Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.

Mr. Speaker, with the new year ahead of us, I am pleased to highlight the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission's new strategic plan, Paths Towards Safety 2023-2027, which is available for everyone to view on the WSCC's website. This document, along with the ongoing input from employers, partners, and workers, will guide the Commission's work over the next five years. Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission's mission is to promote workplace health and safety while providing no-fault insurance to employers and care for injured workers. The new strategic plan provides a roadmap of how the WSCC will move forward by identifying the short-, medium-, and long-term goals during the five-year strategic cycle.

WSCC's three priority areas are:

• Advancing safety outcomes to eliminate workplace disease and injuries. WSCC has an ongoing commitment to support safe workplaces, to continuously raise awareness of safety rights and responsibilities of both workers and employers, and to prevent and reduce workplace accidents and injuries.
• Delivering quality services by enhancing processes and empowering staff to provide timely, accessible, understandable, effective, and culturally safe services and clear communication to northerners. Quality services incorporate WSCC's organizational values of respect, engagement, integrity, openness, cultural safety, excellence, and stewardship, are a foundation of our mission. And,
• Ensuring financial sustainability so that every injured worker is cared for now and into the future. The WSCC maintains the workers' protection fund, which covers injured worker claims costs by using a fiscally responsible funding mechanism that is fair to all employers.

A high level of transparency, accountability, and engagement is critical to the success of the Commission's work. Each section of this plan describes the performance measures that shows progress. WSCC will use these measures to guide their annual corporate planning process and to report on progress each year.

There is no single path to achieve the WSCC's vision to eliminate workplace disease and injury. However, Paths Towards Safety represents that many different approaches that they take to make workplaces safer every day, as well as the diverse paths many employers across all communities in the Northwest Territories take to improve the safety culture at each worksite. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Speaker, at long last, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the members of the new Aurora College Board of Governors have been selected. I would like to welcome and congratulate the following individuals on their appointments:

• Joseph Handley of Yellowknife;
• Lorraine Tordiff of Fort Smith;
• Lucy Kuptana of Tuktoyaktuk;
• Rebecca Plotner of Yellowknife;
• Tom Colosimo of Hay River;
• Jack Rowe of Hay River;
• David Hurley of Yellowknife;
• Kevin Antoniak of Fort Smith;
• Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox of Yellowknife;
• Richard Boudreault of Quebec;
• Student member, Cayla Gillis;
• Instructional staff member, Wanda Roberts; and,
• Non-instructional staff member, Xiaoyi Yan.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. The board of governors is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Aurora College Mandate Agreement, which is an agreement between the Minister and the board that sets the shared strategic priorities and the scope of activities to be undertaken by the college. The first mandate agreement was released on March 1, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, the commitment to transform Aurora College into a polytechnic university was first made in the 18th Legislative Assembly. The selection of the board represents an important step we are taking towards shifting this institution and establishing a fully-accredited polytechnic university in the Northwest Territories.

I also want to note another critical milestone. The Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Work programs have been reviewed and will be offered once again beginning in September 2024, along with a new general arts and science program. These made-in-the-North degree programs will allow students to complete their education close to home, stay connected with their culture and land, and help fill critical gaps in the labour force.

Although the timing of certain critical milestones related to the transformation have been adjusted, all commitments are still on track to be fulfilled by October 2026. This includes the planning for the establishment of the Indigenous Knowledge-Holders Council, which will ensure an Indigenous lens is applied to all aspects of the college. I encourage everyone who is interested in the transformation or the new timeline to visit the Aurora College transformation website.

Mr. Speaker, there is still a lot of work to do. I would like to thank the champions of the polytechnic university for their continued efforts, and I look forward to keeping Members and NWT residents informed along the way.

In closing, I would like to thank Mr. Denny Rodgers for his nearly six years of service as the administrator of the Aurora College. Mr. Rodgers provided stable and consistent leadership during a time of significant change, across multiple Ministers and presidents, and through a worldwide pandemic. I have enjoyed working with him, and his efforts and contributions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Caroline Wawzonek will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to attend the Prospector and Developers Association of Canada's convention in Toronto, Ontario. Also, Mr. Speaker, I will be absent for a portion of today's proceedings to participate in a meeting with honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, too often residents are receiving notices of physician shortages in Hay River. And without physicians in the community, proper health care cannot be dispensed. This may mean turning away those who are in need of emergency care, routine appointments, palliative care, detox services, and mental health services. Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that the community of Hay River is having issues with staffing of physicians for the Hay River Regional Health Centre. This issue has been ongoing for some time and continues to affect timely access to healthcare and degrades the quality of services expected by residents.

