Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we get started today, I will provide my ruling on the point of order raised by Mr. Abernethy yesterday, June 5, 2013, regarding comments made by Mr. Dolynny which were perceived to impute false or hidden motives and were viewed as allegations against Mr. Abernethy. As Members are aware, a point of order must be raised at the earliest opportunity and I find that Mr. Abernethy did, in fact, raise the point of order at the earliest opportunity.
I have now had the opportunity to review the unedited transcripts from yesterday and wish to bring focus to the remarks which gave rise to the point of order.
Mr. Dolynny, in speaking about the new downtown Yellowknife office building, expressed concerns about responses he had received from the Minister’s office to requests for information pertaining to the terms and conditions of the construction contract. Mr. Dolynny indicated his ‘shock’ at finding, “the department wanted to charge me $1,477.75 to photocopy a whopping 1,992 pages of documents.” He then went on to describe this as, “nothing more than a document dump and a ridiculous charge to ward off a Member of this government the right to get answers to simple questions and to protect the public purse.” He also coloured this response as a “recurrent theme” which he sees “all too often.” He went on to state: “It almost appears that this government has a history of document dumping and fee shock to scare off would-be inquiries,” and, “now appears to be the tactics used on an elected Member of this House.” It was shortly after these remarks that Mr. Abernethy rose on his point of order.
Mr. Abernethy’s point was that Mr. Dolynny, by questioning the responses received from the department, was directly questioning his motives with regard to the capital project under discussion
and the process to be adhered to in requesting information relative to the project. I will quote Mr. Abernethy in stating his point of order found on page 13 of the unedited Hansard for Wednesday, June 5, 2013: “…the Member for Range Lake has suggested that we are impeding his ability to get detailed information to do his job.” He went on to say: “…the Member is suggesting that we are intentionally trying to keep information from him, which is not the case.”
In reviewing these comments, I examined closely the rules cited by Mr. Abernethy in his point of order, and in doing so, I considered the following questions: Did Mr. Dolynny make an allegation against Mr. Abernethy? Did he impute false or hidden motives to him?
I find the answers to both of these questions is, clearly, no. Mr. Dolynny made no direct allegations against Mr. Abernethy. I also fail to see where the comments imputed a false or hidden motive to him. I do not find that Mr. Dolynny’s remarks were directed specifically at Mr. Abernethy, nor do I find they questioned Mr. Abernethy’s personal integrity, honesty or character. Therefore, I find there is no point of order.
I wish to thank all Members who offered their views on the point of order. I particularly appreciate the respectful and balanced tone of the discussion. Thank you, Members.
Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to this Assembly’s goal of helping our residents become and stay healthy, educated people free from poverty. A strong territory needs a strong society. All residents of the NWT should have the chance to enjoy the benefits of living in a prosperous, well-governed territory and to participate fully in a healthy, just society.
This is why the Premier committed last year to the development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy. At the appropriate time today, I will table the Strategic Framework towards the Elimination of Poverty in the NWT. This framework has been developed in partnership with the No Place for Poverty Coalition, representatives from the business sector, as well as Aboriginal and community governments.
I want to acknowledge the efforts of the many partners on the steering committee who devoted countless hours over the past year to this important work. Not only is the framework an excellent document and a roadmap for the future, it is also a testament to what we can achieve by working in collaboration.
Mr. Speaker, poverty is complex, and to tackle this issue requires action on many fronts. Our government’s priorities all work together to address poverty. A thriving economy gives residents the chance to support themselves and their families. Healthy, educated people are better able to take advantage of economic opportunities.
The framework reflects this complexity and targets five priority areas for tackling poverty in the NWT. These include a focus on children and families, healthy living, safe and affordable housing, sustainable communities and better integration of services. Our government is already taking action in many of these areas. In this session alone we have heard about our commitments to renew the Early Childhood Development Framework, develop an Economic Opportunities Strategy, improve our relationships with Aboriginal governments, and address mental health and addictions in our communities. This work has a common thread. It is all part of our work to achieve our vision of a poverty-free NWT.
Now that the strategic framework is complete, it’s time to focus on actions.
Over the summer Ministers will work together to develop action plans to coordinate responses to this and the other frameworks and strategies that have recently been tabled. I will encourage other stakeholder organizations to do the same. As plans are developed, I will host a symposium in the fall so we can all talk about what we want to do and how we might work together.
