Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the very important piece of infrastructure in our territory which is in my riding, the Deh Cho Bridge. The Deh Cho Bridge is probably one of the territory's largest pieces of infrastructure and the only bridge crossing the Mackenzie River.

Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories discovered that the bridge was damaged. The damage included a broken cable. As a result, traffic is reduced to one lane and there are often line-ups.

Mr. Speaker, constituents in my riding frequently use the Deh Cho Bridge, and they are concerned about the traffic delays and worried about potential safety issues. My constituents aren't the only ones impacted. The bridge is important for many residents of the NWT and for tourism and other industries as this is a year-round highway linking Yellowknife to the south.

Initially, the repair work was supposed to take place this summer; however, this work has not been completed. I made inquiries on the status of the repairs and each time I am told that it will be done soon; however, the work keeps getting pushed back, Mr. Speaker. The government has been aware of this issue for over a year. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This July an email was sent to the Department of Health and Social Services. Seven GNWT employees were included on that email. One of them in particular, Mr. Speaker, was the CEO of NT Health and Social Services so I know the department has it at the toppest -- sorry, at the top of the highest officials we have.

Mr. Speaker, I won't name the particular facility, but it was highlighting something very serious. The subject matter in part reads: Urgent, child and youth safety concerns at... I won't fill in the rest. And the email then begins, Mr. Speaker -- and I take a small excerpt out of it. It says, I am writing to you today with a serious concern, safety risk to children and youth that are occurring.

Mr. Speaker, now when it comes to our most vulnerable, whether it's our youth, whether it's our elderly, or those who require special supports, I think it's fair to say all hands-on deck is the right approach. It's not only warranted; it's demanded, Mr. Speaker. So I know this email was received by the CEO, Mr. Speaker, and it highlights in the email that there may be human rights issues, abuse, and neglect. Mr. Speaker, I repeat myself. There may be human rights issues, abuse, and neglect. In that email, it had several items attached that the concerned citizen brought forward and citing as this is information you may need.

Mr. Speaker, this is quite distressing for someone like myself because thinking about our most vulnerable may be trapped in a particular situation and, more so, it bothers me that the department may be taking a lackadaisical approach on how to investigate this and furthermore demonstrates some level of transparency to these concerns. I don't know if they're facts, but they're concerned enough to put them in writing to the department, Mr. Speaker. That should be a minimum standard, a standard of saying maybe we should look into this. At the same time, this also provides those in the system to clarify any concerns. They may be a misunderstanding but I'm not the person to judge.

Now this narrative, Mr. Speaker, I highlight does cause further concerns. I go back, human rights, abuse, and neglect.

There is disclosure rules under the Child and Family Services Act, Mr. Speaker, but it does seem to read pretty silent when it comes to reporting these to the RCMP. So, Mr. Speaker, to help us avoid lifelong -- the lifelong journey of despair and trauma of individuals, I'll be asking the Minister about when the RCMP should be playing a role on this particular concern highlighted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.

Good afternoon, colleagues. Today, I would like to celebrate the life of Stephanie "Sweet Pea" Squirrel. She was born on September 15th, 1988, to Loretta and Steve Squirrel. She was the youngest of five children.

Stephanie attended school in Fort Simpson. I can remember the first time I met her. It was in Grade 1, and she attended school with my daughter. It is interesting what you remember of youth when they are young. What struck me about Stephanie was her smile, energy, and willingness to always want to help her classmates. As she grew up, this was what people saw. She was always there looking after others, especially young children.

I can tell you, three of my grandchildren were always excited to see her, whether it was on the street or at daycare. They spoke about how nice she was, and I witnessed her pure kindness and care she would give to them. Unfortunately, she passed away on August 3rd, 2024, at the young age of 35.

On Monday, August 19th, the family had a Celebration of Life. Two of her best friends, Jocelyn Kierstead and Brittany Hardisty-Isaiah did her eulogy. I have attached them at the end of this speech and would like them deemed as read and printed in Hansard.

What I can tell you, they both spoke about how full of life she was. Always thinking of others, especially the young children, whether they were her nieces, nephews, friends' children, or ones from the daycare. She wanted them to enjoy life and make the most of things. The other that that jumped out at me from their eulogy, the first being, live in the moment. Sometimes you don't do what you plan on doing, like going out but end up in bed watching movies, chatting and dancing with your best friend into all hours of the night, and it being the best time.

The second thing was family time and the willingness to go on adventures with them and loved ones. Whether it was done with trips to Edmonton, Vegas, Mexico, or at the snye or visiting friends or family at home. You can always have fun and enjoy the company you are with regardless of where you are. This was who Stephanie was.

Her family and her boyfriend would like to thank all the people who were able to come to her Celebration of Life and all the condolences from people who were not able to attend. My condolences go out to the family. She will be sadly missed by us all.

Eulogy for Stephanie M. Squirrel (Jocelyn Kierstead and Brittany Hardisty Isaiah):

Stephanie (sweet pea) was a kind, loving, funny, selfless, beautiful soul. This isn't even a fraction of what I can say of who she was as a person, if anyone knew her, she was so much more than words can describe. She was an amazing at everything and an amazing friend, always there to have a shoulder to cry on, made you feel so comfortable and warm. She could always brighten up any room with her contagious smile and incredibly wicked humour but can also smack the Band-Aid off someone if you needed her to. I'll always remember the days we would make plans and end up staying in bed watching movies and singing and laughing all night.

Stephanie had a place in her heart for all children in her care as if they were her own. She was passionate about providing a safe, nurturing space for them. From the kids at the daycare to her many nieces, nephews, and little cousins. Steph had an abundance of love and patience for children.

As the youngest of 5 siblings, she earned her nickname of sweet pea and baby and was adored by those who knew her. Stephanie looked up to her big sisters, was protected by her older brothers, adored her father, and was devoted to loving and caring for her mother. Like most of us in a small community, Steph had a lot of cousins she grew up with that were like siblings. Family time and values are things Stephanie treasured. From trips to Edmonton, to birthdays, holidays, and weddings, she could always be found at the family gatherings.

Steph was never one to miss out on an opportunity to have fun and adventure whether it was a Las Vega trip with her sisters and Aunt, to a wedding vacation in Mexico, or a trip down to the snye floating bridge with her pops.

Steph's interest in astrology and her own zodiac sign reflected in her personality; humble, grounded, self-sufficient. She even has a tattoo of the Virgo constellation. I'd like to thank you for joining us to celebrate her life here on Earth, now she is our own STAR in the sky full of constellations.

Members' statements. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome two pages from the community of Deline, Ehtseo Ayha School. Their names are Matthew Bond and Evelyn Gaudet. Welcome to the Assembly. Mahsi.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chamber. I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to see people in the gallery. Oh, Member from Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to recognize Yellowknife North constituent Yuma McEachern who is helping us out as a page this week. So thanks so much, Yuma, for all your help.

Recognition of visitors in had the gallery. Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's going to be another marathon for Standing Committee on Government Operations. Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 10-20(1), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Reports on standing and special committees -- oh, sorry. Motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion is passed.

---Carried

Report Link

Reports on standing and special committees. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 10-20(1), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, be received and adopted by the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion has passed.

---Carried

Reports on standing and special committees. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that pursuant to Rule 9.4(5)(a), the Government of the Northwest Territories table a comprehensive response to this report, including all recommendations, within 120 days or at the earliest opportunity subsequent to the passage of 120 days. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Motion's in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion has passed.

---Carried

Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations would like to Report on its Review of the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Equal Pay Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you.