Debates of Oct. 4th, 2023

This is page numbers 6721 - 6786 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
Residential and Recreational Public Land Leasing Pricing Revisions
Early Learning and Child Care
Improvements in Mental Health Supports
Reclaiming the Capable Person - A Strategic Framework for Addressing Family Violence in the Northwest Territories
Business Support for 2023 Wildfire Evacuations
Medical Travel
Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Environmental Guideline for Contaminated Sites
National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Inadequate Housing in Nunakput
Imperial Oil Tailings Pond Seepage
Appointment of Administrator for Hamlet of Fort Resolution
Violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people
Settling Land Claims
Safe and Affordable Housing for Women
2021 and 2022 Band Manager Mentor Award Winner
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Availability of Housing in Nunakput
Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project
Imperial Oil Tailing Ponds Seepage
Reimbursement of Costs for Medical Travel
Hamlet of Fort Resolution
Business Support for 2023 Wildfire Evacuations
Environmental Guidelines for Contaminated Sites
Settling Land Claims
Homelessness
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery(reversion)
Committee Report 76-19(2): Special Committee on Transition Matters Moving Forward: Report of the Special Committee on Transition Matters
Tabled Document 1024-19(2): Reclaiming the Capable Person: We Are All Capable Persons When We Have Community - A Strategic Framework for Addressing Family Violence in the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 1025-19(2): Correspondence Dated March 1, 2023 from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association re: Modernizing the Dental Auxiliaries Act for Increased Access to Preventative Healthcare Tabled Document 1026-19(2): Correspondence Dated March 7, 2023 from the British Columbia Dental Hygienists Association re: Modernizing the Dental Auxiliaries Act for Increased Access to Preventative Healthcare Tabled Document 1027-19(2): Correspondence Dated March 29, 2023 from the Ontario Dental Hygienists Association
Recommendations of Integrity Commissioner Respecting Conduct of MLA Great Slave
Dissolution of the 19th Assembly
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Indigenous Government and Organizations Consent
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Action Plan
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Funding Framework
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Mechanism on Action Plan Committee
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Shared Decision-Making Agreement
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Provide Notice to Standing Committee
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Five Year Review
Committee Report 55-19(2) Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - Guidelines for Statements
Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - amend subclause 8(2)
Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act - amend subclause 12(2.1)
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - Amend Clause 3.1
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - Amend Subclause 20(1)
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - Amend Subclause 44(2)
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - Amend Subclause 46(6)
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 90.1
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - Amend Paragraph 91(k)
Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 93.1
Bill 84: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act - Amend Clause 7
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Bill 74: Forest Act
Recorded Vote
Bill 78: Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act
Recorded Vote
Bill 83: Liquor Act
Recorded Vote
Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax, No. 3
Recorded Vote
Orders Of The Day

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Yeah, thanks, Madam Chair. Well, my apologies to the Minister. My recollection was that that was said during the clause-by-clause review and if my recollection is wrong, I sincerely apologize. But I guess I'd like to know, first off, just confirm with the Minister, will this bill apply to GNWT? Will it apply to Indigenous governments? Will it apply to municipal governments? What's the application of this bill. Thanks, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Chair. So this bill, the GNWT is exempt from provisions of this bill that other levels of government are not exempt from. And that's actually the current situation in the Northwest Territories right now under the current Mechanics' Lien Act. So this is a continuation of the status quo in terms of the application of the bill to governments. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Well, I guess I'm not really in favour of continuing what is probably not a good situation. You know, GNWT is the major contracting authority here in the Northwest Territories. Why doesn't this bind the GNWT? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. And there's been comments about protecting, you know, other -- protecting governments. The legislation's not about protecting governments, it's about ensuring that workers get paid. And the GNWT is not an entity that we're worried about being insolvent. There's not a concern that the GNWT won't pay their bills. There's -- you know, we hear concerns from the Members about when the bills get paid, but the issue isn't that they won't get paid. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. So okay, I got an explanation as to why the Minister and Cabinet believe that this shouldn't apply to GNWT. Why does it apply, then, to municipal governments? Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6744

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. Municipal governments don't have the same powers of taxation. They don't have the same revenue as the GNWT. And there's chances that they could be in a situation where they can't pay workers. And we also have to look at the bill as a whole and what is the point of the bill if, you know, we add more and more and more exclusions, then are we really fulfilling the spirit of this legislation. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. Yeah, that's kind of my thoughts exactly. If this doesn't apply to GNWT, why are we doing it? Will this bill apply to Indigenous governments and will it allow seizure and sale of Indigenous owned lands? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. Indigenous governments are bound -- would be bound by this act as well. And I will say that if municipalities and Indigenous governments were in the same position as the GNWT, they would then have to comply with other -- they'd have to abide by the surety bond section of the act, which would mean that they would have to have contracts that are bondable, which would have an impact on -- could have an impact on their ability to get people to do work in certain regions of the territory as well. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Okay, thanks, Madam Chair. I'll try the second part of my question again. Will this bill enable the seizure and sale of Indigenous owned lands? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Private lands can be seized and sold. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Member for Frame Lake.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. So will that include settlement lands; you know, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, some of the Sahtu entities, the Gwich'in Tribal Council actually own some lands surface, subsurface, sometimes both for the same parcel. This bill would enable seizure and sale of those settlement lands? I just want to confirm how GNWT's going to interpret this bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. So I will hand it to Mr. Yap for a more detailed explanation. Thank you.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Mr. Yap.

Committee Motion 503-19(2): Bill 65: Builders' Lien Act - New Clause 3.1, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 6745

Matthew Yap

Thank you, Madam Chair. To answer the Member's question, it really depends on the nature of the land in question and the terms of that land in the land claim or self-government agreement. So depending on how that land is structured or the type of ownership, it may or may not be. Thank you, Madam Chair.