Good afternoon, colleagues. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In reflection of my statement and line of questioning last week in the House, the Stanton deficit is certainly a concern and great passion of mine which I fear may have gotten the best of me on that particular issue. If I offended anyone, I certainly want to make amends to the House by withdrawing any tone or individual comment that may have caused any offence. I, of course, as always, am prepared to work in the most collegial way in the House as possible and always do with that intent.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes that Northwest Territories filmmakers make positive economic and cultural impacts on our Territory. Today I would like to talk to you about the important work that we are doing with the Northwest Territories film industry to help grow this vital sector.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is working with Education, Culture and Employment to undertake a review assessing the economic prospects of the film industry, investigating establishment of an independent film commission and possible programs that would support the film industry.
The review process is part of a two-step plan. The aim of the review is to explore the costs and benefits of programs to support the Northwest Territories film industry in our current fiscal environment and research options for support
programs for the Northwest Territories film industry and a delivery model for those programs.
The second part of this project will involve consultation with the players in the Northwest Territories film industry to explore those options and develop recommendations for support to the industry. It is anticipated this workshop will take place within the next month and will provide the Government of the Northwest Territories with an opportunity to present findings from the review and discuss and explore options together with those people involved in the Northwest Territories film industry.
Industry, Tourism and Investment currently provides support to Northwest Territories businesses, including those involved in film production through its Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy. Education, Culture and Employment provides support to the film industry through the Northwest Territories Arts Council and northern film and media arts contributions programs.
This project will allow us to explore other possible options that support the Northwest Territories film industry. We already know that brilliant filmmakers are at work throughout the Northwest Territories creating memorable films that use our rugged landscape and vibrant cultural essence of the Northwest Territories as a backdrop. Yellowknife-based production company Black Swan Films recently screened “A Song for the Dead,” which was filmed at Prosperous Lake. I am pleased to say Industry, Tourism and Investment helped to fund this film through its Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy.
The 4th Annual Yellowknife Film Festival that just concluded this past weekend is also a great example of success in northern film and video.
We know that people are interested in filming in the North and watching film and television shows filmed and produced in the North. Just look at the popularity of Northwest Territories Ice Pilots, which has now moved into its second season of production. We also had crews in the North to film a Tropicana orange juice commercial under Inuvik’s arctic sun. This commercial won multiple awards, including the prestigious Gold Lion in the film category at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious awards festival in the world.
Also, with the interest generated in the Northwest Territories through our Northern House at the Vancouver Olympics, we can only expect that interest in the Northwest Territories film industry will grow even more.
Mr. Speaker, we all want an economy that is diversified and one that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices. Supporting programming for the Northwest Territories film industry is one way to maximize opportunities and support economic diversification of the Northwest Territories, which is a key goal of this Assembly.
I look forward to the results of the review and I am confident that by working with those closely involved with the Northwest Territories film industry we will find the best ways to show our support for this important industry. We will be tabling a final report on the review of the Northwest Territories film industry during the May session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak today about the status of the sterilization equipment located at Stanton Territorial Hospital.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to get an understanding from the Minister today as to what is happening with surgeries at Stanton Hospital. I’ve heard that over the past three weeks, with the exception of emergency surgeries, all surgeries have been cancelled. Mr. Speaker, there is also the issue of infection rates in post-operative patients at Stanton. Has there been an increase in infection rates at that hospital? Why have surgeries been cancelled the last three weeks?
The equipment used to sterilize surgical instruments is located in the CSR, or reprocessing unit at that hospital. I understand that currently there are technicians working on the equipment. I’d like to know when the hospital became aware of the problems with the equipment and why have they shut them down. Is it a coincidence that post-operative infections are increasing just when it seems the equipment requires servicing? Has public health been put at risk, Mr. Speaker?
It would appear that patients who get a post-operative infection are being told it’s their fault, when just down the hall the same surgery, the same day, has the same infection. Again, is this all one big coincidence or do we have some serious issues with our sterilization equipment at that hospital?
If our operating rooms have been cancelling surgeries over the past three weeks, is it not going to have a negative impact on patients awaiting necessary surgery? What about the staff and the operational costs, all of which will increase due to the cancellations? Mr. Speaker, these have got to be piling up. I’d like to ask the Minister a number of questions today during question period regarding this issue. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Draft amendments to the Wildlife Act are not there yet. It has been a long road, and a pressing need to update the act into the legal reality of today is clear. The draft bill does go some distance towards recognizing Aboriginal and treaty rights but fails on our additional responsibility for bringing those without these rights into a cooperative management future.
