Debates of May 21st, 2025

Further to the response provided to the Member for Monfwi on February 26, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

The Seniors and Continuing Care Services Division within the Department of Health and Social Services maintains a dedicated Elder Abuse and Neglect website which offers supports and services available to residents if they are experiencing or witnessing abuse of older adults.

Webpages with general information, links and resources that can be downloaded:

Protecting Elders from Abuse and Neglect: www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/protecting-elders-abuse-neglect

Getting help for Elder Abuse: www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/protecting-elders-abuse-and-neglect/getting-help-elder-abuse

This webpage identifies specific help resources, such at the Family Violence Helpline, 811, or RCMP with phone numbers and/or links to websites such as the NWT Community Counselling Program.

Further, residents can also phone the NWT Seniors' Society Information Line for relevant information at 1-800-661-0878.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake on February 28, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

I committed to providing an update to the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake on whether security and screening capability was considered in the design of the Inuvik Airport Terminal Building project. I also committed to reviewing the project to ensure this feature was included in the design of the building.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, or CATSA, a Crown corporation, is responsible for security screening of passengers and baggage at designated airports in Canada. The Government of the Northwest Territories GNWT is not aware of any plans by CATSA to expand service locations in the Northwest Territories at this time. Any decision to expand the service outside the current 89 locations would need to be negotiated between CATSA, the GNWT and the airline seeking to provide a new service.

It was important during the design phase of the Inuvik Airport Terminal Building project to allow for a flexible design to assist in facilitating any expansion to the facility. I can confirm that if CATSA were to offer security screening for passengers and baggage at this airport in the future, the current hold room at the terminal building would be converted to security screening and a new hold room would be built beside this space via a facility expansion.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife North on February 28, 2025, regarding information about the available shelters in Yellowknife for those experiencing homelessness, I offer the following information:

I will table a document that provides a listing of emergency shelters in Yellowknife that offer support and services to individuals experiencing temporary or chronic homelessness. This resource will also be shared with community partners, including Non-Government Organizations, or NGOs, local businesses, the City of Yellowknife, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs continues to collaborate with the business community, the City of Yellowknife, and NGOs through the Yellowknife Community Partnership Forum. At the Forum's meeting on May 6, members collectively identified several concrete actions, including the need to share information about shelter operations.

Since the closure of the On-the-Land Camp in January, Executive and Indigenous Affairs has been closely monitoring shelter utilization. Between January 17 and April 27, 2025, shelters reached full capacity on only seven nights. The average occupancy rate during that time was 87%. While this data suggests shelter space has generally been available, we recognize the need to enhance our data collection and analysis to better understand fluctuations in demand. This will help us plan more effectively, allocate resources wisely, and provide more targeted support to those in need.

Our Integrated Service Delivery team in Yellowknife has been working closely with emergency shelter providers to better understand the needs of shelter users. The team has also been engaging with individuals sleeping rough or in tents throughout the city. Contrary to common assumptions, many of these individuals are aware of available resources and have options for places to stay. Their reasons for choosing to sleep outside vary and may include personal relationships, safety concerns, sobriety requirements, shelter rules, and a desire for autonomy.

Executive and Indigenous Affairs continues to work with partners to address these barriers and remains committed to engaging with individuals to explore potential solutions.

I want to thank the Member for suggesting the development of this resource. I hope it proves to be informative and helpful.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife Centre on
February 28, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

Under the Extended Health Benefits Policy, vision care benefits are available for eligible seniors, 60 years of age and older, in accordance with the terms and rates established in the NIHB Vision Care Fee Grid NWT (December 13, 2024):

Maximum eligible amount for standard coverage is up to $300.00.

Maximum eligible amount for high index coverage is up to $440.00.

There is some additional coverage for specialized needs that requires prior approval and is also outlined in the NIHB Vision Care Fee Grid NWT.

If the cost of the eyeglasses is greater than the maximum eligible amount, the client is reimbursed only to the maximum eligible amount.

