This is page numbers 1725 - 1748 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 residents.

Topics

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Member's comments and the advocacy that he has for the Ingraham Trail. I would like to advise the Member that conversations are still happening between the City of Yellowknife and the department and also with the people at Ingraham Trail, as well. There was a consultation that was just recently completed. I should be able to provide an update to the Member by the end of February.

Also, I wanted to include to the Member, as well, that with these conversations going on and going forward, it is a very unique and different service that we would be offering throughout the territory. We do have a lot of community built-up areas outside of the municipal boundary, so it is something that the department is looking at, but also at other areas throughout the Northwest Territories.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

The problem with this issue is that, if services are going to end, my constituents want some time to perhaps set up their own volunteer service. If the city can't reach agreement with MACA, then, perhaps, the Dettah fire services can be upgraded and certified to provide services. However, this all takes time, and it's unlikely to be done by April 1st. As such, the best option here is to get some sort of interim agreement with the City of Yellowknife so that other options can be explored in time. Do we have a sense of how long that will take? I hear the Minister say she will have an update for me by next month, but my understanding is that this would be a bylaw amendment, and we have to deal with both our funding process and the city's approval process, which does not give us the time. I am asking: Do we have a sense of how quickly the city could do this, should they actually agree?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

The contractual services that would be provided outside of municipal boundary is very unique for a municipality, but we are working with the city. The conversations are happening, and we are trying to come to an agreement prior to April 1st. I do hear the Member's concern about that specific date, as well, and as a department and working in conjunction with Ingraham Trail and with the City of Yellowknife, I am confident that we will reach something by that deadline.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

I am happy that the Minister is confident that we will reach that deadline. I do recognize that there is work to be done all across the territory. I know this is an issue with Hay River providing ambulance services outside of boundaries. I know there is a lot of work to do in this area, but I am hoping that we can buy the time such that we can find a territory-wide plan. I heard the Minister state that some consultation has begun with residents of the Ingraham Trail. I was not aware of that. Could I just get an update on what communication efforts have been done and will be done to make sure that residents on the trail know whether or not they will be able to call for a fire truck?

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Presently, the City of Yellowknife will be providing fire services up until April 1st. I will have to follow up with the Member and be very specific on the type of consultation that has been completed, who has been contacted, and looking at the results. I want to have a full recommendation and a follow-up by the end of February, but I will be able to provide the Member with the update of the conversations and consultations prior to that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are in regards to the Emerging Stronger Plan, and they are for the Premier. I would like to start off by identifying which Minister is responsible for the Emerging Stronger Plan, and what role does Cabinet play in making decisions about the plan? Thank you.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Honourable Premier.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now, I am the Minister responsible for the Emerging Stronger Plan. We are working on it right now. What role does Cabinet have in making the plan? A lot.

I did hear the Member in her statement say that the business community has lost confidence in the Premier, and I am sorry to hear that. I heard that when we first said, "Lock down the borders," and I had to stand beside the CPHO and say that I support her orders. I heard it when we formed the secretariat, and I am hearing it now again.

I do want to say that there have been tough decisions. Members have said we have had tough choices to make. We have made tough choices, Mr. Speaker, and it has paid off. We are probably the only jurisdiction in Canada that hasn't had a death from COVID. We are probably one of the only jurisdictions in Canada that hasn't had to go into lockdown over Christmas.

What role does Cabinet have? People are thinking that we are only concerned about COVID. We are. The Minister of Health and myself are run ragged dealing with the health and safety of Members, but that's not the only work we are doing. I believe that everything in this session that we will be presenting to Members on the mandate process and most of them are on track, ironically. We thought that there would be exceptions, but other things have happened.

The Minister of ITI has been working with the business advisory council. Because of that work and her work, that's why we got the money from the federal government for tourism and the airlines that was brought in. The Minister of ECE, having to look at distance ed, became a reality all of a sudden, and the support for students because of that work. The Minister of housing working on bringing in shelters and dealing with homes and stuff. The Minister of Infrastructure, the biggest capital budget in the history of the Assembly. Mr. Speaker, we haven't forgotten. The Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, I have been working with the Indigenous governments on a weekly basis, almost, right through this. We are talking about economic agreements. We are talking about the Indigenous government procurement policy.

