Debates of May 25th, 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 351-19(2): Additional Financial Support during Extended Evacuation
- Minister's Statement 352-19(2): Memorial Scholarships
- Minister's Statement 353-19(2): Ministers absent from the House
- Member's Statement 1510-19(2): Searching for Frank Gruben
- Member's Statement 1511-19(2): Internet Connectivity in the Northwest Territories
- Member's Statement 1512-19(2): Northwest Territories Emergencies and Preparedness
- Member's Statement 1513-19(2): Climate Emergency
- Member's Statement 1514-19(2): K'atl'odeeche First Nation Reserve Fire
- Member's Statement 1515-19(2): Support for Northwest Territories Tourism Operators
- Member's Statement 1516-19(2): Department of Justice Corporate Registeries Transparency
- Member's Statement 1517-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Procurement Policy Review
- Member's Statement 1518-19(2): Condolences on the Passing of Nunakput Residents
- Member's Statement 1519-19(2): Youth Homelessness
- Member's Statement 1520-19(2): Hay River and k'atl'odeeche First nation Reserve Evacuation
- Return to Oral Question 1353-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 on Education
- Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
- Question 1508-19(2): Review of Government of the Northwest Territories Procurement Policies
- Question 1509-19(2): Improving Connectivity in the Northwest Territories
- Question 1510-19(2): Searching for Frank Gruben
- Question 1511-19(2): Climate Emergency
- Question 1512-19(2): Permitting for Frontier Lodge
- Question 1513-19(2): Hay River Fish Plant
- Question 1514-19(2): Housing Evacuees from k'atl'odeeche First Nation Reserve Fire
- Question 1515-19(2): Transparency of Corporate Registeries
- Question 1516-19(2): Emergency Leave for Government of the Northwest Territories Employees and income Support for Residents Impacted by Evacuation Orders
- Question 1517-19(2): NorthwesTel and Bell Billing and Services
- Written Question 65-19(2): Public-Private Partnership Projects Capital and Operating Costs and Revenues
- Bill 79: An Act to Amend the Judicature Act
- Tabled Document 927-19(2): Revised 2022-2023 Commission scolaire francophone Territories du Nord-Ouest Operations Budget Tabled Document 928-19(2): Submission on the 2022-2023 Tlicho Community Services Agency Capital Budget Tabled Document 929-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 1353-19(2): Impacts of COVID-19 on Education
- Tabled Document 930-19(2): Annual Report 2022-2023 Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations
- Tabled Document 931-19(2): Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Parliament of Canada: Connectivity in Rural and Remote Areas, Independent Auditor's Report, 2023
- Motion 81-19(2): Appointment of Law Clerk and Deputy Law Clerk
- Motion 81-19(2): Appointment of Law Clerk and Deputy Law Clerk, Carried
- Bill 90: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 5
- Bill 91: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 2
- Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
- Report Of Committee Of The Whole
- Orders Of The Day
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon Armstrong
The House met at 1:30 p.m.
---Prayer
Prayer
Prayer