There is a role for everyone in our efforts to create a poverty-free NWT, and I look forward to new partnerships that will have long-term benefits for all of our people. By working together, we can make progress on our shared priorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Ramsay.
Mr. Speaker, achieving our government’s vision of a strong, prosperous territory requires that adequate supporting infrastructure, such as the transportation system, is in place to effectively link communities to opportunities for social growth and economic prosperity.
Mr. Speaker, in March 2013, Canada announced details of its new infrastructure investment strategy under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. This new federal funding program includes a new Building Canada Fund, with $14 billion investments allocated over the next 10 years.
This new fund will provide our territory with an opportunity to continue the transportation system improvements accomplished through the previous infrastructure funding programs that are now coming to a close.
Mr. Speaker, later today, at the appropriate time, I will be pleased to table the Corridors for Canada III – Building for Prosperity, the Department of Transportation’s strategic funding proposal that will be submitted for consideration under the new Building Canada Fund. The proposal includes a $600 million investment over 10 years to improve our winter roads, highways, bridges, marine and airport infrastructure.
Corridors for Canada III is an action plan that addresses transportation infrastructure needs across all regions of the Northwest Territories.
These investments are proposed under the two separate components of the new Building Canada Fund: the $10 billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Fund and the $4 billion National Infrastructure Fund.
We are proposing to invest $415 million over 10 years under the provincial-territorial base funding program. Investment is proposed for reconstruction, grade and safety improvements on all of our eight public highways and the Detah access road, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, a new air terminal building in Inuvik, and upgrades to our ferry landings.
We are also proposing an investment of $185 million over 10 years under the second component of the Building Canada Fund, called the National Infrastructure Fund, a merit-based investment program that targets projects of national significance. Projects proposed under this fund address the next steps to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway, enable economic development and help the transportation system adapt to climate change.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada recognizes the Mackenzie Valley Highway as a project of national significance that will improve industry access to energy resources and lead to prosperity and economic benefits spread across the country. The future completion of an all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway is also a priority of this government.
The Mackenzie Valley Highway investments proposed include completing the highway’s environmental assessment, constructing bridges including the Bear River Bridge, and a new segment of winter road linking Fort Good Hope to the Dempster Highway. Grade improvements along the existing alignment will also bring us closer to the future completion of the all-weather highway.
This government is taking a balanced approach that will help us grow our economy, support our people and manage our environment responsibly. Corridors for Canada III is an important part of that approach. The objective of our infrastructure funding proposal is to continue working with Canada to address our transportation infrastructure priorities that lead to jobs, economic growth, and prosperous communities in the Northwest Territories. We will promote this proposal to the federal government this summer, and I will report back on our success during the fall session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the people of the Northwest Territories about the Government of the Northwest Territories Land Use and Sustainability Framework.
A healthy, well-managed environment sustains all of our people and is the foundation for a healthy life. The land nourishes us and is the driving force of our economy. Following our historic debate and vote on the devolution motion yesterday, we will have enhanced decision-making power to manage land, develop the economy, and protect the environment. A Land Use and Sustainability Framework will guide the Government of the Northwest Territories in making land management decisions and it will provide transparency and consistency to the interests that we bring when working with Aboriginal governments and other land partners.
Over the past year we have been discussing land management with residents and stakeholders. Last July we distributed Land is Life, a discussion paper that laid out our vision, interests and principles for making land management decisions on behalf of residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, later today I will table What We Heard About…Land is Life. We heard that people are comfortable with our vision and principles for land use. We heard about the need to balance conservation and economic development and we heard about the need to work together.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is one partner in an integrated land management system. The Devolution Agreement contains provisions for intergovernmental coordination and collaboration on lands and resources management. The land is our life and the source of our wealth and well-being.
Healthy people depend on a healthy environment, and our natural resources have the potential to transform our economy, creating jobs and opportunities for all.
While the operating environment is still unfolding and the framework is not yet finalized, we have been hard at work. Sustainability is much broader than the physical landscape, it must consider water, wildlife, land, energy, renewable and non-renewable resources. We have completed a Water Stewardship Strategy. We have undertaken significant discussion and engagement on energy planning, economic opportunities and mineral development in the Northwest Territories, and standing committee consultations are currently underway on a proposed new Wildlife Act.
