I’m pleased to recognize Tyler Heal, who is a third-generation Yellowknife resident and a resident of Yellowknife South.
Tyler was awarded the 2007 Heritage Award from the Yellowknife Heritage Society in recognition of his contribution to the preservation of the history and heritage of Yellowknife.
His book The Times Behind the Signs was recently launched, giving details and stories behind Yellowknife’s street names. All of the proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to the N.W.T. Mining Heritage Society.
Please join me in congratulating this talented and intelligent young man on receiving his award, and recognizing his commitment and contribution to Yellowknife.
Applause.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to rise to inform people back home in Inuvik that I will be heading back home to Inuvik next week from Monday to Wednesday.
I look forward to visiting with them once again and sharing their stories, and continuing to get back to work for the people of Inuvik.
Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Krutko.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize my Constituency Assistant, Liz Wright, who is here in the gallery today. Liz is in town this week, working out of my office here in Yellowknife. Welcome to the gallery.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the two pages from Fort Simpson who worked diligently and hard this week: Ms. Natalie Villeneuve and Ms. Marisa Isaiah. Thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Arthur Beck, a chaperone. I would also like recognize the two pages from Fort Resolution, Tu Nedhe: Kelley Lizotte and Peter Beaulieu. Arthur Beck is also the Vice President of the NWT Métis Council.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two pages from the riding of Frame Lake: In front of me, Stuart Hamre and then, behind me, Jeanne Yurris. They’ve done a great job. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, in following up the question that I was asking, I’m quoting from unedited Hansard:
“The lending agent itself went and got a review. They’re the ones at risk for $165 million if, in fact, they want to lend this money to this project and to make sure it’s a valid project.”
Mr. Speaker, my question for the Premier today is: is it not true that in the event of a default on the loan that he’s referring to, the G.N.W.T. shall step in and receive the project company’s rights benefits to the debt and loan documents, and assume and be bound by all current, future and overdue liabilities and obligations of this project?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is quoting the worst-case scenario, if the project were to fail. As we’ve laid out, the traffic counts and volumes, our commitment to the project…. As was stated in this House, we recognize, as the G.N.W.T., that we are backstopping this project. So yes, through the process, through the whole arrangement, it’s been known that we will end up backing this project if it was a worst-case scenario.
But I did point out, as she was reading from Hansard, responding to a part of a question, the fact is that the lending agent who is lending the money to the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation has made sure that they’re covering all their bases, as well, to ensure that it’s a worthy project to invest in.
Mr. Speaker, now that we have established that, in fact, the G.N.W.T. is bearing some of the risks — if something goes wrong, all of the risk — for this project, I’d like to ask the Premier — and he’s the Finance Minister, so he should know this — how is this liability being reflected in the records of the G.N.W.T.? Because as everyone knows, we have a legislated debt limit of $500 million.
The bridge corporation process is being treated the same way we deal with capital leases and is recognized as well — as Members would know who are familiar with the Financial Administration Act — under that area. So we account for it in that area, but like many of our leases throughout many communities in the Northwest Territories, they don’t show up on our guaranteed debt position.
I can’t ask a hypothetical question, but I would like to project the scenario if something should go wrong and the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation cannot meet the obligations of this debt. Right now, we currently have, I believe, around $300 million of debt, and another $165 million would put us right at our limit. I want people to be fully aware of that.
Mr. Speaker, as we speak today, I’d like to ask the Premier: today is February 21st. What is being signed on behalf of our government today and by whom?
Mr. Speaker, all the documents that are required to bring this deal to a closure. There are a number of schedules. I don’t have a list handy with me right now, but those will bring this whole process to closure, and the banks will be satisfied. The Deh Cho Bridge Corporation, ourselves, all parties would be signing the appropriate documents. It could be at the close of the day, if we can get them all together, or tomorrow.
Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier did not identify who is signing these documents on behalf of the G.N.W.T., and he doesn’t seem too familiar with what they are, anyway.
