Debates of June 2, 2005 (day 7)

Madam Speaker, I would like to update the House on the implementation of the Protection Against Family Violence Act.

This new law came into effect on April 1, 2005. It gives people new choices to deal with family violence. Any time of the day or night, a person can call the RCMP or a toll-free crisis line to talk to a family violence counsellor. They have several different choices and in emergencies, the police or counsellor can help them apply for an emergency protection order. A justice of the peace considers the history of family violence in the relationship and can make orders that will work for the family. Supreme Court judges review every order within three days of receiving it, and can call a hearing for more information. Legal aid lawyers can help both the victims and violent family members.

Madam Speaker, emergency protection orders give similar protection to a restraining order. The main difference is that the new orders can be issued within hours and give protection right away. Men, women, children and elders can call and get help right away. Over the past two months, justices of the peace have made a dozen orders to keep people safe from violent family members. That’s 12 families, Madam Speaker, who have gotten help within a few hours to protect them from violent family members. The men, women, children and elders who have received orders are safer now. This law helps the most vulnerable people in our society stay safe in their own homes. It provides a balance between the need to protect victims and the need to have a process that is fair. Emergency protection orders gives everyone in the family time to think things over and decide what they need to do to stay safe. Some families will want to go to counselling. Others will need longer lasting protection from a violent person. The new orders give them enough time to make those arrangements.

Our first priority, Madam Speaker, was to train RCMP officers and family violence counsellors to help people apply for orders. We are now working to make sure people know how to get an order. Justice staff are travelling around the NWT with the Coalition Against

Family Violence. They are talking to people about family violence and training key referral sources: social workers, nurses and people who work for community organizations like shelters. We’ve also placed posters and booklets in every community. You can see our ads on CBC North and hear them on community radio stations in local languages.

Madam Speaker, family violence is a serious problem in the NWT. Our residents are many times more likely to be victims of violence than people in the rest of Canada. We are sending a strong message that as a community we believe that victims have the right to be safe in their own homes. This has been a collaborative effort between Justice, the RCMP, Health and Social Services, local social workers and non-government organizations like the YWCA and the Native Women’s Association.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the members of the Coalition Against Family Violence who have been working together to find innovative ways to reduce this problem in our society. This coalition includes GNWT and community groups that care about family violence. It’s an example of what we can do when we work together. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on June 21st, Canadians will celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

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This day is recognized across our country as an opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to aboriginal culture, language and heritage in Canada.

As Members are aware, in 2002 the Northwest Territories took the additional step of establishing National Aboriginal Day as a statutory holiday and we remain the only jurisdiction in this country to do so.

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Madam Speaker, we took this step to further recognize the culture, languages and heritage of the Dene, Inuvialuit and Metis people of the Northwest Territories and its role in the shaping of the Northwest Territories that we know today:

Our style of government is rooted in traditional systems of consensus: a foundation of trust and the aboriginal values of mutual respect and understanding. The shape of our legislative chamber pays tribute to the historic and time-honoured aboriginal leadership circle.

We have incorporated a Circle of Northern Leaders in our territory as a forum to identify common ground and to work together on issues of territorial concern and importance.

Our government recognizes not two, but 11 official languages.

We promote and support traditional lifestyles as a valuable component of our economy.

We are the only jurisdiction in Canada to provide Metis health benefits…

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…a program that ensures that Metis people in the Northwest Territories

receive health benefits equivalent to those received by Dene and Inuvialuit peoples.

As we sit in session today, the Tlicho people are making final preparations to implement their combined land claims and self-government agreement -- the first of its kind in the Northwest Territories -- to come into effect on August 4th.

The land, resource and self-government agreements that we are negotiating in the Northwest Territories continue to set new standards and establish groundbreaking relationships between aboriginal people and their governments.

Madam Speaker, at the beginning of July, the NWT will host the annual general assembly of the Assembly of First Nations. One behalf of all of our residents, I am honoured that the AFN has chosen the NWT for this important event. It seems especially significant that the AFN assembly is happening shortly after we celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

Madam Speaker, aboriginal history, language, art, tradition and culture are an integral and valued part of our identity as Canada's northern people. This is what will be forefront in my mind as I, along with all residents of the Northwest Territories, celebrate National Aboriginal Day this year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to extend my congratulations to the athletes from all over the North who have gathered in Hay River to compete in the 15th Annual Territorial Track and Field Championships. It was my pleasure to attend the opening ceremonies last night, along with a number of Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Madam Speaker, many sport and recreation partners, including Municipal and Community Affairs, community governments, Sport North and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, sponsored the three-day sports event for the benefit of Northwest Territories youth. Events such as the track and field championships ensure NWT athletes have the opportunity to develop their skills through sport and recreation competition.

