Debates of March 30th, 2021
This is page numbers 2603 - 2636 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 community.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 148-19(2): Municipal and Community Affairs Youth Initiatives
- Minister's Statement 149-19(2): Emerging Wisely - Vaccine Uptake in the NWT
- Minister's Statement 150-19(2): COVID-19 Emergency Support Funding for Sport Organizations
- Minister's Statement 151-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery
- Small Business Supports
- Lack of Mental Health Support in Nunakput
- Appreciation for Northern Artists
- Taltson Expansion
- Law Library and Outreach Workers
- Suicide Prevention Fund
- Homeownership
- Electricity in Whati
- Passing of Constituents
- Eulogy for Dillon Cazon
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 687-19(2): Small Business Supports
- Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati
- Question 689-19(2): Taltson Expansion
- Question 690-19(2): Law Library and Outreach Workers
- Question 691-19(2): Suicide Prevention and Aftercare
- Question 692-19(2): Homeownership
- Question 693-19(2): Mental Health Services in Nunakput Communities
- Question 694-19(2): Community Garden
- Question 695-19(2): Taltson Superintendent Position in Fort Smith
- Written Question 27-19(2): Slave Geological Province Corridor
- Written Question 28-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
- Return to Written Question 23-19(2): Practice of Using Power-Limiting Devices in the Northwest Territories
- Return to Written Question 24-19(2): Assessing and Managing Conflict of Interest in the Government
- Tabled Document 365-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 497-19(2): Corrections Workplace Assessment Tabled Document 366-19(2): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2020-2021 School Year Ending June 30, 2021
- Tabled Document 367-19(2): Northwest Territories Tourism: Towards Resilience - 2021-2022 Marketing Plan Tabled Document 368-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery April 2021 Tabled Document 369-19(2): Conflict of Interest Information
- Tabled Document 370-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 655-19(2): Biomass Heating and Energy Efficiency for Northwest Territories Housing COrporation Tabled Document 371-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 664-19(2): Devolving Powers to Municipal Governments
- Tabled Document 372-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 515-19(2): Highway Infrastructure Projects in the Next Year
- Tabled Document 373-19(2): Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories - Guiding Principles and Process Conventions, August 2020
- Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022
- Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act
- Bill 25: An Act to Amend the Education Act
- Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2021-2022
- Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
- Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
- Committee Motion 105-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Email Addresses, Carried
- Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
- Committee Motion 107-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Provision of List of Electors, Carried
- Committee Motion 108-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Prohibition on Cannabis Sales on Polling Day, Carried
- Committee Motion 109-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Prohibit Liquor and Cannabis as Campaign Expenses, Carried
- Committee Motion 110-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Usage of Electronics in Polling Stations, Carried
- Committee Motion 111-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Prohibit Polling Agents from Assisting Electors, Carried
- Committee Motion 112-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Casting Votes from any Polling Station, Carried
- Committee Motion 113-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Witnesses, Carried
- Committee Motion 114-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Electronic Submission of Candidates' Financial Reports, Carried
- Committee Motion 115-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Voting in the Office of the Returning Officer, Carried
- Committee Motion 116-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Elections NWT Procurement and Disclosure, Carried
- Committee Motion 117-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Best Practices in Election Reporting, Carried
- Committee Motion 118-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Posting of Elections Data, Carried
- Committee Motion 119-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Public Disclosure of Candidates' Residential Addresses, Carried
- Committee Motion to Amend Committee Motion 119-19(2), Carried
- Committee Motion 120-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Application of Elections and Plebiscites Act to Additional Assistant Returning Officers, Carried
- Committee Motion 121-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Elections and Plebiscites Act Housekeeping, Carried
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022
- Recorded Vote
- Orders Of The Day
Written Question 28-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion Project
Written Questions
Page 2612