As I have said repeatedly, whole management is the only approach that will work, but workable whole management requires that this bill also provides for wildlife users without Aboriginal and treaty rights to be directly engaged in the process. While the legal makeup of advisory and management boards may omit wildlife users without Aboriginal and treaty rights, that does not preclude a direct and funded role for them and advising government representatives who are at the table. The difficulty lies in the fact that government representatives must represent all people, including those with Aboriginal rights. And thus they have an inherent conflict of interest. Unless those without treaty rights have a clear mechanism for participation and debate, our solutions can only produce the failed management practices, discord and resistance that now prevail.
Another key issue is recognition of the legal fact that priority rights do not mean exclusive rights. Few, if any, would debate the recognition of priority access for those with Aboriginal and treaty rights over residents and then commercial interests. Case law indicates that while Aboriginal harvesters have pre-eminent rights of harvesting, that does not mean completely excluding allocation for users without Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Mr. Speaker, you have heard me speak out many times on behalf of Aboriginal and treaty rights holders. I am extremely pleased to see this draft legislation making significant progress in recognizing those rights, but we have a responsibility for maximizing the use and enjoyment of our wildlife for all our people within the provisions for recognition of Aboriginal and treaty rights. To achieve this, we need to conduct and fund consultation for all users and provide all users with a meaningful mechanism for direct participation in wildlife management. Conservation is most supported by those who use the resource. Working together requires providing a real opportunity to engage.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Working together requires providing a real opportunity to engage. Failure will lead to bad management decisions and embittered agendas for years to come. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak in support of a request from the community of Fort Good Hope that the government reinstates the position for prevention and health promotion worker in the community.
Chief Arthur Tobac, the chief of K’ahsho Got’ine Band, believes that the lack of programs and services to support parents and young people in Fort Good Hope is holding the students back. He was very appreciative of the leadership taken by the Culture and Education department Minister at the Minister’s forum on Aboriginal achievement and education and at the Department of Health and Social Services community meetings. The community was encouraged by the consultation. Representing his community, Chief Tobac recommended the reinstatement of a prevention and health promotion worker who would be hired specifically to focus on helping the youth deal with alcohol and drug dependencies.
The prevention and health promotion worker could help youth keep on track and help them find alternatives to alcohol and drug use. Discovering healthy alternatives is the means to personal healing that gives the youth confidence and the energy for these youth to have more self-worth or are more likely to fit in at school and get involved in their studies. These students learn more, increase their skills and knowledge, feel better about themselves and are more likely to complete high school and further their education.
I think Fort Good Hope is on the right track, Mr. Speaker, in their request to hire their own prevention and community health promotion worker who can focus on creating a healthier environment for the student population. We want to help the youth actively engage in learning at school and at home, and they need help, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the chief says our youth are our future. Let’s start investing in our youth and in their future by helping them put together a community solution that they’re proposing to this government. Will this government stand up and listen and support the Fort Good Hope initiative to hire a prevention and health promotion worker? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On February 2nd I made a Member’s statement outlining concerns I received about the most recent public consultation process that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been conducting on the proposed Wildlife Act.
There is concern that these consultations are not really being conducted to get input on the proposed changes but rather to inform the people on what the department is planning to put before this Legislature. Many participants have the feeling that their concerns about the content is being ignored and that only token or administrative changes are being considered by ENR, so no real or substantive changes will result from these current public consultation sessions, which started in November, then over Christmas and ended in mid-January.
Mr. Speaker, on February 2nd I asked the Minister some clear questions. I was trying to get the Minister to provide constituents across the Northwest Territories with some confidence that their voices and input have been seriously considered during this most recent round of consultation; specifically, the voices of the non-Aboriginal hunters, the Akaitcho and the Dehcho, whose only input into the proposed and final act come as a result of the really important public consultations.
