This is page numbers 4301 - 4324 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This event was probably one of the bigger disasters in the Northwest Territories, if not the biggest. Does the Minister have any preliminary costs for the flooding disaster in the South Slave?

Myself, I guess I'm looking at the numbers, looking at what's happened, I'm pegging it at 80 plus million. So I'm just wondering if the department has anything. Thank you.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can't give you that number because we don't know what that number is. We're getting the assessments in. We're looking at -- what I can tell you, last year, from the flood with Little Buffalo, Jean Marie, Fort Simpson, and Fort Good Hope, and Aklavik, we came up -- and it cost us just under 40 million. I think it was 37.5 million. That's what that disaster had cost us.

We also adapted or changed the Disaster Assistance Policy from a $100,000 to $240,000. We also changed what people are eligible from 80 percent to 90 percent. So we have these additional costs.

I wish I could tell you the number. We are working on that. That's why these assessments are very important for us to get that number in there. We already have a special warrant to start off our process. Last year was $5 million. This year is $10 million. So I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you what it is but I think the Member is probably on the low end of it moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance.

Some employers are working to walk the talk when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing and supporting the diverse ways that families grow. Many of these employers are expanding their benefits packages to include fertility supports. And so where does the GNWT stand on fertility benefits for their staff? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is a fairly generous leave package that has a number of different ways by which employees are able to take leave, both paid leave/unpaid leave, and the focus and the intent is that individuals have an opportunity to look at what their particular needs and circumstances are and can then apply to their supervisor for applicable leave. There's not a specific section within that particular for fertility benefits or fertility treatments. But, again, you know, the idea here that I'm trying to get at with that is that although we don't have that specifically, we are able to look at people's individual circumstances. And they would be able to hopefully be accommodated if they do require additional leave through the packages that are available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, has the GNWT explored the projected costs of expanding fertility treatment supports to employees? And so the GNWT definitely has a very generous leave package for parents and for people who are going through any type of medical needs, but I'm wondering about the fertility treatment itself. Thank you.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this point the answer is no, that that has not been added or included specifically as an area where there might be some expansion of the leave packages. Obviously the leave packages are part of the bargaining process in the collective agreement. Right now, if there's specific health benefits or health treatments, those are done with approvals by a qualified medical practitioner. So in line with the questions that were asked earlier of the Department of Health, there won't be any sort of additional -- you know, we won't be seeking additional approvals if they're not being approved by a medical practitioner. Certainly if there are staff members seeking leave, again, I'd want to encourage them to be speaking to their supervisor to see that they at least do have access to necessary leave provisions, and that would hopefully help accommodate them in whatever choices they're making for their family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Oral Question 1100-19(2): Housing Renovations
Oral Questions

May 27th, 2022

Page 4321

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

This is for Minister of Housing.

Can the Minister of Housing provide an update on how many units, public units, are renovated? Because I know in Behchoko alone -- in Tlicho region, I'm talking about Tlicho region, but in Behchoko, we have for this past fiscal year, 22 units were supposed to be renovated. They are in great need of renovations. And I do not see any contractors in those units. And unemployment is high in Tlicho region. And I do support the local contractors, just like my colleague from Inuvik Twin Lakes had mentioned. So I just wanted to know if the Minister of Housing can provide an update to us on how many units were renovated?

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have that specific information on hand. But I do have the successes that were done in the Member's riding.

In 2021 and 2022, there was a complete delivery of two new public housing units in Behchoko. This past year, we invested $1.1 million in new construction, major retrofits, homeownership programming, and minor unit repairs. To date, one apprenticeship has successfully completed the Housing NWT Apprenticeship Program. There is currently one apprentice actively completing the program. To date, housing is required -- the requirement in our new contracts to include at least one apprenticeship to complete a work assignment during the duration of the contract.

The Tlicho has also been awarded one of the -- the federal Rapid Housing Initiatives. Sorry, the sun is just blocking my notes here. And they directly received $5 million for a housing project from the Rapid Housing Initiative provided by the federal government. So they actually went through the application process.

They were one of very few in the Northwest Territories that were able to access this specific program, the Rapid Housing Program. We had a short window. I think it was four months that the federal government had announced that. And I'm happy to say that the Tlicho government was one of the successful recipients of the awarded funding of $5 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Jane Weyallon Armstrong Monfwi

That's not the information I was looking for. What I was referring to was the renovation that was identified in the budget. There were 22 units that were supposed to be renovated this year. And summer is approaching, summer is here, and this is the important time that -- there's lot of young people that are looking for job as well. And so that's why I was referring to -- that's why I mention is there an update. Can she provide an update to us about how many houses that they have completed so far to date and are they on track to complete the units within this fiscal year? Thank you.

Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the past couple of years, you know, we have recovered from the COVID-19 and also the restrictions that had come along with it as well too. I can provide the Member with an update of those numbers that she is requesting. I don't have that immediately on hand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to the table the following document: Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 1022-19(2): Living Well Together Training. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, pursuant to section 10 of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, I wish to table the 2021-2022 Northwest Territories Electoral Boundaries Commission Final Report.

Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 29, and Committee Report 27-19(2), with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

What is the wish of committee? Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Madame la Presidente. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Mahsi.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you. There's a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Motion is carried.

I will now rise and report progress.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 4322

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

May I please have the report of Committee of the Whole, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 4322

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23, Bill 29, and Committee Report 27-19(2), and I would like to report progress. And Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 4322

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Deh Cho. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions?

---Carried

Motion is carried.

Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.