Debates of June 7, 2006 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 21st, the people across the Northwest Territories will once again be celebrating National Aboriginal Day. This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day celebrations in Canada. It is also the fifth anniversary of the National Aboriginal Day Act, which made the Northwest Territories the first and only jurisdiction in Canada to recognize the day as a formal statutory holiday.

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Mr. Speaker, this is important to me as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations and as Premier because it demonstrates how strongly we feel about honouring aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories and Canada.

Our aboriginal heritage shapes the way in which our government conducts its business and how we work together to build and strengthen our territory. The traditions, culture and language of the Dene, Metis and Inuvialuit are an integral part of our unique northern identity, so it’s only appropriate that we have a day to recognize aboriginal people.

Mr. Speaker, our commitment extends well beyond our annual day off and to celebrate some aboriginal cultures and traditions. Our government is bringing the spirit of National Aboriginal Day alive through our daily work and with aboriginal leaders, communities, governments and organizations.

The GNWT is fully committed to the objective of concluding land, resources and governance agreements in the Northwest Territories. Achieving this goal follows the GNWT’s strategic plan of self-reliant people and communities in the NWT. This will enable our residents to realize the political, social and economic aspirations and result in more stable, political and economic environments in the Northwest Territories.

We remain committed to this goal as we work towards developing respectful, government-to-government relationships and continue to honour the diverse cultures

and outstanding contributions of aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories and Canada.

Mr. Speaker, this June 21st, I will ask all Members to join me in encouraging the people of the Northwest Territories to get out and participate in National Aboriginal Day activities in their communities. Mahsi cho.

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Mr. Speaker, in recent months we have seen energy prices reach record levels. The continued high demand for energy resources in growing economies such as India and China will likely mean energy prices will remain high for the foreseeable future.

As a result of these worldwide pressures on energy supply and costs, it is imperative that the Northwest Territories address our own energy usage and underlying cause of increased energy costs. In the short term, this means we must do more to reduce consumption and increase energy efficiency. We must also recognize our longer-term goal of identifying more stable and reliable energy sources to mitigate rising energy costs and provide all northerners with affordable energy options.

In the fall of last year, this government and Legislative Assembly implemented the energy conservation action plan to increase public awareness on energy conservation and provide individuals, businesses and government departments with the tools to put meaningful energy conservation measures into practice. This innovative plan, aimed at enhancing existing conservation programs, introduced new conservation initiatives and identified new technologies to help reduce energy costs.

Mr. Speaker, to date, this program has been very successful. We are particularly encouraged by our residents’ interest in and implementation of individual conservation programs and by the way government departments, boards and agencies and non-government organizations are working together in an ongoing and sustained effort to reduce energy usage and strengthen innovation.

Later today, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, the Honourable Michael Miltenberger, will provide Members of this Legislative Assembly with an update on the action plan.

Mr. Speaker, given world pressures, it is equally important for the Northwest Territories to look outward when considering issues concerning the supply and demand of energy.

Today, almost all of our territory’s annual energy supply is imported from southern Canada in the form of fossil fuels. Secure, reliable and affordable energy supplies are essential to the long-term interests of this territory.

As a territory, we neither control nor regulate the cost of this energy. As we have seen over the past year, it is subject to sudden and large increases in response to world events and the supply and demand nature of the global economy.

Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, we have significant renewable and non-renewable energy resources, including extensive potential in natural gas and hydroelectricity right in our own backyard. The Mackenzie gas pipeline project is a basin opening project that can bring northern gas to southern markets and has the potential to provide clean, natural gas to many of our communities displacing less environmentally friendly fossil fuels. Our hydroelectric potential is enormous. Projects at the Bear River and the expansion of capacity on the Taltson River also have the potential to displace diesel generated energy in communities and industrial developments.

We must take a long-term view of the development of these energy resources. This means making critical policy choices respecting the development of Northwest Territories energy resources and setting the long-term strategic direction required to ensure affordable and sustainable energy solutions for the benefit of all Northwest Territories residents.

Mr. Speaker, the government has been working on a framework to begin this important discussion. Later today, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment will table an energy discussion paper titled “Energy for the Future” that sets out many of the issues this government and Legislative Assembly will have to consider in this discussion.