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Good afternoon, colleagues. Please join me in thanking elder Lillian Elias in leading us in prayer today.
Before we begin, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the wildfires and flooding impacting our communities across the territory. If you or your community has been impacted by the fires south of the lake, or by the flooding in my riding, please know that our thoughts are with you all. If you are impacted, I encourage you to work with local emergency officials.
I want to personally thank the leaders and staff, people who have been working tirelessly to help the affected residents. If you have not been impacted but you want to help those who are, I encourage you to make donations and reach out to those who are providing assistance. As Northerners, we help each other when and how we can. We are here for each other.
Colleagues, we have not been together in this House since March 30th, 2023, and I am pleased to welcome you back. It's great to be here. Although we have not met in this House in nearly two months, I know you have all been busy in our committees, have met numerous times, and have travelled and discussed legislation with residents. Cabinet Members have been busy with the ongoing operations of government. Each of us has been occupied with the needs of our constituents, the people who elected us and whom we represent in this Chamber. Colleagues, I hope you were also able to find time to connect with your family and closest friends, the people who support us as we work for the people of the territory.
Springtime in the Northwest Territories is a beautiful time. The days are getting longer, the birds have returned from the south, and the waterways are opening up. I know a lot of you and your constituents have been out on the land taking part in the spring hunt. I wish everybody success and safety on the land. And I hope you get a good tan like I did over the spring.
Colleagues, please join me in welcoming our pages to the Chamber. It is an honour to share this space with our youth. Mahsi.
Not only are we welcoming youth into this Chamber as pages for this sitting, but we also recently hosted our 19th Youth Parliament. It was expiring to hear our youth read their statements and debate motions in this Chamber. Our Youth Parliament is a wonderful program that I am very proud of, and I want to thank the staff who made this successful again this year. I have said many times that I believe our youth are our future. Based on what I seen and heard during our Youth Parliament, I am confident our future is in good hands.
I would also like to welcome our interpreters back to the Assembly and thank them for their work. Our languages are vital to us as Northerners. They tie us to our culture and to the land and to one another. Our interpreters make it possible for us to use, strengthen, and honour languages. During this sitting, I am honoured that we will be able to provide interpretation into the following languages: Dene Suline Yatie, Inuvialuktun, Dene Kede, Dene Zhatie, Tlicho Yatii, and French.
Now, colleagues, it is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads: Dear, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2023-2024; and, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2023-2024, during the second session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner.
Thank you, colleagues. Ministers' statements. Deputy Premier.
Minister's Statement 351-19(2): Additional Financial Support during Extended Evacuation
Ministers' Statements

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Premier to announce two new government policies on how the Government of the Northwest Territories supports resident who have been evacuated from their communities for extended periods of time and communities that support them. As of May 24th, nearly 2,000 people from Hay River and the K'atlodeeche First Nation Reserve have registered as evacuees in Yellowknife, with additional evacuees staying in other NWT communities including Enterprise, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, and Fort Smith. Currently, residents who must evacuate their home community receive transportation, meals, and accommodation at the evacuation centres. Income assistance clients are also provided emergency funds of $500 to $1,000. However, we know that not everyone is eligible for support through income assistance and being away from home can result in unexpected expenses that are particularly challenging for those who experience an interruption to their income.
Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories is launching two new programs to support registered evacuees and community governments: The Evacuee Income Disruption Support Program and the Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant.
The Evacuee Income Disruption Support Program assists individuals who have lost income due to recent community evacuations. This program aims to provide targeted financial relief during evacuations. The Evacuee Income Disruption Support program is available to all NWT residents who are subject to an evacuation order over seven days and have suffered a loss of income because their employment has been disrupted due to the evacuation order. Eligible individuals will receive a one-time payment of $750.
With yesterday's announcement from the Town of Hay River, many evacuees are now planning to return home. Still, I assure those residents that if their income has been disrupted, they will still be eligible for this program even if they returned home. Information on how to apply is available on our website and on the GNWT Facebook page.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to note that we support our community governments at this time; most notably, the Town of Hay River, the K'atlodeeche First Nation, and the communities that have welcomed residents since the evacuation orders were issued on May 14. We understand that some evacuees have chosen not to come to Yellowknife for a variety of reasons and were being supported by other communities in the South Slave and the Deh Cho. We commend these communities for taking in, feeding, and supporting evacuees during such a challenging period.
In order to assist communities who have been unable to secure funding from other sources, the GNWT is launching the Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant, which is a grant designed to help eligible community governments cover costs associated with supporting registered evacuees, including staffing, lodging, meals, and the provision of essential services. Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Shane Thompson has already sent letters to relevant communities advising them of this funding, which is separate from what is provided to communities operating official evacuee centres. Communities seeking the Community Government Hosting Evacuees Grant will have up to 30 days from the date the evacuation order is lifted and/or community residents are able to return home to apply for a grant through this program.
We announce both programs today, and more information is available for residents and community governments on the GNWT website or our GNWT Facebook page. We know this wildfire season is going to be challenging. The evacuation event for Hay River and K'atlodeeche First Nation serves as a reminder to all of us to do everything we can to be ready for emergencies. This includes being prepared for evacuation on short notice and, wherever possible, having plans in place to safeguard personal health and safety as well as economic well-being, and your family members and pets as well, Mr. Speaker. This is an exceptionally challenging period for many NWT residents, and we must continue to lean on each other in the days and weeks ahead. NWT residents and communities have this government's full support.
The GNWT is incredibly grateful to the community and the residents of Yellowknife, who have welcomed so many evacuees with open arms and open hearts. I also want to thank everyone involved in supporting evacuees at the multiplex here in Yellowknife and in Enterprise, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, and Fort Smith, as well as any other communities that have welcomed evacuees. Your compassion and time have not gone unnoticed.
Further, on May 18, the GNWT announced its commitment to supporting fire evacuees from Hay River and K'atlodeeche First Nation through a donation matching program through the United Way NWT. The GNWT is matching donations up to $150,000 providing critical assistance to those affected by the ongoing community evacuations. One hundred percent of donations raised through United Way NWT's 2023 wildfire response fundraising campaign will go towards supporting evacuees. The community and corporate support we've seen for this campaign has been truly inspiring, and I want to thank the donors for their generosity.
On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I want to give our heartfelt thanks to the crews on the ground, the pilots, the air attack officers, and tanker base teams for their incredible support to combat these wildfires. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 351-19(2): Additional Financial Support during Extended Evacuation
Ministers' Statements