Mr. Speaker, the catchment area for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority includes a population of approximately 5,000 people. Canada has an average of 2.41 physicians per 1,000 population - a statistic that would translate into approximately 12 physicians for Hay River. At present, we have one locum in the community when, in fact what is needed as a minimum to provide proper and timely healthcare services, is 5.6 FTE positions.

Mr. Speaker, Hay River is fortunate to have dedicated permanent healthcare staff in place; however, without physicians and a full staff complement of healthcare workers, we may well see many of those employees leave to seek employment elsewhere. Working with limited physician support places stress on staff and management. When I say stress, I am talking about frontline staff and management working in an environment where they are unable to provide consistent, quality, and timely healthcare to residents.

These frontline workers are hearing and feeling the frustration of residents who are seeking timely access to a system that appears to be crumbling around them. Mr. Speaker, except for physicians, the Hay River HSSA recruits all other medical staff. But for some reason, and consistently, Hay River is without a full complement of physicians or, for that matter, any physicians at all. This is placing residents' health and life at risk. Although we welcome locums, our reliance on their services may result in their unfamiliarity with patient files, local cultural differences, medical staff, and processes, all which may affect one's diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up visits.

Change is needed in how physicians are recruited at HRHSSA. After all, we have a department with a $600 million budget whose sole responsibility is that of providing and delivering timely and quality healthcare to residents - and with that budget, we are failing those residents in Hay River. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some would say you can't put a price on Indigenous knowledge that has been passed down since time immemorial. But that's exactly what the GNWT has done with their honorarium policy. It is a pittance. The knowledge passed down since time immemorial when Indigenous elders is the foundation of our northern society. Indigenous knowledge is a set of complex knowledge system based on our world views, it reflects the unique culture, language, values, histories, governance and legal system of Indigenous people. It is based on cumulative and dynamic First Nation, Inuit, and Metis communities' whole knowledge system that involved living well and being in a relationship with the natural world. These systems build upon the experience of earlier generation and informs the practice of current generation and involving contemporary society.

Mr. Speaker, I am calling on this government's ongoing disrespect and undervalue of the Indigenous knowledge-holders who are requested to share their expertise. Not much has since the duty to consult with Indigenous people was checked, the consultation box, and the government not really wanting to hear from us.

This is slowly shifting to actively learning and listening but for far too long, the GNWT has set aside standard rates as a fixed honorarium of $250 a day for Indigenous knowledge-holders. $250 day is taken advantage of Indigenous people. It is insulting and it is clear, and it stems from colonization and constant evolving of our Indigenous teaching and wisdom.

The events that shines the light on inadequate compensation is upcoming for a fur forum planned for the end of March. We all know that the fur industry has been steadied attacked and for decades by so-called animal rights activists and demand for fur has been on the downward spiral since. What was once a thriving economic livelihood for Indigenous people is almost non-existent. Now, finally in 2023, the Indigenous government is planning to bring together those who have taken a stake in these resurgence and revitalization of the NWT fur industry. Make no mistake, we have something very marketable to the world economy here. Wild fur harvested by Indigenous trappers is culturally appropriate and harvested in a humane manner. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Trappers are the knowledge-keepers with the equivalent of PhD in this industry. The artist of business owners working with fur hold integral knowledge to moving this industry forward. Their world view and Indigenous knowledge are vital to the success of this government's efforts. We need to the shift our mindset to understanding the immense value of knowledge-holders in the participating of informing government direction and policies. These contributions to public policies are more than valuable. They are integral for reconciliation and collaboration. It is time that we ensure that these knowledge-holders be fairly compensated and respected for their vital contribution and service to our territorial economy. I would have questions for the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we speak, Mr. Speaker, as of 5:30 this morning, Sachs Harbour is under level 2 emergency for the power. The generators being used to power the community are having difficulty to restart. The Minister reassured me that they have a power crew going in to work with the community to get the power back up and running and get the work done but unfortunately the situation is that our backup generators, our the last line of power in the community, are not working either.

