Debates of February 10, 2006 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am devoting my Member’s statement to a very well-respected elder of Fort Simpson who passed away on Wednesday, Mrs. Albertine Rohdes. She shared her traditional, cultural and spiritual knowledge and skills with all, and with a passion that is rare to find. She was like a museum to the people of Nahendeh and throughout the Northwest Territories.

Her political involvement stretched throughout the decades, influencing the development and the path of our communities and people. She was there during the birth of our aboriginal and Metis political organizations, '70s, '80s and '90s. Her sphere of influence and the people she touched are extensive, and I am sure that even some of us here today in this House remember a special moment we were honoured to share with her.

With Albertine, family always came before work or politics. She had an amazing knowledge of family, that far-extended family, even two or three generations of ancestors all over the North. She was often the one who kept many families in touch. People say she was the keeper of names, very important to who we are and where we come from as a people.

A special condolence on behalf of our Assembly to her husband, Herb, her sons Wayne and Joey, and her two daughters Beatrice and Amy. She was a grandmother to six children, three grandsons and three granddaughters.

We will never forget how she nurtured as a mother and grandmother, inspired as a friend, and guided as a leader and elder. Albertine has passed and as we grieve, we must always remember we were blessed to have had her in our lives at all. She lived a life full of love and she will always be remembered.

I once heard a saying, Mr. Speaker, that good people die, but death could never kill their names. Mahsi cho.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As Mental Health Week comes to a close, I would like to bring to the attention of this House the concerns of many families and the victims of mental illness and professionals involved in health care service about the suitability of our own Mental Health Act. The NWT’s act was passed in 1988, Mr. Speaker. Today, it is clinically, administratively and perhaps even from a human rights point of view, significantly behind the times.

In most other jurisdictions, the foundation of mental health legislation has moved from the concept of where a victim of mental illness may be a danger to themselves or to society, to an assessment or a continuum of care that looks at an individual’s competence and capacity. So there is now a much greater emphasis on the individual’s own autonomy and ability to be a functioning member of society, than one of protection and control. This is one of the major faults now in our Mental Health Act.

Mr. Speaker, many clinical aspects of mental illness are viewed differently today than when this legislation was created. For instance, illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are now recognized along with diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

With the impact, Mr. Speaker, of alcohol on a society and the recognition especially manifested in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder and the ever- increasing number of mind-altering drugs that are readily available in our society, the question is coming up more and more: Are we dealing with a mental health situation or a psychiatric issue? Is it a behavioural and police issue? Who is best suited and most appropriate to deal with these circumstances when they come up? This is where our Mental Health Act, Mr. Speaker, needs to be revised, addressed, and it needs to be done so on, I believe, an urgent basis.

I am going to be asking the Minister of Health what can be done to bring this very necessary part of our health legislation into modern context. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to pay tribute to a member of the community of Hay River who recently passed away. Lynette Storoz and her three-year struggle with cancer ended on January 1st. Lynette is sadly missed by her husband, Dennis, and her sons, Jason and Kevin. Lynette was a vivacious, vibrant, outgoing, attractive woman. There are so many adjectives that one could use to describe Lynette. She was so full of life. It seemed almost unbelievable when we first learned that Lynette had cancer. She was young, fit, and was a role model for healthy living.

True to her nature in every challenge that she encountered, she approached her diagnosis and recovery head on with positive energy and meticulous attention to detail. In spite of this, this insidious disease took her.

One story about Lynette’s irrepressible spirit is a few years before she was diagnosed with cancer, she woke up one morning and a virus that causes Bell’s Palsy had smitten her and nerves had been affected in her face. It caused complete paralysis on one side of her face. I think most women would have wanted to pull the covers over their head and stay home for a few days. But a few days after that, I was at an oil and gas conference in Calgary and there was Lynette going table to table greeting people and doing her job. I was so impressed with that.

