The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, before we begin, I'd like to recognize Senator Dennis Patterson, former government leader, Minister, and Member of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Assembly from Frobisher Bay, or Iqaluit. Welcome.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake

Mr. Speaker, through strategic infrastructure investments, this government is committed to supporting the expansion and diversification of our economy, improving the quality of life for residents, and lowering the cost of living in the territory.

We have secured about $1.5 billion dollars in funding under various cost-sharing agreements with the Government of Canada. This funding will advance transformative strategic initiatives like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Slave Geological Province Corridor, and the Taltson Hydro Expansion projects, and will also support over a hundred other public infrastructure projects that is intended to help close the infrastructure gap between the North and southern Canada.

Mr. Speaker, through the Investing in Canada's Infrastructure Program, up to $590 million in federal funding will be provided for Indigenous, community, and territorial government projects across the Northwest Territories. More than $340 million of this funding has already been allocated and the rest has been earmarked for future projects. Our agreement for this program goes until 2033. Over $180 million is cost-shared under Transport Canada's National Trade Corridors Fund for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Slave Geological Province Corridor. There is also more than $240 million under Infrastructure's Canada's Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and the Small Communities Fund, for which our agreements currently end in 2028.

Mr. Speaker, these are just the highlights of the federal programs and critical projects the department is advancing for the benefit of Northwest Territories residents, with the continued support from the Government of Canada.

I am often asked why projects are not advancing faster, why construction does not start immediately after funding is announced, and why it appears that we are not spending the money we have for these projects. Mr. Speaker, there are many steps between filling out a funding application and getting shovels in the ground. These steps take time and are often completed behind the scenes, but they are essential to any successful project.

First, we conduct critical engagement and consultation and collect environmental, socio-economic, and technical research. This includes gathering input from those who may be impacted by these projects.

Then we begin the regulatory and permitting phase. This process is also dictated by law, often includes environmental assessments, followed by acquiring licenses, permits, and authorizations. This can take several years to complete.

Mr. Speaker, the regulatory and permitting phases inform project construction planning and final design. It is only after these pre-construction activities have been completed that a contractor can be procured and the project can advance to construction.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's negotiated contracts policy, which supports added benefits for local and Indigenous businesses, rarely aligns with some of the federal procurement policy. Decisions to negotiate sole source contracts with local or Indigenous businesses often add additional layers of federal approvals and further delays to a project's schedule. Overall, Mr. Speaker, for a project like a new road or a new transmission line, it could take several years to complete the necessary engagement, consultation, environmental and engineering work to apply for permits; several years to acquire the necessary permits; and then, several years to undertake construction. However, these are all necessary project steps that must be undertaken.

Typically, the bulk of a project's funding is provided for the construction phase. The front-end work takes substantial time to complete and uses less of the overall project budget. For projects that are fully funded, it can appear as though projects are progressing slowly and funds are not being spent. This is not the reality. Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to putting necessary behind-the-scenes work to advance our projects for the benefit of the residents and communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to bring economic opportunities to our people and reduce the cost of living to businesses and residents. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce a new focus on patient experience in the health and social services system. The Office of Client Experience offers a centralized point of contact for individuals to provide feedback, make a complaint, or ask any questions they have regarding the health and social services system. Staff are in the gallery and I will introduce them at the appropriate time.

The Office of Client Experience will provide support for all residents and their families when accessing health and social services, including system's navigation, client and family advocacy, and connecting clients with additional supports and resources. The office also supports system improvement and responsiveness, using client experience and feedback to inform changes needed to meet the goal of providing equitable and culturally-safe care and services.

Mr. Speaker, as part of the Office of Client Experience, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Indigenous Patient Advocate Program. Following direction from Regular Members, the Department of Health and Social Services collaborated with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the Indigenous Advisory Body to develop these positions as part of a new initiative and comprehensive approach to improving client experience. The Indigenous patient advocates will help Indigenous residents, their families and guests by providing advocacy and access to cultural, spiritual, emotional, and language supports. The advocates are located in NWT's acute care facilities which are Stanton Territorial Hospital, Inuvik Regional Hospital, the Hay River Health Centre, and the Fort Smith Health Centre.

To access services, individuals can call the Office of Client Experience toll free or email them. The details are available online or from your health centre. They can also ask to speak with an Indigenous patient advocate at any of the acute care facilities where they have been admitted.