Mr. Speaker, Sachs Harbour is the most northerly community in the Northwest Territories and the farthest north, the coldest tonight; it is minus 40. The power in the community for extended period of time, and it is a matter of survival. There is no other generator in regards to powering up and heating homes for the community, Mr. Speaker. This is far too cold for our elders, our young families, and just for anyone to go without power, Mr. Speaker.

In 2019, nearly $10 million was secured to replace Sachs Harbour and the 43-year-old diesel plant. But Mr. Speaker, this is almost four years now later, and it still hasn't been complete. NTPC reports that the construction and the new diesel plant in Sachs Harbour will begin early 2020 but unfortunately the community is still waiting, and it's not done. Mr. Speaker, now we are barely hanging on to our backup generators in place. I will have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for my statement today I am going to talk about the disaster assistance policy under the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, last year, the Government of the Northwest Territories completed a comprehensive review of MACA's disaster assistance policy following the flood disasters of 2021. I agreed with this review for a variety of reasons but primarily because the policy was outdated and needed modernizing to account for climate change and the changing nature of natural disasters. I was initially hopeful that this review might address some of the service gaps that the old disaster policy did not cover, but I was very disappointed with the updated policy that came out last May.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I had suggested to the Minister of MACA several times that the updated policy must be expanded and eligible to more people when a natural disaster occurs. I told him that the new policy must account for unique and extraordinary events that may occur within the NWT, especially with the onset of climate change which brings an increased likelihood of extreme weather events. However, Mr. Speaker, I was disappointed to learn that the updates to this policy did not go far enough in helping victims of natural disasters.

The first part of the new policy I didn't like was the way the term "disaster" was defined, which is an emergency caused by a natural phenomena of unusual proportion affecting a large number of people which threatens loss of life, injury, property damage, or economic disruption.

The second aspect I didn't like was that under the list of emergencies that will be eligible for assistance, there is no mention of tornados which is odd because, while very rare, there has been least one well documented tornado in the NWT in the last few years.

The third part of this policy that I did not agree with is the section that lists excluded situations where assistance is not eligible which includes an event affecting a single sector or property. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I don't want to start any conspiracy theories here, but it appears awfully coincidental that among the new changes to the disaster assistance policy, there are specific allocations that would make what happened to my constituent whose house was destroyed by a tornado ineligible for any coverage under this policy. It just does not make any sense to me that the Government of the Northwest Territories would not extend this policy to events that only affected one property. Why is that victims are only eligible for coverage under this policy if there was damage or widespread that a significant number of people or properties were affected? These are questions that need to be answered publicly. I will have questions for the question of MACA at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. Earlier this sitting, my colleague from Yellowknife North gave a statement promoting the virtues of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, and questioning the government's level of support for their introduction. I'll add to that endorsement today with some further thoughts received from a resident.

The main point is that the very limited $10,000 devoted to e-bikes compared to electrical vehicles fails to put the money where it will do the most good. Electric cars are great but e-bikes have a more significant environmental benefit, don't require expensive charging infrastructure, are being purchased by northerners in much greater quantities, and are more suitable for our northern climate because the batteries can be removed and kept warm inside a building. The proposed limitation of rebates for e-bikes to people living in hydro zones fails to recognize the immense environmental benefits provided by e-bikes. Calculations indicate that a full charge on a typical e-bike would use less than 1 kilowatt hour of electricity and require about 0.3 litres of diesel at the power plant. An average truck will burn more than that amount in ten minutes of idling, Mr. Speaker. By the time a driver warms their vehicle in the winter, it's already consumed more diesel than the power plant would to fully charge an e-bike. So e-bikes make sense in non-hydro communities. So if someone charges an e-bike in a diesel-powered community and uses that bike rather than a passenger vehicle, the emissions reductions are even more significant. We should expand this program to the entire NWT.

Other the opportunity will be re-profiling of funds within Arctic Energy Alliance. My understanding is that there will be $10,000 for e-bike rebates, $20,000 for on-the-land e-vehicles such as snowmobiles and quads, and $200,000 for e-cars and charging stations. There are not a lot of proven designs for on-the-land e-vehicles now so we should ensure that money can be re-profiled to the e-bike fund, when demands exceeds the mere $10,000. I'll have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure regarding the e-bike rebate program.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, since 2020, I have been raising my concerns with the delivery of dental services in the Northwest Territories. In the NWT, in order for a dental hygienist to work they need to be under a dentist. So if you are a dental hygienist in the Northwest Territories, you are not able to provide your services unless you work under a dentist. This is not the way many other jurisdictions in Canada operate.