Both in the application for EHB and the Alberta Blue Cross Claims form, it indicates that eligible EHB seniors must first use any other health-related insurance plan they have access to before making a claim under EHB. The EHB Seniors Benefit Application and the Alberta Blue Cross Health Services Claim set the criteria for EHB as the payor of last resort.

In a situation where the eligible senior has coverage through another health benefit plan such asa private insurance plan, the senior must use the other health benefit plan first before making a claim for benefits under the Extended Health Benefit Policy. For example, if a senior has coverage from another plan for $250 every two years, the senior will submit a claim for $250 to their private plan and then submit a claim for $50, or $190 for high index coverage, to Alberta Blue Cross for the remainder of the full maximum eligible amount.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Great Slave on March 3, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

The Minister committed to following up on the outcomes of an initiative supporting energy efficiency in Norman Wells, highlighting energy-saving measures implemented by Arctic Energy Alliance, or AEA, and sharing insights that could benefit other communities. The response below is provided to fulfill this commitment.

Beyond its core programs in 2024-25, AEA supported Norman Wells through initiatives such as the Winterization Walk-Throughs and the Firewood Access project.

The Winterization Walk-Throughs involved AEA staff visiting low-income households in Norman Wells and Yellowknife to assess homes for energy efficiency improvements and assist households with the installation of energy saving measures such as insulating window plastic and weatherstripping for doors.

The Firewood Access project delivered two iterations of a three-day course for participants in the Sahtu region, with certified chainsaw safety instructors providing training and certification in safe wood-harvesting techniques. The course also included a component on how to start a small local wood-harvesting business.

In recent years, AEA has partnered with Indigenous governments to deliver similar programs in two or three communities annually; these are intended to continue and improve in the future.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Mackenzie Delta on March 3, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

The previous Minister of Infrastructure committed to providing the Member for Mackenzie Delta information regarding signage placement near Rengleng River. I was named Minister of Infrastructure on March 31, 2025 and I am following up on the commitment made by my colleague.

The department has taken steps to address concerns regarding signage placement near Rengleng River to improve safety for all road users. While slow signs have always been in place on both sides of the river, additional 50 km/h maximum speed signs were installed on March 4, 2025. These new signs are positioned farther back to provide drivers, particularly trucks, with more advance warning to slow down before reaching the area.

Regarding inspections of the Dempster Highway, the Department continues to conduct daily highway inspections from the Yukon/NWT border to Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik during ice road season. These inspections are carried out by GNWT highway technicians and local contractors. Any significant changes in road conditions are communicated to the public through mass emails to local contractors and updates on DriveNWT.ca. This platform is updated at least weekly under normal conditions. Significant changes in road conditions are reflected as needed, including hourly or daily updates as required.

The department acknowledges there have been vacancies in staffing, including a Highway Project Officer in Inuvik and a Highway Technician in Fort McPherson. While the Department continues to make progress in ensuring these positions are filled, during periods of staffing shortages, contractor assistance is utilized to ensure continued road inspections and updates.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh on Monday, March 03, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

Housing NWT's residential assets, larger than a duplex, are covered by the Government of the Northwest Territories Property Insurance Policy. While not insured, Housing NWT was able to accommodate the replacement of the public housing duplex that was lost due to the fire within its existing capital budget.

In addition to replacing this public housing duplex, Housing NWT has also delivered eight additional new public housing units for Fort Resolution as part of the 100 new public housing unit initiative committed to during the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

As for the market housing duplex lost in the fire, with no demonstrated need at the time from the market housing waitlist, this duplex was not replaced. In addition, Housing NWT is currently evaluating its approach to the provision of market housing, aiming to promote additional market housing investment by Indigenous Governments and the private sector.

With regards to illegal activities in your communities, it was a pleasure having an opportunity to meet with you on March 10, 2025, to discuss these matters in more detail.