Municipal and Community Affairs is committed to supporting a strong recreation and sport system because physical activity is important for the health and wellbeing of our residents. Further, the department is committed to ensuring that our recreation and sport system provides as many opportunities as possible for northerners to become more active and adopt healthy lifestyles. The annual track and field championship is one such opportunity, geared towards our youth.

Madam Speaker, this is a significant event to plan and coordinate. I would like to thank the 150 coaches and more than 300 officials, organizers and parents who have volunteered their time to support for this event. I am pleased to report that a total of 1,273 athletes on 33 teams from 19 communities participated this year, making this the largest turnout in the Territorial Track and Field Championship's history. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am pleased to announce that the GNWT and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association have negotiated and ratified a new three-year collective agreement.

This new agreement will improve the competitiveness of the GNWT in recruiting and retaining teachers and administrators, while also focusing attention on key issues such as aboriginal languages.

The new agreement will result in a restructuring of the teachers' pay grid over three years to provide more consistency. The minimum pay increase will be three percent. Additionally, employees with more experience and more years of GNWT service will receive higher increases. This will assist the GNWT to be more competitive with other jurisdictions.

A redesigned northern allowance structure will be implemented with the new agreement in September 2006. This structure was developed prior to negotiations by a committee comprised of representatives of both the GNWT and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association.

In the new agreement, there is funding for professional improvement of language proficiency in one or more of the official aboriginal languages of the Northwest Territories. There will be $50,000 allocated per academic year commencing September 1, 2005, and again in 2006; $100,000 will be allocated in the academic year commencing September 1, 2007.

Education is a fundamental concern for our communities and it is a priority to ensure that we are able to recruit and retain teachers and also compensate them fairly. I applaud the work done by the bargaining teams in negotiating this agreement, and I look forward to seeing the results of the ongoing work they have identified. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to address this House in my new role as the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.

As Minister, I want to ensure our children inherit a secure future built upon a healthy environment that is capable of supporting traditional lifestyles within a modern economy. This goal is echoed in the department’s mandate and principles and is shared by the staff. We intend to achieve this goal by building on the strengths of our people, both within the department and in the Northwest Territories, and through the wise use and protection of our natural resources.

Together we have developed a framework for action for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The framework identifies the strategic actions required over the next three years to promote and support the sustainable use and development of natural resources and to protect, conserve and enhance our environment for the social and economic benefit of all residents.

Madam Speaker, a clear vision and unified approach along with efficient and effective plans for action are needed to deal with the opportunities and challenges facing our territory. This framework for action provides the vision, approaches and actions the Department of Environment and Natural Resources needs to move forward on its strategic initiatives. By working closely with residents and involving them in key decision-making roles, the department can tackle these strategic initiatives and actions to meet our shared responsibility for maintaining a healthy and prosperous northern environment.

At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling the framework for action. It will also be available on the ENR web site so residents can make themselves aware of the department’s priorities and actions for the next three years. I encourage all residents to review the framework for action and gauge our results in meeting these priorities. I will provide regular updates to this House and the public on the status of the actions taken. My first report will cover the period between June and December 2005.

Many of the actions identified in the framework are already underway, however, as circumstances arise, new initiatives and actions may be identified. Success in completing these actions will require support and input from this House and residents.

Only by working together, sharing our knowledge, experience and passion for our land and waters, can we hope to be true stewards of our environment and pass its riches on to our children and those who will follow. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon. I am very pleased to announce to the Members of this House that Mr. Chris Fournier, our NWT representative at the World Skills Competition, has won a gold medal.

Yesterday, we received word that Mr. Fournier received the gold medal for web design at the World Skills Competition in Helsinki, Finland. Chris has been competing in the territorial skills competitions since he was a Grade 9 student at Sir John Franklin High School. Over the years, he competed in four territorial skills competitions, winning gold medals in each event. As well, during this time, he was also successful in winning medals in the national Canadian Skills Competition. It was his win at the Canadian Skills Competition last June in Winnipeg that earned him a spot on the Skills Canada Team that traveled to Helsinki last week. Mr. Fournier is currently an employee of the Department of Executive as their web communications assistant. They are expecting a world-class web site, I understand, Madam Speaker.

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During all this time, Chris was a member of the Skills Web Page Design Club. Through his activity with the club, he honed his skills and received expert instruction from his mentor, Debbie Winsor. Skills clubs are eight to 12 weeks in length and are an excellent opportunity for northern youth to gain hands-on experience and insight into the trade and technology career of their choice. Skills Canada NWT is fortunate to have industry experts volunteer to host these clubs, passing on their skills to young people like Chris. The skills club and the competitions are a few of the programs delivered by Skills Canada NWT/NU, a non-profit organization funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the Government of the NWT and other NWT industry partners.

Chris Fournier is one of only five Canadian medallists at the recent competition, which involved almost 700 participants from around the globe. This impressive achievement is particularly special because Mr. Fournier is the first world skills competitor ever to come from the Northwest Territories.

