The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be back in the House for the Fall sitting of the 19th Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, just over three years ago, many of us were elected to this House to represent residents in constituencies across the territory. With just under one year remaining in the life of this government, we have much to accomplish. I look forward to working collaboratively, and respectfully, to ensure we make the best decisions for the Northwest Territories. This means ensuring future Legislative Assemblies are in a good position to continue to make progress on some of the important work we have and will achieve in this government.

The past three years have been like no other experienced by previous Legislative Assemblies in the Northwest Territories, or by governments around the world. The first global pandemic in over a century required us to shift our focus. Mr. Speaker, we prioritized the need to protect the health and well-being of residents and communities ahead of the mandate we had set mere months before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. While government resources were mobilized to support our pandemic response, not only from a health perspective, but also a social and economic perspective, the regular business of government could not and did not stop because of the pandemic. We continued to work on the 22 priorities outlined in the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Some areas moved more quickly than others, but the work continued to be advanced.

I am extremely grateful for the many public servants who have supported this work over the last three years - your collective efforts and dedication will have lasting impacts on residents.

Mr. Speaker, people are our priority. As a government, we are focused on making sure all residents have what they need to thrive. This includes food, shelter, financial security and health care. The gaps we experience in the North were exacerbated by the pandemic, and it became evident that we needed a plan to move forward with our social and economic recovery post-pandemic that was complementary to the priorities outlined in the mandate. Emerging Stronger, our plan for social and economic recovery post-pandemic, is an extension of our mandate priorities and offers a roadmap on how we can address the gaps that the pandemic brought to the forefront. Mr. Speaker, we remain focused on advancing this work, along with the priorities outlined in the mandate.

Since February, we have had a 6.9 percent increase in fulfilled commitments and I am confident that we remain on track to meet most of the commitments, including delivering on our commitment to deliver 100 new housing units across the territory - the largest increase in new housing stock in decades.

Over the course of this sitting, you will hear from Ministers about the work that continues to be done to bring stability and improved prosperity to residents and communities of the Northwest Territories. As life began to return to a new post-pandemic normal earlier this year, the world was thrust into uncertainty when Russia invaded Ukraine, bringing with it geopolitical instability that has had an impact on nations around the world, including Canada.

Mr. Speaker, costs continue to rise and inflation in Canada reached a 40-year high this past summer. We know residents are feeling this in their pocketbooks as groceries, gasoline, home heating fuel increases, continue to raise an already high cost of living for Northerners. It is having a particularly significant impact on middle and lower-class residents. Those living paycheck to paycheck or who are on a fixed income, like those living with disabilities or seniors, are having to make difficult decisions about which bills they can pay and still put food on the table each month. Mr. Speaker, we recognize it is expensive to live in the Northwest Territories. We continue to do what we can for the most vulnerable residents during this difficult time.

As a result of this geopolitical instability, there has also been a renewed focus on Arctic sovereignty and security. As I have said before, northern security is not just about robust military presence. It is mostly about building strong, resilient communities through significant investment in critical infrastructure like roads, ports, telecommunications, and energy. This was part of my message last week when I attended the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland. Global powers are moving fast to extend their influence and control in the Arctic through massive investments, increased marine traffic, and partnerships to advance Arctic projects and positioning. These countries are ramping up their Arctic presence and level of activity within their borders and across the circumpolar world. Mr. Speaker, this is an effort to both secure opportunities for themselves and to influence the international rules and policies that will set the terms for what happens in the Arctic.

It is time for Canada to undertake bold new nation building projects in partnership with the territorial governments and Northern Indigenous governments that will allow all Canadians to benefit from the opportunities in the North. We want to be part of this work. Northerners need to be at the decision-making table, and I applaud Canada for its work with territorial governments and Indigenous leadership at regional and national tables for the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.

Developed with all three northern territories, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework sets a roadmap to make the North stronger and more resilient through strategic investments to close the gaps between Canada and its northern territories. Late last month, Cabinet met for three days with Indigenous leadership as part of the Council of Leaders table, and it was clear that increased funding is needed in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, securing investments and support from federal partners on the priorities we have outlined in the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework is critical to our future success in the Northwest Territories and the future success of Canada. We cannot continue to be an afterthought as a contributing part of Canada's economic future. If action is not taken now, we will be left behind as the federal government moves forward with its vision for a stronger Canada.

This past summer, Minister Wawzonek and I attended the Prospectors and Developers Association conference in Toronto to meet with industry and other stakeholders to talk about the resource development opportunities that exist in the Northwest Territories. What struck me during our time there was the number of political leaders from all stripes in attendance, alongside Indigenous leaders from across Canada. The geopolitical landscape is in turmoil and given its unpredictable nature, it is likely to face instability like this in the future. The federal government sees this and their plan to deliver billions in funding to support the critical mineral sector bodes well for the Northwest Territories. We have a lot of opportunity to be a green energy leader in Canada. However, to turn our critical mineral potential into a reality, we need the federal government to make good on large-scale investment.

