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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the ongoing discovery of unmarked graves throughout Canada only further highlights the atrocities of a colonial system which has negatively impacted Indigenous people since European contact. The community of Rocher River was abandoned in order to provide a clearer path for the Taltson Hydro Electric Dam. This is a sad tale that can be told across Canada where the scores of Indigenous nations forcibly evicted from their ancestral homelands to make way for industrial development to benefit incoming colonial settlers. The history of Rocher River is complex. With the school burning down in 1950s, which triggered the sole deportation of residents from the community. The government did not support the community of rebuilding the school, which ran programming since the 1920s causing people to leave in order to receive education for their children. Those that stayed faced additional challenges as the Taltson River Hydro Project was greatly impacted -- impacted the hydrology of the area, impacted traplines, known trails, and their overall environment. These changes resulted in the history of losses to our residents making the practice of the traditional way of life near impossible.

The history of Indigenous people and colonialism and of the people not being able to return to their homelands and traditional lands use areas. Elders in my communities tell me these stories and how the Taltson dam is the reason the school was never rebuilt and why the community was lost.

Mr. Speaker, residents of Fort Resolution are still impacted by the loss of that community. The land has changed. The hunting and trapping has changed. Our people are still going into the area, or they speak of unmarked graves and need to ensure they are protected given the sensitive history of that region.

The government has made steadfast its plans to grow the size of the Taltson dam to further its industrial ambition in the Slave Geological Province. This type of major project requires a massive investment of infrastructure and risks further altering the landscape that people live in their traditional lifestyle. In addition of all of that, there is a risk of disturbing the important historical sites to Indigenous population throughout this region. We need to know that all the risks are being considered and mitigated. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement. Mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. As the government continues to advance the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project, however, I'm unclear if the overarching impacts that such expansions are understood being properly explained to the public. These grave sites of our ancestors are a critical part of our people's history. Right now as it is, those grave sites that were flooded when the Government of Canada made a decision to build this dam, it went ahead without consultation and accommodations with the people in that area. We got graves that are 60 feet underwater right now.

The elders want these grave sites relocated to their other communities ahead of a further advancement of the current Taltson Hydro Electric Expansion Project. Yes, there will be a time to consider this as part of the environment assessment process through the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, also through the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board water licensing process. But why not get ahead of this now and take action on the legacy of the colonialism that continues to harm the descendants of Rocher River? I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and colleagues.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In today's Minister's statement, the Minister of Infrastructure tried to paint a rather rosy picture of our energy future, and I'm quite at a loss of why we would do this because, Mr. Speaker, I think we need to be honest with the public that our energy future is looking pretty grim. I think the statement should have started with, the first thing, we subsidized our power corp $15 million this year because of a record low water year and an underestimation of the cost of diesel in current rates. Mr. Speaker, those problems are not going anywhere. The reality is is that our rates are going up, and people in the North will continue to pay the highest rates of power in Canada. None of the projects that the Minister listed today are going to fix that, and I think that needs to be the starting point in this conversation.

Secondly, Mr. Speaker, we have a problem building projects on budget and on time. The Minister celebrated the Inuvik Wind Project, a project that came in at almost double what we initially expected. Mr. Speaker, that was a 3.5 megawatt project for $70 million. People down south are building wind projects at $2 million a megawatt. We're ten times what we're building in the south. This shouldn't be celebrated. This was one of the most, if not the most, expensive wind project ever, Mr. Speaker. And I get it is expensive in the North, and I get it's hard to build. But with that project doubling in cost, the business case is very questionable whether it's saving those 3 million litres of diesel a year on a 20-year project, that's the estimated life span of a wind turbine, will actually pay itself off.

Mr. Speaker, we need to level with people that perhaps a lot of the renewables we want to build just aren't there in the cost for the North yet.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister spoke about the Whati Transmission Line, a line that was supposed to be starting building in 2021, now estimated to be completion in 2028. We still don't have a cost for that project. We don't even have a route for that project.

The Minister spoke of the Fort Providence Transmission Line, supposed to be completed in fall 2023, pushed back to 2027. It is clear that it is well over budget, and the $60 million the feds initially gave us for that Fort Providence transmission line isn't going to cut it. We have not been provided with an updated figure.