Please join me in congratulating Mr. Fournier. His success shows that our trades and technical training is preparing NWT residents to win competitions against the best and brightest in Canada and now, the world. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to once again voice my concern with regard to education. You might say it’s a running record of this topic; in particular, a need for high school and grade extensions.

In a previous Member’s statement, Madam Speaker, I voiced a concern of a need for a separate high school in Tuktoyaktuk. The Minister has responded on numerous occasions that numbers of enrolment do not justify our need for a separate high school. Madam Speaker, this may be true. However, the DEA in Tuk has indicated to me that there are a number of dropouts that may return to complete their Grade 12 if there was a separate high school. Integrating students from K to 12 is not a solution that seems to be working, Madam Speaker.

Presently in the Tuk school, the library and school counsellor’s room must turn into a classroom. Therefore, this has left the school without a library. How can the students find immediate resources to complete their assignments?

In another scenario, Madam Speaker, a request from my community was for grade extensions. I understand this decision will be up to the Beaufort-Delta Divisional Education Council. I understand also that the request was made to BDDEC for consideration. I was told before this session, there are at least 10 students who would return to school if there was a grade extension. Does the Minister have any authority to make the BDDEC take this into consideration very seriously?

Madam Speaker, education is important to all students, but without the necessary resources, as in larger centres, it is difficult to complete an education. I hope the Minister can consider making the appropriate decision and allow students outside the larger centres to have needed resources to complete their education. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. May I, too, add my thanks and my admiration and my congratulations to the community of Hay River for the fantastic job of hosting the track and field competitions.

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It was a real joy to be there yesterday at the opening ceremonies.

Madam Speaker, earlier today the Premier spoke some remarks and one of them was in respect to our style of government. The Premier said that our style of government is routed in traditional systems of consensus, a foundation of trust, and the aboriginal values of mutual respect and understanding. I hope, Madam Speaker, that I, too, can share in the value of mutual respect and understanding.

Regrettably we learned yesterday in some of our deliberations the government does not always adhere to that, Madam Speaker, and I am harkening again to the issue of the decision, the hidden decision, to transfer the Territorial Treatment Centre from Yellowknife.

Madam Speaker, the point that I want to make is that in the budget of 2004-05, this Assembly made a decision, a commitment, a promise that it was going to spend an allocation of money on a certain project in this community. Now many things happen on many projects that are outside of the control of this government and they are carried through to completion. Madam Speaker, when that happens, we make that accommodation as we did yesterday in some of our work, but when something is within the control of government and it does not come back to this Assembly to ask for a change, to ask for a consultation in a process of how to manage, perhaps a new opportunity or a new situation, then that foundation of trust and respect is violated.

I want to advise the government that it is on notice that they cannot continue to ignore the promises and, indeed, the rules and the laws that we make when we pass bills. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Over the course of this short session much of our time has been spent reviewing the fate of the Territorial Treatment Centre. I have to tell you, Madam Speaker, that I am not very impressed with the process used by this government to get us where we are at today.

The Minister of Health and Social Services is presenting the transfer of the Territorial Treatment Centre to Hay River as a fait accompli. Bosco Homes, the contractor, seems to be onside. The only problem are those pesky Yellowknife MLAs who are concerned about whether the children will have access to the same level of services in Hay River that are available in a larger centre like Yellowknife, and whether the present staff at the TTC are being treated fairly.

The Minister of Finance is taking a very literal interpretation of the Financial Administration Act and the relevant Financial Administration Manual directives in relation to the government's duty to consult with the affected committee and the MLAs. I strongly believe, Madam Speaker, that while the Minister and his officials may have upheld the letter of the law by consulting with Members in committee through the introduction of a supplementary appropriation, they have, nonetheless, violated the spirit or intent of their requirement to consult in a timely manner.

The way in which this has taken place, the transfer of the TTC to Hay River lacks any transparency and accountability. Much has been made of the fact that we are only being asked to approve $505,000 and that the rest of the funding for the Territorial Treatment Centre has already been approved. This is true, Madam Speaker. Both the previous Assembly and this very Assembly approved funding to replace the Territorial Treatment Centre in Yellowknife. Not in Hay River, but in Yellowknife.

The hands of the Standing Committee on Social Programs and of this Assembly are now tied. It would be almost irresponsible on the part of us all not to approve the spending on the Territorial Treatment Centre in Hay River for the 2006-07 year when we have already invested $505,000 or roughly one-sixth of the total project cost in 2005-06.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I would just like to reiterate that I am not opposed to the transfer of programs or decentralization where good or at least a reasonable business case can be made. I object to this government using supplementary appropriations to circumvent the review and oversight function that the committees provide on behalf of all the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hear! Hear!

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I, too, want to send out my congratulations to the hard-working people in Hay River for the fine event, and thank you, Minister, for inviting us down to the NWT track meet yesterday.

Hear! Hear!

