Debates of March 1st, 2021

This is page numbers 2199 - 2242 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 going.

Topics

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
Procurement Review
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Legislative Lethargy
Dechinta Fish Camp
Hamlet of Enterprise Economic Opportunities
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Tree of Peace Friendship Centre
Mineral Resource Exploration
Government Transparency and Open Government
Rental Assessments in Nunakput
Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families
Application of the Government of the Northwest Territories Affirmative Action Policy
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Application of the Government of the Northwest Territories Affirmative Action Policy
Gaps in Emergency Services
Legislative Lethargy
Rental Assessments in Nunakput
Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Hamlet of Enterprise Economic Opportunities
Funding for the Tree of Peace and Non-Government Organizations
Government of the Northwest Territories Open Government Portal
Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families
Mineral Resource Exploration and Development
Return to Written Question 22-19(2): Financial Obligations for the Ekati Mine to the Government of the Northwest Territories
Committee Report 10-19(2): Report on Bill 3: An Act to Amend the Public Highways Act
Motion to Receive Committee Report 9-19(2) and Move into Committee of the Whole
Tabled Document 329-19(2): Summary of GNWT Response to Dominion Diamond Mines Creditor Protection Process and Ekati Diamond Mine Sale Tabled Document 330-19(2): Outstanding Payments Dominion Diamond Group of Companies/Arctic Canadian Diamond Company as of February 3, 2021 Tabled Document 331-19(2): Executive Summary - Public Procurement Policies for the Government of the Northwest Territories Tabled Document 332-19(2): Discussion Paper for the Review of Public Procurement Policies for the Government of the Northwest Territories Tabled Document 333-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 494-19(2): Economic Recovery
Tabled Document 334-19(2): Letter dated February 24, 2021, from Midwives Association of the Northwest Territories to Minister of Health and Social Services regarding Increased Funding for Midwifery Services in the 2021/2022 Budget
Systemic Racism
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Tabled Document 286-19(2): Main Estimates 2021-2022 - Health and Social Services - Deferral of Department (page 169)
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes. Thank you. I will refer that question to the deputy minister, please.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Deputy Minister Cooper.

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Cooper

Thank you, Madam Chair. We are certainly very alive to the situation in Nunavut, and we are in active discussions with NIHB around ensuring that, where can we find equity, we find it. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Deputy Minister. Are there any further questions from Members? Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Can someone tell me how many Metis are actually eligible for the Metis Health Benefits in the Northwest Territories? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes. When that question was asked about two minutes ago, it was 1,500, so I am going to say it's still 1,500.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. That is great to hear. Has the federal government paid any other jurisdictions with regard to Metis Health Benefits? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

No, I do not believe they have. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Is there any indication whatsoever that the federal government is actually going to contribute towards this, and has it been raised, for example, at FPT tables? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Madam Chair. There is no indication that the federal government is ready to pay. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Madam Chair, that was one of my questions. I guess I snuck a couple in. Has this issue been raised at federal-provincial-territorial tables with the federal government? Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes. Thank you. Not in my time as health Minister. The FPT tables are predominantly preoccupied with the pandemic. Thank you.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Member.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. I am just trying to figure out: how do we get any traction on this issue? I think as my colleague from Yellowknife North said, it's $2.8 million this year, which might help those people who actually do not get any benefits whatsoever. I don't know. Have we tried writing to the federal Minister? Is there any talk of a reference to the federal courts? I think there is a questions act or something where you can actually refer a matter for a ruling of the court in terms of jurisdictional matters and so on. Any sort of thoughts about what kind of strategy we can use to get the attention of the federal government on this? Look, I recognize we are in a pandemic, but clearly, this has been going on now for a number of years. Thanks, Madam Chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

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Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Yes. Thank you. I am not aware of anything going on with respect to that. Deputy Minister?

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Deputy Minister Cooper.