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Deputy Premier. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Minister's Statement 352-19(2): Memorial Scholarships
Ministers' Statements

Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my continued sympathy to the families of two men who gave so much to our territory and also highlight how our government will be honouring their memory for years to come. I am of course speaking about the loss of two exceptional men, former housing minister Alfred Moses and former Housing NWT president and CEO Mr. Tom Williams.
I have carried their memory in this portfolio, advancing our relationships with Indigenous governments and, most importantly, working directly with our communities. It is because of their leadership and support that we have been able to take the National Housing Strategy and convert it into successful relationships and funding for housing in the Northwest Territories. During the 19th Legislative Assembly, examples in this government include individual partnership agreements with Indigenous governments for housing, as well as direct funding from Canada to Indigenous governments for housing-related infrastructure projects.
I am pleased to be a part of the success in this relationship, and all relationships throughout the Northwest Territories, that opened the door for Housing NWT to be successful in the Northwest Territories. I am still saddened by the passing of Alfred Moses and Tom Williams and during the time of this government in respect of their work and accomplishments for this government and this portfolio, today I would like to announce scholarships in both their names.
The two new scholarships that Housing NWT has recently introduced, the Alfred Moses Memorial Scholarship and the Tom Williams Memorial Scholarship, to recognize and celebrate students who have provided positive contributions to housing programs across the territory. These scholarships are in memory of Alfred and Tom, who demonstrated a profound commitment to addressing housing issues throughout the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT will offer six scholarships of $1,000 in the name of Alfred Moses and six scholarships in the name of Tom Williams. Both scholarships will award one in each of the five Housing NWT districts and one in Yellowknife, are available to students who are entering into the field related to housing. Applications will be open. The closing date is July 5th of this year.
Housing NWT already strongly supports the development of apprentices, which was a huge commitment of Mr. Williams, in the maintenance and trades and these new scholarships will provide additional support to widen our workforce and students to become interested as a complete post-secondary and secondary education programs.
Mr. Speaker, as we have previously shared with the Members of the Legislative Assembly, we will work with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to promote and coordinate Housing NWT's apprenticeship program to secure additional candidates throughout the territory. Housing has a target of hiring 12 local housing organization apprenticeships positions every year.
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT understands that investing into our youth means a better future for our residents. Our values include innovation, stability, and collaboration. With the introduction of these scholarships, we are expanding our support to many students and apprenticeships across the Northwest Territories. We believe this will help strengthen our workforce with the more skilled workers and leads to a brighter future for housing solutions.
Mr. Speaker, Alfred Moses and Tom Williams have made a lasting impression on my life. As being a first-Member elect, it was saddening to see and hear the passing of these two individuals as I entered into my political career. Today I would like to welcome Pam Williams, the wife of Tom and their son Aurora and James, I'd just like to express my sympathy to the family as well, too. Your dad was a very great mentor and a strong colleague of mine. Mahsi. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 352-19(2): Memorial Scholarships
Ministers' Statements
Minister's Statement 353-19(2): Ministers absent from the House
Ministers' Statements

Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Shane Thompson will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers for conservation, wildlife and biodiversity meeting in Ottawa, Ontario.
I also wish to advise the House that the Honourable Caroline Cochrane will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow due to illness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister's Statement 353-19(2): Ministers absent from the House
Ministers' Statements

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Deputy Premier. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Member's Statement 1510-19(2): Searching for Frank Gruben
Members' Statements

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, with the permission of Frank Gruben's mother Laura, I'd like to speak to everybody here, and throughout the Northwest Territories and beyond, to tell you about Frank who has been in Fort Smith attending college and was last seen on May 6th, 2023.
Frank is 30 years old from Aklavik. Frank is Inuvialuit and Gwich'in. He has a beautiful blended culture and is passionate about his traditional values he learned throughout his life. Frank loves learning and speaking the Gwich'in language. He had the most fun on the local radio station with his mentor elder Annie Buckle. He also taught Gwich'in to the children of the Aklavik Jordan's Principle Program. Frank has a beautiful smile that captures anyone's heart. His smile could light up any room, and he could make you laugh from your tummy with his silly gestures and his acting behaviour.
Frank loves taking care of his appearance with all his brand name clothing, always looking sharp the way he dresses. Frank is a kindhearted young man and is willing to help anyone who needs it or asks for help. Frank loves his elders, especially his grandmother Renee Stewart. Frank is such an inspiration to his baby sister Kimberlynn. She adores her big brother, and he loves her so much. Frank is also a big brother to Steven, and they both love to cook and try new recipes challenging one another. Frank has so many friends who are all posting their memories and stories of their best friend asking for answers to bring him home. So many are heartbroken. Many tears have fallen since he has gone missing. The people of Aklavik, friends, family, especially his parents Laura and Charlie, brother Steven, and especially his little sister Kimberlynn, are asking to help bring Frank home please.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to bring awareness of who Frank is, make a face, and turn him into a person for the rest of the territory and the rest of the world. Frank is an Indigenous man of the LGBTQ community, and when I heard of a statement released by the RCMP yesterday of no evidence of foul play, it shook me to my core. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, if there is no foul play, then where is he? He wouldn't just disappear. Something has happened to him and somebody knows something. Mr. Speaker, Frank's mother told me RCMP, what she felt is that they are not doing enough to find him. Mr. Speaker, it makes me think of all the work that we have done to raise awareness of MMIWG 2SLGBTQQIA and the inquiry and this House and the work that we've been doing as Indigenous people to raise awareness. If Frank was a non-Indigenous person from a wealthy family, would there be more done? That's what goes to my mind, Mr. Speaker. Would there be more to find him? Would there be animals, search animals that the RCMP can have throughout -- you see it on TV in the rest of Canada. Would they be out there searching for Frank? My understanding the RCMP has no tips from the public on Frank's disappearance. So on behalf of his family, please, if anyone has any information, no matter how small or unimportant they think it might be, to tell the RCMP, to reach out to Crime Stoppers, even if they're scared and want to do it anonymously, to 1-800-222-8477. What if this was your son? What if this was your brother? Your cousin? Your nephew? Your grandson? His family needs to find him, and they need to bring him home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 1510-19(2): Searching for Frank Gruben
Members' Statements

