The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to equitable levels of supported living services. We want to help them live as independently as possible in their own homes, or in accommodations provided by a supported living service provider. To advance our commitment, we conducted a comprehensive territorial review of supported living services to identify gaps in service, future demand, and best practices. The goal is a renewed person and family-centered, culturally safe, and inclusive model for delivering supported living services right here in the NWT.

Later today, I will be tabling the Supported Living Review Report. It provides recommendations for improving supported living services, as well as the GNWT's response to the report.

Mr. Speaker, supported living services provide 24-hour support and supervision for individuals unable to live independently due to physical, cognitive, and/or mental health issues. These services are provided in Inuvik, Hay River, K'atlodeeche First Nation, and Yellowknife. When there is limited capacity within the NWT to provide the necessary supports for more complex needs, residents are provided with supported living services outside the territory.

The NWT Supported Living Review responds to a commitment made following public engagement for the 2017 Disability Program Review and Renewal Project. The review revealed inadequate access to equitable and supportive housing and support services for adults with disabilities across the NWT. A critical piece of the Supported Living Review was to hear and understand the needs of residents, so we conducted extensive engagement. The list included supported living clients and their families, persons with disabilities, Indigenous governments, and service providers. Engagement also included interviews, a survey, and both virtual and in-person public sessions in all regional centers. An advisory group of persons with disabilities, or their caregivers, was also established to gather knowledge, advice, and feedback from persons with lived experience.

Mr. Speaker, findings from the review show that the current system is complex to access, lacks community-based service options, and is under-resourced to meet the range of needs in-territory. The review provides 33 recommendations for

• improving the scope of services;
• standards and oversight;
• workforce development; and
• client-focused services.

The GNWT has accepted 12 recommendations where work can begin with existing resources and has accepted in principle the remaining 21 recommendations pending additional resources to implement them.

The Department of Health and Social Services and the NWT Health and Social Services Authority have established a working group which will advance on the accepted recommendations. They will also help identify the additional resources to implement the recommendations accepted in principle. By advancing the recommendations, the scope of supported living services will be brought in-line with the objectives and goals of the NWT Disability Strategic Framework and the best practices for supporting adults with disabilities and their caregivers. It will also provide the framework for the GNWT to monitor the outcome, efficiency, and effectiveness of supported living services.

Mr. Speaker, supported living services are essential supports needed by adults with disabilities and their caregivers. This review has provided a comprehensive understanding of current services, and we will action the recommendations to make meaningful change in the lives of NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Monsieur le President, as we enter the month of March, we recognize Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. As the Minister responsible for the Official Languages Act, it is encouraging to see such awareness, involvement, and celebration of all of the Northwest Territories' 11 official languages.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, a celebration by Canada's ten million French-speakers, and all Canadians, in recognition of French language and culture. This year, the theme is Celebrations, with a focus across the country on joy, festivities, gathering, and fun.

Monsieur le President, in the Northwest Territories we have much to celebrate. Last September, this government launched a Francophone stream of the Northwest Territories nominee program to attract foreign nationals to the NWT whose skills are aligned with workforce needs. This action of the 2017-2022 Immigration Strategy recognizes the contributions of French-speaking immigrants to the strength and prosperity of our country and to the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of the Northwest Territories.

Celebrating and building our Francophone community also means developing government services, resources, and communications to serve them in French. The GNWT continues to make progress in this area. In 2021-2022, the GNWT translated a record high 3.27 million words into French. We also saw a record number of GNWT staff receiving the bilingual bonus for French, at 188 individuals. According to the 2022 Francophone Community Satisfaction Survey, 77 per cent of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of service they receive from the GNWT in French.

Monsieur le President, this is great progress, but we always strive to do better. This is why a third-party review of the strategic plan on French language communications and services occurs every five years. In September 2022, the public was invited to provide input on the strategic plan, and I thank all those who took the time to contribute. The third-party report and government response will be published in the coming months, before informing the development of the next strategic plan.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, I would like to recognize the Northwest Territories' vibrant Franco-ténoise community - the people, businesses, and organizations who continue to be significant contributors to this territory's social, economic, and cultural development. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for my statement today I am going to join my colleagues in talking about the various aspects of energy in the NWT. First, I want to mention an issue that has been brought up by several Members throughout this Assembly, including myself, and that issue is about the board of directors at the NTPC Power Corp.

Mr. Speaker, in May of 2016, the Minister at the time for NTPC had decided to dissolve NTPC's board of directors and replace the six-person board with deputy ministers from various NWT departments. The rationale for that decision was to cut costs at NTPC and save $1 million per year. Well, it's now been seven years since that decision was made, and NTPC still has a board of directors consisting solely of deputy ministers, and it's unclear when an actual board of ordinary NWT residents will be restored.

Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important the board of directors for any corporation to be made up of a variety of individuals with unique backgrounds and skills that are relevant to the company they serve. It's also important for the board to be impartial and independent minded, which is not the case with the current board of deputy ministers at NTPC. I strongly hope to see a new board of directors appointed as soon as possible, and I hope when that finally happens that they will work together and will support the new president of NTPC.

Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I also want to reiterate my steadfast support for the expansion of the Talston hydro dam. This project has been a mandate item for the 19th Assembly, and I'm sure the work on that project will carry over into the 20th Assembly as well. The expansion of the Taltson will be instrumental for the Government of the Northwest Territories to achieve our emission targets within our 2030 Energy Strategy. I know there are some in this House who oppose this project, but I consider it an essential piece of infrastructure that will benefit the people of the NWT for the long term. Overall, Mr. Speaker, I hope to see our government move forward very soon with removing the current NTPC board of directors and replacing them with a group of people that are more representative of the diverse people of the NWT. I remain optimistic that the future members of the board will provide good direction and fresh ideas for NTPC to consider in the years ahead, and I'm sure the new NTPC president would also welcome a new board of directors as he leads the power corp towards achieving all the energy-related mandate items that we created in this Assembly. I will have questions for the Minister responsible for NTPC Power Corp later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm offing today, so. Mr. Speaker, the North American Indigenous Games will take place in and around Halifax from July 15th to 23rd this summer, with a multitude of sports.

Mr. Speaker, many Indigenous athletes and volunteers from the Northwest Territories have been looking forward to taking part in this event and, for some, they now find their dreams may be dashed due to a requirement to show proof of vaccination. It's the role of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games host society board and staff to ensure the games follow all policies and requirements established by the North American Indigenous Games Council, including the vaccine requirement which they have made mandatory for participation in this event.

Mr. Speaker, some of our northern athletes and volunteers are questioning why it is that these games are open only to those that can show proof of vaccination, while the province of Nova Scotia, where the games will take place, states that, and I quote, "Proof of full vaccination is no longer required to participate in discretionary, nonessential events and activities that gather people together (like going to restaurants, movies, sports events, theatre performances, social events, and the gym)."

Mr. Speaker, I find it hard to believe that I am still speaking about COVID vaccination requirements considering gathering restrictions have been lifted throughout most of Canada and the United States. I would expect that the decision to include and implement such a policy would be based on science and would align with current public health guidelines and advice throughout Canada and the United States. We have seen many sporting events, such as the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2023 Arctic Winter Games, the Canada Winter Games, and the Ontario Hockey Federation, remove the restrictive COVID-19 proof of vaccination requirements for participants.

Speaker, these individuals are aware that organizations, such as North American Indigenous Games, have the choice to implement their own vaccination policies. However, just as we had science to prove vaccinations worked and most complied, we have science saying it is not a reasonable requirement anymore and may even be subject to a Charter challenge. It is important we continue to embrace that science and move towards a collective approach in lifting vaccine requirements for events such as the North American Indigenous Games. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, not doing so will take away not only the dreams of our Indigenous youth but opportunities for each to rise as ambassadors, role models, professional athletes, and find success in future endeavors, all due to participating in sports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All of us in this House swore allegiance to the King of England and, you know, some of us begrudgingly but, Mr. Speaker, there is one monarch we can all support, and that is the Snowking, Mr. Speaker. And I am happy to report, Mr. Speaker, that the snow castle is officially open today and thanks to the support of some generous MLAs, it is free for all Members to attend today. 28 years, they've been building the snow castle, Mr. Speaker. I encourage everyone to get down there, enjoy it. There's a great lineup of shows and events, lots of good concerts and fun for the whole family. So everyone, check out the snow castle and support the monarchy, Mr. Speaker.

Twenty eight years is a long time, Mr. Speaker. But it's not as long as another anniversary this year, which is 75 years ago we built the Snare hydro system, Mr. Speaker. And I'm going to have some questions for the Minister of Infrastructure on what we're doing as that crucial asset comes to its end of life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the relationship between the Northwest Territories Power Corporation and the Government of the Northwest Territories is complex. However, it should not be. But we have made it complex by bringing the work of NTPC into the GNWT. The NTPC board should be an independent decision-making body that should be informed by experts who have knowledge of our region. Instead, it's being run by government deputy ministers and Cabinet. We currently have six deputy ministers sitting on the board, navigating this work off the side of their desks.

Mr. Speaker, the intent of an arm's length decision-making body is that it removes the political influence from major projects and operations. It allows for informed decisions that support residents, creates non-political understanding of the capacity of our regions, and seeks partnerships that will create positive change to energy security efforts. However, that is not how we currently operate, Mr. Speaker. NTPC is facing an aging energy infrastructure and mounting operational debts. How can we tell our residents that NTPC's strategic decisions are being made with the best interests when Northerners continue to pay increased power rates? As the cost of maintaining and upgrading the energy infrastructure is so expensive, the current governance model does not allow for innovation or independence from government. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Thank you.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.