Mr. Speaker, we know that oral health in the Northwest Territories, and especially in small communities, is a problem. We also know that oral health in Indigenous people is extremely different than non-Indigenous people. We know that prevention is the key of oral health. Recognizing the difference in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, dental prevention services in the NWT need to be greatly improved and this should be considered an act of reconciliation.

Mr. Speaker, prevention services for oral health has always been limited in the North and this problem has been amplified since COVID-19. Now Mr. Speaker, we are seeing all patients from all communities in the NWT who are in pain and struggling to take care of their teeth. From young children to the elderly, we are seeing major challenges with dental problems. The problem has increased so much we can't even get through the dental emergencies.

So why is the NWT limiting dental hygienists' services in the NWT right now? The Dental Auxiliary Act requires dental hygienists to be registered under a dentist, that's why. And so all service provided by a dental hygienist are at the discretion of a dentist. Mr. Speaker, we know that there is a major backlog in dental services in the NWT, and that are people are literally in pain. If we change the legislation to recognize dental hygienists are professionals in their own right, we open up the doors to letting them get into our communities and to provide the much-needed preventative services that are required. Not only could our Indigenous government contract these dental hygienists to provide much needed service to their communities, the GNWT could support dental hygienists' travel just as they do for dental travel. If we can get the hygienists into the community, we open up the opportunities for them to do business and services our residents broadly and consistently need. So why are we preventing the delivery of this much needed service? I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services later today.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. About a century ago, we got the five-day work week, which was great. And it wasn't just brought to us by labour movements asking for it. It was also championed by industry titans like Henry Ford, who quickly found out none of his workers could afford to buy his cars; and, even if they could, they didn't have any time to drive them. Well, Mr. Speaker, not having enough money or time sounds like a problem we all know well in the North, and that's why I propose we become champions for the four-day work week, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the four-day work week, it's not just about working less. There is this idea that if people aren't working - they're not doing anything valuable with their time. Mr. Speaker, we have seen the rates of volunteerism decline steadily. We saw many of our volunteer initiatives dive through COVID and have yet to come back. We are seeing people struggle to find child care, struggle to find the time to find a balance between their work and their life. And to me, Mr. Speaker, a four-day work week is the solution to that.

Multiple studies have shown that multiple companies have done it. There is really no downside. Workers are more productive; they take less sick days, Mr. Speaker; you get better retention - all things we struggle with in the North.

Mr. Speaker, we know right now if you are a worker and you are not getting about a 7 percent pay increase this year, you are effectively getting a pay cut. And we know many workers are not able to negotiate that additional income out of their business, their employers, and many employers can't afford it. So I encourage all of our workers and all of our employers to look at some more creative ways. Perhaps we start with half-day Fridays, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps we start with flex days. We need to rethink how we do work in this territory to make sure that people stay in their jobs and make sure we have happy healthy employees going forward. I will have questions for the Premier today, Mr. Speaker, and whether she thinks the four-day work week is awesome. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, more needs to be done to protect our people, especially our young people from crack cocaine and other drugs. At one time we all know that we had no drugs in many of the small communities. It was unheard of. Now we hear about it and see it everywhere and the communities have had enough.

In 2018, the NWT tobacco, alcohol and drug survey shared that 16 percent of people aged 15 and up had used crack cocaine at least once in their lifetime. Additionally, Indigenous people in the NWT had used crack cocaine at 22 percent. This is two times greater than non-Indigenous people. In Behchoko, youth are being targeted. Our young people are our future leaders. We need to do everything possible to protect their lives from drug dealers and ensure they have a good life ahead of them. The RCMP need to act and work with the Indigenous governments to understand the challenges. They need to talk with the community. We know who the drug dealers are, and we know some of them even live in public housing. Beyond enforcement, Mr. Speaker, we need to be able to direct our young people to safe healthcare and treatment. Our young people need opportunities for their lives, for their health, healing, and strong cultural identities.

