This is page numbers 5087 - 5122 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 housing.

Topics

Edjericon

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was elected on February 10th, 2022, on by-election for the Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding. In October 2019, the newly elected MLA Members went to a retreat to bring forward all their goals and mandates for the respected communities from this retreat. The GNWT tabled their four-year mandate plan, and it has been one year, on February 10th, 2022, I was elected as MLA for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh riding. Not one Minister, not one deputy minister, or the Premier approached me on the needs and wants for my riding. Despite I made every effort to work in Cabinet to be heard, but no meeting took place to my requested date.

As the MLA for my riding, I'm sitting on committees on various overall government operations and from what I can see, this government is status quo, and the departments are moving forward with their four-year mandate with no consultation or accommodation with my riding on the community's needs or infrastructure projects. Again, this government knows best on what is needed in all communities in the NWT, including my riding.

I raised my constituent issues with the Premier, Cabinet, and Minister in the fall session where I said the train left the station and there was no way to throw on constituent issues and baggage on to the moving train with the door closed. So it doesn't matter what I say or do, this government wants me to support the 2023-2024 budget with no consultation or accommodation for the communities in any riding is deeply concerning. In the 2022-2023 budget, the GNWT allocated $3.4 million for public housing repairs. On April 14th, 2022, Northern Affairs Canada announced a $60 million federal housing dollars to address the urgent housing crisis in the NWT and allocation to be determined.

The housing crisis allocation was determined and decided by the NWT Housing Corporation at the time to use the $30 million that is Indigenous money to fix up public housing units and assets. They did not address the real housing crisis promised in their public announcement for all 33 communities in the Northwest Territories. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget, the GNWT will be spending another $30 million, CIRNAC dollars, again to fix up public housing units.

I'll be asking the Premier and Minister to work with Indigenous governments to allocate the $30 million through the contribution agreement so Indigenous governments can address their own housing crisis. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for over a decade Canadians have acknowledged the growing shortage of speech-language pathologists, especially in school settings. These services are critical for all children to access education equitably. The deficit is due, in part, to the limited number of openings in graduate programs and the increased need for speech-language pathologists as their scope of practice widens, rates of neuro-divergent children grows, and classrooms play catchup in a post-pandemic world. Also, we have an aging population.

This national shortage impacts education outcomes in the NWT and was recognized as an NWT-specific concern by the 2020 Office of the Auditor General's report on education.

The audit concluded that in the decade since its previous education audit that Education, Culture and Employment had "improved its support for delivering inclusive schooling but more work was required" and that the department did not provide "adequate guidance and training for support assistants", and adding, "the needs of all students were not being met."

Mr. Speaker, low staffing levels have continued to force Health and Social Services to reorganize its service delivery of speech-language services. But we aren't the only jurisdiction experiencing high demand and low staffing for speech-language services. Our sister territory Nunavut experienced the same and has creatively addressed this through a partnership with Ongomiizwin Health Services through the University of Manitoba. Through this partnership, they provide occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and physiotherapy to all students in Nunavut. Referrals are sent directly from the schools to the Department of education, which then works with the Ongomiizwin coordinator. Schools receive one to two in-person therapist visits throughout the school year. And between visits, therapists provide virtual support via video conferencing with the students or ongoing support through constant email contact between teachers and therapists.

In the NWT, last year's wait times to access speech services ranged from two months in Fort Smith to half a year or more in Yellowknife. Six months is more than half of a school year. This is far too long for students to wait for services critical to equitable access to education.

Our children cannot wait for a decade-long shortage to right itself. This government needs to look at creative solutions like community-based paraprofessionals, funded teletherapies, and partnerships that work for teachers in the child's best interests. Without these innovative solutions, the needs of NWT students will continue to go unmet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We all know we're in a health crisis and getting to see a doctor is harder and harder. And there are many steps we can take but one I would like to speak about today is giving our pharmacists, who go to school for many years and quite frankly often know the drugs they are prescribing better than the doctors themselves, the ability to prescribe basic medications. This is a recommended practice by Health Canada. All ten provinces will be able to provide this service in 2023, including the Yukon. But here in the Northwest Territories, we are falling far behind in what our pharmacists are capable of doing. There is a recommended list of minor ailments that Health Canada recommends pharmacists can prescribe as well as the limited ability to renew certain prescriptions. They estimate that this reduces emergency room visits by 35 percent, Mr. Speaker. Emergency room visits are vastly more expensive than a visit to the pharmacist.