The Minister spoke about the Taltson Hydro Project, a project the Minister refuses to tell us how much it's going to cost. We have a 2014 cost estimate that includes the transmission line going to the diamond mines, something the Minister has said we are no longer doing. Mr. Speaker, the Minister refuses to tell us what the cost of power will be sold out of Taltson and who's going to buy it mostly importantly, Mr. Speaker. We need mines to buy it.

Mr. Speaker, there is a complete lack of transparency from the department and the power corporation about what's going on with our energy future. I'll have questions for the Minister.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Melvin Sake was born on April 21st, 1996, to Willy and Rose Sake in Fort Providence, NWT. This is where he was raised until the family moved to Mile 80. Then the family moved to Hay River and on to Fort Smith. During the move to Fort Smith, he'd attended school in Breynat Hall. He stayed in school until grade 7, then he moved to Jean Marie River, the home community of his father. Melvin liked to spend a lot of time with his father in the bush. This is where he enjoyed being especially at the family's cabin that he helped build on Sanguez Lake. Just his time there, he helped his family harvest moose, beaver, rabbits, and fish. On top of this, of his harvesting skills, he had his own trapline around the lake. He considered Jean Marie River his home even when he left three years ago. He moved to Fort Simpson to be close to his friend but was always in touch with his family.

Mr. Speaker, when the family and friends spoke about Melvin's hobbies and his past time, it was his love to be out snowmobiling in the winter and springtime and, again, it was about being on the land and fresh air. Growing up, he enjoyed playing volleyball, broomball, softball, swimming and, of course, boating. When people described him, it was what a kind person he was. He would always be willing to lend a helping hand, especially when it came to family. He was a loving and protective brother and uncle to everyone. People said that he never got angry with people, and he always had a smile and kind words for others. He really enjoyed talking and meeting new people.

Mr. Speaker, he was very proud that he knew, understood, and spoke his language. He learned it from his dad when they were on the land. He especially liked to speak to elders and hearing the stories from the past. One of the things the family and friends will miss from his passing was the way he would get people to laugh. He had the ability to make any situation to a laughable moment, and people appreciated this. Another trait was his willingness to sing a song or two or maybe even ten at any given time.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that he's going to be sadly missed by the family and friends. The family would like to thank everybody who was able to attend his funeral, those that passed on their condolences, and those who helped them with his celebration of life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts are with the family and community at this time.

Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Noah Henry Carpenter an lnuvialuk from Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, known by, in lnuvialuit, as lkaahuk. He was the son of Fred Carpenter and Ada Gruben. He was known as Dr. Noah Carpenter. On behalf of his family, friends and relatives, I would like to share a part of his story of his life.

I begin with some excerpts from CBC Canada. Dr. Noah Carpenter was a highly skilled surgeon, the first lnuvialuk surgeon in Canada. He passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and inspiration to many fellow Northerners. Originally from Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, Dr. Carpenter defied expectations throughout his life. He studied chemistry at the University of Manitoba before deciding to pursue his career in medicine. In 1971, the first Inuk doctor in Canada and later specialized in thoracic surgery. Dr. Carpenter's dedication to his profession and determination to succeed made him an inspiration to all and many. He will be remembered for his significant contributions to the medical field and the impact on the community.

In 1983, CBC profiled Dr. Carpenter, an lnuvialuk man originally from Sachs Harbour, lkaahuk, spoke about the arrival in Winnipeg years before as a young student from the North enrolled in the University of Manitoba. They had a welcoming party, he recalled, in amusement, and wanted to greet him. They were expecting someone with dark hair and Oriental-looking features wearing a fur parka and carrying a big spear. It must have been great disappointment, he says, that they didn't find that.

Dr. Carpenter, who died this month, was being remembered for his lifetime of hard work and determination, his accomplishments, and skilled surgeon, and the inspiration he gave to many fellow Northerners. He was always on top of his game in every way, said his brother Joey Carpenter in Sachs Harbour. He was always somebody to look up to.

