Debates of Feb. 13th, 2025

This is page numbers of the Hansard for the 20th Assembly, 1st 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

Oral Questions
Members Present
Prayer
Celebrating Indigenous Languages
Regional Support for Supply Chain Success
Building Shelter Capacity Fund
Aurora College Community Learning Centre Closures
Aurora College Community Learning Centre Innovation
Dilapidated Buildings
Opportunities for Indigenous Employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories
Opportunities for Indigenous Employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories
State of Child and Family Services
Implementation of Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Land Title Transfers for Private Homes
Hand Games Tournaments
Extended Adjournment of the House to February 25, 2025
Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery
Sahtu Recipients of 2024-2025 Indigenous Language Revitalization Scholarships
Implementation of the Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Implementation of the Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closures
Innovation in Response to Aurora College Community Learning Centres Closures
Shelter Network Funding and Training
Remediation and Demolition of Housing Northwest Territories Units in Mackenzie Delta
Effectiveness of Indigenous Employment Programs in the Public Service
Child and Family Services Plan of Care Agreements
Implementation of the Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Implementation of the Northwest Territories Early Learning and Childcare Agreement
Tabled Document 291-20(1): Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Orders Of The Day

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, for that detail, I will go to the ADM.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the ADM.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Jeannie Mathison

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, same answer. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I'll go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. So just to confirm and make 100 percent sure, we're not looking at service cuts for respite, seniors, or anything related to the long-term care? Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

That is correct.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Julian Morse

Julian Morse Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. That's all the questions I have for this section.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Is there any further questions? Member from Yellowknife North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Shauna Morgan

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Okay, so my question is about the substance use addictions program - health outreach and harm reduction program. It looks like there was funding from Health Canada two years ago? The last funding I see here is from 2023-2024, and to support street involved individuals in the NWT, improve access to supports for vulnerable -- we're not -- oh, I'm on page 208. Oh, we skipped right over grants, contributions and transfers? Okay, I guess I'm not allowed to go back?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Members, we need unanimous consent for the Member to go back to the last key activity. Any nays? Okay. Please proceed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Shauna Morgan

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

Sorry, thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm not used to seeing so many pages together in a package.

Okay. I see that that was funded by Health Canada in 2023-2024, so -- the description's on page 208 there, and then -- but there was no funding for last year, and there's no funding indicated for this year. Is that a program that we have tried to renew from Health Canada? Are we seeking more federal funding for this kind of initiative? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will have to get back to the Member. We don't have that detail from that year in our budget stuff. So we will have to be -- we'll have to get back to committee on where that funding came from and why it's changed in the future budgets. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Yellowknife North.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Shauna Morgan

Shauna Morgan Yellowknife North

That's fine. I can follow up with the Minister later. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. Is there any further questions? Okay, no further questions. Please turn to page 211.

Health and Social Services, long-term and continuing care services, operations expenditure summary, 2025-2026 Main Estimates, $66,878,000. Does the committee agree?

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Okay, thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Range Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Range Lake

Thank you. Just I have some questions on long-term care. In -- sorry, I'm just wondering if every long-term care bed that we have at the Liwego'ati Building is filled? Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'll go to the Minister.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, in the Liwego'ati Building, they are -- the extended care beds are filled, I believe, and we are currently in the process of filling, I believe, 17 -- 17 of the beds as the funding that we have allocated -- has been allocated within that to open up those 17 beds. So the plan with Liwego'ati is to open up those beds in -- as we need to, like in sections so that we can onboard staff. And so right now the department is on -- is staffed, and they are admitting new patients into -- or new clients into -- new residents into the 17 beds that are currently there now. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

The Chair

The Chair Richard Edjericon

Thank you. I'm going to go to the Member from Range Lake.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

February 13th

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Range Lake

Thank you. So the process has started to admit people to those 17 beds; is that what I heard? I guess I'm looking for like out of 17, how many are filled? Thank you.