Further to the response provided to the Member for the Sahtu on March 6, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

Officials from the Department of Environment and Climate Change met with the Executive Director of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, or Review Board, on April 18, 2025, regarding the scope of the Line 490 Replacement Project Environmental Assessment process versus the on-going Environmental Assessment for the Norman Wells Operations. I will table a Note to File regarding this meeting prepared by the Review Board which has been filed on the Review Board's public registry.

As of May 7, 2025, the Line 490 environmental assessment has been adjourned, at the request of the developer, Imperial Oil. The GNWT will continue to participate actively in environmental assessment proceedings related to Imperial Oil's Norman Wells Operations.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife Centre on
March 13, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

The Minister committed to getting more information on correspondence between the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the City of Yellowknife regarding a new water pipeline.

To provide a bit of background, the project to replace the water line is funded through the Federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, or DMAF, up to a maximum of $25,862,218. The City was approved for this funding in 2020 based on cost estimates from 2017. Updated cost estimates are now significantly higher. Additionally, progress on the Giant Mine Remediation Project has made other options more viable. Due to these factors the City has completed a study to review four options to replace the water intake line. One option that the City is considering is switching to Yellowknife Bay as the primary water source which is more economically feasible than the original option. DMAF funding has been extended for the project and will be utilized for whichever options the City selects.

MACA staff have regular discussions with City staff and have discussed Federal Funding programs that may be applicable; however, the City has not requested direct support regarding the waterline project. MACA continues to work with the City to support them in maximizing all funding sources for their capital infrastructure as per City priorities. MACA will continue to advocate with the federal government for additional funding to support development and replacement of critical municipal infrastructure.

Further to the response provided to the Member for Yellowknife Centre on March 13, 2025, the following additional information is provided:

The Member inquired if there was specific debt issued or if cash reserves were used to acquire the Hay River franchise assets.

The Hay River Franchise purchase was included in Northwest Territories Power Corporation's, or NTPC's 2024-25 Capital Plan and included in the NT Hydro/NTPC 2024-25 Corporate Plan. NTPC finances all capital expenditures through a combination of debt and internally generated cash flow.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to written question asked by the Member for Range Lake on March 6th, 2025, regarding the productivity of operating rooms at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document titled Operating Room Activities for Stanton Territorial Hospital.

The Member asked for the total number of scheduled surgeries and day procedures completed in 2024, broken down per month. There were a total of 2,053 surgeries completed at Stanton Territorial Hospital in 2024. The monthly breakdown of Operating Room activity is presented in Table 1 of the tabled document, which is titled Scheduled Surgeries and Day Procedures Completed in 2024.

The Member asked for the total hours worked by all surgical teams for the year 2024. A full time Operating Room Registered Nurse will work 1,950 hours per year. Each service is provided with an allocation of Operating Room days per week. For example, the types of surgeries are scheduled as follows:

• Orthopedics surgeries are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday;
• General surgeries are scheduled on Monday and Wednesday;
• Gynecology surgeries are scheduled on Tuesday and Friday;
• Ophthalmology surgeries are scheduled on Thursday;
• Ears, Nose and Throat surgeries are scheduled on Wednesday and Friday; and
• Urology surgeries are scheduled once per month on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

The Member asked for the number of surgeries and day procedures cancelled over the same period. In 2024, there were a total of 561 surgery cancellations. There are a variety of reasons for these cancellations. 210 were patient generated cancellations, 85 were cancelled by the Surgeon, and there were 81 no shows. In the tabled document, a summary of these reasons is given as well as a break down by month, in Table 2 titled Summary of Rationale for Surgery Cancellations, for 2024.

The Member asked for a full cost accounting of all scheduled surgeries and day procedures completed in 2024. The 2024-25 fiscal year revised operating budget for the operating room is $5,910,000. The 2024-25 revised operating budget for Day Procedures is $3,014,000. Expenses for the year are not due to be finalized until the end of June 2025.