Anyway, Mr. Speaker, in case I don’t get a chance to ask any more questions, I want to let the record show that today, February 21, 2008, I sat in this Chamber and said that this process has not done justice to due diligence and to the people of the Northwest Territories. It has put them at undue risk.
My question for the Premier here today is: will he endeavour to find out…? We’re going to leave here now, but I want to know if the folks who establish the credit rating of this government have been made aware of this particular agreement, and how that has affected, or will affect, our credit rating as the G.N.W.T.
Mr. Speaker, in fact, as we have our credit rating established through Moody’s and we looked at this borrowing situation, we have been in contact with them. They’re aware of the situation, they have reviewed it, and they feel we’re in a healthy situation and this is something that is affordable if things were to go wrong. The fact is we’re planning things will move along, and we’ll show that this was a good investment for the future of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier and also to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. In regard to my Member’s statement on consultation, I read out different sections of the agreement. It’s very clear the government has an obligation to consult on specific matters, especially on economic measures, the subsurface rights section and also deal with forestry and other elements.
But again, the idea of consultation is not simply sending off a letter, and then if you don’t get a response in two weeks, that’s consultation. I think because of the issue of consultation, it’s critical that consultation basically works for both parties — that you have the time for it and people have the right to consult.
I’d like to ask the Premier, as a government, have we looked at our policies and procedures and ensured they fall in line with exactly what’s spelled out in the land claim agreements for consultation?
Yes. Through Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations we have begun the process. In fact, a document was tabled and made public on the consultation process. We’ve reviewed and put it out there to see if we can get some comment back from aboriginal organizations to meet the request for consultation.
As a department, we are, as well, getting a guide together for our employees and departments, so that when we discuss issues that may have an impact on Crown lands that affect aboriginal rights and treaties, it kicks into place a formal consultation process that we’re putting in place.
Mr. Speaker, the reason I was asked to raise this question is because there are things happening within this government by way of policy changes and program changes. But they are not going to the First Nations organizations who have land claims, who have specific rights with regard to modern-day treaties. The right to consult is also spelled out in a lot of court cases.
Mr. Speaker, there have been changes by way of policy changes, such as contracts in regard to time limits, which have basically been shortened. Again, that change, under the land-claim agreement — an obligation to consult is there.
I’d like to ask the Premier: as a government, are we ensuring that we are fulfilling that obligation and not simply sending out a letter and if we don’t get a response that’s basically consultation? As far as the legislation reads, that is not consultation.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated, we have a package together that we are going to use with departments to highlight when consultation is necessary and needs to be done, what steps would be required, and what is considered actual consultation. As well, we have to use the court cases that have been settled out there and have an impact, because that affects the way governments would consult with each other.
There also needs to be the recognition that consultation isn’t a one-way street. It requires both parties to come together. When it’s a specific initiative, when contact is made, there’s follow-up contact that continues to try to be had, but at some point decisions do need to be made. There’s a recognition in this process we’re developing of the requirement that the consultation needs to be created as a two-way street.
In regard to the aboriginal organizations, I know we had a process in regard to the Aboriginal Summit, which no longer exists. There are some major issues happening in the Northwest Territories.
We could touch on the Deh Cho Bridge, but I think we’re talking about the Tetlit’Zheh expansion; we’re talking about other big projects in the Northwest Territories. The pipeline decisions still have to come down.
I’d like to ask the Premier what exactly we are doing as a government differently from what we did with the Aboriginal Summit. Is there going to be such a forum, or a committee or a makeup of regional leaders in the Territories, to sit down with the Premier and also the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to talk about issues that this government is doing so we can involve them in government-to-government relationships between our three levels of government in the Northwest Territories?
In fact, we have started a process between myself and aboriginal leaderships, as well as including the Deputy Premier. We’ve started a process. For example, shortly after the election in November, we were meeting with the regional aboriginal leadership. We’ve set up a process. We’re going to meet quarterly and discuss issues of concern between all parties.
