This is page numbers 2383 - 2438 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

Systemic Racism
Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fundamental to any community's success is local ownership of land and buildings. Local landlords reinvest their rents into the community. They take more risk on local businesses, and they are key to a community's identity. However, Mr. Speaker, our capital city has a serious problem with local ownership. Thousands of our housing units and millions of dollars' worth of commercial office space are owned by southern REITs or various southern multi-billion-dollar investment funds. These landlords have long treated real estate as an investment as opposed to the offices and homes that we all live and work in.

Put more bluntly, Mr. Speaker, I want the GNWT to stop leasing from Northview high yield investment trust. I want us to stop being the anchor tenant in all of their buildings when they have repeatedly shown little interest in our community. The GNWT has funded this monopoly for years at a cost to Northerners. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, when many of these long-term leases were signed, Northview was Northern Properties and actually was locally owned. They were signed, and we justified negotiating many of those leasers at a higher lease rate as opposed to ownership to build up a northern business. This, in fact, is allowed in the GNWT Leasing of Improved Property Policy. However, we are not allowed to pay a premium to southern landlords, Mr. Speaker. Over the years, these properties have been sold and resold, and we have renewed the leases without any consideration of our own policy.

Our current policy requires that the GNWT only lease at a rate no greater than the cost of ownership. If we are going to sign a lease at a cost greater than owning a building, it must be to a northern business. A lease-versus-ownership analysis is required for every building in every GNWT lease signed over five years. Those premiums can only be paid to northern companies, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Infrastructure manages a $28-million lease portfolio. That is 109 leases for a total of 626,000 square feet of office space, many of them in downtown Yellowknife. That is millions of dollars that should be going to local landlords, to Indigenous development corporations, and to anyone willing to make sure that our government's rent money stays in this territory. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure about: despite all the talk of supporting northern businesses, we are not paying our rent to northern businesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Lucy Jane Simon, 2020 Wise Woman Award Recipient
Members' Statements

March 9th, 2021

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Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with great pleasure and honour that I acknowledge Lucy Simon as a 2020 Wise Woman for the Deh Cho region. I had the opportunity to be at her celebration at Fort Simpson this past weekend with her family, friends, and the regional leadership. I have known her for over 28-plus years. She is someone I call advisor, mentor, knowledge-keeper, supporter, and, more importantly, "Mom." She has opened her home to my family and me. She treats my children as her grandchildren, and for this, I am truly grateful. As well, I have had the privilege to have gloves and slippers made by her. Everyone has asked where they come from, and they comment on the amazing bead and fur work. One set of her slippers were made for my daughter's wedding, and I wear them in the House.

Lucy Simon was raised in Jean Marie River and is one of eight daughters in a family of 15. Her parents, Mary Louise and Jim Sanguez, saw many changes from living on the land to living in the settlement. Through it all, they were always emphasizing, maintaining, and preserving the history and culture of Jean Marie River through on-the-land practices and art. The time and patience that her mother took teaching her the art of sewing is a true testament of seeing Lucy's art. She is a very talented artist, known throughout the NWT and nationally, with some of her work displayed at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Her passion for creation started at a young age, when she was inspired by her elders and the land around her. Lucy created an extraordinary moose hair tufting called "The Voices of Our Elders," a project that was coordinated by the Open Sky Creative Society. She is very passionate about her creating traditional footwork, gloves, and takes pride in every detail of a finished product. Just as she learned from her mentors, she wants to pass on this creativity and knowledge to those who want to learn. Both her and her husband, Isildur (ph), raised a family of five and now enjoy the grandchildren. They teach them to speak and understand Dene Zhatie when they can and also the importance of education, just as her parents did at every opportunity and shared moment about these teachings of language and culture that her parents shared.

Lucy was employed with the Government of the Northwest Territories at the Deh Cho Health and Social Services division as community health worker for 25 years and continues to mentor those who work there. She is also the successful business manager of her own B and B for the past 18 years. Perhaps the best way to describe Lucy's thoughts are in her own words:

"When I walk through the bush, I see the beautiful northern roses and all the things around me that create pictures in my mind that I need to draw. The pictures I draw and create are interpretations of experience through colour and suit the beauty around me. When I dye moose hair, it is a few drops here and then that results in multicolours. This is where it is not just one colour but many shapes and patterns such as life."

Mr. Speaker, I wore a suit at her ceremony there, and today, I told her I would wear my suit again in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we have already heard today, yesterday was International Women's Day with a theme of Choose to Challenge. I want to use this opportunity to thank my colleagues, my friends, and my neighbours for their support that gives me my opportunity to choose to challenge in a position not often held by a female. By this, I mean very literal support. My partner works at a remote mine site and had to adapt his work rotation in order to accommodate the risk-mitigation precautions for COVID-19. His extended rotation was not what we planned on when I ran for elected office. The recent outbreak and resulting further two weeks of quarantine was also something I had planned on as we were beginning budget session, sitting until 6:00 p.m. and often later. Over 10 different households helped me with school pickups, and sport or activity driving, and various other childcare supports, plus another handful more checked in to offer their support.

Particularly in that first week of unexpected single parenting, colleagues here no doubt ran into my children when I had to bring them at 8:00 a.m. start on a PD day. Mr. Speaker, they were louder in the hall than what they should have been, but I want to express my gratitude and my pride that the Legislative Assembly is becoming a workplace that is accommodating and welcoming to the realities of working parents. The hours required of elected officials may be a barrier, but we are taking steps to show that it is a barrier that can be overcome. I believe this will help more individuals who are the primary caregivers to children to bring their perspectives into politics.