All of these are connected under the broad vision of the Land Use and Sustainability Framework. The values and operating principles of the framework build on our Sustainability Development Policy and provide guidance to other strategies that will affect how our land and resources are used. All of these are critical in achieving the vision of the 17th Assembly. Working together, we will responsibly and sustainably manage the lands, waters and natural resources of the Northwest Territories for the benefit of current and future generations.
We have reached consensus on a Devolution Final Agreement with an effective date of April 1, 2014. The Government of the Northwest Territories needs to be well prepared for that change and is setting out an appropriate land management framework that will encourage and support northern leadership over northern lands. Making the right decisions on the use of land and its resources is one of our greatest responsibilities, and we want to get it right. I look forward to bringing the final Land Use and Sustainability Framework to this House during our fall session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.
Mr. Speaker, the oil and gas activity in the Sahtu Region has the potential to grow and diversify the Northwest Territories economy, a key priority of this government. In the last few years, this potential has created many opportunities and challenges for the people, businesses, and industry working in the area.
We want to make sure development continues in a timely yet environmentally sustainable way, and that local residents and businesses benefit. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling the Resource Exploration in the Sahtu Settlement Area: Opportunities and Challenges, wherein these issues are addressed.
Our natural resources are the source of our prosperity, and after devolution, they will provide additional revenues to support investments in our people, our environment and our economy.
The report takes a closer look at projections for exploration activity in the Sahtu over the next five years, the potential for opportunities and challenges related to the level of activity, and how the GNWT can prepare to respond.
It includes a number of recommendations, highlighting areas that must be addressed to maximize benefits for NWT residents, businesses, and communities.
These include:
the need for an approved land use plan for the Sahtu;
the need for improved training opportunities;
the need to develop comprehensive environmental baseline information for the proposed exploration areas; and
the need for improved information-gathering procedures to better understand the opportunities and impacts related to hydrocarbon development.
Mr. Speaker, petroleum exploration and development is important to the Sahtu region. After the busy winter work season, many residents have had training and job opportunities, and NWT businesses have profited from company spending.
However, we as a government have always adhered to the principles of sustainable development. This prosperity will not come at the expense of those who live and work in the region. Investments in managing our land and environment help us use our resources wisely and sustainably while continuing to protect the health of our land and our people.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has been working closely with a number of other GNWT departments to address any issues related to development.
We want to ensure the services and resources needed in the region are readily available, and that those resources are being used effectively.
Just last week, representatives from the GNWT, industry, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Canadian Economic Development Agency, National Energy Board, Sahtu Land and Water Board, Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, Sahtu Renewable Resource Board and other groups came together in Norman Wells to identify common actions to support the ongoing exploration activity in the region.
Mr. Speaker, by being proactive and taking steps to identify challenges early, these impacts can be managed efficiently and effectively.
We are continuously building relationships and identifying the needs for partnerships.
By continuing to maintain a consistent dialogue between industry, all levels of government, between GNWT departments, Aboriginal organizations, and NWT residents and businesses, we will be better prepared to address any social, environmental and economic issues related to this activity and will ensure resource development continues to be part of our diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for NTPC.
Mr. Speaker, on May 31, 2013, in response to questions from Mr. Alfred Moses, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, I addressed aspects of this government’s plan to provide relief for the residents of Inuvik by introducing liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to the community. I would like to clarify one point about LNG storage plans.
Northwest Territories Power Corporation plans to store just under a weeks' supply of LNG on site for the electricity project. A full year’s supply of backup diesel is already on hand in Inuvik. Once the pilot year is completed, an evaluation of storage requirements will determine what the optimal storage requirements will be and that may be as much as 30 days.
While providing lower cost electricity to NTPC customers is certainly a central objective of this initiative, it may not be the only way that Inuvik residents will be able to enjoy the benefits of LNG. Provided that the LNG pilot year for electricity proves successful, the community may wish to consider the merits of LNG as part of the heating solution for the town as they may receive some economies of scale by exploring an LNG solution alongside NTPC.
The seasonal heating requirements for the town will require a higher level of storage - in the order of 30 days’ worth of storage. The optimum level of storage and the overall viability of LNG for heating supply will have to be evaluated after the LNG pilot year is operational and the impact of extended ferry service has been assessed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Elders make a difference in our communities every day. Elders are deeply involved in our communities and their contributions benefit NWT residents of all ages. I’m really pleased to see so many MLAs wearing purple here today to raise awareness of elder abuse.