In fact, I will be meeting with a number of the leaders. We’ve offered a meeting up actually next week. We’ll be following up with that meeting with those that can attend.
Final short supplementary, Mr. Krutko.
As a government we’re still doing work in regard to the devolution process — the Northern Accord, as it was better known in the past.
I’d like to ask the Premier: under the land-claim agreements it’s clear, I stated, that the government shall involve these aboriginal groups in those processes. I’d like to ask the Premier exactly how you are going to include those groups who have land-claim obligations for this government to involve them through the process of consulting or devolution.
The work that was done previously has incorporated a group. It was originally through the Aboriginal Summit, where a joint proposal was put forward to Canada on a devolution resource revenue sharing agreement. Since that day things have changed. The Aboriginal Summit is no longer in place.
I would use this avenue as an avenue to address what may be done if there’s a joint initiative we can establish to move forward and work with them on that basis. As well, from that basis, if there’s further direction on initiatives and work, or further information we need to get, we’re back to that process of dealing with the regional leadership, at our level, and sharing the information on different initiatives we’re trying to bring to a conclusion.
Mr. Speaker, it’s no surprise to this Assembly and certainly not to the Transportation Minister that I’ve been in support of the extension of the Yellowknife runway. I feel it will open up a new tourism corridor, whether it’s for tourism or even business through flights over the top as they bring flights from Asia to North America.
I believe that expanding the runway in Yellowknife to accept larger planes will help not just Yellowknife. I think it will bring an economic boom throughout the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, as I understand it, there’s new information coming out that the Ministry of Transportation is well aware of. There’s a master plan that’s being looked at for the Yellowknife Airport.
My question to the Minister of Transportation is: when can we expect this master plan to be completed and ready for public consumption?
The Member is correct in terms of a study being conducted. The study is being conducted by ITI and [inaudible]. We’re in phase 2 of the study. I’ll be happy to share that with colleagues and Members once the study is released.
I also want to assure the Member that as Minister of Transportation, I’m looking at investment in all areas and locations across the Northwest Territories to ensure that safety and efficiency is our number one priority in our transportation system.
I’d like to know if the Minister of Transportation has been working with the Minister of ITI — the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Investment — to discuss and further find out more information as to the economic boom that would be provided to the Northwest Territories.
Is the study looking at those types of considerations? Is his department working with ITI to make sure this relevant information is being brought forward to make the business case to expand the Yellowknife Airport?
The Department of Transportation is working very closely with the Department of ITI, under the direction and leadership of Minister Bob McLeod, in putting this study together in terms of the Yellowknife Airport runway extension.
We are working with other stakeholders, such as the city, air carriers, Transport Canada in terms of seeing the benefits. And of course, I would be happy to sit down with Members once we have this study before us and have some discussion.
The Member may well be aware that I've tabled a document on runway licence studies. Certainly, there are comments in there about the 23rd-busiest airport in Canada, which is the Yellowknife territorial airport.
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Transportation knows, runways are an extremely vital piece of infrastructure to any area, region or territory.
I'd like to know what the Minister is doing to pursue funding for this potential project. And if I may underscore, I think we just received a promissory note of $245.8 million. I'd like to hear what he’s doing to make sure the Yellowknife Airport runway extension is being considered in that potential pot of money.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to discussing with all Members of the standing committee, with my colleagues, once we have an idea as to types of priorities, where we want to invest in the Northwest Territories.
Certainly, the report from the runway-length study has identified some priorities there. I look forward to discussion with my honourable colleagues, and with the standing committee in terms of where we will have the best returns on investment, as a government, within this term.
We will work with the Member, and again, I will share that information once I have the final document.
Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.
I again reaffirm my belief that this will open up international tourism as well as international business.
One thing the Minister neglected to mention was: when can I expect this study to be open for public consumption? When does the Minister expect that this study will be made available for everyone to take a good look at?
Mr. Speaker, I want to let the Member know it will be available within a couple of months. I will communicate more with my colleague Minister Bob McLeod. I will get back to the Member in terms of the exact decision regarding the date.
