Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have spoken many times about setting up an office of the ombudsman in the NWT to help our residents with their complaints about government and government services.
In almost all jurisdictions across Canada, the ombudsman actually helps solve problems and prevent them from winding up in court battles that our residents definitely can’t afford. But there’s been very little interest in this service from the current executive of our government. So I feel this Assembly has missed a great opportunity.
Elsewhere in Canada the ombudsman mission, as defined by law, is an impartial investigator of residents’ complaints. An NWT ombudsman act would require government officials and staff to cooperate and provide information to the ombudsman. She or he would be able to deal with almost any matter relating to government. That’s particularly important in situations where other legislation does not provide for an appeal mechanism. There are many instances where no appeal mechanism exists, and our MLAs here are aware of many of those. Some of them are health issues, residential tenancy problems, helping seniors, student financial assistance issues. The list goes on.
Part of the ombudsman’s job is to maintain a high profile so that people know they have someone to go to when they don’t know what else to do, when they feel they’ve exhausted all their options for a solution for their problem. Considering how spread out our territory is and the limited assistance available in our smaller communities, an ombudsman would be a great help to a number of our residents.
Across the country, ombudsmen have an excellent record of having their decisions and reports accepted by their government. That, to me, is a very good measure of their effectiveness.
I’ve urged the Justice Minister to look into this issue several times. There are lots of working models across Canada which have led the way for us. We should draw on their experience.
Today, by way of this statement, I am asking the Minister of Justice to recommend to his successor that the next government get the job done for the people of the NWT and establish an office of an ombudsman. There could be a bonus in it, Mr. Speaker. It might work out so well that it actually saves our government money. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From time immemorial our elders were taught by their elders, just as I was taught by my elders. Mr. Speaker, the basics to me that was taught by the elders is that our land is alive, powerful and even holy.
Mr. Speaker, part of our understanding is about the value of our land, which also means the water; they are both the same. We understand the importance of clean water, the source of all life. Without it, surely we will all perish.
That’s why I am very concerned about the future of the Northwest Territories water quality. Two weeks ago the federal government suspended operations of 21 of the Northwest Territories 23 water quality monitoring stations. It also stopped activities in all 10 of Nunavut’s stations, two of them on Northwest Territories/Nunavut transboundary rivers.
It gets worse, Mr. Speaker. There is no funding to support the 18 water quality monitoring stations related to the Mackenzie Gas Project. Reduction of water quality monitoring is taking place right across Canada. Canada has suspended water quality monitoring stations in national parks. It will suspend the operation of water quality monitoring stations until Environment Canada completes a risk-based assessment to decide which stations will continue to operate on a reduced budget.
Mr. Speaker, this risk-based approach to water quality monitoring is too quick to take clean water for granted. We have reached a point where all water is at risk. Fish are showing signs of contamination.
In 2010 the Auditor General of Canada stated in a report that Northwest Territories water quality monitoring is not adequate. The Government of the Northwest Territories has made some real commitments to water quality. The Water Stewardship Strategy is their attempt to protect our most precious resource. The water stewardship is a shared responsibility. Our efforts are being depleted by our own federal government.
Mr. Yakeleya, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. The federal government signed a Water Stewardship Strategy that includes action items to include water quality monitoring in the Northwest Territories. The federal government signed land claims agreements that committed to sustainable, unaltered water quality. The federal government signed a Devolution Agreement-in-Principle that was based on 23 active water quality stations in the Northwest Territories.
This is sad conduct on the government’s commitment to clean, abundant water. It’s an insult to the people of the Northwest Territories and all Canada. I am pleased that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will fight these changes. I urge all Canadians and Northerners to report the efforts to protect our water systems. This was highly talked about at the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated AGM in Colville Lake earlier this month. Water is not worth a few more barrels of oil, national defence or economic growth. Water is our most precious resource. Water is life.
Mr. Speaker, when will, or better yet, what will it take to tell our governments if we turn a blind eye from what has been done to our water, our life, we stop listening to our people, who will save our lives, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all I’d like to recognize the Members who will not be seeking re-election. I’d like to recognize yourself, Mr. Speaker, for your work and leadership as Speaker and to say we all recognize the hard work you’ve been doing on behalf of your constituents in your role as Speaker.