Mr. Speaker, I was very frustrated by the Minister’s response to my questions. Rather than answer my questions, the Minister, in my opinion, danced a dance of deflection. Rather than answer these important questions he challenged the credibility of the NWT Wildlife Federation, accused me of egregious behaviour, made continual reference to 54 drafts, but wouldn’t confirm how many of these drafts have been done after the current consultations. And when pressed for examples of how ENR would be incorporating input heard from the residents during these most recent rounds of consultations, the Minister provided examples of clauses that were already included in the proposed act, items that have not been changed since the current round of public consultations.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, consultations have been going on for over 10 years. Unfortunately none of these consultations included the distribution of the current departmental draft and only this last round of consultation included the plain language summary. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the drafting of this proposed legislation recognized treaty and Aboriginal rights. Some Aboriginal governments participated in the drafting. This is a unique and respectful practice which needs to be applauded. However, we are still a public government and the voices of all our residents must be heard and acknowledged.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, a lot of good work has been done. However, one would think that the Minister would want an act of this importance to be as near perfect as possible before putting it in front of this House.
If the Minister can’t demonstrate that this most recent and final round of public consultation has had meaningful impact...
Mr. Abernethy, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister can’t demonstrate this most recent and final round of public consultations had meaningful impact on the final draft and that no substantive changes are being considered as a result, I suggest that this act is not ready to be put before this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Darnley Bay project in Paulatuk, Mr. Speaker, is approaching another drilling season. All across the Northwest Territories, communities such as Paulatuk are one step closer to seeing a fully operating diamond mine near the community in similar projects. This project has experienced some slowdown due to the global economy.
Fortunately this project has once again built some momentum and financing and is moving this forward. Recently the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency invested $485,000 to help the Paulatuk Development Corporation in purchasing moveable exploration camps, which could be used at the mine site with the exploration companies.
Darnley Bay Resources Limited and Diadem and the contractor or geoscientists are currently active in searching for diamonds and base metals near the community of Paulatuk. This camp will consist of a 20-person moveable camp, complete with a camp manager, cook, First Aid attendant and camp staff who look forward to all the operations and logistics.
Darnley Bay Resources Limited is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is preparing for the 2011 exploration drilling season for the diamonds and base metals, with two drilling campaigns planned. According to their spokesperson we’ve been speaking to, they’re hiring many local people from the community. The result of their recent finding is another indicator of a promising future for this project.
As the project moves forward, many organizations and groups want to see people from Paulatuk get meaningful employment and to participate and benefit economically, not just with low-wage jobs but with positions such as drillers and geologists, managers and environmental monitors. Construction companies could be used to build the site and camp catering companies could be used to provide a wide range of services.
This project is an excellent opportunity for a small, remote community such as Paulatuk to create and build real capacity in all areas of the local economy. I will have questions for the Minister of ITI at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Last October at a public meeting in Fort Simpson with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in attendance, parents raised concerns about Bompas Elementary School playground. The old playground was pressure-treated wood and had to be removed for safety reasons. The play area designated for kindergarten and grade 1 children is equipped, but the area designated for grade 2 and 3 is empty. The area designated for grade 4, 5 and 6 has only a few structures that are in rough shape. This is a bad situation.
As we all know, the importance of physical activity for children’s health, having safe environment for kids in the fresh air goes a long ways towards keeping them happy. The Fort Simpson’s group Parents for Playgrounds, which also includes teachers, has estimated that the total cost of a new playground is about $60,000 and they have been fundraising and making requests for corporate donations. Their goal is to raise $30,000.
I’m really impressed with the parents’ and teachers’ dedication to make sure that children in Fort Simpson have play equipment that will be used for years to come.
Recently Fort Liard raised funds to replace playground equipment that was falling to pieces and ECE matched the funds raised, providing the assistance through the district education authority. This is encouraging to the parents group and they’re working hard towards their goal of replacing the playground equipment.
The group Parents for Playgrounds is asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment for the same assistance. I wholeheartedly support this request. They are working closely with the district education authority and the Dehcho Divisional Council. They do need more support. I look forward to the Minister confirming he will provide funding for the playground equipment at the Bompas Elementary School.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past December and January I attended public meetings for consultations on the Wildlife Act. The presentations were excellent and thorough but I came away with concerns for the act; concerns that were strengthened by submissions by a number of NWT organizations.
I want to start by saying that I appreciate the efforts of the Minister and the staff of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for their work in the development of the act over these lo many years and for the presentations and consultations that are recently concluded.
I will not comment on the consultation process. The Minister has heard people’s concerns about that already. I do have to comment on the act, in light of what I’m hearing from constituents.