Mr. Speaker, during the earliest years of brain development, the potential for learning can be most fully established. I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment: how does our current allocation of resources reflect the huge opportunity we have to be effective by focussing strongly on the very young?
Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, our government does realize that learning starts at a young age.
Our department — and also the Government of the Northwest Territories — does consider funding various levels, such as early childhood programs, early childhood contributions and policies, and children’s initiatives. These are just some of the areas I’m highlighting. It is in the works. We've been funding for a number of years. There are also federal funding initiatives.
Those are the areas we will continue to fund, because we as a government feel it is important to start at an early age.
I’ll just highlight some of the federal initiatives that have been undertaken and will continue: Early Childhood Development, early learning and child trust fund, child care space initiatives — we support the NWT Literacy Council, as well — and also program enhancement grants, language programs. So we do have various federal initiatives and also the G.N.W.T., with our ECE department. We do deliver various programs to promote that. Mahsi.
I know a big focus and a big interest of this government — and of myself, personally — is cultural and language diversity. Languages, of course, hold the cultures and hold different ways of knowing. We know now that language development takes place especially early in life. That’s when we get hard-wired for it, and we have the ability thereafter to speak it. But we need to have a lot of exposure early in life.
What programs do we have that actually get our most proficient language speakers together with our very young? Are we supporting our elders and those who can speak these languages most proficiently? Are we supporting them getting together with very young children, even if they’re just speaking in their presence, not necessarily teaching them? Apparently that will do the job. What programs do we have to support that?
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Member’s question in this specific area. It has always been my interest when I was a Regular MLA. We do continue to offer support in these areas. We support training programs through Aurora College and with our respective partnership from the Southern Institute, as well, deliver the ALTA program — aboriginal instructor’ program — and also the CTIP program, TIP program.
Mr. Speaker, we also work with the communities. The elders are the most valuable tool in our communities as well. So we utilize their services in the communities, because they’re the ones who give us wisdom and knowledge to pass on to our younger generation. We use them in our schools, in our communities, during activities, functions, with respect to education activities. We will continue to provide those services at the schools and at the community level. That’s the areas we focus on. Mahsi.
I appreciate the comments of the Minister. Most of the programs he mentioned, perhaps almost all, were focused on children in school. Really, what we’re learning is that so much of this potential takes place before children are school-aged. So I’m particularly interested in getting elders together with the very young.
In my time in communities, I see a lot of elders looking for something to do, in a way, especially when they are unable to be as physically active as they may have been before. This seems like a huge opportunity.
What programs are we pursuing, or will the Minister commit to, that will get those proficient language speakers and culture holders together with the very young?
Mr. Speaker, we do provide programs such as Head Start, a pre-school aboriginal language and cultural perspective, and also we’re promoting more aboriginal languages at school, whether it be K-12 or continuing on. We do have aboriginal instructors in classrooms as well. We do also utilize elders, as I indicated earlier, and we had an aboriginal instructors’ forum last month, I do believe, to try to get their input into how we can produce even more children to speak their language.
So we are getting input from the groups and also from the community leaders and also from the elders on how we can improve our programs and also the support we deliver in our communities. We will continue to seek out all the information, input and advice that we possibly can to improve our programs. With that, we are doing what we can under the department. Mahsi.
Final, short supplementary, Mr. Bromley.
The other point that I know is of concern is that our early childhood workers often don’t meet the educational standards, particularly the federal standards they are coming out with. The Aurora College programs are currently not producing qualified child care workers. I would like to hear what the Minister is doing on this and any reinvestment-type opportunities he sees with respect to any of these questions I have asked.
Mr. Speaker, we do provide funding to our childhood development certification program at Aurora College. We will continue to do that. We are producing results. We are producing certified teachers, I guess we can call them. We’ll focus on that as well, and where we can improve our program, we are certainly open to that. Certainly we will take those into consideration, and we will continue to support in these areas. Mahsi.