At this point, Mr. Speaker, almost every other jurisdiction in Canada has done this. I will have questions for the Minister of health of when we can introduce changes to our Pharmacy Act and give a long-needed power to our pharmacists to help their clients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and refereeing the Paul Stipdonk Memorial Soccer Tournament. It was the first time since the pandemic cancelling the last couple of years. As I stated previously in this House, this tournament is a bit unique in that we don't keep score, teams are mixed up, and we do not have a winner or loser. The focus is on the youth having fun and playing the sport; something the namesake was all about. Besides playing the sport, the youth are given the opportunity to attend a skills competition event on Saturday.

This year we had athletes from Sambaa K'e and Fort Simpson. They were great sportsmen and ambassadors of their respective communities. It was amazing to see all their smiling faces and the fun they had over the weekend.

I am proud to say that Fort Simpson youth were great hosts and really enjoyed the games as they made new friends from the region. I was proud to say that parents and family of the athletes, whether they were from the community or from out of town, did an amazing job cheering and encouraging the youth. It was awesome to see the stands and the hall full of supporters.

Mr. Speaker, a special shout-out goes to the Mackenzie Recreation Association, Municipal and Community Affairs, the Village of Fort Simpson recreation staff, who kept the facility nice and clean, and most importantly Roslyn Firth and Jacqueline Whelly who dedicated many hours of organizing and making sure the event ran smoothly. To the speed skaters' mom, thank you for catering the whole weekend.

I would like to thank the Fort Simpson high performance athletes for being the coaches of the teams, helpers, and being great role models to the youth. It was great to see this capacity being built. I take great pride when I see young athletes paying back to the sport.
In closing I would like to use the words provided by one of the organizers: "A big special thank you to the Stipdonk family for letting us to honour their husband, dad, grandfather, and friend in a way that brings so many smiles to the youth."

Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues to give them a big round of applause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Members' statements. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome my new constituency assistant Maggie Mercredi to the Chamber. Maggie is a long-time constituent of Great Slave, both as a youngster and currently, and I'm very excited to have her working with me. Thank you very much.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a constituent of mine, Louis Sebert. He's also a friend of mine, even though he ran against me in the last election.

I also want to recognize the Kole Crook Fiddlers and thank them for being here today, and especially Noah Coup who is one of my constituent's son. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

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Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize the Kole Crook Fiddlers. And I'd like to recognize, even though they're not here, they were here, Sumara Wilson, Jackson Fuller, Blair Engdon, Linda Duford, Darcy Deloriea, Navia Beck.

I'd also like to recognize Mr. Lou Sebert, a previous MLA, and a fellow lawyer as well. And he could just as well be sitting here next to me, and I wouldn't mind it. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

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Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Kam Lake is very proud to have a few pages joining us this week. We have Kristine White, Rider Jensen, and Sarah Mercer that are representing Kam Lake as pages in the House. So thank you very much.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize the fiddlers today as well too. I'd like to recognize Lucas Tutcho of Deline and Emerson Stewart of Tulita.

I'd also like to welcome Mr. Louis Sebert as well. I did have the opportunity of meeting him when I did work for Department of Lands. He did visit the Sahtu as Minister responsible for Department of Lands. Mahsi. Thank you.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Sahtu. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act.

Bill 62 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 2, 2022 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review. The standing committee held a public hearing and clause-by-clause review on January 18, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Committee Report 38-19(2), the Standing Committee on Government Operations report on the review of Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Well, after I read this report I hope you'll accept it.

---Laughter

Standing Committee on Government Operations report on Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 2.

Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 2, received second reading on November 2nd, 2022, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review. Bill 62 would amend the Income Tax Act to harmonize this legislation with the federal government as required under the Canada-Northwest Territories Tax Collection Agreement. Specifically, Bill 62:

  • Allows the Canada Revenue Agency to share NWT-specific taxpayer data with Finance Canada to support better tax policy design and analysis;.
  • Removes federally repealed provisions used to address various COVID-19 relief measures; and.
  • Ensures the Income Tax Act is consistent with federal provisions and complies with the Canada-Northwest Territories Tax Collection Agreement.

Committee Accepts GNWT Request to Amend

On January 16, 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories informed committee that it was seeking additional changes to Bill 62. After the government introduced Bill 62, the Department of Finance discovered the effective dates contained in the bill did not agree with the corresponding measures in the federal tax legislation that had different retroactive effective dates. Without the proper effective dates, the Canada Revenue Agency would be non-compliant with the Income Tax Act when administering the territorial income tax regime. Originally, clause 13 of Bill 62 proposed:

13.1 Subject to subsections (2) to (5), this Act comes into force on assent.

13.2 Subsection 5(1) is deemed to have come into force January 1, 2018.

13.3 Subsection 5(2) is deemed to have come into force November 30, 2020.

13.4 Section 7 is deemed to have come into force March 25, 2020.

13.5 Section 12 is deemed to have come into force March 25, 2020.

To correct the coming into force dates, the department drafted a proposed motion that read: that Bill 62 be amended by deleting clause 13 and substituting the following:

13.1 Subject to subsections (2) to (6), this Act is deemed to have come into force January 1, 2022.

13.2 Section 4 is deemed to have come into force January 1, 2023.

13.3 Subsection 5(1) is deemed to have come into force January 1, 2018.

13.4 Subsection 5(2) is deemed to have come into force July 1, 2021.

13.5 Section 7 is deemed to have come into force March 25, 2020.

13.6 Section 8 is deemed to have come into force March 25, 2020.

In response to questions, the Minister of Finance said there would be no delays in bringing forward these proposed amendments. She further explained that the need for retroactive dates were a result of delays in federal changes, the details of which she would try to find and provide separately to committee. The Minister also said that there were no lost revenues to the GNWT because of these changes.

Committee was satisfied with the rationale for the changes and the wording of the motion. Therefore, committee agreed to and passed the motion, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, during its public hearing and clause-by-clause review on January 18, 2022.

BILL 62 TO ALLOW DISCLOSURE ON COST OF NWT TAX CREDITS

During the public hearing, the Minister of Finance expressed her understanding that Bill 62 would allow the federal government to disclose the fiscal cost of the territory's tax credits. At present, neither the main estimates nor the public accounts report on the revenue lost from most territorial tax credits. Only a few tax credits - the carbon tax offset, the cost of living offset, and the NWT child benefit - are reported. More than a dozen others, such as the NWT political contribution tax credit, the disability amount, and the dividend tax credit, appear to be unreported.

At committee's review of the 2020- 2021 Public Accounts, the Comptroller General suggested that the federal government does not provide the Department of Finance with disaggregated data on tax credits. She reported that the federal government collects territorial income taxes, distributes territorial tax credits, and returns the net tax revenues to the Government of the Northwest Territories. This situation may imply that the Department of Finance cannot access information to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of territorial tax credits.

Committee wants to see more public disclosure on the cost of each territorial tax credit. Enhanced disclosure could inform better tax and fiscal policymaking. It would also correct a significant fiscal reporting gap to improve transparency and accountability to taxpayers. Committee welcomes the ways Bill 62 will allow the federal government and the Department of Finance to disclose more information on territorial tax credits.

Conclusion

The committee reports Bill 62, as amended, to the Legislative Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Yellowknife North.

Motion to receive Committee Report 38-19(2) into the House, Carried
Reports Of Committees On The Review Of Bills

February 7th, 2023

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that the Committee Report 38-19(2), the Standing Committee on Government Operations report on the review of Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.