Thank you, Member. Minister of ECE.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So first, I'd like to correct a few of the statements that the Member made in her record-setting five and a half minute Member's statement today.

She stated the Education Act had not changed in 30 years. It was changed last year, unanimously by this House; changes to the Education Act were approved. We changed in 2017, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2005, and so on. And so this is not some unprecedented change that's happening. There are always amendments to the Education Act as are required by operational realities.

She stated that Indigenous governments have been provided no details on proposed changes. They've been provided the same details I've been provided.

She said we're not working with Indigenous governments. I've had meetings. I've discussed this with the council of leaders. I've discussed this at bilateral meetings with Indigenous governments. There's meetings with education bodies and ECE occurring. And so that includes the TCSA. There's a meeting this week between ECE and Tlicho government officials.

She said I don't know what changes that we need; I don't know what changes that we want to make. What we don't have is the exact wording of the changes, and that's because we have to work with the education bodies to determine that.

She said we're making governance changing by clarifying authorities of the Minister. We are not. We're clarifying the authorities of the Minister so that the Ministers can't go and do things -- try and do things beyond their authorities.

And she stated that the two-phase approach is divisive and recalls a path driven by privilege. And I'll say that's partially right. I'm privileged to be an Indigenous person who gets to make these changes for Indigenous students. So I'll say that, Madam Speaker. I don't think we need to lose sight of that. And this Assembly as well, you know, there's a lot of Indigenous voices in this Assembly that are involved in this process. And that's why we're making these changes. And I'm not going to, you know, abandon making changes for Indigenous students just because it's unpopular. I have an opportunity to do it, and I'm going to do it.

And so in terms of the Member's direct question that she asked, why we went out with a two-phased approach, the reason is because we realized that -- and I realized, that we can't do this alone. We need to work together. We need to work with the Indigenous governments and the education bodies if we're going to revamp the Education Act. And that's what we're doing. In the meantime, I want to make some minor amendments so that things can operate more efficiently, and we can provide better services to students. And to do that, we'd have to get it done right away. Everyone here knows how the legislative process works. We have tight timelines, and we don't have the kind of timelines that would allow co-drafting. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for the information. 1984 Alberta curriculum was introduced, because I know, I was there. So that's where I was referring to this as over 30 years, that it hasn't been -- it hasn't been changed. And then just recently last year, I know they were talking about it and this year they're -- we are adopting BC curriculum. So that's where -- that's what I was talking about, the legislations. So all the changes that he referred to he should share with us, put it in writing, and let the small communities in the region know about this because I just ask him a questions. Yes, I know he had the chance to say that so I guess that is okay. But this modernization Education Act is very important for us, and we've been saying it. It's not just me that's saying that here. Our leaders and other Indigenous leaders, and I'm surprised none of these from the outlying communities, the regions, MLAs are not saying anything. And the leaders have been saying it. Dene Nation have been saying it. That's why I am expressing. That's why I really do have a -- I do have an issue with this modernizing the Education Act. It would be nice if there were more MLAs that was speaking out. And I know some of the education system in the regional centre are better, are good. Like Fort Smith, they have the best education systems. Like Yellowknife, they have the best education systems. But not in the small communities. This is why I am really frustrated with what he said.

So with that, according to the NWT update of July 6th, 2022, phase 1 of the Education Act modernization address issues identified in the Office of the Auditor General audit, can the Minister explain how he prioritized the topics identified by Ottawa's Auditor General and those identified by the Indigenous government? Thank you.

Thank you, Member. I know discussions can get very heated and very personal in here -- Member. Order. I would like everybody to just keep your discussions respectful and your questions and comments to each other and direct them through me. Thank you. Minister of ECE.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So the changes that are being proposed, which have been shared with Indigenous governments and education bodies, were chosen because of the recommendations of the Office of the Auditor General, internal evaluations that ECE did, and discussions with education bodies. These are -- many of these are long-standing issues that, you know, we have an opportunity to clean up. Thank you.

Yes. If it wasn't -- if it didn't happen in that order, I would not have said anything. But what is the Minister's vision of how the Education Act will reflect the GNWT's commitment to reconciliation if Indigenous governments are left out from designing the legislation's modernization? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I think I've laid that vision out. If Indigenous governments were left out of the modernization of the Education Act, it would be a disaster. So that's why we are making these targeted operational technical amendments in the life of this Assembly, and then we'll deal with the other 99.999 percent of the Education Act in the next Assembly. And the work to begin developing an MOU between the GNWT and Indigenous governments is going to happen in the life of this Assembly. So we should have a signed MOU that will ensure that this work does happen. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Monfwi. Final supplementary.

If he knows the detail, he should share it with us. That is why we are, you know -- that is why I am addressing this because there is something. They know something. They should share it with us. The Minister promises a phase 2 in which his department will collaborate with Indigenous government, education bodies, and stakeholders. How is the Minister going to ensure that phase 2 will take place and proceed in a collaborative manner? Thank you.

Thank you. So as I've stated, we did -- we have shared the details. The department is now working with education bodies to come up with the specifics, and you know, what the wording might look like, and then that information will be shared. I've already made that commitment. So that will be done.

And in terms of how we're going to ensure that we work together, I answer that already with discussion about the MOU.