Our people never traditionally used drugs. We are in crisis in many of the small communities. The accessibility of crack cocaine is far too easy. Our communities need more RCMP on the ground and as this crisis seems to grow, the drug dealers are killing the dreams and aspirations of our future generations. These kids are not safe in their own homes where family Members are also abusing drugs. This is a pandemic of another kind, and one that is just as deadly with no discriminatory purpose. It could potentially wipe out an entire generation if we don't do something about it right now.

CBC News report "family and community mourn two teens found dead in northern Manitoba. The girls took drugs before freezing to death." This was reported on March 5th, 2023. Mr. Speaker, this is happening, we cannot avoid it, and we must work to protect our communities right now. This is not a big city problem or southern problem. This is right in our backyard and it is making its way into our homes and destroying the families. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice at the appropriate time, thank you.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for 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.

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

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for 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.

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.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for 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.

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

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.

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.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we don't pay for people to bypass the public system. They need to engage with local healthcare providers in order to get a referral for services not offered within the territory. And if they obtain that referral, they would also be eligible for medical travel. But these are things that need to be done in advance. I see a trend of people coming to me after they have spent the money asking for a reimbursement. I want to be clear that's not how it works. How it works is you go to your healthcare team and you tell them what your issue it and you get into the referral process, which will then provide the care that you need. So if that is not happening for the Member's constituents, I recommend that they contact the Office of Client Experience and point out the gap in that service and have it rectified. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NTHSSA recruits positions for Hay River, and it is not working, as we continually see notices from HRHSSA confirming physician shortages which translate into fewer services.

Mr. Speaker, with respect to the HRHSSA, I ask the Minister if her department is willing to shift the responsibility of physician recruitment back to the HRHSSA? Failing that, then maybe, just maybe, it is time for this government to dig deep and come up with the required funds to integrate the HRHSSA into the NTHSSA and if that is what is needed to improve healthcare for Hay River and area residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NTHSSA has a MOU with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority to provide physician services. And that MOU is now under review to determine what the best way forward is. So it's unclear to me that not having this MOU or not having some kind of formal arrangement would serve Hay River any better than it's being served now.