I also want to recognize cousin David Krutko.
---Laughter
I think David has the world record for asking questions in the Legislative Assembly and Committee of the Whole. I was going to say I was going to miss his questions. On second thought, I don’t think I’ll say that. I’ll say I’ll miss his accompanying me on several business trips annually.
---Laughter
Also I want to recognize Premier Roland, his leadership. We played hockey together on many occasions. I also wish to recognize his willingness to make tough decisions when called upon and when required. I wish all three of you the very best.
Also I want to take this opportunity to announce that I will be seeking re-election as the MLA for Yellowknife South in the 17th Legislative Assembly. It’s been a well kept secret, although I’ve tried to announce it four or five times in different venues.
---Laughter
So hopefully this time it will stick.
Listening to my colleagues today, it comes to mind why we all ran in the first place. In my case, I ran because I felt I could make a difference for the people in Yellowknife and people in the Northwest Territories. I tried to think why do we run again, and I think we all run again because we want to help people, and we can help people, and we all realize that there’s a big job left to be done and we want to be part of it.
I want to thank my family, friends, supporters, constituents of Yellowknife South for the honour of serving them as MLA. I want to recognize the work of my office staff: Katherine Robinson, Hilda Camirand, and my CA, Darlene Mandeville.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They say time flies when you’re having fun. They also say time flies when you pass 40. I’m not sure which of the two applies here but I can’t believe how quickly the last four years have gone.
It’s been an interesting four years and, as we’ve heard, we’ve had a few Members... Mr. Speaker is not returning. We appreciate the work you’ve done. Mr. Krutko and Mr. Roland, as somebody referred to the two old bulls, they’re not coming back. I wish you all well.
To my colleagues, I wish you all well. Those that are seeking re-election I look forward to the opportunity, with the blessing of the residents of Inuvik Twin Lakes, to serving with you again.
I have to thank my staff, Robert and Heather, and Leah up in Inuvik. They do a lot of work on your behalf and it’s their job to make you look smart. Sometimes they have to work really hard at it.
I really have to thank the residents of Inuvik Twin Lakes. I’m very grateful and humbled by the opportunity they’ve given me, and the support and encouragement I’ve gotten from folks back home. It’s not always what you want to hear, but sometimes they tell you the truth and it’s a good thing.
We all realize as politicians that we’re in this arena a lot and we spend a lot of time away from home. Our families are the ones that have to go without us for long periods of time. We’ve heard a couple of Members touch on it. I have to thank my family. They’ve been a big support. When I started this I had no grandchildren. I have three now and one on the way. If there’s any consolation for them, when Grandpa comes home from being in Yellowknife or on trips, it’s almost like Christmastime. They don’t mind that too much. But we have to thank them. They’re the ones, especially during the campaigns, there’s a lot of stuff that goes on that we’re just used to. We’ve grown fairly thick skin and they have to put up with it, and sometimes that bothers them. They show a lot of strength and we have to thank them.
I have to thank my wife, Judy, my biggest supporter and probably one of my biggest critics too. Anything helps. With all the feedback we get from everyone, I think it’s much appreciated.
With that, Mr. Speaker, good luck to you and Mr. Krutko and Mr. Roland, and to my colleagues, the best of luck to you all and I look forward to possibly seeing most of you here again.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to see you were saving the best for last.
I considered making a response to the opening address yesterday and I crafted a long list. Then I looked at it and it was all about me. Since I don’t like to brag about myself, I’ll just keep it short.
I did want to say farewell to a number of people who are leaving us today, and best of luck. First of all to yourself, Mr. Speaker. I think we’re the only two left from the people who were elected in the 14th Assembly. I thank you for your time here and working with you. I want to wish you the best of luck.
Of course our Premier, who has decided not to run again. It’s been a real long eight years that we’ve worked together, especially in our time on Cabinet. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we’ve managed to resolve issues and move forward.
