Debates of June 3rd, 2022
This is page numbers 4497 - 4544 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.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 258-19(2): Distinctions-Based Funding Announcement
- Minister's Statement 259-19(2): Update on Health System Human Resources
- Minister's Statement 260-19(2): Update on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Minister's Statement 261-19(2): Acknowledging Education Hall of Fame Inductees and 2022 Grade 12 Graduates
- Member's Statement 1140-19(2): Congratulations to Graduates
- Member's Statement 1141-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance
- Member's Statement 1142-19(2): Financial Transparency for Infrastructure Spending
- Member's Statement 1143-19(2): Warm Wishes for Summer 2022
- Member's Statement 1144-19(2): 2022 Skills Canada National Competition
- Member's Statement 1145-19(2): 2023-2024 Government of the Northwest Territories Budget Preparation
- Member's Statement 1146-19(2): National Indigenous History Month
- Member's Statement 1147-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
- Member's Statement 1148-19(2): Congratulations and Well-Wishes to Constituents
- Member's Statement 1149-19(2): Reflections on Consensus Government
- Member's Statement 1150-19(2): Cyber-Bullying
- Member's Statement 1151-19(2): Recognizing 2022 Youth Parliament Participant Aubrey Sluggett
- Oral Question 1143-19(2): Infrastructure Issues at Ecole Boreale
- Oral Question 1144-19(2): Cost of the Whati Transmission Line
- Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
- Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
- Oral Question 1147-19(2): 2023-2024 Government of the Northwest Territories Budget Preparation
- Oral Question 1148-19(2): Functions of Local Housing Authorities
- Oral Question 1149-19(2): Reconciliation and Completion of Rights Agreements
- Oral Question 1150-19(2): Administration of Lands and Financial Securities
- Oral Question 1151-19(2): Fort Good Hope Seniors' Facility
- Oral Question 1152-19(2): Apology from Pope Francis to Indigenous People
- Oral Question 1153-19(2): Fort Good Hope Seniors' Facility
- Oral Question 1154-19(2): Lessons Learned and Mitigation of Future Flooding in Hay River
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery (reversion)
- Written Question 44-19(2): Contracts for Work Related to the Slave Geological Corridor
- Written Question 46-19(2): Contracts for Work Related to the Taltson Hydro Expansion
- Written Question 46-19(2): Post-Devolution Mining Revenues to the Government of the Northwest Territories
- Written Question 47-19(2): Status of Housing Renovations in the Tlicho Region
- Tabled Document 673-19(2): NWT State of Environment Report 2022
- Tabled Document 674-19(2): 2022-23 Consolidated Budget Tabled Document 675-19(2): Inter-Activity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 (April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022) Tabled Document 676-19(2): Socio-Economic Analysis of Parsons' Procurement at the Giant Mine Site - Summary, May 11, 2022
- Tabled Document 677-19(2): The Cost of Addressing Core Housing Need in the Northwest Territories
- Tabled Document 678-19(2): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan and the Strategic Approach to System Reform 2019-2021, April 2022 Tabled Document 679-19(2): Northwest Territories Health and Social Services System Human Resources Plan 2021-2024
- Tabled Document 680-19(2): Summary of Members' Absences for the Period February 21 to May 25, 2022
- Motion 58-19(2): A Strategy to Match Canada's Population Growth, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Motion 59-19(2): Extended Adjournment of the House to October 13, 2022, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Bill 54: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023
- Bill 55: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023
- Bill 54: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Bill 55: Supplementary Appropriation Act, (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Report 31-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act
- Committee Motion 245-19(2): Committee Report 31-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act - Standards of Practice for Physicians Practicing in the Northwest Territories, Carried
- Committee Motion 246-19(2): Committee Report 31-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act - Consultation on Proposed Standards for Physicians in the Northwest Territories, Carried
- Committee Motion 247-19(2): Committee Report 31-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act - Consultation on with Territorial Physician Executive, Carried
- Committee Motion 248-19(2): Committee Report 31-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
- Committee Report 30-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
- Committee Motion 249-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Employee Training on Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
- Committee Motion 250-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Policies for Public Service Use of Handheld Mobile Devices, Carried
- Committee Motion 251-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Faxing in Health and Social Services System, Carried
- Committee Motion 252-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Compliance with Section 72(2) of the ATIPPA, Carried
- Committee Motion 253-19(2): Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner - Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Bill 40: An Act to Amend the Medical Profession Act, Carried
- Bill 54: Supplementary Appropriations Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023, Carried
- Bill 55: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2022-2023, Carried
- Assent To Bills
- Orders Of The Day
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4510