In terms of bringing the Hay River authority into the NTHSSA, that was last looked at seriously in 2015. A lot has changed since then, but there hasn't been any additional work done on the cost of bringing the health authority in. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, healthcare in the North appears to be falling apart. And I know people not receiving proper medical diagnosis or not receiving proper medical care at all. This is causing stress in the community, families, and patients' physical and mental health. Mr. Speaker, right now we need physicians in Hay River. We have none. In fact, we need 5.6 FTEs, Mr. Speaker. I ask the Minister if she will commit to providing Hay River with those positions immediately? After all, our health is no less important than those living in Yellowknife or other areas. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, let me say initially that this isn't just a Hay River problem. With a 45 percent vacancy rate, there is a doctor shortage throughout the whole of the NWT. We continue to actively recruit doctors, and we have had some success but, ultimately, we still do have a large vacancy rate. So there's no way I can commit to immediately providing the seven doctors allocated to Hay River Health and Social Services. The best thing that can happen here is for word of mouth from existing physicians and medical people to their networks to encourage them to give the NWT a try.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, at 5:30 a.m., I received an email from Minister Archie. I want to thank her for that in regards to working together with us in regards to trying to get the resupply of Sachs Harbour power, to get that generator sorted out. Can the Minister update the House in regards to the status of the power generation in Sachs Harbour? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Member and I have good communication in terms of, you know, some of the events happening in his High Arctic communities. So until the new power plant is commissioned, Mr. Speaker, we had originally planned this for February to get the new plant commissioned. You know, with some of the delays that happened, with COVID in the community, and delay in our barge system as well, has a big impact, you know, on getting the work done in the community. Right now the power is getting supplied to the community using our two backup generators. Both generators had issues at 5:30 this morning, Mr. Speaker, which caused the outage. One generator was repaired by the operator with assistance from some of the maintenance crews in Inuvik. However, there was still issues with the other generator. So Northwest Territories Power Corporation, staff organized a charter first thing this morning, as soon as we were aware of the situation. The charter could not be found because of lack of pilots or airplanes. Mr. Speaker, we flew one in from Norman Wells immediately to get in the community. That charter arrived at one in the afternoon. You know, concerns like this are raised with me by northern carriers for several reasons. When I was in Ottawa, I took the opportunity to meet with Transport Canada, the minister of Transport Canada, on some of the regulations that are imposed here in the North by northern carriers and the duty hours that pilots have to now adhere to. It's impacting all the work here in the North. Thank you. Especially the small airline companies and the helicopter operators. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks for that update to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, the new power plant shouldn't be taking that long in regards to setting it up. I know we're passed COVID now. It's starting to get back for parts and stuff and what's needed for the units. So what's a hard timeline in regards to getting that new generator up in the community of Sachs Harbour? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't want to keep using COVID as an excuse but, I mean, predominantly that was the reason that we could not get this commissioned in February. As a result of not having the barge now not come in, we're looking at end of August 2023 to get the new plant commissioned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What support's in place for emergency generators if they're not working? I mean, if the main power plant doesn't go down again, are they going to be sending in technicians or mechanics in from Inuvik to get the generators that are broken down now serviced and up and running so we don't have this issue? It's going to be minus 40 tonight, and I don't want to -- you know, at 5:30 this morning you're already worrying about what's happening in the community. So is the Minister going to make sure that happens? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the incident happened at 5:30 this morning, we were in contact with the community and the generators at the school and the health centres were up and running and ready to receive any residents if it were required. You know, I also kept the Member updated, and we advised his office and staff, at 10 a.m., that the power was back up and running. So, I mean, I kept in contact all morning with the community, the Members, to ensure that this is a priority for us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, I just want to thank the Minister for all the work that she's done with the power corporation to serve the community of Sachs Harbour. And I just want to make sure, Mr. Speaker, that August 2023, that generator is up and running and no more excuses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, these are timelines. I mean, we had a timeline to get the plant going in February. As a result of, you know, things beyond our control, we weren't able to make it happen. We wanted to get it serviced sooner and, you know, we couldn't get the barge in the community. That's a result. I mean, there's so many different factors that we want to say August 2023. We don't know what's going to happen, Mr. Speaker. That's a timeline that I have committed with the community and with the Member. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure otherwise known as the Minister for e-bikes. My statement dealt with the upcoming rollout through the Arctic Energy Alliance of an e-bike purchase rebate. My information is that this rebate will be available only in communities with hydro power. I stated the good reasons why it makes sense in diesel communities too. Will the Minister ensure that e-bike rebates are available to all NWT communities? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This Minister of e-bikes is happy to know that another Member's all charged up for this pilot rebate program, Mr. Speaker. So I can tell the Member that we had reassessed where rebates for e-bikes would be available since the release of the three-year energy action plan which was last fall. I'm pleased to let the Member know that the rebate will be available to all the communities now, including the diesel-powered communities. This is different from we do with electrical vehicles at the moment as e-bikes do not require much power and will not stress our isolated grids in that same way. So, yes, we are working with all the communities, including the diesel-grid immunities as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I'm pretty charged up, thanks to the Minister. Great news. My statement also dealt with reprofiling of funds between programs offered by Arctic Energy Alliance. I'm not sure that all the on-the-land e-vehicles fund is going to be subscribed so I'm hoping that the Minister's going to allow for funds to be switched around within the e-bike -- or sorry, the e-program.

So will the Minister ensure that funding within Arctic Energy Alliance for electrical vehicle rebates can be reprofiled to where the need is greatest? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intent of this pilot program is to better understand what the demand for e-bikes are across the Northwest Territories. So should the demand exceed the funding, we will look for ways to meet the demand from other programs for which are undersubscribed. So there's kind of a second yes in there, Mr. Speaker. I think the Member will be happy with that answer as well. Thank you.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I can feel the electricity in the air here; it's just great. So I see that the Yukon is offering e-bike rebates up to $750 for a regular e-bike and up to $1,500 for cargo bikes. At $10,000 for the NWT, that would be about 13 e-bike or less. Can the Minister tell us what the individual rebate will be for the NWT and whether we will allow rebates for more than 13 e-bikes? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not to shock the Member but this rebate program will be delivered through our partners at Arctic Energy Alliance. We're working with them to finalize some of the program, the guidelines and details, including the amount of the rebate. We're not sure yet, but as soon as the program gets announced I'm sure we'll have some great news to share.

