The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a responsibility to ensure benefits from the extraction of Northwest Territories natural resources are provided to residents of the Northwest Territories. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has three initiatives that are advancing the priority set by the 19th Legislative Assembly to advance the benefit retention approach to economic development in the NWT. I would like to offer Members an update of this work.

This month, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment launched a pilot program that will fund capacity building initiatives for Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations ready to take on a greater role in the Northwest Territories' resource industry. Early comprehensive and coordinated engagement between Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations and industry, is key to advancing mineral exploration and development in a responsible and timely manner. These engagements set the stage for positive relationships that help to create certainty and economic and environmental sustainability.

Community leaders have long identified the need to participate from the beginning in mineral exploration and development projects. Funding from the Indigenous Capacity Building Program will help position them to do this. It will provide support for strategic planning and capacity building activities like workshops and meetings, training, educational opportunities, and participation and attendance of individuals at industry conferences and trade shows. It will position Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, specifically, to benefit from activity and investment in our resource sector.

Mr. Speaker, our territory holds a competitive edge in its environment, social and governance, or ESG, performance approach to mining. It is rooted in the NWT's co-management regulatory system and the collaborative model for resource development that emerged among our mines, Indigenous governments, and communities in the form of socio-economic agreements, or SEAs.

This system established a new way of doing business in the Northwest Territories and has helped to create jobs and training opportunities for residents. It has resulted in the success of dozens of northern and Indigenous-owned companies, development corporations and joint ventures. Mr. Speaker, even these partnerships can be improved on.

As part of its work on this mandate, ITI commissioned a reviewed of its 30-year history of SEAs to evaluate the GNWT's overall approach and the extent to which they have, or can continue to, generate benefits for Northwest Territories residents.

The department will be releasing this review in the coming month. It will be convening, also, a single forum in December to address the review's recommendations and next steps directly with Indigenous governments, industry and GNWT representatives who have worked to implement these agreements to date.

Mr. Speaker, the third initiative promised by our government to support this mandate commitment was a review of the Northwest Territories' royalty regime.

We are advancing this review as part of the intergovernmental council of the Northwest Territories and guided by our collaboration protocol on legislation, regulation and policy development.

The protocol is the first agreement of its kind in Canada. Consistent with the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on lands and resources management, it respects the jurisdictions and authorities of Indigenous governments and the GNWT while also providing for a mechanism towards collaboration and consensus-building. More importantly, the protocol is now being put into practice.

The regulatory framework for the Northwest Territory's first stand-alone Mineral Resources Act is currently being developed according to this protocol, and the review of the NWT's Resource Royalty Regime is one part of this historic work. Between February and July, engagements with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, industry, elected officials and the public centered on whether participants felt the Northwest Territories' existing regulations permit a fair share of royalties to be returned; that they are contributing to a stable and competitive investment environment; and that royalty regulations are being fully maximized. What we learned in these conversations is being compiled in a What We Heard report that will be released by the end of this year.

Ultimately, the input received will be combined with what is learned from financial modelling and other research and analysis in order to inform recommendations for the development of royalty regulations in support of the Mineral Resource Act.

Mr. Speaker, directly and indirectly the three initiatives that I have highlighted today will improve our government's approach to benefit-retention.

Perhaps, more importantly, they are a demonstration of our government's continued commitment to work with Indigenous governments and communities in the pursuit of opportunities for economic investment and growth.

The Northwest Territories has the opportunity to not only realize incredible success from this resource development but has a path by which to do business better. This path includes high ESG value and long-term project certainty.

With these benefits, we come full circle, because the very investments we are making to support stronger relationships with Indigenous governments and Indigenous government organizations will bring greater value to the projects themselves and in turn greater value for our partners, industry, and the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, climate change is one of the most complex and far-reaching issues facing the Northwest Territories today. Despite being responsible for less than 0.2 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, the Northwest Territories is experiencing rates of climate warming up to four times faster than the rest of Canada. This affects all aspects of our way of life. It is a serious threat to the economy, our socio-economic, cultural, and environmental health and wellness of residents. We know we must act now, and we must act decisively, and I am pleased to say that the Government of the Northwest Territories is making real progress as you can see by our response to climate change in the NWT annual report.