Lynette was good at everything she did. She worked most recently for several years as the director of marketing for Northern Transportation. She loved her work, her coworkers, her network of customers, but she made time for her priorities: her family and many friends. She kept a beautiful home and she loved to entertain her friends. She loved sports and she was an avid golfer.

As her long-time friend and colleague Cameron Clement said at her memorial service recently in Edmonton, she was fun and she was sassy, and anyone who met Lynette Storoz would never forget her.

Mr. Speaker, the many people whom she came in contact with, and the many lives that she touched, and the many people who loved Lynette, will never forget her. I would ask the House to join me in sending our condolences to Lynette’s family in Hay River, and may she rest in peace. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I first met Father Pochat, who was an oblate priest back in the early ‘60s when I had the good fortune to go to Grandin College. At that time, he was instrumental…He ran the program. As I went through that program, so did may esteemed northerners whom we all know: former Premiers Kakfwi, Sibbeston, Antoine; former Member of Parliament, Ethel Blondin-Andrew. There are hundreds of people who have gone on to very productive careers: chiefs; businesspeople; good, strong government leaders; our secretary to Cabinet. He was tremendously instrumental in the lives of many young people. When he left Grandin, he moved to the Tlicho region where he has been since that time and has devoted his life to the people of the Tlicho. He is fluently trilingual; French, English and the Tlicho language. He has now become an esteemed elder in our society in the North.

The reason I am taking the time to mention this today is I just got the good news yesterday that he has been recognized and will be honoured with the Order of Canada in the coming weeks and will be inducted as an officer to the Order of Canada. I would just like to take this opportunity to recognize that very great achievement and recognition for all his lifetime of work for the people of the North. I would ask that we take time to honour that achievement today. It’s a great one. It’s good for him and it reflects the lifetime he has devoted to all of us. Thank you.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, health and social services, as we all know, is a very important and sensitive issue in our smaller communities. When a community’s concerns on health are brought to the attention of a health authority that is not directly involved with the dynamics of the community on a day-to-day basis, sometimes these issues lose some credibility and their sense of importance.

When issues are brought up in a boardroom that comprises of a majority of members who have not lived in a small, remote, aboriginal community and are not aboriginals themselves, many of these unresolved issues seem to gravitate towards the question of stereotyping and unfair treatment.

Mr. Speaker, I want to make it clear that I do support our local health organizations and I am grateful for a lot of the good work that many of these health authorities have done, given the many challenges that they are up against.

I also want to make it clear, Mr. Speaker, that it is very noticeable to people in these outlying, remote communities when issues as important as health, issues that affect the whole community, are not dealt with in a manner that is acceptable, efficient, effective and, most importantly, desirable by the community, people start to lose confidence and trust in the system. Therefore, the system has to change, Mr. Speaker. It is these changes that I will be asking the Minister about later in today’s proceedings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week, I spoke about the Government of the Northwest Territories’ support for day care facilities and the government’s involvement in the provision of childcare.

The focal point of my concerns is that it is very obvious and clear to me that the Government of the Northwest Territories does not treat non-profit day cares equitably. Case in point, Mr. Speaker, is a day care in my riding that continues to have financial difficulties while the government just sits by and continues to allow inequities to exist. This non-profit day care is Northern Tikes, formerly known as Neshda. When their former building downtown could not be brought up to code to meet new fire regulations, the decision was made to relocate. The day care was denied government space, denied start-up grants because they were already in operation, and left to fend for themselves. Mr. Speaker, this day care spends over $100,000 per year just on rent for the space they occupy.

The Government of the Northwest Territories provides rent free, all maintenance costs paid, space to other day cares. I have seen the operating budget for Northern Tikes and there just is no room in it for them to replace toys, books, carpets, games or furniture to provide a better environment for the children to be in. They just continue to try and do their best with what they have and for this, they should be commended. Staff turnover continues to be incredibly high and they just can’t afford to pay workers competitive wages.

I asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment questions the other day on why inequities of the magnitude of $100,000 per year are allowed to exist. I was not satisfied with his answers and I believe the government should clearly explain its position on assistance for non-profit day cares. Mr. Speaker, I have a number of questions today for both the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the Minister of Public Works, the Minister responsible for charity leases to some of these day cares. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I read the list of participants chosen to represent the Northwest Territories at Arctic Winter Games in Alaska. Today, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the athletes from the riding of Nunakput. If I may, Mr. Speaker, I would like to list them individually.

In arctic sports, from Paulatuk - Marion Green, Arlin Ruben, Jonathan Dillon; from Tuktoyaktuk - Jenne Kotokak, Matthew Anikina, Craig Gruben, Steven Kotokak; from Ulukhaktok - Tyler Inuktalik, Joey Kunana.

The alternates in arctic sports, Mr. Speaker, from Ulukhaktok - Shane Alikamik, Adrianne Kagyut, Gary Okheena, Tony Alanak; from Sachs Harbour - Vanessa Anikina.

In badminton, Mr. Speaker, from Ulukhaktok - Susie Memogana, Dale Nigiyok, Eric Kagyut, and alternate Curtis Banksland.

In basketball, the alternates from Tuktoyaktuk - Kristy Anderson and Brent Wolki.

In the Dene games, amazing or not, from Tuktoyaktuk - John Stuart, Jr.

In hockey, from Paulatuk - Elton Ruben.

Mr. Speaker, these athletes will represent our territory with the dignity, respect, but, more importantly, Mr. Speaker, they will represent the Northwest Territories to the best of their ability. Mr. Speaker, I wish all these athletes well, play safe, but, more importantly, have fun. Good luck because we are behind you all the way.

Finally, to the host community in the state of Alaska, we know you will treat our athletes with respect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to follow up on the statement made by my colleague from Hay River yesterday. There is no question that it’s not a good reflection on the House when the presence or absence of Members in the Chamber or in committees take up media time, not what we get done here in the House.

Nevertheless, this has been a problem for the last long while and it’s now public, and the onus is on all of us to work together to improve this situation.

Mr. Speaker, we may have to look at going back to the system where we get paid by meetings we attend…

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…I personally don’t like that because I believe the work we are doing encompasses much more than what we do in this House. Nevertheless, the work here and in our committees is absolutely vital to our work. Being such a small group, one or two of us not being here could really bring the proceedings to a halt.

Perhaps we should look at posting a presence and absence of MLAs at committees meetings, and reasons for them, on the Legislative Assembly web site daily; and during sessions, the reasons for absence could be stated for the record, Mr. Speaker.

I believe the people have to ask these questions, and the constituency of Range Lake, I want to tell them that it’s been a long-standing practice of mine to tell them my schedules and the goings on in my office on the web site throughout the year. During session, I have updates daily in the House about what I am saying and, obviously, if I am not here, I can’t be saying those things.

Mr. Speaker, I have been here everyday. I want to communicate to my constituents that I have been here everyday during this session, and these past two weeks have been especially busy as we have been operating under extended hours. I can also tell them that this week has been an especially busy week with the long-standing hours. I have been here until at least 10:00 every night….

Oh!

I worked until 10:00 last Sunday, and I believe that record is for the public at the security desk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During AOC committee’s pre-budget consultation last year, an issue came up across the NWT and it was the need for more relevant programming in schools for our northern students. This includes northern aboriginal language, culture, land claim agreements, traditional skills and history of the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, this only makes sense that our youth be taught, in a coordinated way, our culture, history and current events of the North that they live in. Learning about southern Canada and other parts of the globe is very important too, Mr. Speaker, but it should not take such a priority over northern history that northern issues get left behind.

I have to wonder, Mr Speaker, if making the educational curriculum more relevant to the students' day-to-day experiences if they would get more involved, be more excited in attendance, and maybe that would be reflected in graduation rates.