Mr. Speaker, to ensure the Indigenous patient advocates are successful in supporting and advocating for Indigenous residents, they have been given a mandate for change. This is an essential element of the program to ensure the advocates can address and resolve systemic barriers or challenges. The Indigenous patient advocates are members of their regional senior management teams, ensuring Indigenous representation and participation at those decision-making tables.

The advocates make up a territorial team that reports to an Indigenous director, with a shared reporting relationship with the chief operating officer, or COO, for their region. This approach will provide support and guidance to the advocates, as well as a peer network to help counteract systemic racism experienced by Indigenous employees as they work to break down barriers and support residents to navigate the complex health and social services system.

Mr. Speaker, system change takes time but the implementation of the Office of Client Experience and the Indigenous Patient Advocate Program adds direct supports now that contribute to our goal of providing the best care possible for patients and clients, while also informing longer term system-level changes for a better future for all residents. I look forward to reporting progress on this new and exciting initiative again in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for MACA.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, managers, mission staff who represented Team Northwest Territories, better known as Team NT, at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games recently held in the Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Alberta. I also want to acknowledge those who are representing Team NT at the upcoming 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, scheduled from February 18th to March 5th.

It was exciting to finally see the return of the Arctic Winter Games after five years. Team NT had 347 participants strong, comprised of a diverse group of athletes who competed at 19 different sports. The Arctic Winter Games provide an opportunity for our coaches, officials, and athletes to engage with, and compete against, other circumpolar countries. Not only are the games an athletic competition, they are also the opportunity to promote social exchange and learn of cultural values from other countries and regions.

I would like to thank the Team NT's leaders: The chef de mission Mr. Bill Othmer and assistant chefs de mission Mr. Damon Crossman and Ms. Rita Mercredi, and the rest of the mission staff.

In addition to Team NT, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs was pleased to support the Northwest Territories Youth Ambassadors Program at the Arctic Winter Games. This program offers a wonderful volunteer experience for youth at major territorial, national, and international events. Participants work to develop life and job skills and to build the confidence necessary to deal with complex life challenges.

There were nine youth volunteering with the 2023 Arctic Winter Games host society who were between the ages of 16 to 19 in seven different communities across the Northwest Territories. Those youth are the role models and leaders of tomorrow, and I commend them for taking the opportunity to learn and grow by participating in this exciting volunteer experience.

In the coming days, Team NT will again be represented by 155 athletes and coaches competing in 11 sports at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. The Canada Games showcases the highest level of national competition for Canadian athletes and provides our national high-performance athletes a venue to compete with hopes of earning a spot on Team Canada for the Olympics or other international events.

I would like to wish the very best to our leaders for the Canada Winter Games: The chef de mission Ms. Rita Mercredi and assistant chef de mission Mr. Damon Crossman, as they and Team NT make their way to the games. I also want to recognize the many volunteers who are responsible for supporting Team NT. This includes Sport North Federation and territorial sport organizations volunteers who were responsible for selecting and managing teams. Volunteers are a significant and an important part of sport and recreation programs that contribute to a healthier Northwest Territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories is extremely proud to support our teams at both the Arctic and Canada Winter Games through financial assistance and a range of other programs that support development of coaches and athletes at the local, regional, territorial, and national levels.

For those of you still celebrating the success of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this truly wonderful experience. For those who are about to attend the Canada Winter Games, have fun, work hard, make us proud, as you always do. Go Team NT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. It's Valentine's Day and I want to send some love to our colleague on the other side.

On September 2nd, 2022, Cabinet significantly reduced the size of the land withdrawal for the reindeer grazing reserve. It's hard to tell how big the reductions are as there are no publicly available maps or calculations. But it has to be at least 75 percent. The reindeer grazing reserve and land withdrawal were first established in 1933 and then significantly expanded in 1952. I acknowledge that GNWT did consult the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in while reviewing the land withdrawal. I'm not against reviewing all of this but there should be a fair and transparent process as well.

The map I have seen of this significant land withdrawal reduction also shows how the Inuvialuit land selections, and possibly Gwich'in land selections, were constrained by this reindeer land withdrawal that was in place. It appears they weren't allowed to make land selections in there. Presumably the land withdrawal served some useful purpose back then. I am still trying to figure out what the actual reasons were for this land withdrawal reduction. When I did an internet search, one of the first items to pop up was a 2014 Canadian Press story about how the Conservative federal government planned to reduce the land withdrawal to facilitate oil and gas development. That was according to documents obtained under access to information. It looks like the Conservatives were not able to make these changes before they fell out of power in 2015 and devolution took place. It appears that GNWT has now finished that work begun by the Conservatives in reducing the size of the land withdrawal. Mr. Speaker, I will table that news story later today.