In 2021-2022, the Government of the Northwest Territories made significant progress on implementing actions from our climate change action plan and energy action plan, and, additionally, we facilitated four NWT climate change council meetings with representatives from Indigenous and community governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories to identify key issues and find solutions for the Northwest Territories.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also initiated the development of the new 2022-2025 Energy Action Plan that will guide the Northwest Territories' lower carbon energy transition over the next three years.

Mr. Speaker, together with Indigenous leadership and with the Yukon and Nunavut, we released the pan-northern leaders' statement on climate change at the northern Premiers forum in Whitehorse this past May. This statement illustrated the three territories' unique situation and sends a clear message about the need for federal support. We will bring Northwest Territories climate change issues and perspectives to the world in November when our officials attend COP 27 in Egypt. I am proud to say the Northwest Territories delegation will include Indigenous representation from both the climate change council as well as a youth representative. They will be presenting with the Government of the Northwest Territories and Yukon government at the Canada Pavilion to highlight climate changes in the North.

Moving into 2023, we will build on our momentum. The climate change teams are already reaching out to targeted stakeholders and the public to continue the work on how climate change is affecting communities on the ground. This engagement will inform our next steps, including developing the next Climate Change Strategic Framework Action Plan, and will focus on climate change adaptation risks and opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, climate change is a priority for me, for my family, my community, and this government. It has been. I am proud of the progress made on addressing climate change in the North, guided by the Climate Change Strategic Framework, 2030 Energy Strategy, and the Northwest Territories Carbon Tax. We are on pace to make progress on almost every funded commitment under the climate change action plan by the end of 2023.

At times, the changes we are observing in our environment can seem overwhelming. But as Northerners we are resilient and we will continue to make progress together as we address these challenges. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today's statement's on offshore drilling. Mr. Speaker, 2016, the federal government imposed an order preventing certain activities in the Arctic offshore waters. The federal government prohibited activities in the Arctic Ocean, including oil and gas offshore drilling. Mr. Speaker, this wasn't good news for the residents of the Beaufort Delta. But the end of the order is coming up quick; it expires December 2022.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke in this House before, Inuvialuit region, we're Inuvialuit born and raised, and we want to see offshore oil and gas opening up again. With oil and gas, our people can go back to work, get high paying jobs, and bring monies home for their families. We know the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will make top priority to ensure of workers of the Beaufort see these measures to protect the people, the wildlife, the marine environment, and what's written in our land claim.

At the time February 2020, the Premier responded that the GNWT is at the table with the federal government on this topic. The regional strategic environmental assessment is required to be undertaken through the moratorium, the final report complete July 2020. Mr. Speaker, the work required under the moratorium has been completed. We'll see the development opportunities. The Arctic is what's our future.

The GNWT and Canada are prepared to work with communities' potential opportunities in the Arctic Ocean, not only the Beaufort Delta region looking for the offshore oil and gas opportunities we see, the sea ice is melting, the Arctic corridors are opening up and this will increase transportation security, monitoring, and other opportunities could arise in the Arctic Ocean for the NWT residents. How long is the GNWT waiting to respond to this? And I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, over the last few years the number of violent and non-violent offences all appear to be on the rise throughout the NWT. Although crime impacts everyone, the stigma once attached to it is gone. It has become part of our disposable society and is all too common and all too routine.

Mr. Speaker, as with other Northern communities, Hay River is not isolated from increasing crime. Our community has had, and continues to have, our fair share of crime and quite frankly residents are frustrated that current enforcement practices do not appear to be effective or working. It is now reaching a boiling point where residents are considering taking steps to provide their own form of justice. Neighbourhood watch groups are having to form just to protect their homes and property. Homeowners and businesses are installing cameras and security systems to monitor not only visitors but intruders as well.

Mr. Speaker, the residents of Hay River need to feel safe when walking down the street, they need to feel safe in their homes, and they need to know their property and businesses are protected. They want justice if their rights are violated. Residents are losing faith in our justice system and policing services. They want answers on what is wrong with the system and how do we fix it and when will we fix it.

Mr. Speaker, at one time, rightfully or wrongly, correctional centres in the North were full. Now we see inmate numbers have substantially decreased in the North Slave Correctional Facility while Hay River and Fort Smith facilities are in the single digits and at times have no inmates. What is causing this decrease and is it the way of the future?