Mr. Speaker, this government intends to continue focusing on renewable energy options and the development of policies that encourages conservation, innovation and the development of sustainable, secure energy supplies for all NWT residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier has spoken about the potential of the Northwest Territories to develop more of its energy resources in response to rising energy costs faced by our residents.

Looking forward, it is critical that our territory has a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the development, management and use of energy resources in the NWT.

At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling an energy discussion paper titled “Energy for the Future.” This discussion paper was jointly prepared by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and also the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Energy for the Future is a way forward, outlining a proposed policy framework to guide future energy decisions and proposing a number of strategic actions in support of this policy framework.

Mr. Speaker, this document reflects the balance that must be struck between future development, management and use of our energy resources while ensuring a high degree of environmental care and quality.

This document is built, in part, upon work undertaken by previous governments. Our government will consider all comments and will certainly be receptive to innovative suggestions as we move forward in the development of a comprehensive energy plan for the NWT.

This plan must consider domestic and export materials for the development and use of our non-renewable, renewable and alternative energy sources, like powering more of our communities and industries such as the diamond mines with hydroelectricity and identifying options for natural gas conversion in communities. It will mark, I hope, the emergence of the NWT as a supplier of secure, affordable and sustainable energy, first and foremost for itself, Mr. Speaker, and then for all Canadians and the North American marketplace.

It is our intention to have a draft of this energy plan for Members of this Legislative Assembly to review in the fall. I encourage all Members and all residents of the NWT to take time to consider these issues and provide input into this energy plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, as the Premier noted earlier, conservation and efficiency are critical elements in addressing the broad range of energy issues facing the Northwest Territories today. Conservation and efficiency provide an immediate response to the high cost of energy and, as a government, now form a part of our business-as-usual approach.

In addition, and perhaps more importantly, energy conservation and efficiency help us to address one of the most serious environmental problems facing us today: climate change. Mr. Speaker, experts predict that unless efforts are made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can expect to see an acceleration of negative climatic trends.

Between the skyrocketing prices of oil and the serious risks posed by climate change, it is clear we need to continue and strengthen our efforts around energy conservation and efficiency.

To address these issues, this Legislative Assembly approved funding for the energy conservation action plan to retrofit projects on public buildings, infrared thermal scanning on municipal and GNWT buildings and the implementation of new energy-efficient design standards for GNWT buildings. Additional funding was also provided to the Arctic Energy Alliance to supplement existing incentive programs.

An important part of this action plan is the development of a new approach to energy use. The first step in the process was the identification of three strategies for improving northern energy management:

energy conservation within government;

energy conservation in NWT homes; and

the anti-idling project.

The underlying goal of all three strategies is improving energy use in the NWT through disseminating knowledge, developing skills and improving attitudes towards energy conservation.

Mr. Speaker, one of the most important parts of this program is the marketing and promotional effort to increase energy conservation awareness in the Northwest Territories. This work was undertaken through the Arctic Energy Alliance and built upon public education awareness programs currently offered by that organization. Among the initiatives undertaken is the development of an Energy Efficiency Tips for Homeowners video designed to provide information and instructions on the basic, feasible and cost-effective improvements homeowners can do to make their homes more energy efficient.

The EnerGuide for Housing Program was one of the greater successes of the 2005-06 action plan. By the end of March 2006, over 60 households received incentives through the program. The average incentive paid per household was $820, resulting in estimated annual energy savings of $2,000 per household and an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of over six metric tons per household.

To ensure we continue to build on these results, the government will maintain support for existing residents by following through on conservation initiatives identified by the Arctic Energy Alliance in 2006-07.

Due in large part to the new funding provided for the energy conservation action plan, this government's overall spending levels for energy conservation and efficiency programs are higher than in the past. Over the coming months we will continue to develop and implement this action plan and will provide Members with a progress report during the fall session.

Mr. Speaker, we must continue to support conservation and efficiency measures as the most effective means of coping with the high costs of energy.

In addition to this, we will, over the summer months, be updating the NWT Greenhouse Gas Strategy to ensure we have a focused approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are planning for the impacts of climate change.

Mr. Speaker, emission reduction efforts must continue to be initiated across a number of sectors involving communities, energy suppliers, residential homeowners, non-government organizations and industrial energy consumers.