Perhaps the other reason for the reduction was the Inuvik Wind Turbine Project where GNWT did not want a little matter like a land withdrawal for conservation purposes to delay the project in any way. Rather than consult and make appropriate changes, GNWT continues to deny that that land withdrawal and designation actually means anything. Why should our government be constrained by plans or conservation areas anyway? I have lots of questions on why and how the land withdrawal for the reindeer grazing reserve was significantly reduced in size by this Cabinet. I am sure the Minister of Lands is looking forward to those questions later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Order. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a decade ago we knew the demand and competition for skilled workers would intensify with an aging workforce and people leaving the labour market in large numbers. Well, we're living in the future, Mr. Speaker, and it's safe to say our demand exceeds our expectation.

Labour shortage is something I hear about every month. Northerners and northern industries have big dreams and big opportunities but can't turn dreams into reality without skilled workers. Mr. Speaker, don't fall off your chair but I need to applaud Housing NWT as leaders in recognizing they have a role to play in workforce development.

Today, the GNWT is still the dominant northern employer in a Yellowknife-centric work environment and the dominant industry-driver outside of mining. This means that opportunities for developing skilled labour in many NWT communities rest squarely with opportunities afforded directly or indirectly through the GNWT. Housing NWT recognized this and built apprenticeship opportunities into their capital contracts requiring industry to offer local apprenticeship opportunities on each project. This practice needs to be adopted by all GNWT departments and this government needs to take youth development further.

ECE's SNAP, or the Schools North Apprenticeship Program, provides the perfect landscape for this. SNAP pairs high school students with employers so high school students can get valuable work skills and explore trades careers. Kids earn while they learn using GNWT wage subsidies and get a high school graduation credit for every 40 hours worked.

But Mr. Speaker, of 24 SNAP students, only two are located outside of Yellowknife and of 14 SNAP apprentices, again only two are located outside Yellowknife. Today, the South Slave, Deh Cho, and Sahtu have no SNAP students and the Deh Cho, Sahtu, and Beaufort Delta have no SNAP apprentices. The Beaufort Delta has 861 youth between 15 and 24, the Deh Cho there are 404, and in the Sahtu there are 371. Mr. Speaker, surely one from each of these regions is eager for the opportunities afforded by SNAP.

The GNWT needs to recognize itself as a northern employer and take its own place in youth skilled labour development. Local entrepreneurs aren't the only game in town, Mr. Speaker, and unfortunately in many of our small remote communities, there are no other options for SNAP students wanting to learn a trade other than GNWT learning opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, every NWT community should employ a SNAP student, and I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Mr. Speaker, spring breakup is just around the corner so let us talk harbour remediation. Mr. Speaker, once again, and in the off chance this government has forgotten, the community of Hay River has the largest inland port in western Canada. It is home to a Canadian coast guard base, a federal department of fisheries and oceans office; our own marine transportation service; and, what could be, a viable commercial fishing industry.

The community of Hay River is a major and significant component of our northern transportation corridor as well. It is where truck and rail freight from the south converge to be loaded onto barge destined for isolated communities, 21 north warning radar sites, and mine sites.

Mr. Speaker, last spring the buildup of sediments at the mouth of the East Channel of the Hay River reached a critical level and most likely contributed some to the devastating flooding that occurred. Last spring, summer, and fall, we saw MTS, coast guard, and commercial fishing vessels grounded on sandbars which resulted in damaged equipment, community resupply interruptions, and added cost for community resupply by air.

Mr. Speaker, we are aware that harbour remediation takes money and planning. This government has been waiting on the feds to pay and for the past 17 years it has not happened, so it is on us to fix it. Last fall, a bathymetric survey of the harbour was completed. That work was followed up with a visit to Ottawa by the Minister of Infrastructure and other Cabinet Members, who I understand discussed the issue of harbour remediation and the matter of some financial support for it.

Mr. Speaker, I was expecting the meeting would have resulted in the remediation of the channel prior to spring. Now my concern is that this government will do nothing but lay blame on the federal government, a story line that is becoming old. Mr. Speaker, this issue is critical, not only for the continued viability of Hay River but for our remote communities, our local and northern businesses, our fishing industry, the resource sector, and the livelihood of our residents and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I was hopeful that the Minister of Infrastructure would have fixed the problem with a winter dredging program. She still has time to make us proud and keep her name off the long list of prior Ministers who were unsuccessful in addressing this issue. Thank You.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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