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and I’m going to do my part today to raise the awareness of elder abuse. Elder abuse is a significant threat to the older residents of our NWT communities, as Members well know, and it is a problem in both small communities and larger centres.
For many years elder abuse remained a private matter, hidden from view and not talked about. Thankfully, in the last 30 years or so, elder abuse has become increasingly more important to our society and it’s now seen as a public problem that needs attention.
The World Health Organization report called Missing Voices stated that abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of elders are much more common than societies admit. The same report demonstrates clear links between elder abuse and disempowerment and discrimination of elders.
Elder abuse is defined as any kind of physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse, as well as neglect. Perhaps surprisingly, male elders are almost at the same risk of abuse as female elders. Elders are taken advantage of because they are physically frail or have diminished mental capacity. Family members extort money from their elders or force them to sign over property. It’s very unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, but elders are an easy target.
Elder abuse does not discriminate. It happens in institutions as well as private homes and to elders of all races. Our elders should be respected and honoured. They hold the wisdom, the history and the knowledge of our communities and our territory. We must not ignore elder abuse, and understanding it gives us the power to fight it. Society has recognized that elder abuse and neglect is occurring and must raise awareness of the problem. We need to inform health and social service practitioners and the general public about elder abuse, ensure that they can identify the signs of elder abuse and know where to find the help to combat it. We need to use the media to change attitudes and reduce stereotyping of the elders, and we need to educate our elders as well.
All of these actions bring the problem of elder abuse out into the open, encourage acknowledgement that it’s a problem, and we can start to eradicate it. Next Saturday, June 15th, wear purple again, find an elder, show them the respect they deserve, and let them know you care.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Pathways to Mineral Development is an excellent portrayal of industry perspectives. Compiled in partnership with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and paneled with industry professionals without even an offer of public meetings, it is an imbalanced agenda of corporate priorities that in whole sections is completely devoid of public interest and environmental sustainability perspectives.
Here are a few high points, or really low points: There’s the basic premise that corporations are to be wooed with a blend of government-funded subsidies, debased regulatory standards and freedom from social benefits and employment requirements or environmental accountability. The report envisages our good old 43,000 person territory as a mid-Canadian jurisdiction class – between Newfoundland and Ontario – cashbox of subsidies and inducements. Recommendations call for the creation of a cadre of public-funded development advocates who would act as industry handmaidens assuming the responsibilities and costs of industry to engage the regulatory process. Lack of skilled northern workers is referred to as a deterrent to investment rather than an obstacle to the prosperity of the NWT residents who must be the first beneficiaries when their birthright is merchandised. Fly-in/fly-out is taken as a given. An even worse given premise is the casual expectation that we will continue in the creation of contaminated sites requiring perpetual care. That’s if, and at costs to government, the land and people that far outstrip one-time benefits of the developments. The report refers to the yo-yo spurts of Yukon and Nunavut exploration spending as plights to be envied, not instability to be avoided.
The biggest mantra is marketing. Public dismay at environmental degradation and lack of corporate accountability for costs of cleanup are seen as problems of public misperception to be schmoozed away. Recommendation priorities hammer on the notion that the NWT must be seen as eager for any development at any cost, greased through a disassembled regulatory system with government-funded staff, taxpayer subsidies and relaxed socio-economic requirements.
This is the fox owning the henhouse.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
This is the fox owning the henhouse. Acceptance of such recommendations as the fuel of post-devolution policy is deeply chilling. Where’s the balance?
If the Minister’s intent was to get the industry to dream in colour and tell them what they want, that’s fine, but please, go now to a respected public interest policy group and get that perspective added in before developing a final strategy.
I will have questions.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Second to none, Fort Providence is home to the biggest horseflies in the Northwest Territories. They are nasty, vicious biters which cut through the skin to feed on blood. Swarms of mosquitoes and sandflies also leave itchy bites and cause some people to suffer allergic reactions. These bugs are attracted to movement, bright colours and carbon dioxide in our breath.
The Government of the Northwest Territories leaves it up to municipalities and hungry birds, fish and frogs to work out their own abatement programs. In the interests of health, tourism and our economy, we need to launch a nontoxic pest control that does not involve telling people and animals in the NWT to always wear light colours and stop breathing. The fact that large-scale solution lies in bug biomass, an innovation that will benefit our communities, improve our economy and help solve other issues along the way.