The work has not stopped, Mr. Speaker, is what I am saying, and all of Cabinet has a strong role to play. Not only Cabinet; we will be talking to Members, as well. All of us have a role to play. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

I hear often from constituents that they are very happy with the state of the NWT as far as the safety and the health of our people. They are very excited to get vaccinated, and they're very enthusiastic about that. I encourage Cabinet to really share the successes that they have had and look forward to hearing more about that as we go through session, as well.

The fact of the matter is that, last year, residents were promised a plan, and so now they are looking for the plan and what the future of the NWT holds. What does it look like? How do we come back from this? How do we move into a polytechnic? How do we improve our education numbers? People are really looking to the government right now to identify what that plan is. I am wondering if the plan is to table the Emerging Stronger Plan over the course of this sitting, and if so, if that will be publicly done and if residents of the Northwest Territories will be able to see that?

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

During the process of doing the draft Emerging Stronger Plan, one of the first things that we did was look across the jurisdictions across Canada to see what they had done. Not all jurisdictions have plan. In fact, some jurisdictions are saying they are not doing plans. Some of them that did the plans earlier are now saying that they need to revisit them because they were done a little bit early. I mean, I don't think the timing is bad, like I said earlier in my first answer. We haven't forgotten the economy. We haven't forgotten people. In fact, it's made our services stronger over this last year because of the pandemic.

Will it be tabled in this session? I want to say yes, but Mr. Speaker, I have learned to be a little bit cautious with that. What I can commit to in this session is that that draft will be done. We have heard from stakeholders. We have heard from the business community, from the NGOs, from the Indigenous governments, from the MLAs, from the general public. We have heard the needs. We have heard the concerns. We are going to present a draft Emerging Stronger Plan that we will provide to the standing committee first, and then, once the standing committee has a chance to give us some feedback and stuff, if there is not too much, I would love to say we will be able to table it. I do commit that standing committee will see that draft.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

No, that's very good news, and I understand that other jurisdictions may not have plans to create a plan. We started at a different place than other jurisdictions at the beginning of 2020, and so I think that it is important for us to recognize that and for us to be prepared. What I am wondering is if the Premier can speak to the type of key milestones a plan might have or that the public can expect to see, and when they would expect to see those key milestones turned into actions?

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

I can't say what the key milestones will be at this exact moment. That is the work that we are doing now. Like I said, we are working with all departments to consolidate all of this work. Not only the work that needs to be done, but the work we've done. The Member is right. Before COVID-19, our economy was in trouble. This is not new. This is something that we had faced, and the Members were wise when we developed the 22 priorities. A lot of that was around making sure that the economy was strong in the North. That work was going on before COVID, and it will continue to do. When we do present the draft Emerging Stronger within this sitting to the standing committee, you will see milestones, and I am hoping that we will be able to get some feedback from the Members on those milestones.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Final supplementary. Member for Kam Lake.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

February 4th

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Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before the Emerging Stronger Plan discussions, we talked about the Emerging Wisely Plan, and that was really kind of the cornerstone event of how we were going to move on through lockdown into re-emerging from our homes and back into the world of the Northwest Territories as we know and love it. I am wondering if there is a plan from Cabinet to re-release that plan based on what we know now and what we can expect for the remainder of 2021 once people are vaccinated, once schools start to, they're going to close for the summer. They're going to reopen in the fall. People are starting to plan and prepare for that, especially when it comes to hiring of teachers, when it comes to plans for summer, plans for business. There is a lot of planning in all aspects of our lives, and so is there a plan from Cabinet to re-release Emerging Wisely so that people know kind of what to expect for the rest of 2021? Thank you.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

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Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Since that's the CPHO's office, I would redirect that to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. As far as I know, the CPHO is not planning to re-release the Emerging Wisely Plan. I appreciate that the Member and the public want certainty about what's going to happen in 2021, but unfortunately, we're not in a position to provide that. Much of what is driving our response is happening outside of Canada, outside of the NWT. We know there are new infectious variants that are circulating. We don't have a lot of information about the vaccine potential to stop transmission. That is still being studied. We know that hospitals in the South are overwhelmed. While I appreciate the need for more certainty, we have a very limited amount of control over that, and really, it is only within the Northwest Territories. If we can stick to our containment and vaccination plan, then there will be loosened restrictions within the NWT, but I expect the border controls to remain in place for some time. Thank you.

