The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Legislative Assembly. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we have returned to our usual Chambers setup and operations. Our gallery is open to the public. We are able to increase the number of interpreters here. We will be providing interpretation into Chipewyan, Tlicho, North Slave, South Slave, Inuvialuktun, and French this sitting. Please join me in thanking our interpreters for their dedication and important work that they do in preserving, strengthening, and honouring our official languages.

---Applause

Colleagues, we have removed the extra tables from the Chamber. You have returned to your normal seats, and I am pleased to welcome pages back to the chambers.

It is an honour to share this space with our youth. They are our future. Please join me in welcoming our pages back. Mahsi.

---Applause

Not only are we welcoming youth into this Chambers as pages for this sitting, but we also recently hosted our 18th Youth Parliament. I know many of you have had the opportunity to meet our youth parliamentarians, many of you volunteered your time to serve as pages during our Youth Parliament session, or watched online or from the gallery.

It is wonderful to hear youth read their Members' and Ministers' statements and to move and debate motions on topics are for which they clearly had great interest and passion. It is also exciting to hear them speak our official languages.

Colleagues, I want to congratulate and thank Koby Elanik who represented the Mackenzie Delta and served as speaker for our Youth Parliament. He did a great job. It was an honour to have you take my chair.

The youth are our future and based on what we seen and heard during the 18th Youth Parliament, I am confident our future is in good hands.

Colleagues, as you know the territory has experienced flooding again this spring. I know many people have been affected by the flooding, especially in Sambaa K'e, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, West Point Nation, and Hay River. I also know that other communities, including Aklavik, are currently preparing for possible flooding. I want to thank the community leaders for the efforts they are making to prepare for and minimize the impacts of any flooding that may occur. We are resilient people who help each other during times of need. That's part of what makes the Northwest Territories such a wonderful place to call home.

Finally, I would like to thank the Prince of Wales and and Duchess of Cornwall for their recent visit to the Northwest Territories during their recent Canadian tour. I know that some of you had the opportunity to meet the Prince and Duchess while they were here, and I know that many people in Dettah and Yellowknife were honoured and excited to have had the opportunity to host such important guests.

Now colleagues it is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads:

Dear Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023; and Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023 during the second session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Yours Truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner.

Thank you, colleagues.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I, along with several of my Cabinet colleagues, had the privilege of visiting both the town of Hay River, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, and West Point First Nation, earlier this week to observe the damage caused by this year's flooding in the South Slave region. I want to thank Mayor Jameson and Chief Martel for inviting and hosting us on our tours around your communities. Thanks also to MLAs Bonnetrouge and both MLA Simpson for accompanying us and demonstrating leadership for your communities. It was eye opening to see the hundreds of homes, businesses, and other infrastructure that have been damaged and, in some cases, lost to the flood. For many residents, the cleanup work is just beginning, and from the conversations I had with many people on the ground, I know they understand that the full recovery will be a long and exhausting process.

I want residents to know that the Government of the Northwest Territories is here to assist you and your communities with this recovery work. Municipal and Community Affairs staff are already on the ground and meeting with residents to discuss their needs, provide support, and are working diligently to assess the damage to every home, business, building, and property.

Mr. Speaker, today I also want to speak about the collaborative action that was taken by hundreds of people over the past few weeks to help those affected by this flood. During these unimaginable difficult days, we have seen examples after examples of neighbors helping neighbors and communities helping communities -- From the absolutely heroic efforts of residents, who risked their own safety to rescue others from the flood waters, and to those who have gone above and beyond to provide care and comfort to evacuees. I want to recognize the contribution made by so many residents to help those in need.

I would also like to thank the communities of Enterprise, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife for all their work in making a very difficult time a little bit easier for evacuees. I would also like to thank all the people, businesses, and organizations who made donations of time, goods, food, and money to the residents of the affected communities.

I visited the evacuation centre in Yellowknife several times and heard nothing but deep appreciation for the generous contribution, and I also know that this was the case in evacuation centres in other communities as well.

Mr. Speaker, communities are the frontline for emergency management. I want to acknowledge the quick and effective response of the Town of Hay River and the K'atl'odeeche First Nation. The leadership shown by the mayor and chief and their teams, as well as by their local emergency management organizations made a critical difference in responding to such a large-scale disaster event.

Lessons learned from the 2021 flood season helped us to be more prepared this year. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs launched a 'Be Ready' campaign before the start of spring breakup this year. This campaign provides residents and community governments with information on preparedness, flood risk, and disaster assistance. It included printable checklists, links to flood readiness videos, guidance about what to do when going home, and how to navigate disaster assistance.

