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Roles

In the Legislative Assembly

Elsewhere

Crucial Fact

  • His favourite word was public.
Historical Information Jackson Lafferty is no longer a member of the Legislative Assembly.

Last in the Legislative Assembly June 2021, as MLA for Monfwi

Won his last election, in 2019, by acclaimation.

Statements in the House

Public Restroom Facilities on Highway No. 3 between Behchoko and Yellowknife March 2nd, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, while I stand here, I want to talk on behalf of the elders. A lot of the elderly ladies have spoken to me of how the road comes, and also, whenever we have an all-season road, a lot of the elderly ladies are very concerned about how come they don't have safety, on behalf of the elders. Mr. Speaker, I will speak in English. [Translation ends]

I want to speak about the issue that, for reasons you will soon understand, rarely makes it to these hallowed walls. Some might be tempted to laugh, but it's deadly serious, as you will see. It's about toilets, Mr. Speaker, public toilets. I'm referring to the provision of lavatories on the most travelled section of road in the Northwest Territories, Highway No. 3. The problem is that there are no restrooms or toilets. I'm talking about the 100-kilometre stretch of Highway No. 3 between Behchoko and Yellowknife, and when the winter road opens up to the outlying communities, that's even further.

There is not a single gas station or restroom on the whole, entire road, Mr. Speaker. I talked earlier about the very unfortunate death on Highway No. 3 of my constituent, the late Kelly Washie. When Kelly got out of the car on the roadside last New Year's Eve, I'm sorry to say that it was to relieve himself. That's when he was tragically hit. This is the most tragic consequence of there not being public washrooms or restrooms on this highway, but in fact, not a day passes when the absence of public restrooms is not illuminated in the most urgent way because, Mr. Speaker, for some, especially the most vulnerable elders, elderly women, and especially children, sometimes an hour and a half, two hours, two and a half hours, or even from Wekweeti, it's even further, almost five or seven hours; way too long to wait. What does your mother, your wife, your sister, and your little daughter do then, Mr. Speaker? I will have questions for the appropriate Minister at the appropriate time. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Question 617-19(2): Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families March 1st, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. The Minister alluded to lack of capacity building, lack of resource people within the system. It's time that we reinvest in these areas. We are talking about our children of the Northwest Territories, and this is a worthwhile investment. I certainly hope during the time 2021 comes to an end, where we have reached out to five regions, established an agreement. That is what I would like to see, Mr. Speaker. What role did the territory's Indigenous people play in bringing their children and family services up to the standards set out in Bill C-92? How were they involved? Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Question 617-19(2): Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families March 1st, 2021

The bill came into effect over a year now, and we are still talking about potential one or two Indigenous governments possibly coming onboard. We need to be proactive. We need to be reaching out to these Indigenous governments across the territory, similar to other provincial jurisdictions. It's already established, and any apprehensions, they are the first go-to, Indigenous governments. We should be acting on that, as well, Mr. Speaker. It's a complex matter, negotiating the agreement. It covers funding, liabilities, transition, a scope of policy to be transferred. What supports has this Minister's department put in place to assist northern Indigenous governments wishing to enter into these kinds of agreements?

Question 617-19(2): Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families March 1st, 2021

That leads to my next question. As agreements are in place with Indigenous governments and provincial jurisdictions across Canada, we should be in that position, as well. Mr. Speaker, the primary instrument for devolving Child and Family Services to Indigenous people under Bill C-92 is a tripartite coordination agreement. This agreement is between an authorized Indigenous government, the federal government, and territorial-provincial government. There could be many tripartite coordination agreements in the NWT like Indigenous governments. Question to the Minister: how many of these agreements has the territorial government been a party to since the act was passed in the federal Parliament?

Question 617-19(2): Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families March 1st, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I spoke about Bill C-92, federal legislation, the bill that just passed. This government has an important obligation under this Bill C-92, federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families. It sets a mandatory standard for territorial government when it comes to child apprehension and family intervention. It's also gives the territory an obligation role in the devolution of Child and Family Services to Indigenous governments, so I have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Could the Minister tell this House what actions were taken to coordinate her department's response to Bill C-92. What reviews and committees were established? Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Bill C-92: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families March 1st, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, the federal government, I'd like to talk about it. I'd like to ask the questions to the federal government about: when you look at the legislation 292, it is called 292 today, I'd like to, I will ask the Minister of Health and Social Services [Translation ends] National Aboriginal Day, June 21st, marks the second anniversary of a very important new federal law. I refer to Bill C-92, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families.

Mr. Speaker, this landmark federal legislation acknowledges that inherent right of Indigenous people through jurisdictions over Child and Family Services. This includes foster care, child apprehensions, and other forms of family interventions.

Among other things, Mr. Speaker, Bill C-92 establishes procedures for orderly transfer of this authority from the colonizing government to the relevant Aboriginal governments across the Northwest Territories. It also provides for funding agreement to cover the costs of administering the devolved services.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good law, one that is recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. However, Mr. Speaker, its successful implementation requires the cooperation and goodwill of this government, also provincial governments that are involved. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I intend to question the Minister of Health and Social Services about how this act is being rolled out here in the Northwest Territories. Masi, Mr. Speaker.

Question 569-19(2): Addictions Treatment Program February 23rd, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Right now, all of these issues are under the Minister of Finance, how the money and where the money is going. She is the person who makes these major decisions. This is the reason why I'm asking the Minister of Finance. Right now, under Canada, with alcohol, money that we are getting, all that funding we do get, I would like to see the percentage in each department, how far and how much can we get for each department regarding the addiction money that we will get from finance. [Translation ends]

Question 569-19(2): Addictions Treatment Program February 23rd, 2021

I'm glad the Minister is recognizing the huge challenges that we are faced with addictions here in the Northwest Territories. It's a real issue. We need to be dedicating our resources, allocating funds towards that, meaning that we should be taking a certain percentage out of the revenue generated on an annual basis. We need to think outside of the box. We have always said this government is doing things differently. Well, show it. Show the territory that we can do that.

Mr. Speaker, what has the Minister learned from those more enlightened jurisdictions? Other jurisdictions are allocating a certain percentage, a dedicated statutory share of liquor and cannabis profits, to addictions treatment. Why couldn't we follow this practice that is already in place in other jurisdictions?

Question 569-19(2): Addictions Treatment Program February 23rd, 2021

[Translation] If we take a look at the money that is coming in, it's in the millions every year. The money goes to the government. We need to take a closer look at contributing some money towards addictions. [Translation ends]

Mr. Speaker, my next question to the Minister is: why doesn't this government link its addictions treatment spending directly to the millions it rakes in from the retail sales of these intoxicants? Has the Minister considered allocating a certain percentage, possibly 1 or 2 percent, of the revenues earned on an annual basis towards addiction programming or after-care programming?

Question 569-19(2): Addictions Treatment Program February 23rd, 2021

Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I made my Member's statement regarding addictions. Now the government is making money from alcohol, and all that money goes to the GNWT. I am asking these questions today because I will not be here tomorrow. [Translation ends]

My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Mr. Speaker, how can this government reconcile benefitting financially from the substance abuse it is enabling through the $57 million in annual liquor and cannabis sales in this territory? Masi, Mr. Speaker.