Noah Carpenter went to residential school in Aklavik in 1960 before moving to Inuvik for high school, later the University of Manitoba to study chemistry. In 1983, a TV profile said the original goal was to become a high school teacher to teach science. Somewhere along the way, he decided to go to med school. In 1971, he was said he was the first Inuk doctor in Canada.

His education, his training, didn't stop there, though. He would go on to study surgery and to go to school in Scotland to specialize in thoracic surgery. You know, 50 years ago, you couldn't imagine any one of us becoming a doctor. You know, times are different, and it was an aspiration that most of us couldn't even dream of, his brother Joey said. Noah would later describe how his father Fred Carpenter - a successful trapper in the North - expected Noah to follow in his footsteps in what was then still a booming business in the North. He didn't understand his own son becoming a doctor instead, Noah recalled. As the years went by, I think and understand perhaps I made the right move, Noah said, in 1983. He was quite proud actually of being a doctor; I am a doctor.

In the profile, Noah would reflect more on his decision to carve a different path for himself and the compromises it required. He spoke bluntly about surrendering to the system and often at odds with Northern culture and tradition. You can't expect to devote a lot of time hunting and fishing and maintaining the old ways of life and expect to become a first-class thoracic surgeon, he said. There's always talk about breaking through and beating the system. Well, you know, the system isn't out to beat you. I think you have to just accept it, surrender into it and that's the way you'll succeed. You have to work at it. And to do your studies, you don't do things it halfheartedly. Dr. Carpenter became the first Inuvialuit doctor in 1971 to focus on a segment in 1983, his education changed his life but led him south. One of the tragedies about the North, after trying for so long I hadn't worked out, working.

In 1995, Dr. Carpenter was recognized through an Indspire Award and many groundbreaking accomplishments, the Inuvialuit specialist surgeon to emerge from the Northwest Territories. He has been an inspiration to many and returns there to speak to the youth, motivating to understand the importance of achieving higher education, reads the Indspire website.

Dr. Carpenter would now enjoy a long career as a surgeon in Comox, BC, and later Brandon, Manitobe. He also maintained his connection to the North.

His last visited in 2019 at the high school reunion. He would have liked to have worked in the North, he said in 1983, but described it never had the opportunity. I don't know what it is about me and the North and I. It's certainly something that I wanted to do, he said. The fact that not working there will always remain a mystery.

Note the bold lettering in regards to Dr. Noah Carpenter's website. September 27th. Inuvialuit Regional Corporation remembering the great success and strong determination of Dr. Noah Carpenter from Ikaahuk (Sachs Harbour), son of Ada and Fred Carpenter. Noah is believed to be the first ever Inuvialuk to become a medical doctor to push even farther into medicine becoming a leading general surgeon and to specialize in the field. The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation said it is sad to learn of recent passing and would like to offer comfort to the family and his communities on our significant loss.

Dr. Noah Carpenter is an inspiration to all Inuvialuit. We are proud beneficiaries who have since followed and pursuing areas of medicine and science, like Noah Carpenter, who dedicate themselves to complete advanced schooling and show Inuvialuit what they can achieve in life and careers, said chair Duane Smith.

Noah Carpenter originally furthered his education beyond a medical doctor while working and advancing techniques in thoracic surgery, vascular surgery. Noah was given a Indspire, an aboriginal achievement award. We have enjoyed listening to Sallirmiutun songs and never forgot his traditional Inuvialuit upbringing.

Noah was a survivor of residential schools starting in Aklavik and welcomed back his family visited and SAMS school reunion. He is an inspiration and will be remembered.

Speaking to CBC last week, his brother Joey Carpenter, who lives in Sachs Harbour, brother to Noah, says I am still absorbing the news of my brother's death. He was always on the good side of everything. We looked up to him. It's gonna take me a while, you know, to think about it. It never really hit me yet. And I, all Inuvialuit and fcountless others who knew Dr. Noah Carpenter, will echo these words from his brother Joey. It's gonna take me awhile to, you know, to think about it. It never really hit me yet.