As a major contributor to the NWT's overall greenhouse gas emissions, industry has a responsibility, as good corporate citizens, to continue to explore and implement innovations to reduce emissions and, in doing so, conserve energy. Efforts to date have included wind energy monitoring to access feasibility of using wind power, increasing heat recovery through modifications to powerhouse engines and optimization of generators to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Mr. Speaker, we feel that by taking the right steps and making the right investments now, we will be in a position not only to reduce our overall energy costs, but, more importantly, to reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on the progress relating to the amalgamation of human resource services.

It has now been one year since we took the first steps towards a modern human resources management structure with the amalgamation of human resource services that resulted in, and continues to result in, identifying issues and areas where improvement is necessary.

One of the issues that was identified last summer was a significant backlog in both the pay and benefits areas. In both areas, plans were introduced in September 2005 to improve the situation. On the benefits side, there were approximately 550 files that were outstanding at the time of the amalgamation. I am pleased to report that all of these files are either completed or in the hands of another party such as Superannuation or the employees themselves for final action.

On the pay side, we began with a backlog of over 1,000 files. More than 60 percent of these files have been completed.

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The pay office was challenged in addressing the backlog due, in part, to the instability of the human resources systems hardware. Since the installation of new servers three months ago, payroll has run cleanly and without serious disruption each and every pay week. We have made significant progress in addressing the pay backlog and any remaining files will be attended to during the summer months.

Work is ongoing to ensure human resource policies, procedures and guidelines are followed and practices are being implemented in a consistent and fair manner to ensure all employees, regardless of community or department of employment, receive quality service and equitable treatment.

As part of the commitment to transparency, new staffing appeals regulations under the Public Service Act came into effect on April 3, 2006. As a result, all competitions up to the assistant deputy minister level can now be appealed.

The GNWT's exit survey has been modified and, in an effort to encourage greater use, a streamlined process will be used to request departing employees to complete the exit survey.

In January and February of this year, indeterminate and term GNWT employees were asked to complete a survey that included a set of core questions. A national project team, whose goal was to develop a tool that would enable governments to compare employee satisfaction and engagement across jurisdictions, designed these questions with our input. Approximately 36 percent of GNWT employees responded, providing an excellent snapshot of employees' opinions across the GNWT.

The majority of questions had a positive response. Over 80 percent of employees who responded know how their work contributes to the achievement of GNWT department goals, have positive working relationships with their co-workers and feel that their job is a good fit with their skills and interests. While the overall results were positive, there were a number of areas that identify issues that need to be addressed. Any question where more than 20 percent of employees disagreed or strongly disagreed was reviewed to determine what actions could be developed to improve employee satisfaction in these areas. Mr. Speaker, later today, at the appropriate time, I will table the results of the 2006 employee satisfaction and engagement survey and accompanying action plan.

From February through early April, Human Resources staff were involved in intensive review and planning sessions with the Hackett Group, a company with a proven background in human resource transformation work. Human Resources received detailed recommendations relating to processes and systems and the changes needed to continue with the transformation work. The department has begun to implement the recommendations by the Hackett Group. While many of the recommendations are focused on the internal workings of Human Resources, the result will be an improvement in services for all clients.

We have made significant progress in moving towards a modern human resources service delivery structure. While there is still much more work to be done, we realize that the continued commitment of Human Resources staff is instrumental in achieving excellence in human resource management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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This morning, MLAs joined the Awareness of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Journey for Change Walk. This walk is to remember those who have died, those who are missing and the many still living in violence and abusive situations.

I congratulate the individuals involved in this activity, particularly Marie Speakman, one of this year's Wise Women Award recipients and the person who came up with the idea for the walk. I wish them well on their journey and I hope we will all take this opportunity to remember how violence against women hurts all of us, our families, our children and our communities.

The Government of the NWT is committed to working with families, community organizations and community leadership to address the problem of violence against women. I would like to update Members on the GNWT's Response to the NWT Response to the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence - A Framework for Action.

As Members may recall, in 2004, the GNWT committed to implementing all 72 actions in eight specific areas identified in this document. Over the past two years, the GNWT, in partnership with the Coalition Against Family Violence, has worked collaboratively to implement the response.

