The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Minister of Justice.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide a personal explanation to clarify why I, as Attorney General, made the decision to intervene in the Supreme Court case relating to Bill C-92, an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, Metis children, youth and families.

Yesterday, it was stated in this House that the intervention was an indication that the GNWT reversed its support for the law passed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation pursuant to this federal Act. This is not accurate. The very first sentence of the oral submission to the Supreme Court of Canada was, quote, "Let me begin by saying that the Northwest Territories is supportive of the inherent right of self-government government, and we also support enabling Indigenous groups to create and operate child and family services."

The GNWT remains committed and is actively working with the IRC and the Government of Canada on finalizing the NWT's first coordination agreement under the federal act.

It was also stated in the House yesterday that the GNWT is putting its own interests to retain power and control above the interests of Inuvialuit children and youth.

Mr. Speaker, I assure you that these were not my motives. The NWT does not have the same constitutional protections as the provinces do, and it was critical for the Supreme Court of Canada to be aware of the potential impacts of the federal law. The decision to intervene was, in part, driven by the need to obtain judicial clarity now in order to avoid a separate court process in the future if disagreements arise regarding the ambiguities of the federal Act.

I am hopeful that the submissions made to the SCC will prove helpful and will provide judicial guidance on the interaction between Indigenous laws and territorial laws, and later today I will be tabling a document with further explanation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to share very good news out of Ottawa. On behalf of the Government of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced they will be matching contributions made to the United Way NWT. This generosity will have a direct positive impact on people affected by wildfires in the Northwest Territories, and I am deeply grateful for Canada's support.

The Government of the Northwest Territories also recently signed an agreement with Natural Resources Canada under the new Natural Resources Canada's new Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program Equipment Fund. This fund, which allows provinces and territories to cost-share investments for equipment such as vehicles, enhanced communications gear, and repairs to aging equipment, will be used for the purchase of aircraft, vehicles, dispatch consoles, and dust suppressants. Our agreement with Natural Resources Canada directly enables our government to procure specialized firefighting equipment and strengthen our capacity to manage wildland fires that present a threat to our communities.

Mr. Speaker, it has been truly humbling to see our neighbours across the country step up to assist those affected by wildfire and flooding over the last month. Later today, Minister Thompson and I will be releasing a statement outlining the incredibly generous support we have received from our neighbours in and out of the territory, but I want to take this opportunity to briefly highlight these good news stories out of Ottawa for my colleagues in the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 4th Anniversary of the release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The final report describes the dire situation faced by Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBPTQIA+ people as genocide. It also delivers 231 Calls for justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians to affect change.

Since the release of the final report, the Government of the Northwest Territories has taken steps to begin to affect change so that Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGPBTQIA+ peoples can feel valued, feel safe, and be honoured in the Northwest Territories.

We still have work to do, and new people have been lost. As I speak today, people are actively searching for Frank Gruben who went missing from Fort Smith earlier this month. Mr. Speaker, I would like to reinforce the call to encourage anyone with information that could help find Frank Gruben to please step forward.

In order to stop the cycles of violence and abuse in Northwest Territories' communities and institutions, we must recognize and acknowledge the devastating root causes of violence that continue to be experienced by our populations. I am pleased to advise that the Government of the Northwest Territories is working on implementing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan tabled in November 2022. An annual report on the implementation of the action plan is being prepared and will be posted to the MMIWG website later this month.

When responding to violence directed at Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGPBTQIA+ people, it is critical that partnerships be developed and allowed to grow so that trust can be fostered and solutions offered from various perspectives. Recognizing that partnership is key, I am pleased to advise that following per Action 33 of the action plan, work is now currently underway to establish an MMIWG Advisory Committee. The purpose of this advisory committee is to provide advice and guidance to the GNWT on MMIWG-related matters.

With the cooperation of our community contacts, draft terms of reference were developed and will be shared with Indigenous governments, stakeholders, and other community partners for review and feedback. The intent is to have this advisory committee in place by fall. This committee will provide a pathway for communities to provide input into programs and services offered, incorporate changes to programs and services so that they reflect and address community needs and aspirations, and by being transparent and accountable in what we do.

Mr. Speaker, a lot has happened over the past four years since the release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to ending violence directed at Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGEBTQIA+ people. We will do this by implementing the action plan and continuing to work with community partners to develop solutions that are effective and sustainable, always striving to do better. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform this House and residents of the NWT about the upcoming changes to the Extended Health Benefits Policy. They will come into effect on April 1st next year. The Government of the Northwest Territories is dedicated to ensuring fair access to extended health benefits for all NWT residents, with a focus on people with low income who are not covered under the existing policy.