Madam Speaker, the North has an abundance of wealth; rich mineral deposits like the diamonds, oil and gas and lots of fresh water and some beautiful, beautiful land. Aboriginal northern businesses have put a lot blood, sweat, equity and tears into the business. They have contributed actively to their communities and to their regions. These home-grown businesses have spent a lot of their money on our economy. It is money made from our economy that stays in our economy.

Madam Speaker, northern businesses also provide their staff and our community members with a decent wage. However, Madam Speaker, all too often we see southern businesses get a stronghold in the communities. They disguise themselves as northerners with a mere 10 percent investment or a joint venture to local businesses. They come in and scoop all the business; they hire staff at lower wages and pit one business against the other. They don't have to worry about the high cost of overhead like our local businesses do. They don't have to pay the high cost of living in our northern communities as our northern businesses do. The money they earn goes to the southern pockets and the shareholders and not into our northern economy.

In our democratic society, Madam Speaker, I believe everyone should be able to participate in the wealth of the Territories equally and fairly. Our government used to help northern businesses attract southern investment, however, they need to be community-based controlled that benefits the regions or the communities. We will not sell out for the sake of doing business in the North.

Madam Speaker, we need protection to make sure that all we can all profit from the abundant wealth that we have up here and that it stays in our communities and with our people. Mahsi cho.

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Madam Speaker…(English not provided).

Madam Speaker, people with disabilities in our communities may need some kind of assistance from time to time, depending on the level of disabilities. They deserve our respect and commitment. This government should work closely with communities to improve the lives of people with disabilities, eliminating unnecessary barriers and discrimination.

Several of my constituents have expressed their frustration with this government's administration, policies and procedures. As we know, there are many programs to assist people with disabilities in the Government of the Northwest Territories; however, when some of my constituents apply for these programs, their concerns are often neglected or require proof. What does it mean to have proof of being a person with a disability and what are the guidelines and criteria in the GNWT for evaluating applications? Many people across the North feel there are considerable inconsistencies with disability guidelines and the criteria or requirement of the applicants is difficult and often undignified.

For example, the housing office for home conversion assistance for persons with disabilities has been a frustration to several elders whom I have had the honour to talk with during my recent community visits. Another example is property taxes. Although a municipal matter, the GNWT should have programs to assist the municipalities so that they can offer tax deductions or breaks to people if there is a household that has a disability. Often families experience enormous financial costs associated with disabilities. Residents with disabilities who experience difficulties in gainful employment and activities must receive the advocacy of the community and the government to allow for progressive self help and empowerment initiatives. This can only be obtained with complete assistance and not barriers.

Madam Speaker, my constituents want only a clear and consistent guideline and definition of being disabled. My constituents are disabled and are not being recognized. This government must clarify and simplify this process for our people. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today is my last day in the House for this session, and it’s still EDAP day as far as I am concerned.

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Transparency, in my opinion, has been far beyond weak, it’s more like pathetic when it comes to finding out who is receiving grants and what scenarios and why. Madam Speaker, it took a week to produce a paper to say if you make more money you get less of a grant; if you make less money you get more of a grant. It took a week to produce this and this doesn’t say anything other than the obvious, Madam Speaker. It does not say if you have a family you should get a bigger grant. It does not say anything along the lines of deadlines and telling people they are forced to spend a certain amount of money within a certain amount of time. It says nothing about the fact that we may have given someone who is a single family who is not in public housing money, or that could be just a single person as well. We have no idea as to what the facts are to this program other than the fact that we have a line item that says $72,000 was spent in the program, take me at good faith. That has not produced anything, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, true transparency…They are using the word confidentiality. Well I sought out information and legal advice on confidentiality. Well when we have 14 recipients we have no idea who they are, so they could describe what their incomes are. Were they public housing people? Maybe they weren’t. We don’t know. We have to take everybody on good faith. We haven’t solved a single thing on this other than the fact that the government has found stall tactics and pressure tactics to keep me away from asking these questions and I am personally offended by that, Madam Speaker.

The duty of the Minister offended me yesterday on a personal level because he knew that there were some mistakes, and we called them clerical mistakes, in the information that was provided, and yet I am 200 feet away and I could have been informed. I think that’s a personal insult to me, Madam Speaker.

