This is page numbers 5641 - 5694 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.

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Katrina Nokleby

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on February 25th, Home Base Yellowknife hosted the Coldest Night of the Year, inviting residents to walk in the shoes of those experiencing homelessness in Canada's frigid winters. The walk began at Home Base's downtown youth centre and was followed by a hot chili supper cooked by Yellowknife city councillors Steve Payne and Ben Hendricksen.

Several community Members came out, not only to walk and raise funds, but also as volunteers to register walkers, as safety personnel or, as was my task, to run and bid on the silent auction. The Coldest Night of the Year is a day each year when tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of their homes to shine a light of welcome and compassion in their communities.

Since 2011, the Coldest Night of the Year has raised over $57 million across Canada in 166 communities with 100 percent of net proceeds remaining local to support CNOY charity partners. Sponsors of this year's walk included Signed, Canadian Tire, Nicole Loubert Art, Old Town Glassworks, Tim Horton's, Quality Furniture, NWT Brewing Company, and 100 True North FM, as well as some of my fellow Yellowknife MLAs.

Mr Speaker, luckily for those walking on the 25th, it turned out to be one of the warmest evenings we had in February, sitting at a balmy minus 11. Unfortunately, that luck rarely extends to those Members of our society who have the misfortune of trying to survive on our streets in some of the toughest climatic conditions experienced in Canada, and for the longest duration.

Mr. Speaker, with a lack of adequate housing, lack of services, lack of shelters, we are only seeing more and more people experiencing homelessness. And more and more, these people are the working poor of our society - single parents, youth aging out of the system, elders, and those with disabilities, are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet resulting in further debt. It is only a matter of time before they are unable to keep up with their bills and find themselves the recipient of a dreaded eviction notice. And Mr. Speaker, once a person starts to fall down the financial mountain there is nothing to stop their slide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, mining is the largest economic driver in Canada's Arctic. In the final days of 2022, the federal government introduced the Canadian Critical Mineral Strategy that it says will increase the supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals and support the development of domestic and global value chains for the green and digital economy. According to the federal government, critical minerals represent a generational opportunity for Canada's workers, economy, and net zero future. But looking to Canada's critical mineral goals, it is clear they hinge on the North's critical mineral mining success. Of Canada's 31 critical minerals, six are potentially prioritized for this federal government's strategy, and they are found in our backyard.

To achieve its strategy, the federal government will push five core objectives:

  • Driving research, innovation and exploration; accelerating project development;
  • Building sustainable infrastructure;
  • Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples;
  • Growing a diverse workforce and prosperous communities; and
  • Strengthening global leadership and security.

From solar panels to sunny conductors, wind turbines to advanced batteries for storage and transportation, the world is looking for critical minerals to build energy alternatives. Without critical minerals, Canada states there is no energy transition. Ironically, Mr. Speaker, keeping some potential investors on the sidelines of NWT critical mineral projects is access to clean energy to mine these minerals. We have ourselves the mining version of the chicken or the egg; or, in this case, clean energy or the minerals make the clean energy. Either way, Canada's North, and our backyard, is the holy grail to helping Ottawa achieve its critical mineral strategy goals and our own next economic turn. Federal Budget 2022 includes up $1.50 billion for infrastructure development specific for critical mineral supply chains.

So Mr. Speaker, is not Ottawa not laying the groundwork for its own strategy success? Are they unprepared to fund 100 percent dollars to achieve their critical mineral infrastructure needs? Or is the GNWT simply not asking for or spending the dollars needed to create energy alternatives north of 60? Given the time it takes to move a project from exploration to production and secure the right investors, the time for energy alternative progress was yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Nahendeh.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Irene (nee) Bertrand was born April 9, 1955, on the Liard River in a boat while travelling on the way to the old Fort Liard Health Centre. Irene was raised by her parents Gabriel and Verna with help from her Grandma Selena and Grandpa Michael Bertrand. They lived about a mile above the BC border on the Liard River. The majority of her upbringing was with her Grandma Selena until she passed away. As Irene grew older, she was sent to residential school in Fort Simpson. She stayed at Lapointe Hall and attended Thomas Simpson School. Later, she was sent to Yellowknife where she stayed in Akaitcho Hall and attend Sir John Franklin High School.

In 1974, she met and married Angus McLeod in Fort Liard. This is where they began their own additions to the Bertrand and McLeod family. They started with their beautiful daughter Lisa and added two handsome sons, William and Clinton.

Irene's favorite season was the fall time. It was the time when the family came together to go moose hunting and spending time together. As well, her husband would bring a friend or two to go with them to help with the hunting. Irene loved her family and took the time to be with them. They would travel by boat on the rivers of the Nahanni, Petitot, Liard, Beaver, Scatter, Crow, Toad, Fort Nelson, and Cooper River.

As the children grew older, Angus built a main camp at Whissels Landing. There, they would do their fall hunt and where Angus taught the boys survival skills and how to hunt. Over the years, Irene had become skilled at making dry meat and her dry meat was in high demand. There was never a dull moment for Irene. There was always something that had to be done and worked on or sorted out.