Mr. Speaker, the fact is that crimes continue to be committed, with fewer perpetrators appearing to be charged, sentenced, incarcerated or rehabilitated. We know people are innocent until proven guilty. We know that police and prosecutors have the daunting task of proving a case. We know accused persons have rights. We know the system is inefficient and slow. And, we know there are often delays resulting in an ever-increasing backlog of matters before the courts. If we know all this, why, or what are we doing to change the system to where it is effective, efficient, timely, and where justice is served?

Mr. Speaker, residents not committing crimes also want protection, and we need to ensure that protection is in place and effective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have three sets of constituents who are all facing significant housing challenges. I have sent emails to the Minister of Housing about all these cases over the last three weeks, and I have yet to receive any responses to my inquiries. So today I am going to share some details about what these constituents are facing.

Mr. Speaker, the first constituent, who I will call Jane Doe, is a single mother who is facing eviction. Not only that, Mr. Speaker, but she never received prior notice of an impending eviction taking place. So she was caught off guard completely and was unexpectedly forced to leave her house. This happened in early September and she and her daughter have been couch surfing ever since. Jane does owe some housing arrears and is working to pay it off. In fact her mother, who is a senior living in the special care home, has given her a significant sum of money to help her daughter pay down her arrears. Jane Doe has tried going to Sutherland House, a house for abused women in Fort Smith, but the facility is at capacity. She also has multiple health problems and frequently uses the food bank to get by.

Mr. Speaker, the second set of constituents, whom I will call John and Jane Doe 2, are victims who lost their house to a tornado that struck Fort Smith three years ago. Since their house was destroyed, they were put into market rental housing because Housing NWT evaluated their income and deemed their income as too high to qualify for public housing. However, after they sold their property they were instantly ineligible for public housing but Housing NWT failed to communicate that to them. So John and Jane 2 have been spending tens of thousands of dollars on extremely high rental fees for the last three years. They should not have been paying so much money so Housing NWT needs to reimburse this family from some of their loss of income that they were needlessly spending and re-adjust the rent cost. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

The third set of constituents is another couple whom I will call John and Jane Doe 3. This couple lives in a public housing unit however during the summer, they were living in a campsite near Fort Smith because their unit was not liveable. They had leaks coming in from their upstairs bathroom which leaks in the kitchen downstairs, and there was tons of water damage throughout the House with mould developing in some areas. Jane Doe 3 also has arthritis and can't go upstairs of any multilevel building. There was also an incident where an employee at the local housing authority pulled up to Jane Doe 3 while having a yard sale and yelled, "Just move out of that house." She was trying to pay her light bill with the things she was selling in a yard sale.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, these families are struggling and need help now. Fort Smith does not have a homeless shelter, so these people are particularly vulnerable, especially because winter is here now so it's getting colder outside with each passing day. I hope to see some real solutions from the Minister of Housing on these files. I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on the GNWT website it states the purpose of the Business Incentive Policy is to give preference on government procurement to businesses that are owned and operated within the NWT. It is designed to promote economic growth and capacity within the NWT business and the economy. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I spoke about a non-BIPed business getting the same preference as a local BIPed company in my riding and being awarded the contract even though the policy states otherwise.

Mr. Speaker, the BIP policy applies to certain government agencies and does not capture some of the other government -- GNWT public agencies and department, including some Crown corporations. But in schedule 1 of the Business Incentive Policy, it specifically points out it applies to, number 2, the NWT Housing Corporation.

Mr. Speaker, we are asked as Members to approve budgets worth millions of dollars in public funds that flow through this House and some of these corporations. While I understand that it's part of our job, I do think it's a fair request to have our Crown corporations be open and accountable to this House, especially if things go over budget or when policies are not followed.

Mr. Speaker, an example of the BIP not being followed is possibly over $70 million worth of contracts given to non-BIPed contractors with Alberta mailing addresses this year in my community alone. And I fully understand some part of these dollars are spent from supplies or expertise not available in the NWT but anything that can be done in the NWT should be done by NWT residents who meet their -- and are BIPed and are monitored and held accountable when spending public dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I don't think this is the intent of the policy. How are we to grow our economy and provide opportunities for our residents if we are not enforcing the BIP policy to its fullest, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Speaker, I believe by having one policy that gives preference to our NWT residents and business that is applied across all our departments and agencies, including our Crown corporations, will do nothing but strengthen our residents, businesses, economy, our territory, and if it's implemented and monitored properly. And that's a government that I want to be part of. I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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