For some students, Mr. Speaker, I can only assume an assignment in self-government or maybe even pipeline issues would be more exciting to them in the North than maybe the history of the war of 1812 or of the House of Tudor, not that they are any less important.

Mr. Speaker, in the past, this government has not shied away from making bold policy statements. The Education Act, for example, demanded inclusive schooling. That was a bold step that needs to be recognized, so we don’t need to stop there. We need to keep going with strong messages.

Mr. Speaker, maybe it’s time that this Legislature require that a minimum level of NWT culture, history, event programming is written into legislation. Whatever efforts this government can make to direct policies and overall education councils to scribe such a program would only be beneficial to all parents and constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I can say that some schools and school boards make every effort to embrace northern culture, and I have to point out that in my riding of Yellowknife Centre, Mildred Hall embraces it with every bit of recognition it deserves. It takes changes in laws to sometimes deliver these messages, Mr. Speaker, and I expect that we require and deserve to give it the respect it deserves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to pay tribute to Albertine Rohdes. Albertine has given a lot to the people of the Northwest Territories, especially her wisdom and her knowledge and the struggle for aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories.

Albertine was very active with the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories. She was involved in the Dene/Metis process. She was involved in devolution and where we are today with aboriginal rights.

Albertine would always be the one at the meeting that everyone would want to hear from. She was the person who spoke from the heart and when she spoke, she spoke honestly. She made us all feel that we also had to realize that we had to respect not only our elders, but ourselves and other people around the table.

She provided us with a lot of history and knowledge of the Northwest Territories and how we devolved and struggled over the years to achieve the recognition that we have today as First Nations people.

Albertine was involved with the Fort Simpson Metis local for years. I had the privilege of serving with Albertine as vice-president of the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories and also was involved with the Dene/Metis claims process through the Dene/Metis Secretariat. It was people like Albertine who gave us the knowledge and put us on the path of how to deal with our issues, how to go forward and find solutions to our problems.

With that, I would like to thank Albertine’s family for sharing such a beautiful woman, grandmother and someone who gave so much to the Northwest Territories.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to send condolences to the Lennie family of Tulita on the passing of Alfred Lennie, an uncle to a Member in this House, Mr. Norman Yakeleya.

I would also like to thank the Lennie family for offering Alfred’s wisdom and knowledge. Alfred was also instrumental in helping me help the Sahtu negotiate their land claim. Alfred provided a lot of information and knowledge to the claims negotiators. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, Alfred Lennie was a person who said it as it was and was straight to the point. One thing Alfred always had is, he had a way of just approaching anyone he went to and he was so easy to get along with, yet Alfred had a way of saying things that we, in most cases, were reluctant to say, but he said it anyhow.

Alfred will be greatly missed. Again, I would like to thank the Lennie family for sharing such a wonderful person. Again, I send my condolences to the family. I encourage the people in those communities to support the families through their tough time. More importantly, know that these people have done their job and have shared their wisdom with us. That’s the jewel that we can be grateful for. With that, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s not very often I get people from back home to come down to the Assembly here in the gallery. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my brother, Ernest Pokiak. Mr. Pokiak is the regional airport manager for Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk. He’s also a board member of the Arctic College Board of Governors. I would like to welcome him today.