I also want to reiterate, Mr. Speaker, that this is a pilot program. I think I've said that in three of my answers standing up here, how important it is. We've heard from Members that this is something that the territories and residents wanted. This is something we looked at. You know, we also want to encourage people to be able to transition to less GHG intensive modes of transportation. This program will start April 1st. I'll have more details that I can share. And the information, once we gather, the program is launched with some adjustments if we have to move forward on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I'm going to get the Minister a ride on an e-bike. You know, the Yukon is really ahead of us. They allow for retailers to offer rebates directly to customers and online purchases in the Yukon are also eligible, so -- and we have at least one retailer of e-bikes in the NWT. But can the Minister tell us whether the NWT -- whether NWT retailers will be able to offer the rebate directly to customers and whether online purchases will be eligible for the NWT e-bike rebate? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned, we are working on finalizing the program details with our friends over at Arctic Energy Alliance. I assured the Member we are looking into the potential for local retailers to be able to offer a rebate but no final decisions are made. I will keep the Member plugged in in terms of what we're doing as we know more. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Well, that's hard shoes to fill in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Anyways, I just want to mention that in regards to my Member's statement earlier about honorariums, I'm just thinking back in 1999, when I was a chief for Yellowknives Dene First Nation and back then our band councils were given $250 a day. And since then, 24 years later, you know, I'm sure the rates have gone up. But anyway, the current rate of honorarium is set at $250 a day and was last updated in 2009. Inflation has increased by 32 percent since then, not to mention our economy's being hit with the global recession and global pandemic and a supply chain crisis.

Can the Minister explain what policy hasn't been revised -- sorry, can the Minister explain why this policy hasn't been revised in the last 14 years? Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if this question should go to the Minister of Finance or Minister Thompson. Since he's here, I'll direct my question Minister Thompson. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for the question. And the Member did bring it up to my attention and I did a little bit of research on that.

So the honorarium rate is set out with the financial administration manual with the Department of Finance. I can't speak on why or when the rate was set, but I can say that the honorarium is paid to individuals attending the meetings and other official businesses. But I'm willing to meet with the Minister -- with the Member and the Minister of Finance to get further information on this. And, again, I'd like to thank the Member for bringing this to our attention. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the GNWT recognize the value of traditional knowledge of Indigenous people in creating public policy because it's not very clear to me based on this policy. The question to the Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you ENR, through the traditional knowledge policy, recognizes Indigenous traditional knowledge as an essential source of information about natural environment and the relationship of people on the land and to each other. I can tell you our traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge helps us develop our policies. So, yes, we find it very important to reach out to our Indigenous partners moving forward with our policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to revising the honorarium policy for traditional knowledge by doubling the base rate in addition to increase the base on inflation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm more than willing to meet with the Member and then reach out to the finance minister to have those conversations. Again, this is the finance Minister's responsibility but I'm more than willing to work with the Member to meet with the Minister on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. So I guess I look forward to meeting with you and the Minister and to have that discussion as well. And I think that at the starting point, you know, at the bare minimum, based on inflation costs, you know, we're looking at probably maybe $500 a day for honorarium. But, again, it's something that we need to talk about and review. So I guess the Minister would be able to respond to this. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I said, I'm more than willing to meet with the Member and the Minister to discuss this. Traditional knowledge is very important. And, again, when we reach out to our elders, that's our foundation so their knowledge and information is very helpful. So like I said, I will work with the Member and to have that conversation with the finance minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we're just a few short months away from having another class of Aurora College nursing graduates. And so I'm wondering if the Minister of Health and Social Services can tell us how many students she is expecting to graduate from Aurora College nursing program this year? Or how many -- sorry, how many are currently enrolled and may graduate I should probably ask. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. There are a total of 20 students in the final year of the bachelor of nursing program, and NTHSSA has made a conditional offer to each of them. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm very happy to hear that. That was going to be my next question for the Minister so that is wonderful news.

