Mr. Speaker, the location of the Trailcross building is ideal for detox and aftercare because of the location. It's away from the larger city. It's in pristine surroundings. There are no buildings surrounding it and near a park. Does the Minister agree that a location that would be ideal for -- this is an ideal location for aftercare and detox facility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of May 30th, 2023
This is page numbers 6211 - 6256 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was know.
Topics
Question 1539-19(2): Trailcross Treatment Centre
Oral Questions
Page 6222
![Julie Green](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-julie-green/5120ae0dc4024673cfb427e2ebd4fe95.jpg)
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the question. Without knowing what the programming looks like, it's hard for me to comment on what an ideal location would be. Thank you.
Question 1539-19(2): Trailcross Treatment Centre
Oral Questions
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![Frieda Martselos](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-frieda-martselos/832c4863a3c4c75bd10661e1a8cd5bb4.jpg)
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider a territorial aftercare facility in the old Trailcross building because of the drastic needs that are required in addressing the state of mental health and wellness in the NWT right now because the building is sitting empty right now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1539-19(2): Trailcross Treatment Centre
Oral Questions
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![Julie Green](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-julie-green/5120ae0dc4024673cfb427e2ebd4fe95.jpg)
Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Trailcross was used for youth and it will continue to be used for youth in the new pilot program. Thank you.
Question 1539-19(2): Trailcross Treatment Centre
Oral Questions
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Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Lesa Semmler](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-lesa-semmler/ebd9f1db93495be362a6bdc4a9db65e5.jpg)
Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure, and if she can let us know when the Inuvik Wind Project will finally be completed and running? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-frederick-blake/df6fbbdbf440ea9f1e8f7b8eb6e1f326.jpg)
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Diane Archie](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-diane-archie/b585302f438d62b6107c1f39f3ae7dc1.jpg)
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work is underway right now with Inuvik Wind Project. We are looking at getting it commissioned by third week in August. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
May 30th, 2023
Page 6222
![Lesa Semmler](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-lesa-semmler/ebd9f1db93495be362a6bdc4a9db65e5.jpg)
Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Wow, I hope I could cut the ribbon with her. Can the Minister give us an estimate of what her department is thinking the final costs are, because I think the last cost we got was about $60, $70 million, and I'm just wondering if you're still on track with that number? Thank you.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Diane Archie](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-diane-archie/b585302f438d62b6107c1f39f3ae7dc1.jpg)
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the cost of the project, the total project was about $60 to $70 million, and I just want to note of that cost, Mr. Speaker, $39.9 million was secured through Investment Canada Investment Infrastructure Program, the ICIIP program. You know, it's a little -- not too early, but I mean we will be able to have a better indication once we get closer to cutting this ribbon together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
Page 6222
![Lesa Semmler](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-lesa-semmler/ebd9f1db93495be362a6bdc4a9db65e5.jpg)
Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I just heard the Minister. My next question was going to be I know that the federal government committed $30 million, and I think she said $39.9 million. So with it being $60 to $70 million, we initially budgeted $10 million as a government so are we going to be expected to now offset by the government, or is there more money going back -- are you going back for more money from the feds to do this project? Thank you.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Diane Archie](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-diane-archie/b585302f438d62b6107c1f39f3ae7dc1.jpg)
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that's a really good question from the Member and, you know, I just want to make sure that I have a proper answer to the Member, and I just -- I need to go get back and have a look at a number and be able to get back to the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-frederick-blake/df6fbbdbf440ea9f1e8f7b8eb6e1f326.jpg)
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Lesa Semmler](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-lesa-semmler/ebd9f1db93495be362a6bdc4a9db65e5.jpg)
Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister and, yeah, it would be good to have an actual number for us to know.
My last question is this project, I know I've raised it many times in this House, it's been ongoing, it was even before I was a Member of this House there was kind of issues, so I'm just wondering if the Minister's department is going to do a lessons learned on any recommendations on this project in case we decide as a government to ever do any more wind turbines in the territory? Thank you.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
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![Diane Archie](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-diane-archie/b585302f438d62b6107c1f39f3ae7dc1.jpg)
Diane Archie Inuvik Boot Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and I wear both hats on as Minister of Infrastructure as well as Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Power Corporation. So, you know, on major projects like this, we do have a debrief at the end for some of our lessons learned. So I hear the Member's concerns, you know, going forward on some of these infrastructure projects, that we need to have these lessons learned, talk about some of the ways that we can improve major infrastructure projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1540-19(2): Inuvik Wind Project
Oral Questions
Page 6222
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
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![Katrina Nokleby](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-katrina-nokleby/1ff7f47b2af6a108de22f533e03d5931.jpg)
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier. The government has said it will not withdraw its Supreme Court challenge that affects Inuvialuit child and family services law. It's actually my understanding it's too late for them to do so. Their choice is puzzling and profoundly disappointing.
My question is if the government will not withdraw, what concrete steps will the Premier take after the Supreme Court renders its decision to restore the eroded trust with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation? Thank you.