I also wanted to wish David the best of luck. I think David is one of the few people that can still wear his moosehide jacket after all these years. The rest of us no longer fit them.
Most of us will be travelling home to start our campaigns, to start connecting with our constituents, and get our teams together, and start putting our platforms together if we haven’t already done so.
I wanted to say thank you to my staff over the years. I’ve had a number of constituency assistants. Lately Cynthia’s been working with me and she’s done a very good job and I’ve been very happy with her work. I also have to thank Doug Pon, who’s been with me for the whole term that I was a Minister of the last eight years. He’s always been very loyal and helped me steer out of trouble. Also Rachel, who has been with me in the last while and is doing a very good job; I’m very happy with her work.
I also have to say a special thank you to my family, who has stuck with me for these many years. It was interesting to hear my daughter at a federal candidates forum in Fort Providence who was there representing the youth and asked questions to the candidates. She did an interview with CBC later on and they asked her, they made the point of indicating to her that she seemed fairly familiar with territorial issues and wanted to know when she developed an interest in politics. She answered by saying that she was born into it. I think she was a young baby when I got involved in politics, and today she left for college. I’m very proud of her.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
I want to quickly thank my constituents for the support they’ve shown, to all my friends in the communities of the Deh Cho. I will be seeking support for running another term. I will be back in the community starting Friday and be gearing up for the election.
I want to say in closing, best of luck to all my colleagues who are running again and best of luck to all the candidates who are planning to put their names forward.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure is pleased to provide its report on transition matters and commends it to the House.
As the 16th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure continues to monitor several ongoing issues and initiatives with long-term implications. The intent of this report is to make the public and Members of the 17th Assembly aware of work in progress and highlight areas we believe will require the continued attention of our successor committee in the 17th Assembly.
The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure includes five Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly. The committee’s role is to consider the following matters with respect to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations; Environment and Natural Resources; Industry, Tourism and Investment; Municipal and Community Affairs; Public Works and Services; Transportation; and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation:
review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation, and the Public Utilities Board;
review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies; and
consider any other matter referred by the House.
A new NWT Wildlife Act was a major 16th Assembly initiative. After extensive public consultation and deliberation, committee reported the bill as not ready for consideration in the Committee of the Whole. Reasons for this decision are outlined in the committee’s report. Members encourage the 17th Assembly to build upon the work that was done in developing this legislation to bring forward a new Wildlife Act that has the support of the majority of Northerners.
August 2011 amendments to the Territorial Parks Act contain significant regulation-making authority. The committee’s view is that the public consultation and input from Regular Members would be valuable in developing these regulations.
The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission renewed its safety regulations in 2009-10. There was public concern with the short consultation period, given the extent of the new regulations and their implications for northern workplaces.
During public consultations on amendments to the Dog Act, the public expressed the need for broader animal welfare protection legislation. The committee encourages the 17th Legislative Assembly to consider this initiative.
The federal government has proposed extensive amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. Members encourage the successor committee to discuss this issue with representatives of the northern review boards forum at its earliest convenience.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to pass the reading of the report now on to the deputy chair of the committee, the MLA for Nunakput, Mr. Jackie Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources represent the Government of the Northwest Territories as participants in the National Energy Board’s Arctic Offshore Drilling Review. The NEB has scheduled a roundtable meeting in Inuvik for mid-September 2011. It anticipates that phase three of its review, the public report, will be completed by the end of December 2011.
ITI has worked extensively to ensure three diamond mines to increase the number of NWT residents working at the mines and develop capacity among local workers. The committee encourages expanding these initiatives to other industrial developments.
In December 2010 the National Energy Board issued a certificate of public necessity and convenience for the Mackenzie Gas Project. In July 2011, Shell announced the sale of its shares in the project. Members have expressed concern about the pipeline readiness and additional costs to the GNWT should the proponents announce a decision to construct in 2013.
Industry, Tourism and Investment released its finalized Diamond Policy in 2010. Implementation is a challenge. The committee strongly encourages the reinstatement of the diamond division within Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Members suggest that the successor committee monitor the following mining developments:
Avalon Rare Metals,
Fortune Minerals,
Tamerlane,
Selwyn Chihong,
Prairie Creek,
Gah Cho Kue.