I'm wondering if the GNWT has also looked into potential LPN graduates that will be graduating this year as well and if there have been any conditional job offers offered to them as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the human resources unit that deals with staffing for medical professionals in the NTHSSA is working to finalize the process for hiring licensed practical nurses from Aurora College, and we know that there are 12 possible hires in that group. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering what kind of a timeline Health is working with so that we don't risk losing these LPNs to other jurisdictions who might be already waiting with a job offer somewhere? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the point of having the LPN program there is to provide a local workforce for the functions of that particular job. While I don't have exact timing for when their process will be complete, it's my expectation that it will be complete in time to offer the LPNs work in the NWT. We need them. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I absolutely agree with the Minister. So I'm wondering, given the healthcare staffing shortage that we are experiencing as well in the Northwest Territories, and the pressure on primary care in health centres across the territory and, in addition to that, the availability of nurse practitioners to work alongside physicians, is the GNWT facilitating temporary certificates for all nurse practitioner graduates so that they can work while they're waiting for their national exam results? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services doesn't license medical professionals who are nurses. They are licensed by the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. And each graduating nurse would work with that entity to ensure they submit the necessary documents to be licensed in the NWT, whatever duration, whether they plan to be here on a temporary basis or full-time. So once they're licensed, they would be eligible for employment and to compete on long-term employment and competitions within the GNWT because they would be cleared for work here. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first we need to talk about prevention and information on drug use. Youth as young as 12 years old are being targeted.

Can the Minister explain how the RCMP work with health and social services to promote the prevention of illicit drug use in small communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Justice sits on the -- I believe it's the problematic substance use committee with the Department of Health and Social Services to look at these exact issues that the Member is talking about. The Minister of health has also met with the commanding officer of the RCMP to begin discussions on how they can explore other options for enforcement and prevention in communities. So there is a number of ways that the departments -- that the RCMP and the department of health are collaborating, along with the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our Indigenous government have a lot of information and can help the RCMP in the management of illicit drug use. Can the Minister explain how the RCMP advises and works with the Indigenous governments on the management of illicit drug use in small communities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each year I send out letters to the Indigenous governments across the territory to ask what they think the policing priorities should be for the RCMP. As Minister, I provide the RCMP with their policing priorities annually. One of the three priorities relates to drug and alcohol use. So we start right at the very high level. That's how we begin engaging. At the local level, there are -- you know, the RCMP is always open to meet with Indigenous government leadership. They're willing to meet with elected leaders. You know, when I speak with elected leaders in communities, it always appears to me that they have a good relationship with the RCMP. There's, you know, multiple meetings outside of the formalized meetings. So I think that if there are concerns about those groups not working together, all it takes is a phone call. I know that in the territory here, we -- you know, we like the RCMP to do what you call community policing, which is going out, getting to know the community, getting to know the leadership, and figuring out how to work in the community as opposed to just coming in and enforce laws. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's good information, thank you. Mr. Speaker, we need staff and staff that understands the region they work in. We need a positive and working relationship between the RCMP and the community leaders. Does the Government of the Northwest Territories provide cultural training for RCMP and ensure they are connected with community leadership? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So every time there's an incident anywhere in Canada -- not every time but when there are incidents in Canada that result in calls for additional RCMP training, it's often happened that that training then becomes mandatory for RCMP officers across the territory -- or across Canada. So there's actually quite a bit of training that officers are required to do to the point that it affects resourcing levels because we often have so many officers out taking training. So that is from the federal side. And the federal government is responsible for the operations of the RCMP. We do not delve into that; we can't. But the Government of the Northwest Territories does, of course, have our own program that all of the employees of the GNWT are required to take, Living Well Together. And the commanding officer of G Division here in the Northwest Territories has directed all of his staff to take that as well. So that's our contribution in terms of the cultural component. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we need collaboration; that is so very important. Can the Minister commit to have the head of the RCMP in Yellowknife meet with the community governments to discuss the illicit drug use in small communities, particularly the crack cocaine and other harmful drugs? Thank you.

Thank you. No, I can't. I don't have the authority to commit to the commanding officer. Our agreement with the Government of Canada is very clear that the GNWT does not direct the operations of the RCMP. However, the community government is more than welcome to reach out to the commanding officer and request a meeting. I know that he's still relatively new to the territory and is trying to get out to the communities and meet with everyone so it could be a good opportunity. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Recognizing the backlog of dental emergencies and challenges with oral health in the Northwest Territories, will the Minister of Health and Social Services commit to fast tracking the legislative changes to allow for dental hygienists to be recognized as professionals on their own and not have to work under a dentist just like the rest of Canada? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister of Health and Social Services.