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
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Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
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![Caroline Cochrane](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-caroline-cochrane/94cab4d8d45e787ffa4c1c33c91d0d6b.jpg)
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, I won't speak about the court process. That's still in the process so I'll wait to see what happens. But I am a bit puzzled actually. I was just talking to the chair, Duane Smith yesterday, and I thought we had a good relationship. So I'm not sure about the eroded trust. I know that health has been working closely with their departments. I know I get along really well with the president. But I will make a point, Mr. Speaker, because I am meeting with him coming up here in the next few days that I'll actually sit down and talk to him. If there's an eroded trust, then I don't want to wait until after this. I want to address it now. When this first got brought to as a concern, I did meet with the president of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and shared my concerns. I thought we had a good understanding. But I guess the Member has different information, and I'll find out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![Katrina Nokleby](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-katrina-nokleby/1ff7f47b2af6a108de22f533e03d5931.jpg)
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then the Premier is not aware or did not watch our meeting with the IRC in which we discussed this on the social development committee, which was a public meeting, and I would have hoped that her staff and staff at Justice had been listening. It was clear to us in that meeting that the IRC was very unhappy about what was going on but I don't want to make that my question.
The Premier's mandate includes leading efforts to ensure voices in all regions are heard in decision-making but five of 15 were Indigenous governments and organizations have not signed on to the GNWT's approach to UNDRIP. I'd like to know whether the Premier is personally engaging leaders in each of the five Indigenous governments and organizations to understand and address their concerns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![Caroline Cochrane](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-caroline-cochrane/94cab4d8d45e787ffa4c1c33c91d0d6b.jpg)
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it all depends on semantics, how you phrase things. So you can say five out of 15 never signed, or you can say ten out of 15 have signed. And there was a protocol, Mr. Speaker, that within the Council of Leaders we knew that we wouldn't have 100 percent, and Indigenous governments said we want to have majority. They defined what it would look like because that was the principles we're working on. So as we're working with the ones that haven't, there was various reasons. Even some that think that the GNWT aren't a public government, I won't name, I have had meetings with. I have meetings all the time. But as for the act itself, Mr. Speaker, there is a protocol now that is being read into the House. The committee is doing their work. I am not trying to under step committee. I am waiting until the committee is finished their work and brings back the recommendations because it would be inappropriate, in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, to be trying to get them to sign onto something when committee is out there doing their work at this point.
But, Mr. Speaker, I have very open-door relationships with the Indigenous governments, and at any time -- in fact, every chief has my phone number. They phone me day and night. I'm always willing to meet with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![Katrina Nokleby](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-katrina-nokleby/1ff7f47b2af6a108de22f533e03d5931.jpg)
Katrina Nokleby Great Slave
Mr. Speaker, respectfully, an open line means nothing if you don't listen to what the people are saying on it. Ten out of 15 is 67 percent. 67 percent, I'm sure most of the parents in the room would not be happy with their child coming home with a 67 percent report card. So to me, not having all of these people, all these 15 groups sign on, just speaks volumes about where UNDRIP's legislation is going and really what this is. To me, it does seem like a passing just to have some checkmark before the end of this Assembly.
The government says an action plan to implement and it is still two years away when -- while new laws will have statements of consistency. It is unclear whether the government will do anything else to implement the declaration before 2025. Can the government commit to making specific high priority policies and programs consistent with the declaration before 2025? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![Caroline Cochrane](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-caroline-cochrane/94cab4d8d45e787ffa4c1c33c91d0d6b.jpg)
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I actually agree with the Member a hundred percent, so. I heard from -- and I will use an example on that. The previous grand chief of the Tlicho government said that too many times politicians listen, but they don't hear. But that same grand chief, before the election came, said to all of his council this Premier not only listens, she hears. So I just want to say that, that's important that we all not only listen, that we hear what they're saying.
As for the ongoing implementation plan, yes, there will be some work on that. Mr. Speaker, this -- these -- this work is not going to happen overnight. This work is going to take decades and decades, years and years, to get through. And so that is a commitment that other legislations are going to have to do. But we're not waiting for it.
Mr. Speaker, we've done a lot with the -- around the United Nations Declaration, and not with -- without even hearing the words, we've done a lot because it's the right thing to do, to work in partnership with Indigenous governments. As a Metis woman, I hold that to heart. And, I mean, the Member can make faces at me, whatever she wants, but I do know that it is important to me as an Indigenous woman.
Mr. Speaker, I'll just ignore that that she's making faces but I'll ignore that. So in this -- in this government, we're not waiting --
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-frederick-blake/df6fbbdbf440ea9f1e8f7b8eb6e1f326.jpg)
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
The Member's called a Point of Order. We'll take a short recess.
---SHORT RECESS
Question 1541-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories Commitment to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation
Oral Questions
Page 6223
![The Speaker](/media/CACHE/images/polpics/19-frederick-blake/df6fbbdbf440ea9f1e8f7b8eb6e1f326.jpg)
The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
The Member for Great Slave called a Point of Order but it wasn't caught on the audio. So let the Member go again to call the Point of Order. Member for Great Slave.