Debates of March 9th, 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 335-19(2): Advancing Reconciliation Through Collaborative Development of Legislation
- Minister's Statement 336-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Open data Portal
- Minister's Statement 337-19(2): 2030 Energy Strategy Update
- Minister's Statement 338-19(2): Voluntary Supports for Children and Families
- Member's Statement 1457-19(2): New Process Convention
- Member's Statement 1458-19(2): New Process Convention
- Member's Statement 1459-19(2): Polar Pond Hockey
- Member's Statement 1460-19(2): Northwest Territories-Alberta Transboundary Water Agreement
- Member's Statement 1461-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
- Member's Statement 1462-19(2): Tlicho Youth Gathering
- Member's Statement 1463-19(2): Carbon Tax
- Member's Statement 1464-19(2): Federal Day School
- Member's Statement 1465-19(2): Sir John Franklin School
- Member's Statement 1466-19(2): Pharmacy Act
- Member's Statement 1467-19(2): Daylight Saving Time
- Member's Statement 1468-19(2): Dehcho Regional Helicopters
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 1459-19(2): Daylight Saving Time
- Question 1460-19(2): Alberta Oil Sands Spill
- Question 1461-19(2): Northwest Territories-alberta Transboundary Water Agreement
- Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
- Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
- Question 1464-19(2): Federal Day School
- Question 1465-19(2): Hay River Harbour Remediation
- Return to Written Question 59-19(2): Health Care in Small Communities
- Committee Report 48-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 68: An Act to Amend the Child Day Care Act
- Tabled Document 886-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 74: Forest Act Tabled Document 887-19(2): Letter to Alberta Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Information dated March 7, 2023, regarding Information Sharing and Notification: Spills at Kearl Mine Site Tabled Document 888-19(2): Letter to Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change dated March 7, 2023, regarding Information Sharing and Notification: Spills at Kearl Mine Site
- Tabled Document 889-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 75: Council for Women and Gender Diversity Act Tabled Document 890-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 45-19(2): Report on the Review of Bill 60: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act
- Tabled Document 891-19(2): Pharmacists' Scope of Practice in Canada
- Motion 77-19(2): Review of Territorial Land Lease Policy and Procedures
- Motion 75-19(2): Maximum Allowable Rent Increase for Private Rental Units, Carried
- Recorded Vote
- Motion 76-19(2): Extended Adjournment of the House to March 27, 2023, Carried
- Bill 77: Nursing Profession Act
- Bill 78: Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act
- Bill 79: An Act to Amend the Judicature Act
- Bill 76: An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act
- Bill 74: Forest Act, Carried
- Bill 75: Council of Women and Gender Diversity Act, Carried
- Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Committee Motion 379-19(2): Tabled Document 813-19(2): 2023-2024 Main Estimates - Finance - Deferral of Department (Page 149), Carried
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Orders Of The Day
Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
Oral Questions

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So I do want to first talk about the traffic accident that happened at the Prohibition Creek. So I do want to say that no one was seriously injured at either incident. And we take health and safety very seriously, Mr. Speaker. So the department is undertaking an investigation at the contractor's site, including review of the contractor's health and safety plan as well as the traffic control plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
Oral Questions
Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
Oral Questions

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, is it safe to say then that this project has been shut down, and if so, how much is this going to cost us, what penalties will be -- have been built into this contract to ensure that these costs are not borne by the people of the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
Oral Questions

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the contractor will resume work at the PCAR location this afternoon. The WSCC has reviewed the incident and has cleared us to proceed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1462-19(2): Prohibition Creek Project
Oral Questions
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Lands. Can the Minister inform this House on what a rights-based cabin is as this term is something that his department has continued to use. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Lands.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
First of all, I'd like to thank the Member for the question. We've had this conversation numerous times so I can tell the people of the Northwest Territories she's doing her due diligence in trying to get this information out there.
The department is working with the Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations to distinguish potential rights-based cabins from unauthorized occupancy and to develop an approach to manage the rights-based cabins on public land. The department will continue the discussions with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations that want to engage with us on this work. Engagement started in February and will conclude in August of 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell why does the GNWT charge fees for leases to Indigenous people to exercise their right to establish camps on public lands as those camps are directly linked to harvesting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department regulates validation and pricing for all public lands. Leases are required where exclusive use of public land is required. Lease rents are charged to have exclusive usage. Indigenous people are encouraged to self-identify with the Department of Lands that they are rights-based land users and within their traditional area if they wish to maintain a camp or a cabin on public land without a tenure. Some Indigenous people prefer to maintain tenure for the benefit associated with such things as exclusive use, being able to sell the improvements and interests in the land or leave it to someone else in the estate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for the -- you know, I think what he's saying is something that might affect down here but when I speak to my region, you know, is the GNWT -- is it the GNWT's position that charging fees to Indigenous people for establishing camps is consistent with land claim and treaty rights, because in my Member's statement, Mr. Speaker, I did state in the IFA leases for fees, any type of fees that go along with harvesting, are to be -- there should be no fees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you. And, again, I appreciate the Member's passion on this, and we've had this conversation numerous times. Any land claims or treaty rights establish the process for use of public land, and the GNWT follows that claim. So that is our process, and we've been following that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has done some great work. Education -- for Indigenous people. Education has, you know, eliminated semesters to -- like, they can go to school longer. You know, the affirmative action is going out, being reviewed for Indigenous employment. So can this Minister commit to pausing all lease fees and collection actions against Indigenous people until a full legal review can be done on this issue because I know, Mr. Speaker, in my -- in my region, I spoke to even one of the leaders today, are -- you know, is that -- and this is not happening, we're not listening, and so this need to stop until there's a good legal review. So will this Minister commit to that? Thank you.
Question 1463-19(2): Rights-Based Cabins
Oral Questions

Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, we have several processes underway working with Indigenous governments, including regulations for the Public Land Act. Until those processes are completed, the GNWT will continue to lease land in accordance with our Act and regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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