The 2023-24 total expenditures for both Operating Room and Day Procedures was $7,877,643.

The Member asked for the average completed surgeries and day procedures vs. cancelled surgeries and day procedures over a 5-year period.

The breakdown of completed surgeries at Stanton Territorial Hospital for the previous five years is as follows:

• 607 surgeries completed from January 1 to April 31, 2025;
• 2,053 surgeries completed in 2024;
• 1,589 surgeries completed in 2023;
• 1,447 surgeries completed in 2022;
• 852 surgeries completed between July 1 and December 31, 2021; and there is no data available from January 1 to June 30, 2021.

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic response and measures, there were fewer surgeries performed in 2021. There is no electronic data available prior to July 1, 2021.

Further, the total number of surgery cancellations at Stanton Territorial Hospital for the previous five years is as follows:

• 138 surgeries were cancelled from January 1 to April 31, 2025;
• 561 surgeries were cancelled in 2024;
• 507 surgeries were cancelled in 2023;
• 392 surgeries were cancelled in 2022; and
• 480 surgeries were cancelled in 2021; and there is no data available from January 1 to June 30, 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic response and measures, there were more surgery cancellations in 2021. There is no electronic data available prior to July 1, 2021.

As indicated in Table 2: Summary of Rationale for Surgery Cancellations, for 2024, of the tabled document, there are a variety of reasons for cancellations that are often beyond Stanton Territorial Hospital's control. Additionally, when cancellations occur, there is very little lost Operating Room time as same day surgical procedures are often scheduled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by the Member from Monfwi on March 3rd, 2025, regarding title transfer issues in the Tlicho region.

The Member asked how many properties in the Northwest Territories are currently registered in the name of deceased individuals.

Unfortunately, the Government of the Northwest Territories does not have the number of properties in the Northwest Territories whose registered owners are deceased individuals.

The land registry system used in the Northwest Territories and elsewhere in Canada is a Torrens system which registers interests and characteristics in land, and not who owns land. The Land Titles Office has no data on the named registered owners of land nor does the Land Titles Office enforce the use of legal names that appear on the records of Vital Statistics.

A separation between the NWT Vital Statistics Office under the Department of Health and Social Services, and Legal Registries under the Department of Justice prevents the Land Titles Office from accessing or cross-referencing information like death records that are not collected or intended for a particular purpose.

The Member also asked what specific legal steps are required to transfer ownership from a deceased titleholder to the rightful heirs under the current land title system.

The legal steps required to transfer ownership from a deceased titleholder to their rightful heirs in the Northwest Territories depend on several factors, including the type of interest in the land, how the ownership was structured, and the specifics of the deceased's estate. However, the two most common scenarios are transfer through estate administration, and transfer through survivorship.

Transfer through estate administration, for tenancy in common or sole ownership, begins with the administration of the deceased's estate; a personal representative, specifically an executor or administrator, is appointed by the court. The Court formally grants the personal representative the authority to manage the estate's assets, including real estate property. Once appointed, the personal representative is responsible for ensuring that all debts of the estate are paid prior to distribution of assets. This would include, among other things, taxes owing on the land, arrears in lease payments if applicable and any mortgages on the property, including amounts owed to Housing Northwest Territories. The debts need to be settled prior to the transfer of land. In some cases, land must be sold to pay off debts and if there are funds left, they can then be distributed. The personal representative must file a Transmission Application with the NWT Land Titles Office. The Application provides proof of the personal representative's authority. After the transmission is registered, the personal representative must identify the rightful heirs and then transfer the land to them. This is formalized by filing a Transfer of Land with the Land Titles Office.

Transfer through survivorship occurs if the deceased held the property in joint tenancy with another person. The surviving joint tenant automatically inherits the deceased's share. The surviving joint tenant must file an Application of Surviving Joint Tenant with the Land Titles Office. The Application must be accompanied by proof of the deceased's death, such as a death certificate. Many applicants follow this process without legal assistance as it does not require administration of the estate. Upon successful application, the Land Titles Office will register the surviving joint tenant as the sole owner of the property. The sole owner is responsible for any outstanding mortgage and/or debts.