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Member's Statement 1511-19(2): Internet Connectivity in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to speak about the state of internet connectivity in the NWT and lack thereof.
Mr. Speaker, two months ago the Auditor General of Canada released a report titled Connectivity in Rural and Remote Areas, which stated that rural and remote communities are still lagging behind the rest of the country when it comes to internet. The report also stated that the NWT has the largest disparity of internet access in the country, with only 18 percent in small NWT communities that have access to high-speed internet. In comparison, 98 percent of people in larger NWT communities have access to high-speed internet. Mr. Speaker, this large disparity in internet connectivity for the people of the NWT is not acceptable.
Our government needs to work at a faster pace with the federal government, along with the private industry, to bolster internet access across the board if the NWT hopes to meet the federal government's goal of providing 100 percent of Canadians with access to high-speed internet by 2030.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission, CRTC, has held a series of public hearings over the last year to receive consultations on the status of telecommunication services in the far North. During the last couple of hearings, there were several NWT witnesses who provided some great ideas for the CRTC and internet service providers to consider. For example, one person rightly stated that it's mostly Indigenous people who don't have access to internet services and as a result internet service delivery should be considered within the text of reconciliation. I agree with that because increasing access to high-speed internet will work to advance economic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples and communities. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Moreover, Mr. Speaker, another big issue on this subject is the lack of competition of internet service providers in the North. In the NWT, we have a monopoly over internet delivery from NorthwesTel. Without some degree of competition, prices remain high and the speed of internet continues to remain low as well. In fact, NorthwestTel itself has admitted that increased competition in recent years from Starlink satellite service has motivated them to expand and improve their own internet access. NorthwesTel admits that it has lost some customers to Starlink already, which is pushing them to expand fiberoptic lines in more northern communities, which is great to see.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on about this but I will leave it at that for now. I will have questions for the Minister of finance at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 1511-19(2): Internet Connectivity in the Northwest Territories
Members' Statements

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Member's Statement 1512-19(2): Northwest Territories Emergencies and Preparedness
Members' Statements

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I welcome you and my colleagues back for another productive session. I rise today to give thanks to all the hardworking and dedicated people who have spent the last few weeks fighting fires in the South Slave, dealing with the flooding in the Beaufort Delta, and supporting evacuees barely one year after they coped with the devastating floods.
My heart breaks for the people of the K'atlodeeche First Nation. Not only did they suffer from the flooding last year, with some of them still not in their homes, but now they've also lost significant infrastructure in their community, the extent of which is not yet fully known. Thankfully, I hear several historical and cultural artifacts were spared, items that are irreplaceable, however, people have lost their homes. We can never replace the mementos and the photos, the family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation, and for that I am truly sorry.
This has been a hugely stressful time for all residents across the territory. We are a small community. We all have loved ones, friends and family, that have been impacted by the recent emergencies; emergencies that are only increasing in frequency as the earth's climate continues to change. Storms that once only occurred every hundred years are now coming more regularly, and we must figure out how to adapt if we hope to survive.
One thing about Northerners is that we are resilient, and we are strong.
Do I like that we're constantly challenged by the environment around us? No. But what it has done is given us the ability to persevere when the going gets tough. And it is that perseverance that will help us to adapt to the change around us.
Mr. Speaker, we must stop being reactive to disasters and start to plan more accordingly. The GNWT has a dismal track record in this area, choosing to wait until it is too late and the emergency has begun. The Minister of MACA has told me that his department doesn't have the capacity to deal with emergency situations or project management as it's a very small department. That it is the responsibility of the underfunded communities to prepare and deal with a climate change driven disaster. A scary thought, Mr. Speaker, given the lack of resources and money in most communities.
Mr. Speaker, when is this government going to get proactive and stop leaving our communities to pay out-of-pocket for situations created by lack of adequate funding or investment in our communities? I would have had questions for the ECC Minister, but he has chosen not to be here today. Thank you.
Member's Statement 1512-19(2): Northwest Territories Emergencies and Preparedness
Members' Statements

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
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