The committee received briefings on these developments either from the Minister of ITI or the company itself.
In June 2011 over $500 million in work bids were awarded to oil companies to develop land in the Tulita district. Members suggest that the successor committee monitor these developments:
Canadian Zinc Corporation is reaching its final stages of negotiating a socio-economic agreement for its Prairie Creek mine. The SEA is similar to one they negotiated with De Beers and Snap Lake project. ITI has identified the agreement as a transition issue and Members have asked that a briefing be provided to the successor committee.
The 16th Legislative Assembly has made a $60 million in investment in a range of projects in the areas of energy policy, development, plan and supply, conservation and efficiency, alternative energy, and emerging technologies. This funding expires in 2012-13. Many issues and opportunities remain in this area and the committee strongly recommends the funding be reinstated in the 17th Assembly.
The GNWT has released a draft Hydro Strategy in 2008 that has yet to be finalized. A discussion paper has been distributed to stakeholder groups. The committee believes that many elements of the Hydro Strategy still need development, such as setting realistic targets and creating a vision that includes new projects.
Construction costs for a new dam at Bluefish Lake hydro plant are expected to reach over $37 million with a direct rate of impact at 2.42 cents for customers in the Snare/Yellowknife system. The Northwest Territories Power Corporation provided information on the cost to the committee in the summer of 2011.
Throughout the 16th Legislative Assembly the committee urged MACA to work with the Department of Transportation and community governments on dust control and main street paving initiatives in small communities. The committee hopes a new program to address this issue will be developed in the 17th Assembly.
This policy framework is a MACA initiative to address problems with squatters in the Yellowknife River watershed and the Inuvik Airport Lake areas. MACA has completed the technical research required for the policy. Recreational leasing is frozen in both areas. The committee’s main concerns with the policy are the need for meaningful consultation with Aboriginal organizations and the delays in the schedule.
Concerns with funding to Sport North and its relationship with the Sport and Recreation Council were brought to the committee’s attention shortly before the dissolution of the 16th Assembly. Members see an organizational shift taking place, and suggest that MACA undertake a review of the SRC and consider ways to reduce duplication in the programming.
I’d like to hand this back to the chair of the committee of Economic Development, Mr. Ramsay. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Over the life of the 16th Assembly ENR invested heavily in the development of the Northwest Territories Water Strategy. The federal government is not upholding commitments to water stewardship, and suspended water quality monitoring at stations across Canada in August 2011. Transboundary negotiations, water quality monitoring, and cumulative impact monitoring programs remain serious concerns for the committee.
Two members of the current committee monitored climate change initiatives as Members of the 16th Assembly’s Joint Committee on Climate Change. A significant portion of the renewed NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy is tied to energy priority investments. The Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning has identified carbon pricing as a transition issue for the 17th Assembly.
The 2008 Auditor General’s report of the NWT Housing Corporation led to significant restructuring within the corporation. In 2010 the public housing rental subsidy was transferred from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment back to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. Many clients fell into arrears during the period that the subsidy was calculated separately through the Income Support Program. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has initiated debt repayment plans. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is currently undertaking the Shelter Policy review which includes evaluations of its housing choices program and public housing rent scale. The 17th Assembly will be asked to make decisions on the outcome of these evaluations.
Both the Business Development and Investment Corporation and the NWT Housing Corporation have fallen behind in their statutory review and reporting requirements.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Report on Transition Matters. Members respectfully suggest that our successor committee consider requesting updates on the above matters from committee staff and government, and wish them the utmost success in fulfilling their mandate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on transition matters and commends it to the House.
Over the course of the 16th Assembly the Standing Committee on Government Operations has conducted a number of reviews and made a number of recommendations to government. In many instances the government has agreed with our recommendations and made commitments for which it has not yet fulfilled. The committee is also anticipating government responses to our most recent reports during the August 2011 sitting, which will be the final time that the Assembly meets before dissolution. The intent of this report on transition matters is to make the public, Members of the 17th Assembly, and our successor committee aware of work in progress.
