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

Homeownership
Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Electricity in Whati
Members' Statements

Page 2606

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, I am going to speak on electricity in my region. Right now, Whati doesn't have electricity to their community. They only have power by diesel generator, and it has stopped so many times, for over 20 hours. The residents of Whati are very concerned. I want to make a statement regarding that. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, last month, the community of Whati suffered a major power outage. It lasted an unbelievable well over 20 hours. It was a level 3 power failure, the Power Corporation's highest level of emergency. The culprit was the community's out-of-date diesel generators. There is a solution to the risky state of affairs at the Whati power station: it is to get rid of those old generators and hook up Whati to the Snare hydro grid. Mr. Speaker, the department simply is not doing that.

There is a sad irony in all of this. Get this, Mr. Speaker: Whati is the closest community in the entire territory to the Snare hydro complex. It is right around the corner, a mere 40 kilometres away. Yellowknife, on the other hand, which is on the Snare hydro grid, is four times the distance, and they are on the system.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister has offered to replace the worst of Whati's three ailing diesel generators. According to my people of Whati, that is not good enough. The Whati people are starting to make a lot of noise about this. There needs to be preventative measures. We need to prevent these types of events from happening in the future. Just consider if it was minus 50 or minus 60. Good thing it was minus 15 and minus 20 at that time. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will be asking the Minister of Infrastructure questions on this particular very important matter to my constituents. Masi.

Electricity in Whati
Members' Statements

Page 2606

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Passing of Constituents
Members' Statements

Page 2607

Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. A difficult message for my constituents today: I want to send my sincerest condolences to the communities of Deninu Kue and Detah. Sadly, in Deninu Kue, we lost two elders, Henry Calumet and Mary Beaulieu. Loss is never easy, and to lose two of our knowledge-keepers in that close together of a time period is especially tough. The funeral service for Mary will be taking place this afternoon. I wish I could have been there. I send my prayers out to the Beaulieu and Calumet families.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, we also recently lost a young man from Detah, David Sangris. His service will be taking place tomorrow afternoon at St. Patrick's church. My heartfelt condolences also go out to the family and community of Detah.

I just want to say a few words. I get a lot of calls from frustrated community members from south of the border. They can't come to a lot of these services. I really feel for them. Those are really difficult calls to make when you tell somebody, "Unfortunately, no, because of public health orders, you can't be here and properly grieve." Closure is really important, Mr. Speaker.

At the end of this pandemic when our public health orders are finished and we go back to life as we once lived it, we can have a good feast, a good drum dance, whatever culturally appropriate celebrations we have, and properly honour our loved ones that we lost during the pandemic. I give prayers out to my constituents during this time of loss. Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

Passing of Constituents
Members' Statements

Page 2607

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities at this time. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Eulogy for Dillon Cazon
Members' Statements

Page 2607

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dylan Gabriel Boniface Cazon was a young man who blessed us with his kind spirit, generous heart, and his infectious smile. He was born on January 26, 1993, to loving parents, Gilbert and Mary Jane Cazon, and was the brother of Bianca, Shannon, and Chantel. He was known to his nieces and nephews as "Uncle Pickles." Dylan shared his birthday with his late cousin, Daniel Allaire Jr.

Dylan took pride in his family, whom he loved dearly, and cherished the friendships that he gained during his life. Dylan was a hunter, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, and companion. He was born into a bloodline of a traditional lifestyle and loved the freedom of being on the land. He loved to learn, protect, and take care of our land and waters. He also loved being on the fire-line alongside his crew members, the "Extreme Team," as they were called. He was a hard worker who loved his job and his coworkers.

Dylan was an immensely proud Dene man who honoured his family's traditional way of life. He loved his family camp at Notana Lake, and this showed in all he did. Dylan was the only son in the family and was the third child of Gilbert and Mary Jane. He shared many fun times with little sister Chantel, including sharing the fond memory of cutting her hair and keeping themselves entertained with antics like sliding down the steps in a laundry basket.

Dylan started working for De Beers at the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine after he completed his mine training. Dylan was so proud of his newfound passion, and from what his boss and coworkers said, he was a dedicated worker and a joy to work with. It was during this time he met his girlfriend, Shauna Catholique, whom he loved very much, and her two beautiful daughters. Dylan was happy, and it was visible in all he did. He cherished every moment he spent with Shauna and their beautiful daughters. They embraced Dylan, and he embraced them.

The family did not think of this as a loss but rather a celebration of life. We must remember how blessed we are to have known Dylan, his love, his kindness, and the love that he had for each and every one of us. May the love of his family and community surround him and provide guidance on this new journey. The family would like to thank everybody who reached out to them and helped them during this difficult time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Eulogy for Dillon Cazon
Members' Statements

Page 2607

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time. Members' statements. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 2607

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize one of our translators here, Mary Jane Cazon, from Fort Simpson. She does a great job, and I thank her very much for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 2607

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. I thank all the interpreters. You are doing a wonderful job keeping up to us even though we talk fast, a little too fast sometimes, but you are doing a very good job. Also, I was going to mention, we do not have many visitors in the gallery, but there seems to be an uptake on people watching either on TV or Facebook, all these good compliments that Members are doing a good job. A big shout-out to Mr. Patrick Joss. I am sure many of us get Facebook messages from Patrick. I hope you are doing well and you know we are always thinking of you. He is usually up here in the gallery when he comes to visit. Also, everybody else out there, I hope you all have a good Easter, and thank you very much. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 5, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 6, reports of standing and special committees. Item 7, returns to oral questions. Item 8, acknowledgements. Item 9, oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past several weeks, I have met with business owners who are concerned that the BDIC loan deferral program is ending this week, which is, I guess, tomorrow. It was indicated that the program has been very effective and was welcomed. Can the Minister of ITI confirm if her department is considering extending the BDIC loan deferral program after March 31st? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was already some time ago that there were conversations happening within the BDIC around what to do with the loan deferral program, and the option that we took was one of reaching out, in fact, to every single one of the 139 loan clients who had their loan payments deferred. In doing that, they were better able to tailor their response such that quite a number have actually begun to resume their regular payments. Of the remaining 76, in fact, who had requested some further reductions or deferrals, they were able to tailor-make the program to either defer or to reduce payments or to essentially otherwise be able to be really business-specific and client-specific in their response rather than a blanket deferral. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

