The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Welcome, colleagues. First of all, I just want to welcome the grade 6 class from William McDonald here today. I got a quick introduction to them, and they may not be here when we do Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ministers' statements. Minister for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is reviewing the supplementary health benefits available to NWT residents. These benefits cover prescription drugs for approximately 1,500 residents, benefits that go beyond coverage provided by the NWT Health Plan. Unfortunately, these programs are not currently available to everyone, so we are now updating policies that underpin this program.

To access the Supplementary Health Benefits Program, you must be a senior or have a specified disease named on a list of conditions developed more than 30 years ago. The seniors program remains unchanged. Our current focus is on replacing the specified conditions program with one that provides more people with coverage. The specified disease conditions program discriminates against residents based on their diagnosis rather than their need for help to pay for medication. We want everyone to have access to benefits, and we know that some people can afford to pay a portion of the costs. We also know that some medication is very expensive. We are working to find the balance where we can provide benefits to more people by having those with the financial means to pay to do so, without creating hardship.

Madam Speaker, there are 2,200 people in the territory who do not have benefits through work, non-insured health benefits or Metis health benefits. We know that some of the residents do not get prescriptions filled because they can't afford them. As a result, they end up accessing the healthcare system when their needs become urgent. The change in policy will enable residents to access the medication they need when it is prescribed and before a trip to the emergency room or doctor becomes necessary.

Madam Speaker, recognizing that medication can be very expensive, we have already made changes to existing programs to enhance sustainability. We introduced the Lowest Cost Equivalent Policy which specifies that the Extended Health Benefits Program covers the lowest cost alternative drug in generic brands. We also put in place the Long-Term Dispensing Policy that requires certain medications be dispensed as a 100-day supply therefore reducing the number of dispensing cycles. We launched the Biosimilar Policy in 2021 to switch patients from biologic drugs to their biosimilar versions. All of these initiatives have reduced the cost of the department's supplementary health benefits programs. Work continues to identify further administrative improvements that will make them more sustainable. We are acutely aware of the continually rising costs of healthcare overall.

Madam Speaker, the proposal we have put forward for public engagement is based on what we have learned from research on benefits programs across Canada. The NWT is one of the only places in the country that does not have a government funded benefit program for low-income residents. It is time to change that.

We are proposing that residents with low income have access to the same suite of benefits as residents who are eligible for the federal non-insured health benefits and Metis health benefits programs. Benefits available under these programs are covered at no cost to those eligible for them. Residents above the low-income threshold will be required to pay for their drugs on a scale rising with income level until maximums are reached. When costs are maxed out, the GNWT will pay for the drugs required by residents.

We have posted a discussion paper outlining the proposed changes online for review and feedback, as well as sample scenarios and frequently asked questions. We have developed an online calculator to help residents understand how the proposed changes may affect them. We have met with interested parties, and we are planning to host a virtual town hall in mid-November where the public can ask more questions and provide feedback.

It is important for residents to make us aware of their many unique circumstances and nuances. We have been getting a lot of feedback so far. Keep it coming. We are learning a lot and your responses have been extremely valuable. For example, through the engagement we have learned more about the need for coverage of medical equipment and supplies. We want to create the program that bests represents peoples' needs. We will continue to accept feedback until November 23.

Madam Speaker, by embracing this important work we are taking care of those who do not currently have access to supplementary health benefits. We are working to ensure all residents have consistent access to medication without a financial barrier.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure.

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Arctic Energy Alliance 25th Anniversary. Madam Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy, stabilizing the cost of power, and supporting national and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are projects and initiatives the GNWT is leading that will help us meet these objectives, like the proposed Fort Providence to Kakisa transmission line and our efforts to make biomass the main heating source for GNWT buildings.

We also need action at the community level. That means residents, businesses, and communities across the territory taking steps to reduce their own energy costs and increase the use of alternative and renewable energy in their homes and office building.