The new Wildlife Act is long overdue but the draft act, as presented during the recent consultation process, is not ready for first reading without some amendments. Firstly, there are a couple of requirements in the act which will force airlines to contravene Transport Canada regulations, and that they cannot do.
Secondly, I have major concerns with the proposed membership of the Conference of Management Authorities. We’re told that any interested non-Aboriginal residents are represented by the GNWT, but in reality that’s not adequate. We’re told that the conference membership must be limited to agencies who have a legal responsibility for wildlife management, but if that must be, then identify several ex-officio, non-voting members from interested organizations: the Chamber of Mines, or Chamber of Commerce, or the NWT Wildlife Federation, for instance. We must be inclusive as a government and we must be seen to be inclusive.
Thirdly, NWT businesses are concerned about the powers identified in the act to establish conservation areas, particularly the mining companies. There is little in the act that speaks to an NWT that protects and manages wildlife and also allows and encourages economic development. There must be language added to the act which expresses the philosophy of sustainable development.
Lastly, many, many people have indicated their concern with the unidentified content of some 250 or more regulations that will govern the new act. The department must be more forthcoming about the content of these numerous regulations.
I’m heartened by the assurances given to Members at a recent briefing on the act. What I heard is that a number of changes will be made to the draft act prior to its presentation to the House and I commend the Minister and his staff for recognizing that change was needed. It is imperative that the department’s response to the consultation be shared with everyone who submitted comments, with the general public, prior to the first reading of the act.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
In Fort Resolution there is a daycare and a preschool program. These programs are much needed and appreciated. The main problem is the building that houses the daycare and preschool is an old 1960s trailer that was moved to Fort Resolution from Little Buffalo Junction. At this time the building needs a new roof, a new furnace and many other minor repairs, and about 300 to 400 square feet because it’s too small to accommodate the community’s preschool needs.
I believe this building is beyond economical repair, once the expansion is added to the cost of renovations. More space is needed to accommodate the kids who will be going into kindergarten next year. Right now the space will only allow for five preschool students and the need right now is at least 12. The additional students cannot even be added if the space was found, because the preschool would need a half-day teacher to accommodate the students going into kindergarten in September.
The teachers tell me that students in kindergarten are far more ready for kindergarten if they were attending preschool. They are considerably ahead of the other students that are coming straight into kindergarten without any preschool experience.
Preschool and daycare appear to be the first pieces of the puzzle of education. It is very, very important and almost essential in small communities where the overall education levels are lower than average. We need to support daycare and preschool programs.
I’ll be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to look into providing new space for the daycare and a preschool teacher, at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This weekend I had occasion to speak to a friend who is a long-time Northerner. She said to me, “Jane, what’s devolution?” Simple question. I said, “Simply, it’s the turning over of federal responsibility for the management of Crown lands and natural resources on and under those lands, and the transfer of decision-making from federal politicians, bureaucrats and federally appointed boards to Northerners. It’s about transferring the jobs associated with those responsibilities to the North. It’s also about sharing a portion of the royalties for the extraction of those resources to northern governments.” Then she said, “So why are the chiefs not on board?”
Now, I would not stand here in this House today and purport to speak for the chiefs of the Northwest Territories, but I told her that I believed to some extent it has to do with what is considered to be a fair share of those royalties for Aboriginal governments.
In this dialogue about this devolution and resource revenue sharing I have heard it said by some leaders that this government is not our government. In a Territory of 42,000 people, where we as leaders are called upon to deliver programs and services to all of our people, I don’t know how many governments we need to deliver health or education or social services.
May I suggest that no matter who you are in the Northwest Territories, when you pull up to the door of the Stanton Territorial Hospital in the middle of the night with a sick child, this is your government. The government will come for you in so many ways as a Northerner. I don’t know how many more governments at which levels we can afford to have.
We elect representatives from all over this Northwest Territories. I never understand how, when they cross the threshold of this door, there’s a perception that now they’re on an opposing team. We’re all leaders. We’re all here for the same reason. We’re all here for the benefit of the people that we serve.
It’s particularly, if I might say, interesting when people who have served in this House for many years say this is not their government, because it is their government on the day they pick up their pension cheques, I’m sure.