A significant amount of work has been accomplished and partnerships with community organizations have been key to the results we have seen.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Most actions outlined in the Framework for Action have been completed. Significant among these is the implementation of the Protection Against Family Violence Act. As well, resource tool kits have been developed and distributed to frontline workers across the NWT to help them work with families who are suffering from the effects of violence. An integrated response protocol is nearing completion and we thank Yellowknife, Deline and Fort Resolution for their participation in the three pilot projects. We believe the protocols developed will assist frontline workers to work in a coordinated way in helping address the needs of families. Although much has been accomplished, there is still much to be done.

The deputy ministers of social envelope departments have been tasked with the development of A Framework for Action - Phase II. This new action plan will cover the next five years.

The Framework for Action - Phase II will be completed by December and the actions outlined will become part of the GNWT business planning process.

The Framework for Action - Phase II will outline actions that are achievable, measurable and effect changes for people affected by family violence across the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the budget session, I spoke to the desire of the Children First Society in Inuvik to have their needs incorporated into a new school being built up in Inuvik. Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on the work that they continue to do.

I believe theirs is a worthy cause, Mr. Speaker, and I will continue to be an advocate for the society. Mr. Speaker, the society has put together an excellent proposal to justify their position. Over 30 businesses and agencies have given letters of support and close to 300 residents have given their support by signing a petition. They even have a detailed floor plan that meets their requirement. They put a budget together, along with an estimate from a local contractor, of about $2.5 million. Firmer numbers will not be available until after the design phase. Mr. Speaker, can you imagine the amount of bingos that need to be held to raise that kind of money?

Mr. Speaker, many students who attend Aurora College from surrounding communities will have a safe learning environment for their children. Mr. Speaker, this government stresses the importance of early learning and childcare and we have a group that have put together a strong case for an early childhood facility that we should support. They did the work on their own with no consultants. They have done all the legwork. The ball is now in our court, so let’s not drop it. We have to send a message, Mr. Speaker, that we don’t just talk the talk, but we also walk the walk. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to meet and talk with the mayor of Ulukhaktok on April 2, 2006. One item of interest for the residents of Ulukhaktok is the print making and tapestry shop that’s been closed for a number of years. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Ulukhaktok are well renowned for their print making and artistic talent. To name one offhand is Mary Okheena. These artists have sold their print making and tapestries around the world. Mr. Speaker, in my discussion with the mayor, Ulukhaktok residents would like to revitalize their artistic talent in print making and tapestries and would like to see the print making and tapestry shop reopen. However, Mr. Speaker, government funding is required to renovate the facility.

Mr. Speaker, government jobs, sports and traditional hunting activities today is the only source of income for a lot of the residents. Today, residents of Ulukhaktok would like to achieve another economic base and source of income. By renovating the print making and tapestry shop in Ulukhaktok, it would enable the residents of Ulukhaktok to achieve anther economic base and source of income and prove once again they are well renowned artists.

Mr. Speaker, I will be addressing the issue with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment today and over the next few months to once again reopen the print making and tapestry shop. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Again, I would just like to raise some housing policies and practices that continue to concern me and my constituents. Since very little has changed in the Housing Corporation’s policies and practices since raising these issues in this House on numerous occasions over the past two years and also bringing them to the attention of the Minister in charge of housing who, I might add, Mr. Speaker, spent four years on this side of the House adamantly demanding the same changes to the housing policies and practices, I feel it is important to raise the red flag once again.

First, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to stress the need for this government to not only acknowledge the fact that we recognize the difference between the large urban centres and our smaller remote communities, but the need to address and take action on making some tangible changes in government policies and programs to show the NWT public that we can and will make changes that address those differences. This government can no longer stay with the status quo in developing policies that are applicable to everyone, whether in a large or small centre.

Look at the BIP policy. It works good for the small communities, but may not be required in a larger, competitive market system like Yellowknife. The negotiated contract policy again works good for small communities, but is not required in a competitive market or a larger centre where there are three to five potential bidders on any given government contract at any given time.

On the housing side, the CNIT, Core Need Income Threshold, a very cut and dried policy with no room for negotiations. If you are a dollar over the threshold, you don’t qualify. A dollar under, you get government money to buy or build a new house. It doesn’t matter how responsible and hardworking you may be, how many kids, relatives, grandchildren you support, what the amount of truck or car payments are or the cost to feed your family. All these factors have big impacts on the remote communities, Mr. Speaker.