Madam Speaker, for 25 years the Arctic Energy Alliance has been providing that support at the community level. The Arctic Energy Alliance is a non-profit society, which is funded by the GNWT, dedicated to reducing the costs and climate impacts of energy use in the Northwest Territories by providing programs and services. Madam Speaker, back in 1997, when the organization was created, their primary focus was to be able to provide energy education and awareness, energy audits for buildings, and renewable energy initiatives. The Arctic Energy Alliance continues to deliver these programs and has broadened their suite of programs and services over the past 25 years. The organization now provides even more options for residents, businesses and communities to save on energy costs and become more energy efficient.

The organization has offices in all six regions here in the Northwest Territories. This allows the Arctic Energy Alliance to maintain a close connection to communities throughout the NWT and establish important relationships and partnerships at the community level.

Madam Speaker, this work is having a positive impact. Since 2011, the Arctic Energy Alliance's building energy retrofit programs have resulted in combined annual savings of $2.4 million in energy costs. The Alliance is also a key organization in helping communities develop energy planning in the NWT.

In 2020, the organization launched a pilot Electric Vehicle Rebate Program to help residents in hydro zones reduce the cost of transportation. In 2021-2022, the Arctic Energy Alliance invested approximately $5 million into various programs and services. Of this $5 million, $2.7 million is core funding provided by the GNWT and $1.7 million is provided through our agreement with Canada for the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund. While this agreement is set to expire at the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year, talks have already commenced with Environment and Climate Change Canada to renew this important funding. The remaining $0.6 million comes from various sources, including AEA membership as well as one-time GNWT funding. This investment resulted in significant dividends for the territory; 2,802 incentives given out, representing $1.8 million in direct savings for residents. This investment supported small communities, Madam Speaker, with over half the funding going to communities outside of Yellowknife. This also translated into greenhouse gas emission reductions of 1 kilotonne for the NWT - the equivalent of converting a third of the power generation for Tuktoyaktuk to renewable electricity, and 1,800 megawatt hours in energy savings.

Madam Speaker, in 2018 the GNWT released the 2030 Energy Strategy, our long-term approach in supporting secure, affordable and sustainable energy in the NWT. The Arctic Energy Alliance's programs and services are central to meeting our objectives of increasing the share of renewable heat in buildings to 40 percent and increasing energy efficiency by 15 percent by 2030.

Congratulations to the Arctic Energy Alliance on a quarter century of providing important energy programs and services in the NWT. I look forward to what the next 25 years will bring to the organization here in the Northwest Territories. Quyananni.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

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

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Madam Speaker, this government works to support Northerners who want to get out on the land and participate in the traditional activities as part of sustainable livelihoods. Since marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September, I have thought about our efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and support residents of the Northwest Territories, and the mandate commitments of this government all serve to create a critical mass that builds bridges and strengthens partnerships.

Northerners, and particularly Indigenous peoples, have important connections to the land, water, forests and wildlife, which have supported culture, traditions, knowledge, and way of life for generations. Today, I would like to share some of our collaborative efforts with communities, Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and other co-management partners to support sustainable livelihoods in the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources supports a wide range of programs that promote on-the-land activities, country food harvesting, and traditional economy. The Take a Family on the Land Program provides funding to help people take part in on-the-land activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and sharing Indigenous knowledge. This new program is designed to be accessible for diverse families. The first year of the program was very well received, with 29 applications funded. This winter the program will be providing $75,000 to applicants from across the territory.

Recently, the department expanded its Hunter Education Program to provide a new credit course for high school students. ENR worked closely with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to develop and pilot the new course in nine schools earlier this year. Both departments are pleased to announce that the course is now available across the NWT and will help students connect with and learn from local harvesters.

A new kind of program was developed to help support land-based healing by learning traditional trapping skills. This past February, ENR worked with the Department of Justice to offer a pilot in trapper training at the North Slave Correctional Centre. The pilot was so successful that it has been offered as a regular program as of June 2022.