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Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. Recognitions of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know Mr. Pokiak has been recognized already, but he certainly is the owner of one of the most beautiful houses in the Northwest Territories where I had the privilege of staying when I was there, but he wasn't there, so I would like to welcome him to the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I've got a number of questions. I guess I'm going to start with questions for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services, the Honourable Floyd Roland, and it gets back to the issue of leases for non-profit day cares. I'd like to, first of all, ask the Minister if he's aware of the lease that he has with non-profit day cares here in the city of Yellowknife, and the inequities that are at play with the operation of other non-profit day cares here in the city of Yellowknife. I guess the first question would be if he's aware of the charity lease and the benefit that that provides to operating non-profit day cares here in Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for Public Works, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I am aware that we do have a number of charity leases throughout the government. It's not a standing policy; it's something that's developed over time when a unit has become available and an organization would put in a request to take over that facility. So, yes, I'm aware of our leases. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services if Public Works and Services is in the business of providing charity leases to certain day cares, I'm wondering how they can do it for one day care and not do it for the other day care. I'm wonder if there's even been a discussion between Public Works and Services and the Department of Education on this inequity that exists and how we might be able to overcome that.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, overall, it's a policy of government not to interrupt the business environment. But being that a lot of these organizations are charitable organizations or societies trying to fill a basic need in a community, it was developed almost as a case-by-case scenario. There is no set policy in place. It is, again as I stated earlier, as one facility comes up for surplus, we would approach communities, our leadership, our other government departments, for potential uses. From time to time, as we have found, there's a number of them out there, not only to day care associations but to other associations, as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think we have a serious situation on our hands with the possibility of non-profit day cares not being able to operate because they're not on the same level playing field that I believe that they should be on, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister of Public Works and Services if they've ever had discussions regarding whether or not Public Works and Services and the Department of Education could look at providing something like rent subsidies, or something to that effect, so that all non-profit day cares are on the same page, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just for the record, as well, the charity leases that we have in place are to non-profit organizations, whether it's the day cares or day care facilities, or women's associations, things of that…preschools. I'd be willing to have that discussion about the government's role in trying to do these things. As I said, we don't have a policy in place, but it is probably coming to the time where we do need to look at the environment that we're operating in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Final question, I guess. I'd like to ask, is it fair that one non-profit day care is provided maintenance costs, rent-free environment which totals over $80,000, while the other day care is left to pay their own operating cost, their own rent and their own maintenance costs? Is that fair, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 375-15(4): Non-Profit Day Cares In The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Member's seeking my personal opinion on that basis, I mean everybody asks for the same field to be on, I guess, or the same level to be operating under. So we understand there's a difficulty there. As I stated earlier, initially when these things first came in place, it is a case-by-case scenario, and we're going to have to review that and how we become involved, probably, and whether it's a small community or a large centre. So I guess all I can say to this is we will look at the way we've structured our charity leases and how we will continue to either support them or work around that issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice and it's in regards to an issue that's been in the media a lot, and that has to do with the injuries from snowmobile accidents, Mr. Speaker. We live in a winter country and snowmobiling is something that a lot of people consider as an essential, as well as sports and recreation. But it is an area of activity that does see casualties and injuries and fatalities every year, Mr. Speaker. The national studies show that snowmobile injuries constitute at least 40 percent of all sports and recreation injuries, and half of those admitted for severe trauma, half of those accidents are also alcohol related. So I'd like to know, as a Minister of Justice, whether he's looked into this issue to see what, if anything, we can do as a territorial Legislature to change this situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very serious and concerning problem not only across the North, but, indeed, in the entire country. More and more people are being hurt in snowmobile accidents, ATV accidents, and there is some merit in getting the word out to people so that they recognize they probably need to slow down and drive more safely, and be aware that at all times they need to be wearing helmets. Mr. Speaker, one of the things our government is doing, the Department of Transportation and the Department of MACA are working together to put together an education campaign and get out to the communities with this messaging, and talk to people about how we can be safer and reduce accidents on snow machines and ATVs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, education might be one thing that can be done, but I'm not sure if that's enough. I think that is something that requires some legislative action, and it's definitely an area that is cross-jurisdictional because a snowmobile could travel from a municipality to a territorial land to federal land, and it is something that I think would require cooperation from three levels of government. Mr. Speaker, I walk my dogs everyday at Range Lake and the speed is just out of control, and I need to see that the Minister does something about that. Would the Minister consider looking at this and see what legislative action we can take? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.