The rent scales in our remote communities with no market system to gauge what people are willing and able to pay, but a system that says you will pay based on how much money you make or your household makes or how much money you won in bingo last night.

It’s all these types of policies that need changes, adjustments and amendments, Mr. Speaker. Some of them are the main contributors to our ongoing housing crises and business crises in the small communities, not to mention the public’s contempt and disregard for self-reliance and independent living, which this government admits it’s trying to build on but in reality it just seems to be working against. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation awards fixed-price contracts containing a specific scope of work to be performed for the construction of winter roads for resupply to northern communities. This was an unusual year this past year in terms of weather and conditions for winter and ice road construction. These are circumstances beyond the control of the Minister or the contractor. A bad year such as this past season makes the work of contractors potentially very costly and difficult.

The contractor has the option of ending the contract and pulling their equipment and people off the job, however, Mr. Speaker, everyone on the job, both from the department and from the contractor's forces, is keenly aware of the importance of making the roads available for resupply and the alternatives are not pleasant. Sometimes different equipment is required and sometimes more equipment is required, and sometimes more manpower is required. The contractor wants to get the job done and the window of opportunity can be very limited. There isn’t time to go back and undertake a lengthy process to get written authorities and approvals to revise the scope of the contract, so people do what they need to do to get the job done. The freight gets into the communities and the story should have a happy ending.

The story isn’t too happy, though, Mr. Speaker, for the contractor who proceeded in good faith out of a sense of responsibility and commitment to getting the job done. He’s invested in additional equipment, his equipment has taken an extraordinary beating due to a lack of snow and ice, and the government is saved their expense of having to fly essential fuel and supplies into the community. But the contractor sits with a major loss.

Mr. Speaker, the weather and winter conditions for contracts such as these are not in the control of anyone. In other contracts, where we know that the possibility of forces beyond our control exist -- such as forest management fire suppression -- this government has the ability to appropriate funds in addition to those originally committed and contracted. There is a contingency plan for a particularly dry summer with an unusual amount of fire activity. So why not for contracts like winter road construction?

I wouldn’t be happy if the GNWT was going to go back and open up and renegotiate contracts for the supply of goods and services after the conclusion of a competitive process, but I think we need to recognize the unpredictable nature of some contracts given the extenuating circumstances outside of the contractor’s control, such as Mother Nature. Any extra compensation would need to be carefully considered and documented, but I don’t think it should be ruled out. Any contractor who was awarded the work would have been faced with the same challenges.

Mr. Speaker, later today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Transportation regarding his department’s policy in dealing with these unique contracts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to recognize that it’s Mining Week here in Yellowknife. This is an annual event put on by the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines as a way of paying tribute to the industry and developing awareness amongst the public. Mr. Speaker, I can’t make a statement on mining today without mentioning the labour dispute at Ekati and I do hope, Mr. Speaker, that both sides can negotiate an end to the impasse as many of our residents are being negatively impacted because of this situation.

Mr. Speaker, mining is and has been for many years the number one industry in the North. It is certainly the reason why Yellowknife has grown to where it is today. The mining sector currently represents about half of the NWT’s gross domestic product and over the past 10 years has brought unprecedented private capital investment into the North. Currently there are three operating mines in the NWT: Ekati, Diavik, and CanTung. Between all three of these mines they employ approximately 2,500 people. Many secondary industries have emerged over the years to support the business of mining, and certainly booms in the construction industry can be attributed directly to this sector. The local aviation industry attributes about 60 percent of its business to the mining and exploration industry.

My point, Mr. Speaker, is that many people in the Northwest Territories have and are continuing to benefit from the business of mining. But while things may be looking good for this sector, its necessary predecessor, exploration, has been suffering for the last several years. Exploration companies can’t get permits to do even basic low-level exploration. The problem, Mr. Speaker, is slow progress on land claims, particularly in the Deh Cho and Akaitcho territory. The impasse in this area is stifling grassroots exploration efforts.