I hope we don't lose sight of the fact here that generally what happens with the non-land and resources legislation, as required under devolution, most legislation is not codeveloped with Indigenous governments. This government took the step of saying look, the Education Act is so important that we need to have a codevelopment process. Even though it's going to take who knows, a decade, we need to do it. It's going to take a lot of money. It's going to take a lot of time. But we're going to do it. And I think that is a huge step forward for reconciliation. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Written questions. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Settlement maintainers are important service providers for all small communities because of the increased scope of their work and the lack of access to certified tradespeople in these communities:

Will the Minister on Infrastructure confirm the current number of indeterminate settlement maintainer positions, provide the number of settlement maintainers working in small communities, identify each community, and identity communities with vacancies?

1. Can the Minister of Infrastructure also commit in writing to working with the Housing NWT to adapt their housing maintainers training program for settlement maintainers to enhance training opportunities for settlement maintainers seeking to work in remote communities?
2. Will the Minister of Infrastructure ensure that small community settlement and facilities maintainers have the option of receiving oil and heating technician training during their employment in order to perform basic heating equipment maintenance and repairs in situations where a steam ticket or other specialized certifications are not required?
3. Will the Minister of Infrastructure provide a detailed list of the current training opportunities offered to settlement maintainers during their employment as of November 2022?
4. Can the Minister commit in writing to ensuring new training is provided through an established institution such as at the Aurora College Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith, with theory classes as well as practical hands-on experience (for example, by adding on-the-job training, job shadowing, and/or apprenticeship opportunities)?

Mahsi.

Thank you. Written questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my questions are for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to facility alternative energy.

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation is a Crown corporation that owns and operates the Northwest Territories' hydroelectric facilities and most of the Northwest Territories' diesel power plants. NTPC is tasked to provide an essential service to Northwest Territories residents and businesses by ensuring access to reliable electricity. The Northwest Territories' energy mix includes fossil fuel, biomass, hydro, natural gas, wind and solar installations. In 25 remote communities, local grids provide diesel-generated electricity.

The GNWT's 2030 Energy Strategy and the NTPC's strategic and capital plans focus on lowering cost of power and increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy whenever possible. Implementing the 2030 Energy Strategy is a shared responsibility between the GNWT, the NTPC, and the Arctic Energy Alliance. The NTPC commits its 2022-2023 Corporate Plan to increase integration of renewable technology and use of alternative fuels and achieve a 25 percent greenhouse gas emissions reduction for electricity generation in diesel-powered communities.

I submit the following questions to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation:

1. Can the Minister explain how the NTPC will invest in alternative and renewable energy with a net debt of nearly $366 million? Will funds be available to upgrade and purchase energy efficient diesel generators for communities when the increase in net debt for the one year alone is already about $42 million?
2. Can the Minister provide the NTPC capital investment dollars invested on alternative and renewable energy in Northwest Territories communities, by community and contractor, and identify which of these will be impacted by sunsetting federal funds?
3. During the life of this Assembly, has NTPC collected and reported on performance measurement results, and if yes, have trends been observed? And Can the Minister share the results, by community?
4. How does the NTPC increase alternative and renewable energy in housing? For example, what is NTPC doing to work with Housing Northwest Territories developers and Indigenous business development corporations? And,
5. The NTPC is governed by a board of GNWT deputy ministers who are familiar with the GNWT mandate and challenges. Can the Minister describe, with examples, how the change from an independent to a GNWT constituted governance board has improved or helped the work of the NTPC and what cost savings were realized as a result?

Thank you.

Thank you, Member. Written questions. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

It's just one of those days. Sorry, lots going on today. Returns to written questions. Replies to Commissioner's address. Petitions. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Like déjà vu, Madam Speaker. Thank you. Madam Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: The Plain Language Summary for Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act; and, Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation 2021-2022 Annual Report. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Member for Deh Cho.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I wish to table the Framework for Diabetes in Canada, a publication of the Public Health Agency of Canada. And Madam Speaker, I wish to table Bill C-237, An Act to Establish a National Framework for Diabetes. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Tabling of documents. Member for Yellowknife North.

Madam Speaker, I wish to table the following documents: redacted reports for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Finance from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Infrastructure from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Justice from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; redacted reports for the Department of Lands from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information; and, redacted reports for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs from the internal audit bureau obtained under Access to Information.

Madam Speaker, I'd just like to say I hope the Minister can find a way to proactively disclose all of the great work that the internal audit bureau does so I never have to do this again. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Needed to give him a wheelbarrow. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, November 3rd, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that pursuant to Rule 9.2(8), the Legislative Assembly hereby establish a special committee on transition matters;

And further, that the committee members be named to the special committee as follows:

• Mr. Kevin O'Reilly, Member for Frame Lake;
• The Honourable R.J. Simpson, Member for Hay River North;
• Mr. Rocky Simpson, Member for Hay River South;
• Ms. Lesa Semmler, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;
• Ms. Jane Weyallon-Armstrong, Member for Monfwi; and,
• The Honourable Shane Thompson, Member for Nahendeh.

And furthermore, that the special committee on transition matters be established by the terms of reference identified as Tabled Document 765-19(2).

Thank you, Madam Speaker.