So, Madam Speaker, this has not gone away and I would like to know more and I will be asking more and I certainly hope that the questions are not taken as notice again today, because I think the people of the Northwest Territories would like some true transparency on this program in regard to simple scenarios that are not confidential by describing why people in certain situations received grants and why so few receive such high grants. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Earlier in a Member’s statement just a few moments ago, Mr. Ramsay had, as I see it, made allegations against me saying I circumvented the rules. Under 23(h) of our rules, I believe that is an infraction. I have listened to some of the Members and their comments and felt that they have pushed the envelope. I feel at this point I have to rise on this point of order. We followed the rules and I tried to explain what had happened. I believe in this House now making that allegation against me is not appropriate. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. To the point of order, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It was an observation more or less. I do have questions related to that. In saying “circumvent,” in my opinion the government did circumvent the rules that were in place in FAM directive 302. I stand by my comments that they did circumvent those rules. I do have questions for the Minister during question period that will hopefully result in more of an explanation of how this happened. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Are there any other Members who would like to speak to this point of order? Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, once again, the Member initially started saying, “in his opinion,” but again he has clearly stated not just now about the Finance Minister but Cabinet has circumvented the rules. I believe that’s inaccurate. We have laid down the specific situation in this House to the public about the situation. There may be feelings of certain Members that they don’t like the result of what happened, that we’ve circumvented the rules, we have broken the rules that are in place, I don’t believe we have done that and I look forward to your decision on this. Thank you.

Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, as this is the last day that we will be formally sitting in the House for the next couple of months I would like to take some time for two minutes and 20 seconds to reiterate some of the initiatives and concerns I feel could make some significant progress forward, given the right rules and encouragement by the Members of this House; namely, our Ministers opposite.

First, Madam Speaker, the taxation issue could be moved forward and possibly be resolved by the end of this taxation year if the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Financial Management Board worked with the communities to see that an agreeable plan is put in place to address and resolve this issue.

Second, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs should take a comprehensive approach to addressing the dust control problems in northern communities, namely Lutselk’e, and have a plan and priorities in place for the next business planning process.

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Third, I would also like to see Municipal and Community Affairs address the youth centre initiative in Deninu Kue or the lack of a youth centre in Deninu Kue. I feel this is a high priority item that should be seriously considered under the new municipal and rural infrastructure funding arrangement that this government has with the Government of Canada.

Fourth, I’d like to see a short-term plan from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the relocation of the Hook Lake Bison Recovery Program that can be initiated and completed in the fall of 2005.

Madam Speaker, I can stand here and present many other initiatives relating to human resources, aboriginal affairs, housing, health and hydro that are very important to my constituents, but I only have a couple of minutes. I just want to assure my constituents that I will be addressing many of these issues through regular communications with the appropriate department Ministers over the summer.

Madam Speaker, another point raised earlier in session that I feel is very important and one which will see that things are actually moving forward and being addressed is this government's responsiveness, which is measured, I feel, by results. Being adamant and compassionate about the many improvements required and new developments that are in the works in all of the areas I mentioned is not good enough, Madam Speaker, not for myself, my constituents or northerners. We need tangible results, Madam Speaker. No more reviews, studies, consultations or whatever, and I am cautiously optimistic that we can achieve tangible results on many fronts over the remainder of this fiscal year, but we all have to want these results, Madam Speaker. I hope that many of the Ministers will embrace the same view on moving this territory and its people forward. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to two members of the Range Lake North School parents advisory group for their distinguished and long volunteer services at the school.

Madam Speaker, on the first Wednesday of every month since becoming an MLA, unless I am out of town, I have attended the parents advisory group meeting at Range Lake North School and I was able to do that again last night. But this time it was a gathering of appreciation and farewell. Linda Corkal has served as the chair of the committee for the past 11 years. Sue Bennie has served on the group for the past nine years. For Linda, she is graduating from PAC because her two kids have grown up and the youngest is graduating on June 27th. For Sue, her family has decided to move for new experiences in other parts of the country.

Many teachers came out to the gathering. A fitting tribute to two mothers who spent hours and hours helping out at the school, in addition to their volunteer work for the parents advisory group.

Madam Speaker, Range Lake North School parents advisory group, like many others in the Territories, is made up of parents who volunteer their time, knowledge and resources for one reason and for one reason only: because they care about the education their children and their friends at the school receive. They want to contribute to that process. They don’t expect anything else in return and they certainly don’t get any remuneration or gratitude for all their hard work.

Madam Speaker, with the participation and leadership of Linda and Sue, Range Lake North School’s PAC has built a strong record of action on behalf of students and teachers. They succeeded in convincing the city government to install flashing crosswalk lights at very busy intersections. They continually provide extra clothing and snack food for students who need them. In fact, they taught me that reflection tapes are not a meditation video, but something that you put on the back of children’s jackets for their safety in the dark.

For many years they have volunteered for lunchtime supervision, they have helped the teachers in their normal time and during the busy report card time. I have to say, Madam Speaker, they have taught me, through the good meetings with PAC, a lot about what goes on at the school and in the world of students and teachers.

Madam Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The Member for Range Lake is seeing unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Ms. Lee, you may conclude your statement.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Madam Speaker, the teachers were mostly grateful for the leadership role they played in organizing a major fundraising event called Family Fun Night for the past 11 years. During that time they have raised thousands of dollars. Just last year I was there when we were able to give out $10,000 that we raised and distributed to teachers and students. I have to say I really enjoyed this process. Each teacher applied for money and we go around the table looking at the merit of each proposal. We talk around the table until we all achieve a consensus. Everyone gets their say and we talk and listen until we are happy with the result. How I wish we could work out our budget like that around this Assembly.