The existing Extended Health Benefits Policy has been in place for over 30 years without substantial change. The updated policy addresses gaps in coverage that have left some NWT residents without access to extended health benefits. It will better position the GNWT to sustain the delivery of this benefit program for all residents in the years to come.

To ensure we created a robust new policy, we conducted a comprehensive review of coverage across various jurisdictions to align ourselves with provincial and territorial programs. In the fall of 2022, we asked for feedback from residents and stakeholders over a three-month period. We gained valuable insights by listening to the lived experience of people accessing extended health benefits. This feedback from more than 700 people shaped the final policy.

The new Extended Health Benefits Policy makes some key changes, including access to benefits which will be dependent upon an annual income assessment. Residents above the established low-income thresholds will need to contribute to the cost of their benefits to reasonable limits adjusted for family size and region where applicable. The new policy no longer requires residents to have a specified condition to access benefits. Instead, there are a suite of benefits available to all residents each with its own terms and conditions for eligibility and levels of coverage.

The changes we have made to the Extended Health Benefits Policy have nothing to do with seniors aged 60 and older. Their current benefit levels continue. There are no changes for residents who access the Non-Insured Health Benefits and Metis Health Benefits.

Mr. Speaker, as we move forward, we are committed to careful planning and implementation of the changes to the policy. We will have information and staff available to support residents to access benefits and will plan to have this available well in advance of April 1st, 2024. We want to ensure a smooth transition for all residents because we understand the importance of stability and continuity to access benefits.

Mr. Speaker, these policy changes are a testament to our commitment to improve equitable access to health benefits and thereby health outcomes for all NWT residents. By addressing the gaps in our current policy, we strive to provide support to those who need it most while aligning with jurisdictions across Canada and working towards a sustainable health and social services system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this sitting I was very pleased to update this House on the establishment of the Northwest Territories Housing Forum. The NWT Housing Forum is just one of 42 program and policy changes that Housing NWT staff have been working tirelessly on in collaboration with partners from across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table a progress update on the 42 actions arising from the program and policy review. The update, which will be posted on Housing NWT's website, gives a snapshot of where we are in terms of implementing those actions, many of which are already being implemented with many more continuing a roll out. Accountability is one of Housing NWT's core values as is set out in our mandate. This progress update is an important aspect of Housing NWT's accountability to the public and to our partners.

Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT is making excellent progress on the implementation of these actions. Only five of the actions are subject to a moderate amount of delay based on the originally projected timelines. Many of these actions are already being implemented, and some will require further work with the NWT Housing Forum and other partners to finalize.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will also be tabling Housing NWT's Energy Strategy and Energy Blueprint, along with a "what we heard" report. The energy plans are another action reinforced in the strategy which benefits from the input of the Council of Leaders working group and other partners.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of these changes and proud of how the NWT staff and partners were making these possible. Every day, I am looking for more progress, more steps forward, to be made. Despite these changes though I want to make one thing perfectly clear. Housing NWT's renewal process is not yet complete. This process is embedded in Housing NWT's mandate and its approaches by promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Renewal will have a lifetime beyond this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by thanking Housing NWT's many partners and staff for making these changes possible, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes in the years to come. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to end this session on a positive note. First, I want to wish all the Indigenous leaders across the NWT a safe and wonderful summer. As a former chief, I want to wish my former colleagues well and hope they, along with their constituents, all have great summer assemblies this year. In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to wish all my colleagues here in this House, including you, Mr. Speaker, a good and restful summer. I'd also like to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly for always helping to ensure we're on track and following all protocols and for the continued support in our work for the people of the NWT.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I want to mention some of the activities that will be happening in Fort Smith over the summer. First of all in June, there will be the Aurora College Thebacha Campus graduation followed by the opening of the Fort Smith Metis Day Care, and then the Treaty Land Entitlement Days that are hosted by the Salt River First Nation. Next, the Smith Landing First Nation will be hosting the Dene Assembly in July in Fort Fitzgerald. And then in August, the annual Dark Sky Festival.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I want to wish all the amazing constituents of Thebacha a happy summer season as well. And I'd also like to extend this message to all the leadership of Fort Smith which includes Salt River First Nation, the Fort Smith Metis Council, and the Town of Fort Smith. Thank you to all the leadership and to my constituents for your continued support as MLA for Thebacha.

Thank you as well to my community team for always supporting me and for the people that I serve in our community. You know who you are. And also, I want to once again thank my family for their steadfast support. I truly could not do this work without you by my side, which includes my husband Peter, my sons Jerry and Mickey and, as always, my dog Rambo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.