Question 492-19(2): Emerge Stronger Plan
Oral Questions

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 20-19(2) asked by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh on October 29, 2020, to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment regarding procurement from Indigenous-owned and -operated businesses.

The Member asked for the percentage of capital expenses were spent with Indigenous-owned and -operated businesses. The Government of the Northwest Territories or GNWT, does not currently report based on Indigenous-owned and -operated business. Rather, it reports on whether the company is Northwest Territories-owned and whether the company has Business Incentive Policy or BIP status. We acknowledge that this is something we need to look at and will be included in the scope of the procurement review.

The Member asked what steps has the GNWT taken to identify and remove barriers for Indigenous businesses to participate in the modern economy. The GNWT works every day to support entrepreneurs, Indigenous business and other organizations in driving economic development across our territory. Through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, the GNWT develops, promotes, and sustains an environment in which Northwest Territories or NWT entrepreneurs, small business owners are encouraged to invest, take risks, and prosper. We do so with targeted policies, programs, and funding initiatives, such as the Support for Entrepreneur and Economic Development Policy and in partnership with organizations such as the Business Development and Investment Corporation, Community Futures Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, and through our regional offices.

The Member asked what incentives or programs does the GNWT have in place for the purchase of goods and services from Indigenous-owned and -operated businesses. Currently, the GNWT does not have any incentives or programs specific for the purchase of goods and services from Indigenous-owned or -operated businesses. The GNWT supports the creation and growth of competitive businesses as a foundation for the NWT economy when purchasing goods, services, or construction through the BIP. The BIP is an economic policy that provides an incentive to Northwest Territories-based businesses in a manner that recognizes the higher cost of operating businesses and manufacturing products in the NWT, encourages Northwest Territories-based businesses to create employment and develop necessary experience and business skills, and complies with any intergovernmental agreements to which the GNWT must adhere.

As outlined above, we acknowledge this as something we need to look at and will be included into the scope of the procurement review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 21-19(2) asked by the Member for Kam Lake to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation on November 5, 2020, regarding applications to the national co-investment fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Member inquired about how many Northwest Territories Housing Corporation employees are currently assigned to work on applications to the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. Currently, we have one full-time community relations advisor who is tasked to provide guidance and assistance to parties interested in making applications for the fund. Additionally, several Housing Corporation staff members also provide support in these efforts.

The Member also inquired about what percentage of those employees' time is spent working on applications to the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. The community relations advisor position is dedicated towards increasing access to this federal program, and it is the main focus of the position.

Lastly, the Member asked what communication activities has the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation completed in support of increasing applications to the national co-investment fund. We have been conducting joint presentations with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at the community level at the request of community leadership. Additionally, we have a dedicated section on our website towards the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. Further, print media advertising is being used by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to promote this federal program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of committees on review of bills. Item 13, reports of standing and special committees. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following 10 documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 351-19(2): Addictions Treatment Services;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 406-19(2): Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action Regarding Treatment Centres;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 407-19(2): Self-Isolation Exemptions;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 414-19(2): Stanton Territorial Sterilization of Equipment;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 415-19(2): Zoonotics;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 427-19(2): Addictions, "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 428-19(2): Medical Travel;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 445-19(2): Self-Isolation for Medical Travel;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 461-19(2): Dental Practice in Small Communities;" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 485-19(2): Essential Service Workers to Remote Communities and Mines During COVID-19." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am tabling 14 documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 380-19(2): Municipal Funding Gap;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 399-19(2): Public Safety;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 412-19(2): Fire Hall in Dettah;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 413-19(2): How Core Need Income Threshold is Used for Housing;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 416-19(2): Homelessness in Inuvik;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 416-19(2): Homelessness in Inuvik;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 418-19(2): Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Funding, Policies and Staffing;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 423-19(2): National Housing Co-Investment Fund;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 424-19(2): Home Ownership;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 425-19(2): Homelessness and Housing;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 438-19(2): Mackenzie Place High Rise;" "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 447-19(2): Extending Cell Phone Coverage Response;" and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 484-19(2): Ingraham Trail Fire Services from Dettah." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.