Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking to get started on the Premier's 50-year vision for the future of the Northwest Territories, a vision of decentralization of services and power to Indigenous self-governments. The vision is supported by the action of the previous Assembly which is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, a declaration that internationally mandates the right to self-determination.

Furthermore, decentralization of services for Indigenous governments was mandated in the devolution process passed a decade ago. As well, in fact, these rights have been pursued for generations. Yet, today, we stand here in this Assembly, year after year, with no real progress towards goals once more.

The cost of inaction is seriously holding our communities back. Indigenous governments alone passes the knowledge, traditions, and perspectives that are needed to solve our health and housing crisis, and they need access to the resources to make it happen. Indigenous governments are allocated $1.6 billion out of the $2.2 billion budget this government gets on an annual basis.

Mr. Speaker, but, yet because of the stages of the colonial remain in place, much of those funds don't make it to our small communities or are allocated through restrictive policies that don't work for our people. A new deal for the North that respects Indigenous governments would therefore give them the resources and empower them are largely entitled so their communities can thrive. This new deal for the North will take a lot of effort and a lot of time, but thankfully a lot of that work has been done already.

In 1992, as the Northwest Territories was on the cusp of division, a report was commissioned in the Future of the Government of the Northwest Territories written by the late Jim Bourque that outlined the solutions of the North, needs for the fair future, and this Assembly is committed to working towards. The biggest solution offered in Jim Bourque's report was the NWT Constitution which would clearly outline the role and functions of Indigenous governments and have governance in our territory. Unfortunately, despite all the time and money spent on the research, a Constitution to produce the report, it was never enacted and instead it was shelved for generation.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I can call on this government to take another look at the Jim Bourque report. We need to work as soon as possible as the claim is being settled. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. To do so, we must work together to figure out a process to achieve these goals through the Council of Leaders and working group and committee to make this progress that has been promised for decades. As Canada makes its way for a long journey towards justice and reconciliation for Indigenous people, the North can -- sorry, the North can use this critical junction we are striving for as an opportunity to develop a model of governance. Mr. Speaker, I would have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In economics, there's a phrase called Jevons paradox which occurs when technology progresses in a manner to increase efficiency but the resources actually inversely further demanded because we've lowered the cost. So in order, Mr. Speaker, historically governments have been trying to find ways to be more efficient, but in turn, people -- efficiency gains enthusiasm which increases consumption. This is called the rebound effect of Jevons paradox.

So a good example is when you make fuel efficiency vehicles, Mr. Speaker, people tend to drive more and hence consume more fuels. Mr. Speaker, in the end it results that just because you make something cheaper and solve a problem, you don't necessarily take into the greater consideration of the demand it's now created.

Now the EU has noted, Mr. Speaker -- and this is where it's important -- that this principle of efficiency on economics also applies to government policy, and it can apply to us. So how does it apply to the GNWT?

Well, take the encampment, for example, Mr. Speaker. Are we addressing the cause or are we addressing the system of some of these problems? By fixing it with a Band-Aid solution, Mr. Speaker, is the government temporarily making things worse? Are we empowering people? That is really addressing the cause. Are we finding ways to create sustainable communities and independent people? I'm not so sure.

Mr. Speaker, I agree something needs to be done, hands down. I would definitely stress that, you know, things -- solutions like Aspen Apartments, you know, fixing it up is not a terrible solution in any way. But for 38 units, 38 potential families waiting for a solution between one and two years away from now, has done nothing to solve the problem.

Mr. Speaker, you know, sometimes I say a four door Corolla could solve our problems; why are we buying Escalades? We don't need them, Mr. Speaker. There's nothing wrong with Aspen Apartments that couldn't House people today. In other words, we could be saving and changing the lives of 38 people -- 38 families. By sewing these seeds, possibly we'd be getting the right effect.

Mr. Speaker, we also have other temporary solutions when we're scrambling for them. The government has the Territorial Treatment Centre, the TTC, right across the street from the encampment. We could be partnering with the women's society, we could be partnering with the YWCA, or even the Salvation Army to temporary solve the solution. Let's not bring a hammer when we don't need one, Mr. Speaker. We could work with our communities in partnership with our social agencies. And I'll have questions for The Ministers during question period later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Colleagues, it has been over a year since Adam Yeadon passed away on the fire line while protecting his home community of Fort Liard. Family members, residents and fire crews led a small, private ceremony in Fort Liard in remembrance of Adam. Colleagues, He leaves behind a partner, a young daughter, dad, brother and sister. And many cousins and nieces and nephews.

I can tell you it weighs on us a lot of his passing, and it is my understanding that firefighters across the territory doing the same difficult work Adam did, are thinking of him and how he lost his life. When you hear the message that the fire crew staff heard each day, the safety of your team must always be the first priority, it brings it home about the critical importance of safety in the field.

The family, his friends, community, would like to thank NWT Fire for creating the scholarship in Adam's memory for people in post-secondary education in forest-related fields.

This past fall, Adam was remembered by the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa. The family would like to thank the department for all its support to get there and be part of this event as well for having the Minister attend.

In closing I would like to use the words of Adam's partner, Keanna McLeod's word: He was such an outgoing person. Everyone liked being around him, and he was loved by all his friends and family. He liked being outdoors, being on the land, discovering new places, experiencing new things and more importantly meeting new people.

In closing, I wish to use the quote I heard from NWT Fire: Though nothing will repair the hole his absence leaves in the lives of those who knew and loved him, our steadfast support remains with his family and friends as they navigate the difficult path forward.

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

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker [Translation] ... Anita Wedzin, Diane Lafferty, Deniza -- and Linda Mantla, they're all here; they live here in Yellowknife, going to school. They want to, they are looking to further, to education. I know that their parents and their family members and also a lot of these young kids, I don't know who they are from the school, I am happy that they are here, I do believe, and also they are here with their teachers as well, the ones that are here, masi cho. [Translation Ends]

Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Ms. Tarlson's grade 8 class from Range Lake North, which is a school in my riding. Great to see you here today, and it was lovely to speak with you before the session. Go Hoyas.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Verna Abel Catholic. I just want to say welcome to the Assembly. Also to all the students from the college and the students from Range Lake as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize my CA, Georgina Neyando, who has travelled down with me from Fort McPherson to be here to take in some -- do some work here in the Assembly on my behalf. I'd just like to welcome Georgina. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the students of Aurora College. That's an excellent campus downtown in the Yellowknife Centre riding. It's not exclusive in Yellowknife. Yes, we have a campus college in Fort Smith and Inuvik, but today we have the Yellowknife students. Hooray.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to recognize a constituent, Corinna -- it looks like Pookas. I haven't met her but that said, I'd like to -- or Puskas, my apologies. Corinna Puskas and our -- seeing our proceedings before the House. Thank you very much.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome Amy Lee, a long-time colleague of mine way back when. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Inuvik Twin Lakes. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.

If we've missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chambers. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings. It's always nice to have people -- or see people in our gallery.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Member from Monfwi.

Your Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide its Report on the Statutory Review of the Mental Health Act and commends it to the House.

And, Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Committee Report 16-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Statutory Review of the Mental Health Act, be deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

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

---Carried

*Report Link

Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Mackenzie Delta, that Committee Report 16-20(1) be received and adopted by the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.