The department is also looking for opportunities to provide equipment and support to participants so they can continue trapping after release. This is more than just a one-time course for inmates. It is a chance to learn traditional skills and make real change in their life and in their communities.

In addition to these new programs, ENR continues to deliver a number of core programs that support on-the-land activities. A major review of the Community Harvester Assistance Program, or CHAP, was recently completed and the work has begun to implement all eight recommendations from the What We Heard report. A final report on the CHAP review will be released in December 2022. A review of the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program is underway and expected to be completed in spring 2023. The Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Program will also be updated this winter.

Madam Speaker, we know that some traditional harvesters were impacted by the extreme floods we saw across the NWT in the spring of 2021 and 2022, damaging cabins and equipment that they rely on to hunt and trap. The Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Program was there to help folks get back on the land to harvest. In 2021-2022, approximately $346,000 was paid to 38 harvesters to help them with recovery. So far this year, approximately $115,000 has been provided, with more claims anticipated.

This government recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge as an equal measure with scientific knowledge to guide our environmental research and monitoring and management programs. Community-based monitoring, developing an Alberta-NWT traditional knowledge framework for the transboundary water monitoring, boreal caribou range planning, and a new berry expert committee, are just a few examples of programs underway.

Elders, land users, and other Indigenous knowledge-holders contribute valuable information to support the NWT's environmental co-management system and inform the ongoing work across the government.

Madam Speaker, we have seen success in working with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and individual harvesters across the NWT. However, we all can agree that there is more work to do. This government will continue to invest and deliver programs that help Indigenous peoples in the North get out on the land, practice traditional activities, and support sustainable livelihoods. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

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

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Hay River has an increasing seniors' population and there is a need for new multi-residential barrier-free housing in Hay River. As it stands now, in Hay River we currently we have two senior complexes, with a combined count of approximately 33 units. Madam Speaker, Riverview Lodge, a seniors' complex in Hay River, is nearing its end-of-life, and there appears to be no immediate plan on the books to replace it.

Last February, the Minister responsible for Housing NWT stated that, and I quote: "The corporation anticipates being able to operate this facility for at least another five years."

The Minister further stated that, “Housing Corporation...is also in process of completing a comprehensive technical assessment of the Riverview Lodge seniors' complex to plan for its eventual replacement in the near future capital plan."

Madam Speaker, knowing this, along with the pace at which this government moves, I am looking to Housing NWT, if not already started, to start the process of developing a plan to replace Riverview Lodge with a multi-residential building. This building will go on what is known as the Disneyland site in Hay River. And in the process, because of location, I will be requesting that the existing Riverview Lodge property be considered for future multi-residential senior housing as well.

Madam Speaker, this is not a complicated issue. The need for senior housing is there; the vacant land is there; the tenants are available; and what we now need is a plan from Housing NWT.

Madam Speaker, I will stop here and will have questions for the Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Member for Monfwi.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

Mahsi, Madam Speaker, modernizing the Education Act is a big undertaking. It is ensuring we meet the needs of our students and communities. The change it can bring is powerful and will influence our society. Madam Speaker, when the Minister of ECE proposes a two-phased approach to changing the Education Act, I cannot help but think still separate, still unequal.

Madam Speaker, I truly hope we are not dealing with continuing the segregation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education. It pains me to think this way. It pains everyone who knows about residential schools and may hurt our family members who have seen segregation firsthand. Madam Speaker, let me use an analogy.

Let's imagine that each phase is a school bus. Bus 1 picks up people, but it only picks up the people that it wants. The only people that are allowed on the bus are from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. Indigenous people are simply left on the side of the road asking for a ride. The Minister reasoning, we got to get this done fast, before the end of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Bus 2 will pick up everyone, but we do not know when this bus will leave or if it will ever leave.