This, Mr. Speaker, should also be a concern of this government. Ekati and Diavik estimated 17 to 21 years of mine life respectively. We’re already eight years down the road with Ekati. CanTung’s tungsten reserves are very short and none of this compares to the 60-year mine life we saw with the Con and Giant mines. Under the current regulatory process it takes 10 years to licence a mine, so it’s pretty clear that if exploration companies aren’t out there now looking for new resources and sources of minerals, in 10 years or so the NWT economy will be in a major downturn, Mr. Speaker.

In addition, it should be a concern that we now have a mining economy focused almost solely on one commodity: diamonds. In order for the mining industry to become more diversified it needs other commodities on the shelf.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Luckily the NWT has these. We have gold, silver, zinc, copper and rare earth metals that are all trading at record highs. In most of them our forecasts remain high in light of the increased demand from Asia’s growing economy. We also have a major storehouse of clean energy: uranium. In order to bring these commodities into production some day, prospectors need access to the land to carry out the grassroots exploration activities. Unfortunately, many of their planned programs are being held up for political reasons while land claims are under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, mining has and is continuing to open a lot of doors for many northerners, whether its jobs, training or new business ventures. The industry places a high priority on creating a skilled northern workforce and is keen to participate in the planning of further transportation infrastructure in the North. The mining sector deserves the recognition it receives during Mining Week, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to encourage all Members and the public to take part in the various events around the city this week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had tremendous advances in the telecommunications field in the NWT in the last 25 years. Today I think all 33 of our communities enjoy instantaneous telephone, satellite television, fax, we’re getting just about everybody hooked up to high-speed Internet, Mr. Speaker, almost to the point where we’re taking all this for granted. Even I can remember the days of telex, typewriters, VHF telephones and things like that. Things were a lot simpler in those days and sometimes I wish they were back. But in contrast, Mr. Speaker, southern communities enjoy an almost bewildering array of telephone and cell phone plan options, other communication options offered by a wide array of competing companies at rates that make us northerners envious for the cheap costs and extensive range of services offered. One of my continuing concerns is for decisions that add to our already high cost of living and doing business up here, Mr. Speaker.

Right now we’re on notice that the telecommunications regulator in Canada, the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC, is holding hearings in Whitehorse next month on establishing a new regulatory framework for NorthwesTel that will go into effect in 2007. Among the items to be reviewed are funding for providing service to high cost areas, restructuring the various rates including long distance and local services; for instance, $2 a month more for individual residential phone lines and $5 a month more for multi-line business services. They’re going to be looking at competition and how NorthwesTel will be regulated in the future.

Mr. Speaker, the telecommunications business in the North is still complex and heavily regulated in many ways. It is the last large area of telecommunication monopolies in North America. I have concerns for initiatives that will increase our already high cost of doing business and in an age of rapidly expanding technology and new businesses anxious to compete foreseeing that the North is competition friendly, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is an historical day in the fight against violence against women, especially the violence against aboriginal women in the NWT. At 9:30 a.m. this morning, our aboriginal women, along with their friends and supporters and community groups, started a walk to Behchoko; a walk of over 100 kilometres in the name of raising awareness of this very important and pressing issue.

Mr. Speaker, we’re well aware that every day there are aboriginal women being assaulted and murdered and often forgotten and neglected by our society. We also know that violence of all forms against persons from all walks of life are much too prevalent in our society in small and big communities, especially against aboriginal peoples. Our very own Sandra Lockhart spoke this morning at the walk about how the violence against aboriginal women and within aboriginal families are so prevalent that it is rare to meet an aboriginal woman who did not experience violence and abuse some time in their lives. With this walk, the aboriginal women of the North are telling us that this has to stop and they’re going to make it happen.