The federal government has committed to aligning Canada's electricity system with its climate goals of net zero by 2035 and a recent report by the Canadian Climate Institute says significant changes are required to every aspect of the provincial and territorial power generation and distribution systems to meet the future demand. The Taltson Hydro Expansion can be a significant project that will advance Canada's clean energy goals.

Mr. Speaker, Canadians want to buy electric vehicles but due to supply chain challenges they are waiting months and sometimes years to get one. Investment in infrastructure projects will play a significant role in the NWT's economic recovery, while also supporting national climate change goals, including significantly increasing the number of electric vehicles on Canadian roads.

By investing in large-scale projects like the Taltson Hydro Expansion, Mackenzie Valley Highway, and Slave Geological Corridor, it will bridge the substantial infrastructure gap that exists here in the Northwest Territories, kick-start the territory's economic recovery, and help improve access to the territory's critical mineral potential. When it comes to climate change, these types of investments are needed to help the Northwest Territories to mitigate and adapt to climate change and will also act as significant economic drivers for our territory.

For the Northwest Territories to meet our climate change mitigation and its adaptation objectives, we need renewed energy, community and transportation infrastructure. We need to increase the use of alternative and renewable energies in a manner that is affordable, reliable, and sustainable. This cannot happen without the support of the federal government. Investment is critical to achieving these goals. This type of investment in the territory will bring with it economic prosperity. Residents want jobs. They want to be able to provide for their families, to be able to have a quality of life that gives them a better chance at success. By balancing our social investments with the need for economic well-being, we are setting residents up for a brighter future. We are in a unique position to build on the economic foundation that has provided so much to residents for many decades while planning for a future where Northerners will have more educational and economic opportunities available to them.

Mr. Speaker, the pandemic created many challenges for us, but at the same time it gave us the opportunity to look inward and begin to carve a new path forward for the Northwest Territories. It will take time, and will be part of the next government's work, but I am confident we are in a position where the hard work we have put in since coming into office in 2019 will pay off for generations to come. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, dredging. Mr. Speaker, last week I spoke about the importance of dredging the Hay River Harbour. Subsequently, I went home on the weekend and yesterday I witnessed a grounded coast guard vessel again outside the mouth of the Hay River being towed off a sandbar by MTS vessels.

Mr. Speaker, the statement made was followed up with questions to the Minister of Infrastructure on what it is her department is doing to ensure the Hay River Harbour is dredged prior to next season. After reviewing the answers received from that line of questioning, I can confidently conclude that her department, this government, and the federal government do not understand why dredging is significant to the community of Hay River and the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we are assuming the obstacle for dredging is who is responsible when really we are talking about who is willing to pay. It always comes down to money. If this government wants federal support and access to funds, then we must do our homework and present a solid business case for dredging. After reviewing Hansard and other government documents over the weekend, the efforts of this and past infrastructure Ministers has been deficient. We cannot continue to go hat-in-hand to the federal government asking for assistance with no justification, and that is why we continually get the door slammed in our face.

Mr. Speaker, the 1995 federal standing committee on transport stated, I quote: Ports where there may be justification for continuing federal presence and support include remote sites, particularly in the Arctic, with support and marine resupply operations that are critical to the survival of remote and isolated communities, some of which are associated with constitutional obligations.

A later federal report on the standing committee on fisheries and oceans states, and I quote: Safe access to harbours depends on adequate water depth at all times. And that's why we get stuck because we don't have adequate water depth.

And further on states that annual dredging is part of the maintenance and repair obligations of the small craft harbour program as dredging is often considered essential to harbour operation. It is usually the priority.

From those reports, you can see there's a path for federal support for dredging in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I talk dredging for the Hay River Harbour, it is not only for the community of Hay River but it is for the benefit of the whole of the Northwest Territories. It is essential that we have a well maintained and navigable harbour, not only for the safety and navigation of vessels but tied to the many issues we discuss in this House that include community resupply, food security, cost of living, housing, climate change, resource development, financial costs, search and rescue, flooding, maintaining the northern transportation corridor, Indigenous rights, Arctic sovereignty, truth and reconciliation, and more.

Mr. Speaker, we need this government, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous governments, to develop a business case for dredging the Hay River Harbour and Channel and to do the same for those points along the MacKenzie River and Arctic harbours that require similar dredging supports. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later. Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The importance of community resupply has been spoken of in this House many times. It's been publicly stated private barging contracts will not take priority over essential community resupply services. In 2016, the GNWT took over operations in the marine transportation services when the GNWT took over MTS. It assured public and elected officials in the communities they'd remain priority service. The Minister assured us in this House that private contracts for barging services would not impact the GNWT, the ability to resupply NWT communities with fuel and food. In fact, the department recently purchased larger barges. MTS stated the new barges will provide us the opportunity to travel once each year of our communities providing them with the debt cargo and their entire quantity of petroleum products for that year. These newer barges, Mr. Speaker, were expected to provide an operational savings and reduce the risk of oil spill.

Mr. Speaker, the new barges purchased at MTS did not help the community of Sachs Harbour this year. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has waited once again until the end of the season, the shipping season, to provide essential fuel and cargo for the communities.

