill 44: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 4, 2020-2021
- Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2022-2023
Mahsi Cho, Thank You, Quyanainni, Merci Beaucoup, Koana.
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Report On Committee Of The Whole
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Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho
Madam Commissioner, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, all the MLAs, and most importantly the residents of the Northwest Territories, we extend our warmest Merry Christmas Greetings to you and your family for your service to the Northwest Territories. Colleagues, please join me in applause for the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.
---Applause
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Report On Committee Of The Whole
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Colleagues, on behalf of the House I thank the Commissioner, the Honourable Margaret M. Thom, for being here today. It is always a pleasure to have her in the Chamber.
Thank you also to the interpreters who have worked so hard throughout this sitting. We honour our official languages by using them. The interpreters make this possible for us. Mahsi.
Members, I also want to thank each of you. This sitting has been a challenging one. We have faced multiple delays starting this sitting due to COVID-19 outbreaks in our communities and within this building, and we have dealt with issues in this Chamber, but you have maintained your professionalism throughout. Mahsi. Thank you.
Despite the challenges, this House has done a lot of work and you should feel proud of what you have accomplished. I am particularly proud of our vaccination policies. As leaders within the territory, we have an obligation to lead by example.
Members, I believe we are doing that and I thank each of you for playing your part.
We have also seen many good debates and discussions during this sitting and in this House. We represent ourselves and our constituents and we will not always see eye to eye. That is okay. Conflict and disagreement are unavoidable in our line of work. It is required.
As Members, and the voices of our people, we should not seek to avoid these conflicts and disagreements; rather, we should seek to do so with respect for one another and for this institution. During this sitting, you have done exactly that. I thank you and congratulate you for doing so.
This House will not sit again until the new year, but we will remain busy. Our days will be filled with the ongoing business of committees and government and serving our constituents. Although we will be busy, i remind each of you to take time to reflect upon the holiday season and what it means to you.
Make time for your family and friends. While we are busy in this Assembly and with our duties, these are the people who support us and make it possible for us to do our important work. Show them that they are appreciated.
I know that the holiday season can be a difficult time for some people. If you are having a difficult time, please reach out. I assure you there are many people who want to help and will be there for you.
If you believe somebody else may be having a difficult time, please take the time to check on them and provide them the support they need. As Northerners, we help each other, support each other, and rely on each other.
As we celebrate the holidays, please remember to do so safely. Follow all public health orders, travel safely on our roads, and on the land. Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.
Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day
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Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer
Orders of the day for Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022:
1. Prayer
2. Ministers' Statements
3. Members' Statements
4. Returns to Oral Questions
- Oeal Question 846-19(2): Addictions, Aftercare and Mental Health Supports Date of Question - December 1, 2021
5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
6. Acknowledgements
7. Oral Questions
8. Written Questions
9. Returns to Written Questions
10. Replies to Commissioner's Address
11. Petitions
12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
13. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
14. Tabling of Documents
15. Notices of Motion
16. Motions
17. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
18. First Reading of Bills
19. Second Reading of Bills
20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
- Bill 23: An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act
- Bill 29: Resource Royalty Information Disclosure Statute Amendment Act
21. Report of Committee of the Whole
22. Third Reading of Bills
23. Orders of the Day
Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
----ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
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