It is strongly recommended that individuals who may have an interest in a deceased person's estate to seek legal advice from a lawyer specializing in estate administration and real estate law in the Northwest Territories. They can provide guidance tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. The Land Titles Office can provide further information but is prohibited from giving legal advice to members of the public.

The Member asked how the Department of Justice facilitates the identification of rightful heirs, and what actions must be taken to resolve any title issues including any specific declarations that must be made to the Land Titles Office.

The Department of Justice's role in identifying rightful heirs is primarily through the Public Trustee's Office and is limited in scope. The public trustee generally accepts administration of estates only when the only beneficiaries are children, the beneficiary is a spouse and over the age of 65, the beneficiary is mentally incapable, or there are significant assets and no next of kin can be found.
If the estate or individuals have assets or funds that exceed any prescribed amounts for the public trustee, these issues are considered private property matters. The determination of heirs, resolution of title disputes for most estates, and real estate transactions are also considered private legal issues. The Department of Justice is not implicated as it does not provide private legal services to members of the public.

Dealing with a deceased person's estate is a very common legal issue. It is strongly recommended that individuals plan how they wish their estate to be dealt with while still alive. Estate administration can cause pain, costs, and other burdens being left for loved ones, which can be avoided or mitigated with good estate planning.

Individuals facing land title issues or the need to identify heirs should seek legal counsel. A lawyer specializing in estate administration and real estate law can conduct thorough investigations to identify heirs, navigate the legal process of transferring property ownership, represent individuals in court proceedings if necessary, and prepare and file the required legal documents including applications and declarations.

Lastly, the Member asked about properties in the Tlicho Region that have not been surveyed or registered with the Land Titles Office. Specifically, they asked about what legal process exists for establishing ownership and what steps must a resident take to begin the land survey and title registration process under current Northwest Territories laws.

• There are 1,411 parcels of land within the constituency of Monfwi. Of these 1,411 parcels:
• There are 17 parcels held in fee simple with the registered owner being the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories (meaning the Government of Northwest Territories).
• There are 32 parcels held in fee simple with the registered owner being individuals.
• There are 877 parcels held in fee simple with the registered owner being Indigenous governments.
• 435 parcels have an active leasehold title associated with the fee simple interest.
• 485 parcels are untitled and would require a title to be raised by the proper authority.

Parcels can have different structures and overlapping title and may be included in more than one type. For an individual to acquire ownership of land that has not been previously surveyed or registered, this will typically start with a Crown Grant, notification, or a notice to issue title which is accompanied by a legal survey of the parcel of land.
Within the Tlicho region, this process is likely conducted by the Tlicho Government under the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement. The Tlicho Government may have its own internal process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question number 16-20(1) asked by the Member for Frame Lake on March 13th, 2025, regarding environmental liabilities, inventory, and securities held by the Government of the Northwest Territories

The GNWT follows Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards issued by the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board. One of the standards issued covers how to account for contaminated sites.

On an annual basis, the GNWT's inventory of contaminated sites is updated each year in accordance with the accounting standards. The liability amount for the fiscal year end is determined based on that listing and cost estimate at March 31. The liability goes up when new sites are added or cost estimates increase, the liability goes down when sites are either removed from the list and/or sites are remediated.

The GNWT publishes through an online searchable database the contaminated sites as reported in the public accounts as at March 31 of each year end.

The public accounts publish the environmental liability information and the amounts at an aggregated level and does not disclose site specific amounts as this could interfere with future procurement processes to remediate these sites. Of the inventory of projects, historically some may have had leases, land use permits or water licenses. Of the list of contaminated sites at March 31, 2024, only one site had permits with a reclamation security required. The total security held for that site was $2.9 million.

Later today I will table a supporting document with more details to supplement this response.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.