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Madam Speaker, I could tell you that they have just given thousands of dollars to the school and what they have done and the difference they make to the school is immeasurable. I would just like to express, on behalf of the constituents of Range Lake, my heartfelt appreciation and to wish them the very best in their future life. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I took the opportunity to go to Hay River last night. It kept me up well past my normal bedtime, but it was well worth the trip, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, it was, to me, an exhilarating experience to be in the gym or in the arena with 1,200 students when they marched in with all their schools with their banners beaming with pride and with music going. I must tell you with the fiddlers from Hay River and over 1,200 young people singing their hearts out, it was one of the best renditions of O' Canada that I can remember.

Hear! Hear!

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I would like to thank, of course, yourself, Madam Speaker, and the people of Hay River for the amount of tremendous work they put into this year after year, and recognize the work of all the communities, the people, the volunteers, the parents, the staff. I was, of course, proud of my own constituency, but it was a very good evening. Thank you.

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Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, seeing that this is the last day of session, I must say I look forward to traveling back home to Inuvik. It has been some time since I’ve been back home and I especially look forward to taking part in the Samuel Hearne Secondary School graduation ceremonies that are taking place on June 11th, and look forward to taking part with the graduates there and wish them the best, as well.

Of course, I look forward to just the everyday visits I get from the good people of Inuvik. So I’m looking forward to going home and wish everybody here safe journeys back to their constituencies. Thank you.

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Madam Speaker, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight is pleased to provide its Report on Progress on the Committee Priorities and Objectives and present it to the House.

In April 2004, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight held a two-day operational planning workshop to review its mandate and set its priorities and objectives for the 15th Assembly. These plans were shared with our colleagues and the public in our first Report on Priorities and Objectives, which we presented to the Legislative Assembly on June 1, 2004.

The committee held its second operational and strategic planning workshop in Tuktoyaktuk from April 15 to 17, 2005, at which time we reviewed progress made to date on our priorities and objectives. This report summarizes that progress as we see it and sets out our broad direction for the remainder of the 15th Assembly.

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight includes all 11 Regular Members. Its mandate as set out in the Rules of the Legislative Assembly is to:

review issues which have government-wide implications, including the overview of the budget and fiscal framework;

review multi-year business plans, budgets and bills of the Department of the Executive, including the executive offices, the Financial Management Board Secretariat, and the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and of the Department of Finance;

consider the budgets and financial management of any other boards and agencies that are outside the responsibility of any standing committee;

examine the reports on the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the report of the Auditor General.

review government reports on financial and performance results on program and policy evaluations to ensure anticipated outcomes are being achieved and accountability is maximized;

review, as necessary or appropriate, the annual and other reports of statutory officers of the Legislative Assembly, including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commissioner;

coordinate House business, scheduling and planning in cooperation with appropriate Cabinet representatives; and,

consider any other matters referred by the House.

The vision adopted by the committee in April 2004 is:

a strong, effective consensus government that has the confidence of the people of the NWT.

Our mission is:

to take purposeful and unified action, where appropriate, to support, question or oppose government initiatives and to hold government accountable. We will also use our collective power to influence government to take action and/or to change its policies when in the public interest.

As we stated in our June 2004 Report on Priorities and Objectives, our key priority is:

holding government accountable to our collective 15th Assembly vision and goals.

In June 2004, the government released its strategic plan, Self-Reliant People, Communities and Northwest Territories - A Shared Responsibility, which set out the broad direction for the government based on the 15th Assembly’s collective vision and goals. The standing committee’s review of the government’s draft business plans has been and will continue to be an important tool to hold the government accountable to our collective vision and goals. The committee also looks forward to a progress report from the government on the implementation of its strategic plan, and, in the meantime, would offer the following general comments.

Generally, the committee is satisfied that the government is doing its best to negotiate a fair devolution and resource revenue sharing deal for our territory, which is key to goal one, a strong northern voice and identity. The committee supported a benefits of our northern resources motion on October 21, 2004, that included a resolution:

That the Legislative Assembly urges the federal government to negotiate a fair resource revenue sharing agreement that provides northern governments with an equitable share of royalties from our hydrocarbons and minerals as essential to ensuring the people of the Northwest Territories are the primary beneficiaries of the development of our resources.

Successful negotiation and implementation of aboriginal land, resource and self-government agreements in all regions is also key to achieving this goal. The committee is concerned that the government is far behind on aspects of land claims implementation, for example, new wildlife legislation and economic measures.

Goal two is healthy, educated people living in safe communities, who are able to contribute and take advantage of life’s opportunities. In light of this goal, the committee is especially concerned that the government appears to have made little progress in implementing the social agenda. A specific issue mentioned in our Report on the Review of the Draft 2005-2006 Main Estimates is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the need for a coordinated approach and increased profile across government.