On behalf of the family, friends and relatives of Dr. Noah Carpenter, an Inuvialuk from Ikhaahuk, my words are too weak to express my respect -- my respect and gratitude of what he's done. Dr. Noah Carpenter blazed a wonderful way and inspiring trail for all Inuvialuit and all Northerners. Noah Henry Carpenter will be missed. Thank you for the trail you left us. Thank you for the memories and deeds of a wonderful man. Dr. Noah Carpenter was a fine doctor, a kind friend, a dear brother, and a steadfast son. Thank you, Dr. Noah Carpenter. God bless us all.

Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community at this time. And the region as well. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, one fateful evening around eight years ago, my partner told me that I should run for MLA because he was tired of hearing me complain about how the government wasn't doing enough. At the time, I was the executive director for the Centre for Northern Families, and I knew systemic change was needed for our most vulnerable residents.
Soon after, a local campaign school aimed at encouraging women to consider politics and to teach them about how to run a campaign was advertised in Yellowknife. I decided there was no harm in seeing what it was all about, and it was in this campaign school that I realized there was space for me in politics.

It has been a privilege to work in this building over the last eight years, an honour that I do not take lightly. I want to thank all my colleagues for being steadfast through some of the most challenging days any of us will ever experience. We did not anticipate a global pandemic or the floods and fires we have experienced, but we experienced our strongest moments as an Assembly when we worked through these challenges together.

Thank you to my constituents for trusting me to serve you for the last eight years, and to my children Levi and Dylan for being two of my biggest supporters. The biggest thank you to my partner Rory for being the mosquito in my ear that annoyed me enough to run for MLA, and twice at that.

After much discussion and thought, I have decided to not run in this upcoming election. I don't know what I will do next, but my passion for public service continues.

Looking around the Chamber today, it's clear that great strides have been made towards improving representation since Minister Green and I were first elected eight years ago. I sincerely hope that this trend continues in the next Assembly, and I wish all candidates a positive campaign experience in October. Running for office is a demonstration of your passion for our great territory and it is an honourable pursuit no matter the outcome. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Members' statements. Returns to oral questions. Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, on May 31, 2023, regarding Federal Indian Day Schools.

Mr. Speaker, as I acknowledged yesterday in my Return to Written Question response on the issue that has been raised by the Member, the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to engage with Indigenous governments and communities to learn more about how they choose to proceed with the investigation of this still upsetting chapter in their past and how they believe the Government of the Northwest Territories can assist them. We will work with the Government of Canada to determine how we can continue to advance housing and health initiatives along with a suite of other social programs to try to alleviate the intergenerational trauma these schools have inflicted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Premier. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Finally, I got permission to recognize somebody. I'd like to welcome my wife Betty, my daughter Chelsea, and my granddaughter, Aniya; that's the one I've taking to her first day of school since kindergarten. And I'll continue that on into university. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I didn't get permission but I'm still going to recognize them anyway. I'd like to recognize my mom in the gallery as well as my sister Chelsea and my niece Aniya. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Hay River North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I might get in trouble for this one, but I'd like to recognize Kevin Whitehead who started as a Kam Lake resident, moved to Yellowknife South, and we just got him back. Thank you.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we've missed anyone in the gallery, I'd like to welcome you all. It's always good to have an audience with us. Mahsi.

Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Minister of Finance have any timelines for when a new collective agreement will be signed between the Government of the Northwest Territories and UNW? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the collective agreement between the union and the Government of the Northwest Territories did expire in March, March 31st of 2023. I don't have a set timeline. We go through the bargaining process which is not necessarily a strict timeline in and of itself. But it is a priority, certainly for the Government of the Northwest Territories, I'm confident for the union one as well. Obviously, the wildfires and evacuations have made some challenges to everyone's schedules, but it does remain a priority. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the parties did begin the negotiations in March of 2023. Again, this summer season has brought quite a number of unexpected challenges and emergencies to everyone's feet. But, again, I do want to assure that the GNWT and the union do continue to have discussions. They've been in contact even throughout the evacuations. I know the department has appreciated the opportunity to be engaged, not necessarily about negotiations, but even just as a resource to be able to maintain the contact and the line of communications. All that said, though, I don't expect an agreement will be possible before election day, again, just given some of the disruptions that we've had. But there's a process in place now, and the parties are, I'm confident, certainly from the part of the GNWT, confident to pursue a collective agreement in due course. Thank you.