The Standing Committee on Government Operations’ mandate includes:
consideration of the multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards, and agencies, and departmental performance of the departments of Executive, Finance, Human Resources, and the Financial Management Board Secretariat;
to review the official language issues;
reviewing the reports of the statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Languages Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner, and the Human Rights Commission;
examination of the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and reports of the Auditor General; and
consideration of any matter referred by the House.
On May 28, 2009, the committee provided its Final Report on the Review of the Official Languages Act 2008-2009, entitled Reality Check: Securing a Future for the Official Languages in the Northwest Territories. The report, which was the result of extensive research and public consultation, included 48 recommendations. The government has since provided a response to the committee’s report and released the NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan: A Shared Responsibility, in October 2010. As the plan is intended to unfold over 10 years, many of the actions are in progress and have not yet begun. Further, the committees Reality Check report recommends changes to legislation which the government has not yet brought forward.
I turn continued reading of the report over to my deputy chair, Mr. Robert Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Menicoche.
The committee reviewed the following reports of the Auditor General:
Report on the NWT Housing Corporation: Public Housing and Ownership Program - 2008;
Report on Contracting for Goods and Services in the NWT - 2009;
Report on Education of the Northwest Territories - 2010;
Report on the Northwest Territories Deh Cho Bridge Project - 2011;
Report on Northwest Territories Health Programs and Services - 2011.
The committee continues to monitor the issues identified in the Report on Contracting for Goods and Services. Progress on the issues identified in the Public Housing and Ownership Programs report is being monitored by the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure and progress issues identified in the education report is being monitored by the Standing Committee on Social Programs. All those committees’ respective mandates include oversight of the NWT Housing Corporation and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
The committee anticipates that the government’s responses to its reports on the 2011 reports of the Auditor General will be tabled during the August 2011 sitting.
Over the course of the 16th Assembly the committee made a number of recommendations following its review of the annual reports of the Languages Commissioner, Human Rights Commissioner, and Information and Privacy Commissioner, and continues to monitor the progress on the issues identified.
In May 2011 the committee reported to the Legislative Assembly on the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission, and in both cases provided recommendations to the government. The committee anticipates that the government’s response to its report will be tabled in the August 2011 sitting. In addition to its report, the committee supported a formal motion of the House recommending that the government undertake a comprehensive review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It also expects a response to this motion during the August sitting.
I’d like to pass the final part of the report and its presentation to Mr. Abernethy, MLA for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Hawkins.
The committee conducted annual reviews of the business plans and the budget of the departments of Executive, Finance, and Human Resources, and received updates on the initiatives throughout the year. The following were programs and issues that the committee followed especially closely:
The committee is concerned that the numbers of indigenous Aboriginal persons in management positions has not increased over the past decade. The Department of Human Resources is currently in the process of undertaking Aboriginal employment initiatives that we hope will move us beyond this plateau, but there will need to monitor the implantation and success of these initiatives in the future.
The committee is pleased that the government has made some steps toward reducing the administration burden attached to funding for NGOs. However, there are still significant changes needed, in particular, legislative amendments that will facilitate multi-year funding, and better interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration to simplify the process of dealing with government for NGOs.
The committee has been concerned with the late tabling of the public accounts and has asked the Minister of Finance to address this problem.
The committee is concerned with delays and difficulties with filling some vacant public service positions and has urged the Department of Human Resources to focus on staff recruitment issues and reduce recruitment times.
Bandwidth is a critical component of our northern infrastructure and service delivery systems, given the high cost of transportation and remoteness of many of our communities. The committee has urged the Department of Finance to expedite access and more bandwidth in any way possible, and is pleased that the government is proceeding with the Mackenzie Valley fibre optics link feasibility study.
Mr. Speaker, this concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Transition Matters. Members respectfully suggest that our successor committee consider requesting updates on the above matters with some committee staff and government, and wish them the utmost success in fulfilling their mandate.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Social Programs would like to report on transition matters.