This walk also highlights the responsibility of all levels of governments to take an action to prevent violence and to provide means for healing and recovery. At the same time, this walk brings to the fore the power of one person to make a real difference. I was very honoured that my friend Marie Speakman, the wise woman who came up with this idea and organized it, asked me for my support from the beginning. I want to honour her today and all others in our communities who work on the frontline tirelessly to help victims of violence. This is backbreaking work mentally and physically, and there are many Maries of the world in our communities who do not give up against all odds and always find the strength and courage to combat the aftermath of violence one step at a time and one person at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I could tell you that I had a very nice long walk this morning, joined by the Premier, many Ministers and colleagues of this House, to honour Marie and her team. I’ll be joining them again tonight and when they arrive at their destination in Behchoko tomorrow night, where there will be a feast to receive those who are walking with Marie. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt in my mind that this is the start of something big that will continue to grow. This is an aboriginal women-driven action initiated by aboriginal women, organized by aboriginal women for aboriginal women, and I look forward to cheering them on as they continue to make a difference in the lives of aboriginal women and their families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I read an article in a national newspaper about the status of Canada schools, Canadian schools banning pop from vending machines right across the country here. The article also said that politicians are following by leading the way for advocating for healthy foods in the school. They’re motivated by the high costs of children who are overweight and to look at eliminating the unhealthy foods in the schools. Refreshments Canada, the main trade association representing the non-alcoholic beverages industries, are developing guidelines to make sure that only healthy, low-fat drinks and bottled water will be sold in schools, in high schools here, in elementary schools.

Ontario is getting rid of candy and pop from vending machines in high schools. B.C. has released voluntary school guidelines to phase out junk beverages. In Quebec it is the school boards who determine the nutrition policies and Montreal soft drink vending machines have been banned in public elementary and high schools. New Brunswick is phasing out the pop and other sweetened beverages from all the public schools for 2007. Newfoundlanders are waiting for the government to release guidelines, and, finally, Nova Scotia has drafted a nutrition policy that only milk, juice and water should be sold in schools in the vending machines. These guidelines are still to be debated.

In the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, we have a successful campaign called “Drop the Pop” campaign, which has been great, but it’s not enough in our schools here. Who knows what bad habits and illness are developing in our schools and in our children who are in those schools. We’re waiting for this government to develop some strong guidelines and leadership, take charge, ban the junk food in our schools, because I heard somewhere God does not create junk and our children are not junk. We need healthy foods in our schools, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Mr. Speaker, last week I asked a question to the Minister regarding payment to elders and how they are not getting paid as fast as they should because elders are very important and we want to be able to help them. (Translation ends)

Dogrib Treaty 11 Council has asked the Dogrib Community Services Board to operate a number of programs and projects on its behalf that were closely connected to the mandate of the board. These include the scholarship program, a variety of language and culture projects such as the birch bark canoe project, the caribou skin tent project, as well as the trails of our ancestors' canoe trips that involve the youth and the elders.

Mr. Speaker, this collaborative project set a cooperative tone between the GNWT boards and the aboriginal government that is quite unique in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, this was expected to continue under the new Tlicho Government and the new Tlicho Community Services Agency. So it was recognized in the Intergovernmental Services Agreement between the GNWT, the federal government, and the Tlicho Government. Both articles 3.2(a) and 4.5 speak to the roles, powers, responsibilities and accountabilities assigned and delegated to the agency by the Tlicho Government.

Mr. Speaker, the Tlicho Community Services Agency is the only GNWT board or agency which is a subject of an Intergovernmental Services Agreement between the three levels of government: the federal government, the GNWT, and the Tlicho Government. Again, it is quite unique in the Northwest Territories. It is, however, a likely feature for other regions where self-government is being negotiated, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for FMBS at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)

Transferring, updating, downloading, dumping. Many verbs can be used to describe the fact that our government wants to save money and cut costs. This old practice of offloading is being used today by MACA in our regions. Offloading is when a government transfers responsibility for services to its regions and communities. In theory, Mr. Speaker, these transfers would be beneficial and welcome in all small and remote communities such as the ones I represent in Nahendeh. This transfer of services and responsibilities will not work if it is less, yes, funded less than what our government ran it for.

Effective April 1st of this year, MACA introduced the development of the O and M funding to its communities. I think the transfer of responsibilities is long overdue. I am concerned, though, that the resources are not sufficient. This ministry has funded this initiative through a complex three-year running average. We are very aware of the growing cost of fuel and energy over the last six months. This three-year average does not address this critical gap in its formula. Communities tell me that they are already in a deficit position with this program as they have to address the shortfall with their own funding. Community governments are already stretched too thin to cope with these energy cost concerns.