That is good news for businesses. Businesses are also concerned that the interested rates charged by the BDIC are higher than those currently charged by the banks, and a good reason for it. Can the Minister confirm if the BDIC would consider reviewing current interest rates charged to clients and potentially reducing it retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic and at least for the duration of the pandemic?

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Interest rate reductions certainly are a little bit more complicated, and that is really a lot of the way in which the BDIC generates the funds on which it relies to actually run the programs that it provides and to provide the loan portfolio that it currently has. It's a fairly delicate balance. That is not something that is right now being looked at. That said, obviously, as we move into a recovery stage and continue to go through the recovery stage, BDIC, as I just said in my last response, continues to be quite client-oriented in looking at specific ways of solving issues and solving problems, so I am confident that, if that is an option that is available to them, they will look at it but again with the caveat that that is an area that is one that has to be fairly delicately balanced.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Some of the BDIC clients have had limited or no revenue over the last year due to the pandemic. Yet, they are required to pay interest and principal amounts on equipment that is not generating any revenue or assets that are sitting idle. Considering that the BDIC is a developmental lender, will the Minister consider having the BDIC waive some of the interest accrued on BDIC loans as a supportive initiative for those businesses impacted by the pandemic? This would allow them to, hopefully, the ones who require the help, survive this probably another year of slow business.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

As I said at the beginning, my understanding is that BDIC has contacted all of their clients. There were some whom they were unable to get a hold of, and certainly, there are no doubt some whose situations may continue to change. I cannot say strongly enough that, anyone who is a client of BDIC or who might benefit as a client of BDIC, that they please get in touch with the loans officers. There are a number of different options. For example, although some businesses have restarted on their regular payments, some have renegotiated to actually have lower payments than what they had before, some are paying only principal or only interest, and some are seeking to continue to defer entirely. BDIC is really trying to be client-oriented here, so what I would say, again, is: rather than a blanket tool, we are trying to be client-specific and client-responsive, so if there are businesses out there which need that support, please contact the BDIC. They are going to work with them to try to continue to provide the supports that they have been providing.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is some concern whether or not all or most existing business supports put in place at the outset of the pandemic will continue or end at March 31st or sometime thereafter. Can the Minister give us some idea what business supports will continue in place and which ones will be eliminated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

There is actually quite a complex network of supports, I would say, both from the federal government, some from the GNWT, and many through the support of both levels of government. Right now, it's really only the GRIT program that is certainly sunsetting. A lot of the other programs were filling in of gaps or topping up of programs. It is certainly our effort and our intention to continue to do that into the new fiscal year. A lot of things became available in the latter part of this fiscal year, when there was an awareness that, for example, some businesses needed bookkeeping support, so running that program up so that those who needed it could get those supports to apply for further funding. As much as can remain in place will remain in place, and as the new year gets off and as we receive a federal budget later this month and find out what is coming out there, I am very confident we are going to continue to do what we have done over the last year, which is to fill gaps and to top up and to find areas that are not otherwise being addressed and to continue to address them. Again, there is no intention to stop supports. It's a matter of figuring out, as the pandemic progresses, what we need to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Question 688-19(2): Lack of Power for Whati
Oral Questions

March 30th, 2021

Page 2608

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. I have talked about Whati, the transmission line, the power generators in the community, the lack thereof, power to the community. The community of Whati is somewhat confused now. For the last 10 or 15 years, they have been talking about the Whati Nailii project, and then, just recently, they are starting to talk about a Snare hydro transmission line, and now we are talking about a new generator going into the community. I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure: what is the latest status? Where are we at with the community's transmission line, either from the hydro perspective, from Snare Hydro, or the transmission line directly to the community? What is the status on that? Masi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Whati transmission line, where we're at right now, we're advancing, planning, consulting, and engaging the activities, which involves the construction of the 60-kilometre transmission line to be able to replace the diesel electricity generation. I do want to note that we are actively working with the Tlicho government on this project and are meeting this week to be able to discuss the creation of a working group. That's where we're at, Mr. Speaker.

Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

When I speak in this House, I represent my people, as their voice. It's the community of Whati today I'm speaking of, and they are tired of the talks under way, the consultation that the Minister alluded to. There needs to be an action-oriented process. This has been a long wait, well over 20 years since we talked about the mini-hydro initiative. Now, a transmission line. We're still talking today, 20 years versus 20 hours of a power outage. I, for one, would like for this government to act on what is in the best interest of the community, and that is the power hook-up. The next question I have is: how much would it cost to hook up Whati onto the Snare power grid and what portion of that would be the federal government's perspective?

Diane Archie

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

We are currently hoping to finalize the routing for the project with the Tlicho Government, as it is on their lands, as the Member mentioned. It is an important aspect of this project, once the route is selected, to be able to undertake a technical and routing work to be able to cost and support the funding application to Canada. We're not there yet in terms of what the actual costs may be, other than we are planning, we're engaging, we are doing some of the working group stuff that needs to be done to be able to go forward with the project.