The Disaster Assistance Policy was updated to better support those affected by disasters. Eligibility for disaster assistance has expanded to include non-profit organizations, commercial hunters, trappers, and other harvesters of natural resources. The maximum amount of assistance has increased from 80 to 90 percent of eligible costs, and a total payable amount available to residents, small businesses, and non-profit has increased from $100,000 to $240,000. Under the new policy, the maximum payable amount has been removed entirely for the community governments.

We are also in the process of enhancing our emergency management team. Having more staff in our regional offices and in headquarters to work closely with community governments and residents, helping everyone to prepare for and respond to and recover from natural disasters.

The recovery work required after a flood of this magnitude will take time, and we ask for your patience as our government continues to support the ongoing recovery efforts. To the residents in the affected communities, we know this has been an extraordinary difficult time for you and your family. I want you to know that our government will continue to work hard with your community governments to ensure that you remain safe and have the support you need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Deputy Premier

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Caroline Cochrane will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the Western Premier's Conference in Saskatchewan. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, deputy Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, welcome back to the House.

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, will be a day many residents of K'atl'odeeche First Nation and the Town of Hay River will remember for a long time. The waters the Hay River had been consistently rising during the day and into the evening. Chief April Martel had posted a Facebook video showing the water levels creeping inland at the community arbor area. It had come in about a thousand feet inland from the arbor and the arbor is close to the riverbank. Water was affecting many homes near the riverbanks and was, in fact, moving some houses, many sheds, numerous items that were strewn throughout many yards. The KFN fire chief pulled the fire siren to warn of an immediate evacuation of all residents of KFN. This was at approximately 11 o'clock at night. Darkness was already setting in, and the Chief was the last to leave the reserve. Chief April Martel is a young woman leader and showed great resolve to ensure the safety of her membership. She's to be commended for her actions.

Chief April Martel, being modest, wishes to thank the many KFN residents who stepped up to assist in any way to ensure many of the residents, including the elderly, were out of harm's way; fire chief Michael Sunrise and assistant fire chief Derrick Fabian for sounding the alarm. This in fact was heard many on the new town side and warned them of impending danger.

The safety of the Dene Wellness Centre was compromised due to its proximity to the river and rising waters and rushing ice which were crashing and breaking the trees on the riverbank. Many of the residents with vehicles assisted to move everyone to safety at the Hamlet of Enterprise and to other communities. Many had not slept all night, including the Chief who was concerned for her membership's well-being. Many volunteers stayed to main a truck stop into the reserve where they had set up a couple of campers.

I, along with the Chief of the K'atl'odeeche First Nation, send sincere appreciation and many thanks to all surrounding communities who put up KFN Members and provided assistance and food.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi, colleagues.

Mahsi cho to the GNWT for the swift actions in securing accommodations and meals for many of the evacuees of this devastating flood. Mahsi Cho to Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Fort Providence, Yellowknife, and Hay River. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to say I am glad to be back in the House to be able to represent the constituents of Inuvik. I also want to give my condolences and my thoughts and prayers to all of those who are affected by the floods and, you know, thinking of the families in Aklavik that are watching the water now, as well.

As a resident of Inuvik for pretty much my entire life, the only way out by road is the Dempster Highway. This 740-kilometer gravel highway from Inuvik to Dawson Corner is our lifeline for our basic needs like food, heating fuel, and building supplies. When the residents of the Northwest Territories drive this highway, from my community and from my region, it is not for leisure travel for the most part. It is used to harvest and to make the journey to Whitehorse or further south for supplies.

The NWT/Yukon border to Inuvik is 272 kilometers and over the past three decades, since I can remember driving up and down that road myself, the road to the border has continuously been worked on and widened.

When driving this highway beginning from the Yukon, you first cross a single-lane wooden bridge, which impacts what can come up this highway.

We are in a housing crisis and modular homes and manufactured homes are one way to try to alleviate this crisis but we can't even truck anything wider than 14 feet up that road, which are not common sizes for modulars any longer.

Over the last couple years, I have traveled this road especially when returning home from session. This is a three-day travel for myself and my husband when we do travel this. This road is at the end of its life once you hit the Dempster. It hasn't been widened until you hit the NWT/Yukon border.

The NWT has been advocating for funding from the feds over the years to widen the NWT section of the highway but it appears to me that this is not a Yukon priority to advocate for their side as it does not lead to any of their communities. So the road remains narrow with little or no gravel to cover the remainder of this 468 kilometers from the NWT border, which is if dire need of repair. And I am sure the Speaker and some Members in this House have traveled that road as well.