As the 16th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, the Standing Committee on Social Programs continues to monitor a variety of important issues and initiatives. Through this transition report the committee wishes to highlight areas Members believe will require continued attention in the 17th Assembly.
The Standing Committee on Social Programs is comprised of five Regular Members of the Legislative Assembly. The committee’s role is to consider the following with respect to the departments of Health and Social Services; Justice; and Education, Culture and Employment.
review multi-year business plans and budgets, bills, boards and agencies, including the Status of Women Council and programs for seniors, youth and persons with disabilities;
review departmental performance, including that of boards and agencies;
consider all others referred to by the House.
I’d now like to continue the reading to deputy chair, Mr. Abernethy. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Beaulieu.
In the spring of 2010 following a formal formation in the House, the government agreed to begin working on an Anti-Poverty Strategy. A workshop entitled No Place for Poverty was hosted by Alternatives North and the YWCA in 2010. A discussion paper was due in spring 2011, with actions to be considered by the 17th Assembly, but it is not available to the committee and it is now due in September for inclusion in transition materials. A summary of public input on the issue, “what we heard from Northerners about poverty,“ was provided to the Standing Committee on Social Programs during the August sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Housing must be an important component of the Anti-Poverty Strategy. The NWT Housing Corporation Shelter Policy review is due to be completed and ready for review on the arrival of Members of the 17th Assembly.
Various legislation that would be referred to the Standing Committee on Social Programs has been discussed or proposed to the 16th Assembly. Most notable are the inclusion of naturopaths and massage therapists in the Health Professions Act and amendments to the Legal Aid Act.
The committee is concerned that many programs and services are difficult to assess in the smaller communities. The reason for this is often the lack of presence on the ground. For example, no local police officer, social worker, nurse, mental health worker, addictions counsellor, et cetera. This represents a very serious challenge to the effectiveness of many departmental programs. The one-window approach to accessing government services has been piloted by the Executive department in several communities. An update on the results may be useful to committee members early in the first months of the 17th Assembly.
A great deal of work has been done in recent years by both the GNWT and non-government organizations to reduce family violence in the Northwest Territories. Within government the departments of Health and Social Services; Education, Culture and Employment; Justice; and the NWT Housing Corporation have all had a role in phase II of the NWT Family Violence Action Plan, which comes to an end on March 31, 2012. The NWT Coalition Against Family Violence has completed its final report, which makes 19 recommendations for work to be done in phase III of the action plan. These recommendations warrant the committee’s attention in the 17th Assembly.
I’ll now pass over continued reading to my colleague Ms. Bisaro. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A full review of the act resulted in 71 practical recommendations for improving the system. Most were accepted, or accepted in principle, and await funding allocations to complete. Some initial steps were taken in the 2011-2012 budget, notably to establish child and family service committees in at least five more communities, and to expand the Healthy Families Program.
A number of other recommendations are advanced in the department’s strategic plan 2011-2015. The committee held public meetings in 10 communities. Expectations are high that changes will take place over several years, along with regular reviews of the act.
The Auditor General of Canada reviewed health services in 2010 and reported to the Standing Committee on Government Operations in March 2011. The report included seven major recommendations for the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Human Resources. The Standing Committee on Government Operation’s report was tabled in May 2011, and included the recommendations that the Department of Health and Social Services update the Standing Committee on Social Programs on the progress of implementing the Auditor General’s recommendations. This update has not occurred, and no implementation plan has been presented to either standing committee. The government’s response to the Standing Committee on Government Operation’s recommendations was tabled on August 19, 2011. The 17th Assembly may wish to review the progress of the department.
The Department of Health and Social Services has agreed to provide quarterly updates on the challenging task of modernizing and streamlining the Northwest Territories health system, but reminders are often required. The most recent update was provided on August 19, 2011. The Foundation for Change and the draft 2011-2015 Strategic Plan was provided on the same day, and therefore, only a quick review was possible. The strategic plan outlines the principle actions to be taken to modernize and streamline the health system over the next five years, and should be reviewed more carefully by the next committee. With significant changes in the department’s leadership in recent months, a timely update early in the 17th Assembly’s mandate may be appropriate. Governance of health authorities and their deficits, as well as the Territorial Addictions Treatment Strategy will likely be of particular interest.
