This is page numbers 5615 - 5640 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.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope there can be buy-in from our Indigenous governments and we can all find a path to move forward on this. I think there are a number of options.

My next question is, you know, even if you get one of those leases you can't live in them; you can't get a real mortgage. There's a lot of kind of limitations. I think the easiest solution here is that for long-term leaseholders that we create some sort of policy that allows them to get title in appropriate circumstances. Is there any path forward for long-term leaseholders to get fee simple title? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member is aware, we are wrapping up the review of the land lease-only policy, and I committed to providing the results prior to the end of this sitting. However, we are aware that land resources and self-government agreements are under negotiations, and we continue to work to ensure that land is managed appropriately under these agreements that are under negotiations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The current process of new leases seems to be recreational leases, and I'm not really sure where that stems from. I know many people live illegally in their recreational leases. They use them as residential leases. Is there any path forward to if we're not going to get title and we're not going to have new leases, allowing a mechanism where a recreational lease can become a residential lease? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands recognized there may be lessees who have utilized their cabin or dwelling as a residence. There has been longstanding discussion with recreational lessees regarding what restrictions may be in place regarding their occupancy. Issues related to increased waste and fuel storage when people occupy these dwellings on an increased or full-time basis needs to be considered. The department is working to address lease conditions that allow for permanent residency within certain leases under the Public Lands Act and regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Final supplementary. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the other frustrations I've heard is from the people who aren't allowed to live in their leases is they're also not allowed to run any sort of business activity out of them; you know, whether that's as simple as making wood stoves or doing wood haul or it's something like renting out your cabin from time to time. I know there's kind of an insatiable demand for cabin rentals but it's not currently legal under the leases. Is there any path to allow some sort of home-based or commercial business activity in leases? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for the question. Current provisions for recreational or residential leases does not allow for commercial activities such as an Airbnb. Having a home business or a B and B is considered a commercial endeavour. In most jurisdictions, it requires a commercial lease as well as business license. Commercial leases are available to the public now in appropriate zoned areas. If this is a desire, lessees should reach out to the department to discuss the parameters for changing the use of their lease and potential issues that may need to be considered regarding regulations to address this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Written questions. Returns to written questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Annual Reports for the Education Bodies of the Northwest Territories for the 2021-2022 School Year, ending June 30th, 2022, volumes 1 and 2. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They're thin but they're still important. I wish to table the following two documents: Socio-economic Agreement Program Review Summary Report; and, Northwest Territories Tourism 2023/24 Marketing Plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services 2021-2022 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 29, 60, 61, 63, 66, and 67, Committee Report 40-19(2), Committee Report 43-19(2), Committee Report 44-19(2), Committee Report 45-19(2), Minister's Statement 264-19(2), Tabled Document 681-19(2), Tabled Document 694-19(2), Tabled Document 813-19(2), with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Member for Kam Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Madam Chair, your committee wishes to consider Tabled Document 813-19(2), 2023-2024 Main Estimates, Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Does committee agree?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will proceed with the first item. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, do you have witnesses?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Yes, I do.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. I have Mr. John MacDonald, the deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment. As well as Mr. Mike Saturnino, the assistant deputy minister of labour and income security. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Welcome. Committee, we are going to be continuing on with Department of Education, Culture and Employment. And we are on the section labour development and advanced education, beginning on page 57 with information items on page 58 and 59. Are there questions from committee? Member for Kam Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I am seeing a significant decrease in the top line item of advanced education and strategic initiatives. And I'm wondering if the Minister can speak to why we're seeing such a huge gap between the revised estimates for 2022-2023 and the main estimates for 2023-2024. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 5621

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of ECE.