Goal three is well-governed, sustainable communities and regions able to fulfill their potential. As we heard from delegates at the April 2005 Circle of Northern Leaders meeting in Inuvik, budgets for community programs have not kept pace with increasing costs and in many cases have been cut. Our capital program has also not been sufficient to keep up with community infrastructure needs. The committee hopes that government will make it a priority to put any new revenues from the Northern Strategy and resource revenue sharing toward rectifying this situation.

Goal four is a diversified economy that provides northerners with opportunities and choices. To ensure its future viability, the Northwest Territories needs a diversified economy that does not rely on a single mega-project or industry for its sustainability. The committee urges the government not to neglect smaller sectors such as tourism and fisheries as it pursues development of larger industries such as mining and oil and gas.

Goal five is care and protection of natural environment. The committee looks forward to an increased profile for this goal with the creation of the new Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Greenhouse gas emissions, environmental safety and contaminated sites are areas of special concern for committee members.

The committee supported the government’s initiative to centralize human resource services, and will continue to monitor its implementation to ensure it does result in a more efficient and accountable system.

Members believe that a reconsideration of past reports on the affirmative action policy is timely given the recent restructuring of the GNWT’s human resource services and the opportunities this will create to revise our policies and ensure their consistent application across the government.

The committee was pleased that the government moved quickly on this initiative and that the division of the department is now for the most part complete. Members appreciated the Minister’s willingness to consider their suggestions throughout the planning stages.

Two members of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight are participating in a Joint Cabinet/AOC Committee on Boards and Agencies. The joint committee has advanced a great deal of work on data gathering and preparing a new governance framework for boards and agencies, including a policy on boards and agencies. The committee is pleased with the progress made to date and the joint Cabinet/AOC approach to this initiative.

Effective April 1, 2005, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has assumed the oversight responsibility for the delivery of social housing programs in the Northwest Territories and will be taking over responsibility for the actual delivery on April 1, 2006. The department is presently finalizing their income security policy framework, which will provide a lens for the redesign of any income security program like social housing. Members will have an opportunity to review any proposed rent scale and social housing program adjustments as part of the next business planning cycle.

The NWT Housing Corporation mandate has changed as a result of the transfer of social housing, and it is in the process of developing its new mandate for committee review at the same time as the 2006-2009 business plans.

The committee is pleased that the Auditor General for Canada will be conducting a performance audit on the Workers’ Compensation Board in response to Motion 31-15(3) on March 10, 2005, which was supported by AOC members. The committee looks forward to reviewing the Auditor General’s report, which is expected sometime in the spring of 2006.

Members are concerned that they have heard little from government about the status of the rewrite of the Workers’ Compensation Act, which is needed to address several outstanding issues and complete the work begun in the 14th Assembly. The committee expects that government will develop a bill in time for it to be considered during the life of this Assembly.

The committee has not yet begun its work on this objective and will be pursuing it in the near future. Members believe consideration of such legislation may be timely because of national trends toward increased accountability expectations from the public service, most recently evidenced by the sponsorship scandal.

As we stated in our Report on the Review of the 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates, Members are pleased that the government has moved forward with a new fiscal responsibility policy. The committee therefore considers this objective completed.

The committee looks forward to seeing the results of the consultations now underway by the Department of Finance and to reviewing a bill during the life of this Assembly.

The committee looks forward to seeing the response to the discussion paper recently released by the Department of Justice and to reviewing a bill during the life of this Assembly.

On March 31, 2004, the committee supported a motion on the spirit and intent of the business incentive policy, which resolved:

that the Government of the Northwest Territories use the spirit and intent of the business incentive policy to its fullest advantage in promoting and growing NWT-based businesses;

and further that the government undertake to conduct a comprehensive cost and benefit analysis of the business incentive policy and table it in the House during the fall 2004 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

The committee looks forward to considering the government’s cost/benefit analysis of the business incentive policy.

The committee is aware that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs -- MACA -- in partnership with other GNWT departments, is working toward a streamlined management system for transferring leases to fee simple title where appropriate, and for transferring municipal lands to municipal governments. MACA is actively negotiating land administration agreements with municipal governments in areas where land claims have been settled.

MACA is also now in year two of a three-year initiative to establish an administration of territorial lands system -- ATLAS -- which will provide accurate graphic and written information on each parcel of land within community boundaries.

Madam Speaker, I turn the rest of the report over to my colleague, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The deputy chair for the Accountability and Oversight committee, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The committee encourages the Minister to continue lobbying the federal government for reasonable base funding for the NWT under the announced federal Day Care Program. It is abundantly clear to committee that the amount being offered as of today is woefully inadequate and will have no impact on the services and day care available to northerners.

Strong leadership is required to ensure that the NWT receives a sufficient amount to effect real change.