Vehicles hit thousands of horseflies along the highway all summer, requiring motorists to scrape carcasses off their vehicles after every trip. The attack on mosquitos and horseflies that get drawn to a vehicle was that these and an equally irritating child is enough to make even the keenest tourists want to jump off the Deh Cho Bridge.
---Laughter
I urge the departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Industry, Tourism and Investment to install giant insect traps in all of our small communities so we can collect bugs and use them along with wood pellets to heat our homes and public buildings. As technology advances, soon we will be able to harness living insects and use them to produce power as they buzz around inside small generation units instead of our windows, screen doors and picnic tables.
Bug biomass helps us tackle the issues that get under our skin. Harvesting this natural resource reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, eliminates the need for pesticides, attracts tourists, and increases the number of happy campers and blissful buffalo, bears, caribou and other animals who are also harassed by bugs. Rest assured there will be still plenty of insects to feed all the birds, frogs, dragonflies and spiders up and down the food chain for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
I would like to take this opportunity to wish my colleagues, constituents and all the residents of the Northwest Territories a safe and enjoyable summer. Wear sunscreen and don’t let the bugs bite. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I was very pleased to hear the Minister of Transportation’s statement on Corridors for Canada III, a document for building prosperity. While I cannot share any details before it is tabled later today, I can say that potential investment in Highway No. 7 brings a tear to my eye. An improved transportation network is a foundation required to support economic development and the future prosperity in the NWT. Improvements to transportation also benefit our communities and people, by improving their level of service like more chipseal and by making our highways safer. I support this Government of the Northwest Territories in being proactive and submitting this infrastructure proposal to the federal government in advance of the funding program details being known. This may help to form and shape the federal program so that the North can realize more infrastructure improvements.
The investments made under Corridors for Canada I and Corridors for Canada II have made significant improvements to the system. I look forward to continuing the improvements. There is much work to do. I am also encouraged that investments are proposed in every region across the NWT. There are many needs in my riding, as I have been raising in this House. Normally my favourite two words are Highway 7. I do recognize that this proposal needs to be strategic and we can’t include everything we would like. I am pleased that it appears that the government has been listening to my concerns, and also on reconstructed Highway No. 7 and improvements to the Mackenzie Highway including sections towards Wrigley. I also hope to see more chipseal from Fort Simpson towards Hay River, which is being asked for by my constituents.
The Deh Cho travelling through Nahendeh this winter has dramatically increased and, also, they expect an increase in industrial traffic in Fort Liard this year as well. I am very supportive of the projects included to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway. I look forward to finding even more funding to begin constructing this highway north of Wrigley. Industry will substantially benefit from the investment, perhaps our partnerships, opportunities to invest even more. Once again, I look forward to a positive response from the federal government as the Department of Transportation and other governments make our plans this summer. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member for Frame Lake brought an important topic to the House today and I’d like to continue that work on, as she put it, elders do make a difference, and I totally agree with her.
During this session we heard about what the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is doing to combat bullying in schools. This House even passed a motion joining our national legislative colleagues on denouncing cyberbullying. It seems everywhere you turn a form of bullying is making its way to mainstream media through social networks.
Another not so well known or talked about form of abuse is bullying of our beloved seniors and our respected elders. This is being brought forward this year as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which is happening on June 15th.
So why is this so important for us here in the NWT? I have to thank the hardworking NWT Seniors’ Society, because they carried out a recent study and it was a questionnaire, and 528 people through 11 communities around the Northwest Territories participated in this questionnaire, and 71 percent who completed this questionnaire indicated that elder abuse was an issue in their community, which is fairly significant. During this study they found that there were some common patterns of abuse worth noting. As they said, all forms of abuse were prevalent, but they did earmark the fact that there were some quite common ones in their report. That one was financial, followed by neglect, emotional and, finally, verbal abuse.
More importantly, it was also noted that there was a lot of silence around the issue, with little or no reporting or understanding of what to do about it, which is a very common practice with elder abuse.
During this awareness day on June 15th, I will challenge all Northerners, including Members of this House, to find ways to recognize the signs of elder abuse in our communities.
I’m hoping that everyone will take the time to reach out and take an active role on this topic, pass it on, and that’s not the abuse I mean, but pass it on in terms of the information and the knowledge that we have by sharing this today, and collect local stories from our elders and our seniors and let them have a voice on this day, and even doing what we’re doing here today, Mr. Speaker, and supporting us by wearing purple.
