Debates of March 30th, 2023
This Hansard is the unedited transcript and will be replaced by the final copy soon (generally within 5 business days). In the meantime, direct quotes should not be used, when the final is published it will seamlessly replace this unedited copy and any existing links should still work.
This is from 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.
Topics
- Oral Questions
- Members Present
- Prayer
- Minister's Statement 347-19(2): Draft Homelessness Strategy
- Minister's Statement 348-19(2): Combined Mental Wellness and Addictions Fund
- Minister's Statement 349-19(2): Review of Land lease-Only Policy
- Minister's Statement 347-19(2): Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership
- Member's Statement 1500-19(2): Carbon Tax
- Member's Statement 1501-19(2): Lands
- Member's Statement 1502-19(2): Spring has Sprung
- Member's Statement 1503-19(2): Substance Abuse Rates in the Northwest Territories
- Member's Statement 1504-19(2): Announcement of Seeking Re-Election and Farewell Message to Clerk Mercer
- Member's Statement 1505-19(2): Bison Jamboree in Fort Providence
- Member's Statement 1506-19(2): Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #94
- Member's Statement 1507-19(2): Inuvik Muskrat jamboree and Farewell Message to Clerk Mercer
- Member's Statement 1508-19(2): Youth Voices of the Northwest Territories
- Member's Statement 1509-19(2): Order of the Northwest Territories Recipient Joanne Deneron
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 1494-19(2): Indigenous Harvesting Rights
- Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
- Question 1496-19(2): Doctrine of Discovery
- Question 1497-19(2): Taltson Hydro Expansion
- Question 1498-19(2): Business Incentive Policy Process
- Question 1499-19(2): Carbon Tax Increase
- Question 1500-19(2): Dempster Highway Repair
- Question 1501-19(2): Request a New School for Behchoko
- Question 1502-19(2): Northwest Territories Infrastructure Support
- Question 1503-19(2): Hay River Harbour Remediation
- Question 1504-19(2): Request for New School for Dettah
- Question 1505-19(2): Hay River Area Flood Mitigation Measures
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery(reversion)
- Reply 3-19(2):
- Tabled Document 917-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 81: An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2 Tabled Document 918-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 82: Legal Profession Act Tabled Document 919-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 1402-19(2): Cooperation Between Income Support and Child and Family Services
- Tabled Document 920-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 83: Liquor Act Tabled Document 921-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 84: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act Tabled Document 922-19(2): 2022 Socio-Economic Agreement: Social Data Report Tabled Document 923-19(2): Let's Talk Agriculture: Have Your Say Online Survey Result
- Tabled Document 924-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act Tabled Document 925-19(2): A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories
- Tabled Document 926-19(2): Member's Attendance Report
- Motion 78-19(2): Extended Adjournment of the House to May 23, 2023, Carried
- Motion 79-19(2): Expression of Gratitude to Clerk, Tim Mercer, for Dedicated and Exemplary Service, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Bill 80: Dental Hygienists Profession Statute Amendment Act, Carried
- Bill 81: An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2, Carried
- Bill 82: Legal Profession Act, Carried
- Bill 83: Liquor Act, Carried
- Bill 84: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act, Carried
- Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act, Carried
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Bill 68: An Act to Amend the Child Day Care Act, Carried As Amended
- Recorded Vote
- Assent To Bills
- Orders Of The Day
Question 1494-19(2): Indigenous Harvesting Rights
Oral Questions
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, I can honestly say we've had this conversation with the Member, and I greatly appreciate him asking this question in the House.
All available public land can be viewed on Atlas, the department website management system. If that's a problem, they can go into the department and talk to the staff there and check the website itself and we are more than willing to help there. Commercial operations interested in public lands may work with land administration to determine the land availability as well. An application may submit lease applications for any available land to, you know, if it's available in the lease. But also what we need to be aware that we still have to go through the review and consultation process that we follow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1494-19(2): Indigenous Harvesting Rights
Oral Questions
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Finance confirm if she plans to meet with the federal government to relay this government's opposition and concerns around the carbon tax. Thank you.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Finance.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Yes, Mr. Speaker. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I've already conveyed that message today to one minister, Minister Vandal. I intend to convey that message to Minister Guilbeault. I will hopefully convey that message to Minister Wilkinson. And it's my hope that it's not only about the opposition; it's time for them to help us find solutions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also relay to the federal government the negative impact the carbon tax has on all residents and businesses in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I'll be doing that as well. But more than that, Mr. Speaker, it's about the fact that there are a total lack of alternatives to fossil fuel use here in the Northwest Territories, and if this is how the federal government wants to respond is through a carbon tax, then they need to help us find the alternatives to it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister of Finance also relay to the federal government the value that the Northwest Territories adds to Canada? Thank you.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. And in fact, Mr. Speaker, in my view the value we add can only grow. If the Northwest Territories, a remote region, rural High Arctic, if this is a place that the Canadian can come and make us a shining example of how to get off of fossil fuel use, then they can stand up internationally and truly be a star. So they should come here, and we should be the shining example of how to get off of fossil fuels. I think we add a tremendous value to the Government of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister also ask the federal government to consider exempting residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories from carbon tax? Thank you.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South
Mr. Speaker, this one we've tried. We've tried. I've tried. Other jurisdictions facing similar situations have tried. Other territories have tried. And we haven't gotten very far. Mr. Speaker, I want to look forward, and I want to find solutions that's going to reduce our carbon tax costs in the North because we have less reliance on fossil fuel use. And that's the point of the carbon tax, is to get people off of fossil fuels. We don't have alternatives in the Northwest Territories. But if that's the federal government's goal, then the federal government needs to help us get off of fossil fuel use, provide reliable and responsible alternatives to fossil fuels here in the North. It will dramatically change our energy situation. And if this is the situation we face ourselves in now with the carbon tax, it's time for them to come here and help us get there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1495-19(2): Carbon Tax
Oral Questions
Question 1496-19(2): Doctrine of Discovery
Oral Questions
March 30th, 2023
Richard Edjericon Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to apologize to the Premier for not getting my questions to you a little bit earlier. Since the Vatican announced -- announcement, I only found out this morning of this announcement. Today the Vatican development and education office released a statement formally reputing, or in other words to reject or untrue or unjust, the doctrine of discovery.
Going forward, Mr. Speaker -- and I'm sure the GNWT Premier and the federal Government of Canada will need time to review the Vatican's announcement to reputing the doctrine of discovery and how this announcement will have significant impacts on the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories as well.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is, you know, this thing is long outstanding, and my question is what -- you know, what took so long? It's more than a little rich for the Vatican to insert now that the Papal Bulls were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers. The Catholic Church and the federal government have known for hundreds of years the extensive and negative long-lasting impacts of these doctrines.
Instead of waiting for this repudiation to come from the Vatican, what have the federal government and the territorial government done to denounce the doctrine and introduce legislation specifically reputing the doctrine and committing to the abandoning of and opposing all policies based on the doctrine? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1496-19(2): Doctrine of Discovery
Oral Questions
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