The Midwifery Program has never been fully implemented. Service has been temporarily cut back in Yellowknife, but the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to midwifery services in as many communities as is practical. A model to accomplish this across the Northwest Territories is being developed, to be completed in 2011-2012 for potential inclusion in the 2013-2014 business plan. It is the committee’s view that there should be midwifery services in every community.
In response to pressure from the Assembly, the Department of Health and Social Services is developing a Territorial Respite Care Program for inclusion in the 2012-2013 business plan. The new program will include existing services operating in Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Aklavik, and Deline.
I would like to hand off the reading of the report to my colleague Mr. Bromley, MLA for Weledeh.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The government’s attempts to modify and expand supplementary health benefits resulted in only minor policy changes, but the Supplementary Health Benefits Policy was rescinded, with program delivery falling back under Extended Health Benefits and Metis Health Benefits. The government deferred including residents who lacked coverage through their employer or other programs. A plan for accomplishing this has not yet been presented.
The Department of Health and Social Services is also developing a Pharmaceutical Strategy to include generic drugs, drug pricing and efficiencies, and cost containment of pharmaceuticals, procurement, distribution, and access. These changes were to be made during the 16th Assembly; a progress update is overdue.
The need for addiction services figured prominently in the committee’s recommendations in its review of the Child and Family Services Act. Recommendations in this area were conditionally accepted by the government, subject to the availability of resources. There have also been motions in the House supporting on-the-land treatment programs, and discussion of a territorial assessment and treatment facility. It is the committee’s view that there is a wide, general public recognition of the need for improved addiction services. More work is required to determine the best way to deliver these services. There should be a multi-departmental approach to supporting and promoting them. As resources will be required, advancing this work will likely be a critical issue for the 17th Assembly early in its mandate.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is reviewing its early childhood development programs, and plans to incorporate the results into the Aboriginal Achievement Initiative. This is due to be set out in the 2012-2013 business plan. The Early Childhood Development Framework for Action is due in September 2011 and should be presented to committee early in the 17th Assembly.
The Office of the Auditor General reviewed the Department of Education in 2009, making nine significant recommendations for improvements in a report presented to the Standing Committee on Government Operations in 2010. It was agreed between the standing committees on Government Operations and Social Programs that the latter would monitor the department’s progress in acting on the Auditor General’s advice. The Minister of Education provided the first seven-page update in August 2011.
The Assembly has passed several motions on student financial assistance, calling for expansion of the program, and increases in allowances unaltered since 2000. The Minister has stated that the program is under review, which is expected to continue throughout 2011-2012. Any proposed changes are to be implemented in 2012-2013.
I’d like now to pass the feather to committee chair, Mr. Beaulieu, to complete the report.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The committee has done preliminary research on special courts across North America where accused persons with mental health issues are diverted from mainstream courts and corrections systems. The goal is for program participants to take responsibility for their actions, and receive treatment and support to deal with their conditions. The results are encouraging, including lowering rates of reoffending among diversion participants. The committee’s research has been forwarded to the Ministers of Justice and Health and Social Services for consideration and further work.
Along with proposed changes to the Legal Aid Act, there is tremendous need for improvement of legal services, particularly in the smaller communities and in child protection cases.
The Arctic Tern facility in Inuvik was closed on March 31, 2011, but the future of the building remains uncertain, as it required repairs before being put to another use. The Public Works Minister was asked to report to committee on the scope of work to be done and the schedule for new occupancy. The committee may wish to request this update early in the its mandate.
As a result of the closure of Arctic Tern, a planning study was done for a female offenders unit at the Fort Smith Correctional Centre. A final design was approved in January 2011, and the project has been flagged as a priority project in the capital plan, however, no funding was approved to proceed in 2012-2013.
This concludes the Standing Committee on Social Programs Report on Transition Matters. Members extend their best wishes to the next committee when it convenes early in the new year.
I have a motion.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order.