So I’d like to thank the Minister’s office, the Minister of Health and Social Services, for spearheading this today. You’ll notice a lot of us are wearing our corsages and I’d like to thank everyone for their participation today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot stand today to do my Member’s statement. The reason being is I’ve committed to being in a wheelchair for today, and although I did stand when the Mace came in and during the prayer, I did that out of respect for the House and the rules of the House.
The reason I’m in a wheelchair today is because I’ve committed to creating awareness of a different kind: awareness for people with disabilities. This week is Disabilities Awareness Week and the theme is Disability Awareness: Creating an Accessible and Welcoming Community for all People.
As I sit here in a wheelchair today, I’ve been going around the building to see how accessible the Legislative Assembly is. I also do this not only in support of people with disabilities, but for the good, hard work and commitment from the people who do work for people with disabilities. The NWT Disabilities Council, more importantly a group that I’ve done work with and volunteered with in the past, and that is the Inuvik Disabilities Council as well, who, on a short budget – earlier this week we talked about the NGO Stabilization Fund – raised and did a lot of volunteer fundraising to get a transportation van that actually does a lot of really good work in Inuvik, and they hold an annual dinner to raise money in support for people with disabilities. So I just wanted to shed light on the good work that people are doing as well.
There was more than just reason about awareness. I wanted to create some of the things that we’ve heard while sitting in this Assembly. In the NWT Human Rights Commission Annual Report, of the 38 new complaints this year, 20 of them were categorized as a disability. That in itself should say we need to do more work and look into this to get these addressed.
Persons with disabilities have the right to be treated equally, with dignity and respect. We not only need to engage the communities, make them more accessible, but today we did something different, we’ve engaged the Legislative Assembly. We’ve brought something to light that’s sometimes never really talked about or brought action to, and I can speak to this because I’ve lived it for just part of the day. Later today I will be going out in Yellowknife and do some other things to see how accessible the city of Yellowknife is. I do hope to set up a meeting with the Persons with Disabilities here in Yellowknife before I do leave.
I’d just like to thank my colleagues today for assisting me in any types of assistance that I did need, but I’d also like to thank my colleagues and staff members who let me be independent and go around the building without any support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to revisit an issue I’ve brought forward to this House before, bariatric surgery. As Members know, over the last two years I’ve been working hard to lose weight. I’ve lost just over 200 pounds.
---Applause
I appreciate that, but I’m working to pay it forward to the people that are still in the situation where they are seriously overweight. In my discussions with the Minister of Health and the Department of Health, they’ve told me the department is working on lifestyle choices, healthy lifestyle choices, and that they have lots of support out there for people who want to lose weight. I don’t disagree with that. I know, as that individual two years ago, I had lots of support. I had nutritionists, dieticians, diabetic nurses that helped me out as much as they could.
But I’m not talking about people who need to lose 20 or 30 pounds, people who are slightly overweight. I’m talking about people who need to lose 50, 100, 200 pounds just to be in the normal weight category. It’s not just a matter of just saying if you eat a little more veggies and exercise. When you’re 403 pounds, you go and exercise one day, you have that ability, the next day it hurts, it hurts a lot, so you can’t do this on a steady basis.
There are people out there who need this kind of weight loss and need additional help. Bariatric surgery provides that help, allows them to limit their food intake and assists them in losing weight, so when they do exercise, they see the results immediately.
The department has told me that they have done a cost estimate of the nutrition program and the costs attached to it. I understand that, but the costs that I’m talking about are other costs involved.
When I was 403 pounds, I was on insulin, Metformin, blood pressure pills, water pills and the GNWT was getting charged anywhere from $800 to $1,000 a month.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my speech.
---Unanimous consent granted
At that cost of $800 to $1,000 a month, which I was costing the GNWT every month, I have since then been able to get off of insulin, I haven’t eliminated Metformin yet, I have gotten rid of water pills, and because I am on Metformin still, I need a blood pressure pill. Most of those costs are gone, Mr. Speaker. So the costs associated that are saved could be put towards bariatric surgery. That would be repaid within a year to two years, depending on the types of medications an individual is on.