When I asked a previous Minister of Infrastructure about the Dempster Highway, she replied to me in this House on Friday, June 12th, 2020 "I have lots of conversations with my counterpart in the Yukon who is also very keen to see the Dempster rehabilitated and we have discussed that with the federal government." I sure hope that this Minister, who I know travels this road, as she too is from the Beaufort Delta, has continued to have these discussions with our Yukon neighbour to push the federal government for funds to repair and rehabilitate the 468 kilometer section through the Yukon and the single-lane bridge as well as other bridges that need repair.

I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Infrastructure on this. Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to welcome back our colleagues. Nice to be sitting again in such nice weather.

Mr. Speaker, at the end of the last session in March, the NWT Power Corporation had submitted an interim rate application to increase the power rates in the Taltson zone. 10 percent in the first year and another 10 percent in the second year in electricity rates.

Thankfully, the NWT Public Utilities Board is the neutral body that determines rate increases in the NWT, and they decided to increase power rates by 2.5 percent in all communities and regions in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, for NTPC attempting to single out the Taltson zone with a 10 percent increase in both years in power is not okay, especially for Fort Smith where the Taltson Dam is situated in and around the traditional lands of multiple First Nations and Metis people. I don't believe it is right to increase the power rates to such a high amount for people whose traditional territory is where the dam sits.

Mr. Speaker, last month the premier and cabinet visited Fort Smith, and at every meeting they went to, the power rate increases were front and centre as the main concern as a main concern for the constituents. Everyone in Fort Smith was opposed to a 10 percent increase in power rates, including the Town, the Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Metis Council, and the Fort Smith Seniors' Society, among others.

In fact, the Town of Fort Smith along with the Town of Hay River sent a jointly written letter to the Public Utilities Board urging them not to disproportionately burden residents in the Taltson zone with a 10 percent power rate increase. There was also a private Fort Smith business who sent a written submission to the Public Utilities Board voicing similar concerns about the rates.

Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, NTPC only wants power rates increased because they are experiencing a shortfall in revenues. So they need more money to cover the various costs of providing electricity across the NWT. According to a 2012 report on the cost pressures of NTPC, the Taltson Dam generates between 5 and 8 megawatts of surplus energy each year.

So what is NTPC doing with all the surplus electricity? Surplus power has got to be used more efficiently and effectively by NTPC so they can be in a better financial position in order to prevent an increase in costs on to the consumer. We have the surplus of power, yet no innovation to better harness and utilize it.

Mr. Speaker, with the increasing costs of living and the historic levels of inflation we're experiencing, it is extremely important that our government continues to find positive solutions to ensure that the people of the NWT can make ends meet on all their household bills, including electricity.

I will have questions for the Minister responsible for NTPC at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the Town of Hay River, K'atl'odeeche, West Point First Nation, along with a home in Enterprise and one at Riverwood's subdivision, were severely impacted by flooding, with what may well be unprecedented levels of ice and water for the area.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the effort and action by the Hay River emergency measures organization for the work they did to ensure all residents were evacuated safely with no loss of life.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the EMO, it is important to recognize the many individuals and businesses who provided financial support, food, clothing, equipment, fuel, accommodations, transportation and for that support I say thank you.

We must also recognize the Hamlet of Enterprise, Town of Fort Smith, Hamlet of Fort Providence, Hamlet of Fort Resolution, the City of Yellowknife, and others who opened up their communities and provided temporary accommodation, meals, and other support to the many evacuees, their families and pets during this stressful time.

Mr. Speaker, this event was the perfect storm. In addition to large amounts of ice and high water levels throughout the Hay River watershed, we had snow, freezing temperatures, and a nighttime evacuation, all which contributed to the making for a dangerous event. The devastation and extent of damage was not limited to ice and water but that of sewer backups, loss of access to potable water, and electricity.

Mr. Speaker, to really comprehend the extent of damage one had to see it in real time and, most importantly, listen to the stories of those who were impacted.

Mr. Speaker, the effects of this flood is just setting in as residents now have time to reflect on the aftermath. I have spoken to many residents who are appreciative of the quick deployment of pathfinders and assessors by Municipal and Community Affairs. However, those who have submitted applications under the Disaster Assistance Policy and had their property assessed are now asking what is next in the process.

For those that have completely lost their homes due to extensive flood damage are concerned that the changes to the policy, while a move in the right direction, is not indicative of real replacement costs of homes. In the past two years, the cost of labour and material has risen considerably.

Mr. Speaker, when it is costing this government well over half a million dollars to deliver new public housing units, the $240,000 is inadequate, deficient, and an insult to those who find themselves with limited negotiating power and now may well need a mortgage to rebuild.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of MACA at the appropriate time.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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