Over the past year, Members have become aware of several concerns with the Student Financial Assistance Program in addition to those identified at our initial planning session. The committee will therefore be expanding this objective to achieve improvements to the Student Financial Assistance Program generally.

The committee was pleased to see that trades and apprenticeship programs were spared cuts during the last budget cycle, but is disappointed that no new investments are being made in this area. Given the territorial and nation-wide shortage of skilled workers, and the current and future opportunities for tradespeople, Members believe now is the time to make these investments. For example, Members have concerns that there is not enough staff available to assist current and would-be apprentices and employers.

The committee is aware of several longstanding and unresolved concerns arising from the impacts of the Taltson and Snare River hydro developments. The committee will be turning its attention to this in the near future.

The committee is prepared to offer its cautious support to this project provided the NWT Power Corporation is able to secure a customer base.

The committee would like to affirm its support for construction of an all-weather road between Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik, and would encourage the government to actively pursue federal funds, such as Corridors for Canada monies, that would allow this long overdue project to become a reality.

The committee has agreed not to pursue this objective.

The committee will also continue to pursue the objectives explicitly included in our mandate, which are:

the comprehensive overview of the GNWT’s budget and fiscal framework;

the consideration of bills, budgets and financial management of the Department of the Executive -- including the executive offices, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, and the Financial Management Board Secretariat -- and the Department of Finance;

examination of Auditor General’s reports

examination of the reports of statutory officers including the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Equal Pay Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission; and,

coordination of House business scheduling and planning in cooperation with Cabinet.

Over the course of the last year-and-a-half, the standing committee has taken the opportunity to move its priorities forward through several theme days. A theme day is when Regular Members decide to collectively focus on a particular issue in the House through Members’ statements, oral questions and/or debate on motions. This provides an opportunity to raise the profile of a given issue with the government and with the public.

A motion during the formal session of the Legislative Assembly is a proposal for the Assembly to do something, order something to be done or express an opinion on an issue that is presented to the Assembly for a decision. Following the introduction of the motion, there is an opportunity to debate it, and then a vote.

In addition to the motions mentioned in earlier sections of this report, the committee supported the following:

This motion from October 28, 2004, called for a review of the Territorial Power Subsidy Program -- TPSP -- to ensure communities dependent on diesel power do not suffer as a result of increasing oil prices. The motion also called for the government to direct the Power Corporation revisit the current community-based rate structure. As indicated in our Report on the Review of the 2005-2006 Draft Main Estimates, we were pleased to note that the government agreed to compensate for rate riders through the TPSP. However, the committee urges the government to apply its rate rider rescue program to all power customers across the NWT, not just those living in communities where the TPSP applies.

This motion, carried on October 29, 2004, called for the government to amend the Financial Administration Act to cap special warrants, and to require that all Members be given reasonable advance notice of special warrants prior to their issuance.

This motion, which was also carried on October 29, 2004, urged the government to establish a centre in the NWT dedicated to treating addictions to drugs other than alcohol, a centre specifically for youth and residential treatment centres in Yellowknife and Inuvik.

This motion from October 27, 2004, called on the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation to come forward with options to sustain the NWT’s long-term public housing investment, to reduce core-housing needs by 10 percent by the year 2007 and to develop a proposal to take to the federal government for additional funding for NWT public housing.

Committee supported a second motion on housing which was carried on February 24, 2005. This motion urged the government to develop a coordinated housing program for those in need, including an assisted living program for seniors and disabled persons, so as to allow individuals to remain in their home community. The motion also called on the government to continue to pursue secure funding for aboriginal housing needs, to accelerate the strategy on homelessness and to ensure community support and a client base for infrastructure prior to any capital investment. Finally, the motion asked the government to bring forward a detailed plan by October 2005 on how to replace the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding which is due to sunset in 2038.

This motion, carried on March 3, 2005, urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to the principles of community justice and to bring forward options and proposals during the next business planning cycle for projects to reduce recidivism, build communities' resources and capacity to address their justice issues and enhance community involvement in justice matters.

During its April 2005 operational and strategic planning workshop, the committee identified the following additional priorities and objectives:

increased programming for drug and alcohol addictions rehabilitation and treatment

oversight of public service growth, particularly in light of the impact of future self-government implementation

adequate resources for dust control in communities

adequate resources for transition houses for victims of domestic violence

construction of a seniors’ complex in Inuvik

reduction of the infrastructure deficit

development of an NWT constitution including a role for elders

Although, as outlined in this report, significant progress has been made on several key initiatives, it is clear that there is a large workload still to be completed during the remainder of the 15th Assembly. The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight looks forward to working with the government to address the many outstanding priorities and objectives noted above, and to turning its attention to those issues that it has not yet had the opportunity to consider in depth.

Madam Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight on progress of committee priorities and objectives. Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Committee Report 1-15(4) be received and adopted. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The motion is in order. To the motion.