Mr. Speaker, Irene received the Wise Woman Award for the NWT. Like the river, Irene's life flowed in and out of people's lives. Along the way, Irene made many lasting friendships. She was an amazing friend. Irene was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, auntie and great-auntie. I had the pleasure of knowing her personally and had great conversations with her.

Mr. Speaker, Irene had many talents and there is a list attached to this statement that I wish to have been deemed as read.

Mr. Speaker, Irene passed away on February 5th. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her, especially her beloved husband Angus, her sons, and their family. Rest in peace, Irene.

Among other skills Irene acquired was photography (taking portraits of elders; she had a collection in a photo album) croqueting baby blankets for newborns, and she was a patient teacher as well. There were other talents that Irene shared with the community such as:

  • Interpreting, administration and medical travel for the Health Centre for about 40 years.
  • She served as the Justice of the Peace.
  • She was Acho Dene Koe First Nations councillor.
The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time.

Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

March 6th, 2023

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

I would like to recognize Al Karasiuk, the principal of PWK High School, a constituent and a great friend of mine.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

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Paulie Chinna

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome today Aidan Widow, grade 9, and Colby Campbell Modeste, grade 8; both from Tulita, and they're here to support us while we're doing our proceedings this week. And hopefully we inspire future politicians. Thank you.

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 5645

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Colleagues, today with us we have Therese and Joseph Schumacher and Tina Davies, with us all the way from Australia. Welcome. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of MACA explain why under the disaster assistance policy the term "disaster" is narrowly defined to those events that affects a large area or a large number of people from an extraordinary event? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister responsible for MACA.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the disaster assistance program is a government-funded assistance program to ensure essential community functions and cover the basic needs of residents and businesses. That is not an insurance program that covers all losses or is applied to events affecting a single property.

Mr. Speaker, the requirement is for only applying the DAP for widespread damage in line with the disaster assistance policy across Canada with the criteria of the federal disastrous financial assistance arrangement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why a tornado is not listed under the list of emergencies that may be eligible for disaster assistance? And can the Minister clarify if a tornado does occur in an NWT community, would people be eligible for coverage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The definition in the disaster assistance program are in line with the disaster assistance policies across Canada. The definition of "emergency" does not exclude tornados and has provisions to include any other sudden events of unusual proportion caused by nature's phenomenon. This leaves the opportunity for tornados to be considered if either criteria for applying this policy are met and if the results is a widespread situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain why under the list of excluded emergencies, disaster coverage will not be eligible to people due to an extraordinary event that affected only a single property? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the definition of "emergency" speaks to events of unusual proportion. The criteria clearly outlines the requirements for an event to affect a large area or a number of people. Across Canada, and the majority of the world, disaster assistance programs are not applied to events affecting a single property. The intent of such disaster assistance programs are to ensure the continued function of a community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain if he believes the updated disaster assistance policy is sufficient in its eligible coverage offered to NWT residents who endure a natural disaster, or if the Minister believes the policy is lacking? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the DAP was evaluated and approved following the 2021 flood and, again, is under revision this year as we have learned since applying it to the 2022 flood. While no policy is perfect, we are confident in meeting the intent to help communities and residents recover from a widespread disaster.

Mr. Speaker, DAP is not a compensation program and is not an insurance program that covers all losses. It is a government-funded assistance program to ensure essential community functions and covers the essential basic needs of residents and businesses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the HRHSSA uses locum physicians to deliver healthcare in the community. My understanding as to why locums are used is that they are a means to support continuity of service for their gaps in recruitment and retention or where permanent positions are not available. However, the use of locums has become the norm for Hay River; therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister of health, has there been an assessment or a study completed to determine if there's a gap in the quality of healthcare delivered by locums versus that of permanent physicians? If so, will the Minister share that information with me. If one has not been completed, will she commit the department to undertake in such an assessment. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the questions. There has not been a specific quality review of locums versus resident doctors. I'd like to say that they all have to obtain the same kind of licensing. So locums are not second best to resident doctors; they have the same qualifications. We have recently, as you may know, embarked on primary healthcare reform which has healthcare delivered in teams. And one of the reasons for this reform is to provide continuity of care to residents. So while you may not be seeing the same doctor each time, you may be familiar with other members of the care team such as the nurse practitioner or the nurse. So the fact is that with a vacancy rate of 45 percent for doctors throughout the NWT, most of us are seeing locums for our doctor needs. Thank you.

Rocky Simpson

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, timely access to healthcare and proper diagnosis is very important to residents of Hay River and the surrounding communities. I hear more often now that those who can afford it are bypassing medical travel and making their way south to seek those very services that are not being delivered here on a timely and consistent basis. For those that don't have financial resources to travel, they are forced to wait for services.

Mr. Speaker, we are seeing an increase in payments for out-of-territory healthcare. What is the reason for it, and will the department consider covering medical travel for those taking the extra step to seek timely healthcare services outside the NWT? Thank you.