How long will we lose the struggle with Canada for northern control and benefit of northern resources by default? What is it going to take to bring unity of northern leadership for the benefit of northern people? If our government has created distrust of our government by failing to equally and fairly consider the needs of all Northerners outside of the capital, then it’s high time that this culture of centralization does change.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Please, for the benefit of the economies and the common sense of working together for the benefit of Northerners, let’s seriously listen to each other and let’s see where a unified voice for the North can take us.
All the best to the Premier as he goes out to the regions in the next weeks and months to have that dialogue with Northerners.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to return to a topic I have raised in this House before which continues to be of great concern to me. It’s a matter of government red tape and how frustrating and problematic it is for small business. It’s nothing but a roadblock and a burden on our industry.
Red tape restricts small business activities, creates more paperwork and leads to frustration. Of course, we all recognize the need for regulatory regulations and reporting, but there must be clear and reasonable requirements. I also empathize with small business owners and employees who must deal with the bureaucratic tangling of paper, which certainly is a tricky web that’s been weaved.
In a recent report, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that 73 percent of its members reported that regulations cause significant stress, and 26 percent -- that’s one in four business owners -- say they might not have gone into business had they known about all the paperwork and requirements in the regulations they are faced with. Last year CFIB identified the Northwest Territories was lagging behind every other jurisdiction in Canada. They often raise this as a particular issue that needs to be addressed by this government.
Consider some examples: business costs of negotiating the regulatory process and exploration of mining, the records that small airlines may be required to complete for non-scheduled flights for hunters and fishers, for the transportation of wildlife. Many businesses, such as liquor stores, must provide extensive documentation for their operations and many times they ask me: what’s the point of this? Just to keep someone employed?
In 2010, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been noted for their hard work leading the response by the call of business to address the burdensome paperwork. Last month at CFIB’s Second Annual Red Tape Awareness Week the Prime Minister of Canada announced the creation of a Red Tap Reduction Commission. It’s hard to believe, but even Ottawa gets it.
The reality here is the GNWT needs to follow the lead of other jurisdictions and reach out to our northern businesses, our true economy of our North, and ensure that we get their values on how to deal with the red tape burden that’s being put on them. They want to be involved, they want to report, but a lot of times they find it a waste of time and pointless. Let’s ensure our businesses are busy making money and not filling out useless government paperwork.
Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention in the gallery to some special visitors today. We have 10 young women and men who are visiting us for a few days from the Ontario Legislature Internship Program. They are here to observe consensus government in action. I may want to encourage Members to be on their best behaviour today.
I would like to recognize Byran Bossis, Melissa Cernigoy, Natalie Desimini, Thomas Maidwell, Katherine Preiss, Erica Rayment, Michael Smith, Charles Thompson, Sasha Tregebov and Lisa Marie Williams. On behalf of all Members of the Legislative Assembly, may I extend a warm welcome to the Northwest Territories and to our Chamber.
Also, colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitor’s gallery to our Conflict of Interest Commissioner, Gerry Gerrand, in the House today.
The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Aurora College students currently enrolled in the Introduction to Government class here in Yellowknife. The students are: Tuan Tran, Nichelle Hernblad, Delores Lacorne, Arisa Komi, Sean Erasmus, Warren Mpofu, Karen Horn, and also the instructor, Arthur Osborne. Welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to welcome and recognize a Grade 6 Intense French class from Range Lake North School, who are here to watch consensus government in action. I’d like to recognize, with the indulgence of the House, each one of them: Viktor Hugo Antolin Gutierrez, Julienne Apaga, Carson Asmundson, Taylor Beck, Erika Callahan, Emma Cameron, Advent Joshua Cruz, Brady Daniels, Sarah DuPlessis, Tori Forsbloom, Hannah Fowler, Hayley Gibson, Daniel Guardado, Michelle Lee -- who is also my niece, Jasmine Li, Tatianna Lim, Iain MacKay, Melissa MacLellan, Angus Martin, Taltson McQueen, Ashley Peddle, Kirsten Peterson, Dylan Roesch, Matthew Slade, Ashley Stride, Anika von Allmen, Sean Ward, Andrew Young, and the teacher, Ms. Jodie Lee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour for me today to welcome Ms. Christine Falardeau. Her husband, Martin Falardeau, is a ranger instructor with Joint Task Force North. I know she’s a part of the teaching staff at Range Lake North School. Thank you for coming. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you. I’d like to recognize a friend, Delores Lacorne.