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Written questions. Item 11, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.
Return to Written Question 23-19(2): Practice of Using Power-Limiting Devices in the Northwest Territories
Returns To Written Questions
Page 2612
Deputy Clerk Of The House Mr. Glen Rutland
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to written question 23-19(2) asked by the Member for Nunakput on March 4, 2021, regarding the practice of using power-limiting devices in the Northwest Territories.
The data for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation was compiled at 12:00 noon on March 5th. The numbers fluctuate on a regular basis due to the timing of Northwest Territories Power Corporation's billing cycles. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation had 72 residential load limiters in place. There had been a total of 336 load limiter instances since collection activities resumed on November 9, 2020. These instances could be multiple occurrences on a single location and does not represent 336 unique customers.
For the Northland Utilities Ltd. Limiters, a breakdown of the number of load limiters per community for both Northland Utility companies as of the week of March 15, 2021, is as follows:
Northland Utilities Ltd. (Yellowknife):
- Yellowknife - two load limiters
Northland Utilities (NWT):
- Hay River - four load limiters
- Hay River Reserve - two load limiters
- Enterprise - one load limiter
- Fort Providence - one load limiter
- Trout Lake - four load limiters
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return to Written Question 24-19(2): Assessing and Managing Conflict of Interest in the Government
Returns To Written Questions
Page 2612
Deputy Clerk Of The House Mr. Glen Rutland
Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question 24-19(2) asked by the Member for Deh Cho on March 9, 2021, regarding assessing and managing conflict of interest in the Government of the Northwest Territories.
In order to preserve the impartiality and integrity of the public service, the Code of Conduct Respecting Conflict of Interest and Oath of Office and Secrecy (code of conduct) identifies standards of conduct for GNWT employees, including steps that employees can take to ensure they do not place themselves in situations that could be perceived as being a conflict of interest.
Deputy head approval is required before employees begin any employment, service, or volunteer activities outside of their employment with the GNWT. If a new request is received from an employee to participate in an outside activity, and the activity is considered to be a conflict or potential conflict of interest, the deputy head, upon consultation, has the authority to issue a letter denying the request. The letter would stipulate that the employee is prohibited from engaging in the activity and would inform the employee of possible disciplinary measures should they proceed with the activity. Depending on the circumstances, upon consultation, the deputy head also has the discretion to limit or restrict an employee's participation in part of the activities requested.
If a conflict of interest is suspected regarding an employee's already existing and approved outside activity, the supervisor will discuss with the employee, and approval of the activity can be revoked by the deputy head if, upon consultation, a conflict of interest is found.
The labour relations division of the Department of Finance is asked to review employee requests to participate in outside activities when departments have questions or when a possible conflict may exist. All requests are conditionally approved to allow for the approval to be revisited in the event that circumstances change. The conditional approval, in most cases, relates to adhering to the conditions outlined in the code of conduct; however, there could be approvals that have other conditions, such as an employee removing themselves from a meeting if a topic comes up where they have knowledge obtained though their employment.
An employee can ask that a decision to deny their participation in an outside activity be reviewed by the Deputy Minister of Finance, or, in the case of employees of the Department of Finance, a request can be made to the secretary to Cabinet or the Ethics Counsellor. Should an employee not agree with any decision or action taken as a result of the application of the code of conduct, the employee may access the grievance process contained in the appropriate collective agreement or the Public Service Act.
On initial hire, all employees are required to read the code of conduct, as well as sign the "Oath or Affirmative of Office and Secrecy," and are encouraged to speak with their supervisor if they have questions. Departments are also encouraged to send out yearly reminders to ensure employees are aware of the requirement to request approval before engaging in employment or activities outside of the government. The mandatory onboarding training for all GNWT employees also contains information on conflicts of interest and outside activity, specifically in "Module 4 - Important Policies and Programs." The training highlights the importance of adhering to the code of conduct while engaging in outside activity.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document that serves as a breakdown, over the past 10 years, of the number of conflicts of interest that have been found, based on the requests reviewed by the labour relations division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return to Written Question 24-19(2): Assessing and Managing Conflict of Interest in the Government
Returns To Written Questions
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Returns to written questions. Item 12, replies to Commissioner's address. Item 13, petitions. Item 14, tabling of documents. Minister of Justice.
Tabled Document 365-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 497-19(2): Corrections Workplace Assessment Tabled Document 366-19(2): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2020-2021 School Year Ending June 30, 2021
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

R.J. Simpson Hay River North
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 497-19(2), Corrections Workplace Assessment"; and "Operating Plans for the Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2020-2021 School Year Ending June 30, 2021." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 365-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 497-19(2): Corrections Workplace Assessment Tabled Document 366-19(2): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2020-2021 School Year Ending June 30, 2021
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Tabled Document 367-19(2): Northwest Territories Tourism: Towards Resilience - 2021-2022 Marketing Plan Tabled Document 368-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery April 2021 Tabled Document 369-19(2): Conflict of Interest Information
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: "Northwest Territories Tourism: Towards Resilience - 2021-2022 Marketing Plan"; "Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery, April 2021"; and further to my Written Question 24-19(2), "Conflict of Interest Information." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 367-19(2): Northwest Territories Tourism: Towards Resilience - 2021-2022 Marketing Plan Tabled Document 368-19(2): Tourism 2025: Roadmap to Recovery April 2021 Tabled Document 369-19(2): Conflict of Interest Information
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Tabled Document 370-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 655-19(2): Biomass Heating and Energy Efficiency for Northwest Territories Housing COrporation Tabled Document 371-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 664-19(2): Devolving Powers to Municipal Governments
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 655-19(2), Biomass Heating and Energy Efficiency for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation"; and "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 664-19(2), Devolving Power to Municipal Governments." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 370-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 655-19(2): Biomass Heating and Energy Efficiency for Northwest Territories Housing COrporation Tabled Document 371-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 664-19(2): Devolving Powers to Municipal Governments
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister of Infrastructure.
Tabled Document 372-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 515-19(2): Highway Infrastructure Projects in the Next Year
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: "Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 515-19(2), Highway Infrastructure Projects." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 372-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 515-19(2): Highway Infrastructure Projects in the Next Year
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife North.
Tabled Document 373-19(2): Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories - Guiding Principles and Process Conventions, August 2020
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Guiding Principles and Process Conventions for Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories dated August 2020.
Tabled Document 373-19(2): Consensus Government in the Northwest Territories - Guiding Principles and Process Conventions, August 2020
Tabling Of Documents
Page 2613

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, motions. Item 17, notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Item 18, first reading of bills. Minister of Finance.
Bill 28: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022
First Reading Of Bills
March 30th, 2021
Page 2613

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 28, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2021-2022, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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