This is page numbers 5187 - 5214 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 work.

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R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The last major amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act were in 2015. There have been amendments in 2017, 2018, and 2019. But since March, the department has been focusing on getting its current initiatives over the finish line. This is really the busiest time of the year, and we're trying to get everything wrapped up so there has not been work on the Residential Tenancies Act; however, the rental officer, in the annual reports, has been putting forward recommendations and so, you know, this is a live issue that the Member is talking about. So it will be considered early in the next Assembly when the department undertakes a review of the Residential Tenancies Act. Thank you.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've seen on social media that a petition has been started to instill a maximum rent or rent cap for the NWT. Is this something that the Department of Justice could work on proactively ahead of receiving this petition? Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, again, all of the resources of the department are tied up right now, and so there won't be any work on this. But it will inform the work that will be done in the next government. In 2014, prior to those 2015 amendments I mentioned, there was a significant amount of work done looking into capping rent; however, it was ultimately decided not to proceed down that road.

We really do need to take a look at the housing market in the territory and ensure that whatever we do does not hinder any future development because although a rent cap would, I'm sure, help a number of people, more houses would help more people. So it is a balance that needs to be struck. But we don't want to see people being evicted because of, you know, increases of 50 percent on their rent. So it is a live issue, and I'm sure the department will consider it in the next government. Thank you.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yeah, it's actually a really live problem given that some people's rent just recently went up $1,000 a month here in Yellowknife, in the Premier's riding actually. So I'm not sure if she's done anything about it, but I'm highly doubtful, so does the Minister -- my apologies, Mr. Speaker.

Does the Minister have any plans to deal with the Birchwood Apartment situation that is ongoing right now? Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would need a bit more description about what the Member is referring to by "the Birchwood Apartment situation." Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, clearly the Minister does not have his ear to the ground. It's the only thing that I've been seeing all over social media right now is this increase in rent which can only really be called a forced eviction. It's shocking to me to hear a Minister say that he is not live to the situation of what is going on here in the capital.

I'm going to move on, though, because I think my opinions of this Cabinet are pretty clear.

News articles have pointed out that there is a new tenants' association being formed. Are any plans being made to collaborate with this new tenants' association or to commit to creating a working committee or a working group with the tenants? Thank you.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have my ear to the ground and my nose to the grindstone. I was not familiar with the name of the apartment building. I am familiar with the situation that the Member is speaking about. As I stated, any work on this is going to have to happen after we complete the initiatives that are currently underway. So either later in this government or early in the next government. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today was on the federal government restrictions on extended year for the moratorium.

Mr. Speaker, where does my Premier stand and what is she doing to ensure that the offshore oil and gas moratorium gets lifted at this next and final -- I'm hoping the final deadline; where does she stand and this government stand? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to try to keep this precise but I've got a lot to say on this. Where I stand personally? I have concerns about it. Where we stand professionally, basically we're really saying like you need to consult with us. That was a promise that was made. I do know that the natural gas and the light crude in the Beaufort Delta actually creates less pollution than many other major energy sources in the world. So we do have things to offer up there.

What have we done about it? There was a letter sent on June 22nd to Minister of northern affairs Daniel Vandal, from myself, expressing my disappointment in the unilateral decision.

I also met with the Northern Premiers from the three territories and raised my concerns. The three Northern Premiers also sent a letter on July 22nd -- or 2022 about the unilateral decision. I've had a personal/impersonal meetings with the Minister of northern affairs a couple of times and expressed my disappointment as well. I've had two meetings with the Prime Minister in May and December 2022, stating my disappointment in the unilateral decision. Officials, as well, have been meeting between September and December, just recently, with the officials federally and expressing their disappointment.

My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that the federal government at first said it was their decision, they weren't willing to discuss it any further; however, they've made some movement. They have assured me that they will be bringing the science-based review on the offshore moratorium, that they will be engaging with the communities, and the Inuvialuit regional -- region, and we're looking forward to that engagement. They're also talking about releasing the results publicly. And hopefully they will be looking at working with the GNWT to build our economy because they can't take the major economy from the Beaufort Delta and not substitute it, Mr. Speaker. On that, I'll just stop. Thank you.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to remind everybody this is a settled land claim, which was done 39 years ago, and our federal government goes and shuts us down for our only way of living basically in regards to that, taking the -- I guess taking food off the table, giving us -- getting everybody on income support.

Mr. Speaker, what is the federal government giving the Government of the Northwest Territories to compensate the Beaufort Delta on not -- in taking away? What are they giving us? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I'm actually glad that the Member is bringing this issue in the House. I do know that the federal government does monitor our sessions, and I'm hoping they'll hear his words as well. These are the exact concerns that we have brought forward to the federal government. To this date, they haven't made; all they've said is they will work with us on reviewing the science-based review. They will support us in some of our building our economy, but they haven't given me a direct answer on that. And those are the questions that I would like answered from the federal government as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I brought up the moratorium and M18 project that's going to put people to work in my home community and the whole Beaufort Delta, in regards to the M18 project just outside of Tuk on 7(1)(a) lands, which is owned by the people of Tuk and under the Inuvialuit final agreement. 39 years ago it was signed again, Mr. Speaker. Again, the federal government goes and puts it under review.

Again, what are they giving us, Mr. Speaker? What are they going to give to the people of the Inuvialuit settlement region for the holdup for the M18 project? What's going to happen; what are they giving us? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I'll take that more as a comment; it's a reiteration of what he said. What are they giving us, and that's the question I am asking as well - what are they giving us? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.

Jackie Jacobson

Jackie Jacobson Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to tell my Premier that please stand up for the people of my riding and the people of the Inuvialuit settlement region, and the whole Beaufort Delta, in regards to this moratorium. And we need help. Help us help you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput; more of a comment. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. In my statement earlier today, I covered two aspects of the closure of the Diavik mine, on whether GNWT was going to take over the airstrip and what role, if any, GNWT is playing with regard to transition planning for NWT-based employees. I'm going to ask my questions of the Premier because they cut across a few different departments. So can the Premier tell us whether GNWT has decided to take over the Diavik airstrip at closure? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm deferring those questions to the Minister of Finance who should be able to give comprehensive answers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Premier. Minister responsible for Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the comment around the airstrip, I understand, arose with respect to materials that are now in the registry of the land and water board. Mr. Speaker, it's the land and water board that notes in its revision that it requires Diavik to include a statement of willingness to participate in discussions with government and other interested parties to assess the fate of the airstrip. So, Mr. Speaker, I gather that their statement of willingness to accept an expression of interest really is them complying with what is required of them by the land and water board. There's not been any request on behalf of the GNWT for that. But, again, certainly would expect that they would continue to comply with what's required of them as expected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to thank the Minister for that. Maybe I'm a little bit not understanding here but Diavik has indicated they want to hear from our government on whether the GNWT wants to take over this airstrip. So what is the answer? Clearly Diavik will save money by not having to reclaim the airstrip and the new owner will incur liabilities and expenses related to its ongoing operations and maintenance and ultimate reclamation.

So, can the Premier tell us whether Diavik has offered to cover these liabilities and/or whether GNWT will ask for these costs as part of any takeover arrangement? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.