Mr. Speaker, other families have endured far more challenging work changes as a result of COVID-19. There are of course families with workers who are health workers, other front-line workers, or other rotational workers who are, in fact, now doing three- and four-week shifts, and they are all persevering. I thank them for that. I want to say, Mr. Speaker, if you know a family who you know is having work challenges, please consider checking in and offering your help. They might not be asking, but they might not be asking because they simply don't have the time or the energy to do the asking. Again, I thank this wonderful community here in Yellowknife. I simply could not be doing my job without all of you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife South. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the board of directors of Inclusion NWT, the 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Award recipients in the group category. Inclusion NWT is located in my riding, but we all know and recognize their clients, workers, and staff from their presence in the community for many years, including in this building. At any given time, Inclusion NWT is serving 150 clients and families throughout Yellowknife, with services including supported and independent living; employment services; literacy classes; family, children, and teen activities; advocacy; respite services; skills development; and an FASD support service. You will see the Odd Job Squad everywhere, hired by upwards of 200 clients a month, and that is just one high-visibility program.

This impressive list of services is overseen by the nine-member board. In this year of COVID challenges, continued delivery of programming and services has required extra flexibility and adaptation. President Ben Russo and his board hunkered down to make sure all of the clients have been taken care of. While thankful for the award, Mr. Russo has said he would like to give it to the staff, as well, led by Executive Director Lynn Elkin. This group award goes to the board, whose members each deserve special recognition, and I will name them all. Serving with President Ben Russo are Vice President Pooja Chugh; Secretary Catherine Fairbairn; Treasurer Chris Cahoon; and Directors Tony Florio, Esther Rowe, Karen Lajoie, Bri Krekoski, and Pamela Weeks-Beaton. Please join me in congratulating the board of Inclusion NWT for their service, guidance, and commitment to serve clients through the ethic of people helping people. I salute the organization for its incredible contribution to our community. It truly is Inclusion NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.

Continued Prayers for Member's Family
Members' Statements

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Jackson Lafferty

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Masi, Mr. Speaker. It has been almost a year since all of the craziness of COVID began with us here in the Northwest Territories. While we have been largely unaffected by COVID in terms of actual numbers of COVID cases, there have been many hidden consequences resulting from this pandemic. The restrictions that were put in place to keep us safe from this disease also keep us apart in many other ways. We have seen the impact of this: rise in addictions, mental health, and social services.

In the past four months, my family and I have lost five significant people in our lives. In November 2020, I lost my youngest brother, Troy. It was the most difficult time; it still continues to this day. This past week, we lost my auntie, Therese from Whati. Therese was a second mother to me since my mother passed on in 2014. She took over the role. She was the matriarch for our family, our strength, our rock. Therese was the epitome of a Dene woman, a woman of such great strength, resilience, a traditional woman, a spiritual woman, a woman who loved all unconditionally. If she was here with us today, my auntie would be the one supporting all of us, holding us together in our grief through the most difficult times. She would be standing behind me, holding my hand right now.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very difficult time to stand here before you to talk about the most influential person of all times. Our hearts are broken yet again, and we are asking the public, the Members, for their continuous prayers and support through these difficult times. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Continued Prayers for Member's Family
Members' Statements

Page 2387

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Our thought and prayers are with the family and also with you. We're all here for you through these difficult times. Mahsi. Members' statements. Item 4, 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. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. I'd like to ask the Minister if she confirm the construction status of the RCMP houses in Hay River? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We had announced 22 of the 42 RCMP units would be constructed this year. We are looking at completion for the Northwest Territories as of October 2021. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

I would also ask the Minister to confirm how the design and the square footage of these units, especially for Hay River, was determined.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

The RCMP units are a federal initiative that took engagement with the RCMP and the federal government. The federal design was submitted and approved by the federal government. The design was from the RCMP.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

I would ask the Minister if she knows if the RCMP members were consulted on the design. I ask this question because the units appear small and seem to lack storage space, which I'm sure those with larger families would require if they're coming North.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Our conversations were with the RCMP and with the federal government for Canada. I'm not too sure about the consultation they would have done with their members. I don't have that information.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Minister know if the RCMP members are required to move out of their current houses and into the new units, and what will happen with the units they move out of, if they are required to move out? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Absolutely, the RCMP members, I hope they're moving into the units after we built them. It's their project. Also, for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, as the Minister, I am questioning the vacancy of the federal units that will be vacated by the RCMP members, and I am hoping to acquire them by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, that we would hopefully be eligible to be administering them and they would be transferred over to us. That's a conversation that would be further with the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm just excited because we've got five new units and the RCMP have got to get moved out, potentially. Today, I brought up aging housing units in my riding of Nunakput. I'm asking today: can the Minister tell me how fast we are accessing renovation funds per community in my riding to start planning renovations for this coming summer? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year, when we had started the restrictions and we started to act on COVID-19, the Housing Corporation had acquired $5 million and had distributed that amongst the LHOs in the smaller communities for housing repair. Right now, for your region, we have a number of units that are under repair and scheduled to be completed for this year. Just for the Member, we do have new construction built for Ulukhaktok, where we have two public housing units that are coming up, which doesn't seem like very much, but then it's the retrofits that we do have throughout the territory, where we have to bring these public housing units up to standard. I'm looking at hopefully completing the public housing repair this year of 2021. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.