I will have questions for the Minister of Health today to convince him and the department that this is a necessity for people who are seriously overweight. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to pass on my heartfelt appreciation for my friend here. He is walking his talk and it is much appreciated. The last years with my grandfather, the last 10 or 15 years or so, he spent in a wheelchair, so I appreciate what he’s doing here.
I want to do my Member’s statement on the synthetic natural gas in Norman Wells. Yesterday Member Bisaro talked about you can’t get what you always want, the Rolling Stones tune. Mr. R.C. McLeod followed up with another line from the Rolling Stones: If you try some time, you might just find you get what you need. I like the Rolling Stones, so I’m going to do my Member’s statement as: you can’t get any satisfaction here.
The Town of Norman Wells has entered into an MOU with Dalkia Canada to provide a heating solution for the residents who will completely lose their natural gas source by this time next year. Dalkia has agreed to supply the community with synthetic natural gas for two years, until the town and the company decide on the best long-term heating solutions for Norman Wells. No one is really saying how much Dalkia’s plan will cost. They have an estimate, so the residents of Norman Wells already know they’re going to pay more to heat their homes. Some people have gone off the grid.
Norman Wells is a big part of the Northwest Territories renewable energy plan. Many people ask for subsidies to be able to afford to heat their homes. The Government of the Northwest Territories pays millions of dollars in energy subsidies. These costs have a huge impact on the fiscal framework. They affect our ability to provide programs and services and move forward on important initiatives.
Norman Wells isn’t the only community facing an energy crisis. Between 2012 and 2014, this government will spend at least $300,000 on exploring long-term energy solutions for Inuvik. Again, we need to invest in long-term solutions for Norman Wells, just as does our sister community in Inuvik. The Department of Public Works plans major investments in biomass in our airports and our schools. Biomass and district heating systems are among the options the community has proposed for long-term solutions. These efforts should be expanded and built upon to ensure a sustainable future for our community and natural resources.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
The government needs to step up as an active player now and find long-term energy solutions for Norman Wells. We must fully support the residents’ efforts to convert sustainable energy sources like biomass, hydro or solar power. We need to do this before our people go south or go broke. I’m looking for satisfaction.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. I just thank God you didn’t sing it for us today. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to use today’s Member’s statement to revisit the health care card issue as it continues to be a bit of a frantic issue out there. Some people are defining it as maybe a mini scandal of some sort, and others say maybe an inquiry of some sort, as well, needs to be considered.
The fact that people have been e-mailing, whether they’ve been faxing or even mailing in their applications, they don’t know where the information is going and it really continues to call into question the integrity of the system as well as the safety of that information being sent out there. Often enough we hear about how people are preyed upon when they have private information. Here we’re talking about elder abuse. We have elders here who have often been targeted as people to get their private information so nefarious people out there do nasty, nasty things.
The point here is we’ve got two issues. One, what’s going to be done about the health care card application process. Is it a scandal? Is it a problem? We don’t know how big the problem is because we can’t even define how many applications have gone in there and where they’ve gone. We don’t know who to contact because we don’t know if we’ve processed them. By the time we finish this application process, it’s going to be a year or two away. We’re going to require immediate action.
But, as always, I try to bring a solution to the table at the same time. I’ve been looking at this issue from a different perspective. First of all, why do we renew health care cards? Well, one of the obvious reasons is we have to ensure Northerner’s are getting a northern health care card. In other words, we’re not having the fly-in/fly-out workers using northern health care. We all know at length on how short or not available, that is, dollars are when it comes to paying for health care initiatives and how challenging that always is, so we want to ensure Northerners are getting health care that Northerners rightly deserve.
One of the solutions I’d like to propose is, because we have a DMV in many areas, whether they’re in small communities, large regions or even in Yellowknife, why don’t we look at considering the situation of providing a photo health care card? I’m not suggesting we stop, pull all the brakes out at this particular moment, but this is the type of initiative we could start planning for today. Kind of like a Service Canada model with the federal government where when you go into one stop, you can do a little bit of one-stop shopping.
If we had a photo ID, that would help protect the integrity of the system because you can demonstrate fully that that is you on the picture, and that is you getting northern health care, and that is you who is a true Northerner and you deserve that. That may not be the perfect solution, but we can work with ways moving forward. Again, I don’t expect it now, but I do say this is something we can work towards.
That said, I will have questions for the Minister of Health about this potential scandalous situation and how we can solve some of the things going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.