We don't have to look too far to remember back the first time the Minister of Infrastructure has failed to deliver a promise in the community resupply in 2018. While shelves in the communities developing MTS cancelled the barge resupply to Paulatuk due to impassable ice, Mr. Speaker, that the GNWT did ensure that this never happens again. I quote the mayor of Paulatuk at the time he said the community was never given clear delivery date besides original forecast in the barge to arrive early September. Now, Mr. Speaker, four years later, we find ourselves in the same situation.

It is now October. Why the GNWT is waiting for the communities until the end of the barging season? How is it possible for the department can deliver on contracts all through the summer of the barging season and do NWT communities in the High Arctic who pay the price. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister of Infrastructure, in June of 2020 I announced $15 million in funding from the Investing in Canada infrastructure program to advance the Prohibition Creek Access Road. The scope of this project included planning activities as well as the construction of approximately 13 kilometres of all-season road from Canyon Creek to Prohibition Creek along the existing Mackenzie Valley winter road alignment. My department and I decided to issue this contract for open tender, or an RFT, just months before my removal from Cabinet in September of 2020. One year later, in October 2021, Infrastructure finally initiated the public procurement process for the construction of Prohibition Creek. A single construction bid was received at a significantly higher cost - 69 percent greater than the funds publicly announced as available for the work. Rationale for the escalated costs included substantial increases due to supply chain issues resulting from the pandemic. This wouldn't have been a factor had the road been issued for tender when I had given the order to my department. This leads me to ask, Mr. Speaker, what happened between June of 2020 and October of 2021 to delay issuing this RFT?

Currently, the department is working with Infrastructure Canada to secure a total of $25.5 million of funding and has changed the scope of work to only 6.7 kilometres of road between Canyon Creek and Christina Creek.

Mr. Speaker, rumors are swirling around the Sahtu that this won't even include the cost of fuel for the project. Add in the GNWT's portion, and we're talking about 30 to $35 million for 6.7 kilometres of road. I should quit this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, and get into the road construction business if it's that lucrative. And the icing on the inquiry, Mr. Speaker, is the Minister of Infrastructure has informed me that it is now going to be a negotiated contract. And not only will the minimum $30 million contract be negotiated, it's being given to a private company in Norman Wells, not a development corporation or other such Indigenous entity as is usually the case for negotiated contracts.

Furthermore, this is a company that supported a Member of Cabinet during the election, at least according to what the people from the Sahtu have been telling me since I took office.

In an email dated October 6th, I was informed by Minister Archie that the Minister of Housing has endorsed this private business in a written letter submitted with their ask. I will be tabling that email later today, Mr. Speaker. This is unacceptable. And I ask, when are we going to stand up and start addressing the cronyism and corruption of the GNWT? Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Recent media reports indicate that the Anik F2 telecommunications satellite depended on by eight NWT communities could fail as early as February 2023. An on-board failure of equipment means the satellite could be out of service three years sooner than anticipated, cutting off phone and internet services. Obviously, this disruption in service can't be allowed to happen.

Not surprisingly, satellite failure will impact some of our smallest and remote communities that rely on satellite because they aren't or can't be looped in to microwave, broadband, or fibre link networks. This reliance on satellites already poses big challenges for community organizations and members faced with incredibly low data speeds and correspondingly high usage charges. It's a Telesat Canada satellite but the contractor and supplier of the service is NorthwesTel.

The telecommunications firm is reported to be working for Telesat for a work-around to maintain service. That could include temporary or permanent switchover to another satellite channel supplier, such as the current low earth orbit OneWeb satellite, or signing on to the SpaceEx Starlink system when it's up and running.

There's a potential collateral benefit that switching to another provider could actually improve the service, hopefully by bolstering data speeds. Telesat is quoted in media reports as having said that they are going to have "extensive mitigation strategies in place to ensure continuity of service" by "collaborating weekly with regulators and customers."

It is hard to understand mitigation when it's a matter of service being either there or not.

As the potential February failure date approaches, I am sure community customers are looking for reassurance and commitment from this government to make sure everything possible is being done to prevent even one day's outage. I will have questions for the Minister of finance on how this government is working on behalf of these communities to ensure continuity of telecommunications services when Anik 2 crashes to earth. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I recall a statement made by our past elders, and I share this speech at graduation ceremonies. The elders stated, we want good education for our children to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and nurses.

Mr. Speaker, that statement speaks volumes of the expectations of our education system for our children of today and tomorrow. I am saddened that not one Indigenous leader or group has made their views known of the current education system in the Northwest Territories and especially in the small communities. I am equally saddened by the fact that the education department does not have updated and current statistics of the turmoil in our education systems in the outlying communities. This has been going on for quite some time. No attention paid to the small communities' education system. I constantly hear that we as leaders are failing the education future of our children.

Mr. Speaker, the university project has been pushed by this government without proper statistics to back it up. I am not sure what they don't see failing in our small communities. We want world class education facility then let's concentrate on improving our education curriculum and education systems in the outlying communities. Mahsi.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.