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And the Minister alluded a little bit of the changes but are you able to share what some of these significant changes that may be when this policy comes into effect? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the current review of the Hunters and Trappers Disaster Compensation Policy is being assessed all aspects of the program including eligibility, amount of compensation that will be available for harvesters. Any changes are intended to help people engage in traditional economy, support access to country food, and support people being on the land. ENR will engage with key partners before final changes are done. So the policy is open and we're trying to improve it globally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister about past experiences.
So I mentioned in my statement that the Taltson River, when it flooded, a lot of the hunter and trapper cabins, there was increase in compensation during that flood to those hunters and trappers. So will my constituents now, and any other hunters and trappers impacted by floods, be eligible to the same compensation that was given to those in the Taltson River as it was referred to in some news articles, up to $40,000? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, and I thank the Member for this very important question. The Taltson River flooding event resulted in significant damages to cabins out there, and we viewed applications individually to look at how best to support the applicants. So there is an exception to it, in that process there. We will again review application on case-by-case basis and suggest that affected hunters and trappers reach out to their local ENR office. Again, just so the impacted people out there, please reach out to our regional offices. We're willing to work with you and, again, there will be exceptions that we need to look at. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that, Minister. As many people supplement their income by offsetting food costs now with harvesting fish, ducks, geese, moose, berries -- not everyone does this -- by selling furs or calculating how they're harvesting. So I think I heard in his statement in the review that some of this stuff would be added into the review. And they do this from their cabins out on the delta. So how does ENR or how will ENR, or is this going to be in the review, how they are measuring earning 25 percent and will they do -- will they ensure that there's a way to include this, measure this kind of offset? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I thank the Member for a great question.
ENR relies on hunters and trappers to provide evidence that 25 percent of their income comes from harvesting. At this point, no decision has been made on possible changes to eligible criteria under the new program but this aspect is under review. So we are working with impacted residents, hunters and trappers, as well as Indigenous governments to work on this, and committee. Hunters and trappers, again, can reach out to our local ENR office to get assistance to complete their applications. So we're there to help. And more than willing to work with the individuals but also the Members that have affected constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1145-19(2): Hunters and Trappers Disaster Assistance Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions.
Colleagues, before we continue, I'd like to welcome back our former Premier, Mr. Bob McLeod, and his wife Melody and the rest of his family. Welcome to the Chamber. Welcome back.
Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
June 3rd, 2022
Page 4511

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Housing. It just wouldn't be a normal session if I didn't ask for them to remove the community residency policy.
So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Housing remove the community residency policy? Thank you.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now the Housing Corporation has taken direction into reviewing all policies within our department. Right now we are working with the Council of Leaders, which is a respected working arm for us throughout the territory. We had brought this to their table as well. I just want the Member to know that we are having those discussions, and we are going to be bringing that back to committee before the end of this government for committee to have their opportunity to make their suggestions and their comments on those changes to those policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4511

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I fear that while the people of the Northwest Territories have waited four years for a homelessness strategy and no changes have happened that there are policies that can change in the meantime.
If the reason the Minister says that she needs to hold on to the policy is for fairness and housing can't be distributed fairly without this policy, then why hasn't the Minister updated the point rating system to ensure fairness when housing is distributed to residents? Thank you.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4512

Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for her question as well too.
Throughout my time holding the portfolio, I'm confidently wanting to say that I went to every region throughout the Northwest Territories, and I was able to speak with a number of the LHOs. I think the last number that I had was 20, and there's 23 throughout the Northwest Territories. So I had brought this up as well too, talking about the point rating system, and the LHOs didn't have too much comments to wanting to change the point rating system. And also I did speak about the residency requirements which where the LHOs do have a service agreement that is performed on behalf of Housing NWT.
The comments for that as well too is that they found that policy fair.
But I will bring that back to the LHOs. Housing NWT will be meeting with the local housing authorities regionally in the next coming months, and I will bring this back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4512

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake
Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm kind of confused then. If Housing NWT has gone to LHOs and they have said that they don't want to change their policies but Housing is speaking with the Council of Leaders about changing policies, what power does Housing NWT have then over LHOs to change policies? Thank you.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
Page 4512

Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The policies are administered by Housing NWT. But I'm looking for fairness and consistency throughout the Northwest Territories and having the Council of Leaders at the table and having these discussions, looking at these policies, we have made great movement with them in talking with the federal government as well.
I did make an announcement this morning that I acknowledge what they had received throughout the territory, and I'm looking at this as a positive way to be doing and addressing housing in smaller communities as well.
And we are not waiting for the Council of Leaders to make the decision. We are looking for the recommendations and the comments from that table and the recommendations and comments from the local housing authorities. I would like to highlight their work and bring them to the table and update those service contracts as well too.
Mr. Speaker, there's a lot of work to be doing when I'm speaking about local housing authorities, and I respect the questions coming from the MLA because it really provides a lot of good feedback for us to be bringing that back. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1146-19(2): Housing Northwest Territories Community Residency Policy
Oral Questions
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