The Minister says that phase 2 will happen but he does not have the authority to commit to anything past the life of this Legislative Assembly. There should be only one bus. This is the right thing to do and the right way to work. I find it insulting to hear the Minister say we do not have time to work with Indigenous governments when, in fact, they are very important partners in the work that we do. Some of the concerns that I have with the proposed Phase 1 are the following:

1. We do not know what the proposed changes are and we have been provided no details on those changes.
2. I fail to understand how the proposed administrative changes, like definitions, are going to improve student outcomes like reading levels.

Madam Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

1. ECE plans to clarify, ministerial powers as part of phase 1. These changes are not simply administrative changes; they are governance changes.

Madam Speaker, the Minister needs to table legislation soon, but he says he does not know what changes he is making or what the legislation will look like. No wonder Indigenous governments are distrusting and feel like the Minister is hiding something. Madam Speaker, the Minister refers to the What We Heard report. He is going to say everyone was consulted.

It is clear from the letters the Minister received from Indigenous governments that they feel like they have not been consulted or that they have been heard. The Education Act has not been changed in over 30 years. If this is very important work has to spill over into the 20th Legislative Assembly, then so be it. I say it is better to do things right not fast. Madam Speaker, Indigenous governments are on the second bus, sitting in the back. This looks like segregation, not reconciliation. Taking the time to do this right is very important. Madam Speaker, the two-phased approach is divisive. It recalls the past which was guided by privilege and racism and ended in deep segregation and suffering.

Madam Speaker, this two-phased approach is disrespectful of our treaties and agreements. It will affect government-to-government relations.

Madam Speaker, no one wants to disrupt our students' path to learning. We want to address the colonial legacy and improve the education system together. Our elders have always taught us we must act collectively in unity and collaboration to achieve big things. And I say, "Nothing about us without us"

Madam Speaker, let us not send the wrong message. Let us correct this immediately and work in Phase 1 together. We need a path that shows we can do things together - To find this path together is what we owe our children. Mahsi, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

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

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the North is famous for our love of unique place names and Tin Can Hill is no exception. This beloved green space, located behind Rat Lake, is celebrated by new and long-term residents alike. It is where the snowmobile trail gets you out of the city, down to the lake, and across the bay in the winter. It was where the boats from across the lake would dock to resupply the town and where you can see evidence of our rich mining history at the old Con Mine. On Tin Can Hill, you can play and explore and walk on the 2.7-billion-year-old volcanic rock that underlies our town. It's where the city's folks run, walk, or bike extensive trail loops while conveniently remaining within the city. And recently the city and ECE decided it would be a good place for the new Yellowknife campus of the polytechnic university.

Madam Speaker, I understand why ECE decided to propose a standalone campus versus a downtown integrated approach. Without a standalone campus, there is no way enough funding can be secured. In other words, Madam Speaker, to fund the future polytechnic, the GNWT needs a "big ticket ask" to bring in "big ticket funding.” A plan that would incorporate existing buildings on a rental or leased basis would never get the fiscal support that it needs. As we all know, the feds love to give us capital money while operations and maintenance funding is generally not included.

Madam Speaker, my constituents, and other residents, are still reeling from the surprise announcement that the GNWT wants to build on Tin Can Hill. I understand that the engagement part is to begin now but clearly before this, nothing was done in a transparent manner.

The facilities master plan, submitted as part of the federal ask, shows all traffic to the campus entering through School Draw Avenue, an area that will become a bottleneck for traffic. People will also cut through the nearby Copper Sky complex to reach 52nd Street causing safety issues for residents there. As well, the plan calls for 50 percent of students to find housing in Yellowknife's rental market. How? Our residential vacancy rate will be zero by this spring, dropping from its current 1.9 percent, and there appears to be very little construction planned once current projects are complete. All this will lead to long-term tenants, including many pensioners and low-income families, to be forced from their homes due to rising rents and neighbourhood gentrification.

When asked, the department's response is that this will all be sorted out through the engagement process. However, Madam Speaker, if this consultation leads to a resounding no from residents, my question is, will the Department listen? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

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