I would like to inform the Minister of MACA and this government that this must be addressed immediately. The formula must reflect the real needs of these communities. I know that this government is interested in genuine community management and will provide the resources to support that. I’ll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off I’ll say I’m glad to see two energy statements in regards to the concerns by the Ministers read into the record today, because that will be very important later. Although I have to tell you, Mr. Speaker, I’m not old enough to have experienced the telex, Morse code, or other things like that…

---Laughter

…like Mr. Braden has. I can tell you my TV, cell phone and Internet generation has seen significant climate changes and concerns that we see today. My Member’s statement today, then, Mr. Speaker, as you’ve probably guessed, is about core funding for the Arctic Energy Alliance, our energy saving crusader out there.

Mr. Speaker, a number of concerns have risen with the Arctic Energy Alliance’s ability to sustain their current workload and mandate in the absence of secure and adequate funding, Mr. Speaker. So I’m glad to say that the government is certainly taking notice of this energy concern and they put it finally under the microscope where it’s deserved to be.

I recently have learned that NWT Power Corporation decided to reduce core funding to the alliance to just $5000, down from their usual $25,000. The Power Corporation proposes that the $20,000 shortfall would be made up through fee-for-service work conducted on their behalf by the alliance. I would also note that the $20,000 corresponds very nicely with the amount of fee-for-service that they charged back last year, and I’ll put it this way: the bottom line is it’s a $20,000 reduction no matter how you move those shells around the table, Mr. Speaker.

Last time I looked, the Power Corp is solely owned by the GNWT. So where is our government support for this energy crusading agent of ours? The point I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker, is if the Arctic Energy Alliance is not sufficiently resourced, it will not be able to fulfill the terms of its mandate. I’m also aware that the Arctic Energy Alliance has outgrown its space because of the demand that the customers and clients and the citizens of our good territory are putting on it.

Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Energy Alliance is doing the best it can. In the absence of stable funding and cramped workspace, they are getting the work done. It is time for the departments of ENR and ITI to do some work to make sure adequate core funding is provided in the next upcoming business plan cycle and give them the ability to pursue mandates to pursue market-driven opportunities and partnerships. Mr. Speaker, this side of the House will continue to pursue this lip service, rhetoric, discussion papers into real concrete dollar deals. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a Legislature we’ve always said that employees are our most valuable asset and I, as well, hold that to be true. Today in Fort Smith at four o’clock, the Government of the Northwest Territories are going to be recognizing the service of many employees with the long service awards. While there are too many to name individually, I would like to, for the record, indicate where they work and the numbers of employees.

River Ridge has 11 employees with a total of 130 years of service being recognized. The women’s correctional centre has three employees with a total of 30 years of service. The South Slave Divisional Board has 22 employees with a total of 245 years of service. Education, Culture and Employment has one employee being recognized today with 15 years of service. Public Works and Services has seven employees with a total of 165 years of service. Airports has three employees with a total of 40 years of service. Highways has three employees with a total of 65 years of service. MACA has three employees with a total of 15 years of service. FMBS, three employees with a total of 45 years of service. Health and Social Services has 36 employees with a total of 165 years of service. Aurora College, 27 employees with a total of 395 years of service. ENR has eight employees with a total of 125 years of service. ITI has two employees with a total of 20 years of service.

Mr. Speaker, taken in isolation the numbers are there, but they don’t really have a significance other than recognizing many years of service, but when you combine those numbers, that’s 129 employees with a total of 1,445 years of service. That’s one and a half millennium of time and I think it’s just an indication of the value that we get from our employees, the commitment that employees have to work for the Government of the Northwest Territories and serving the people, and I’d like to recognize that honour of commitment and years of service and thank them for that. I apologize for not being there, but in this forum I think there is a recognition that our employees are very, very valuable. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize my daughter Kim and my son-in-law Raymond Wainman and, Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to introduce Rylan James Robert Wainman, my grandson.

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Hey!

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member from Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s not too often I have an opportunity to stand up in this forum and recognize somebody from Inuvik. My new CA that operates out of my Inuvik office, Ms. Jennifer DeBastian.

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Thank you, Mr. Roland. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we’ve missed anybody in the gallery…I’d like to recognize Vince McKay in the gallery, a councillor from the Town of Hay River.

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Anyone else that we’ve missed in the gallery, welcome to the House. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. It’s always a pleasure to have an audience up there.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko. This morning there was a piece on the CBC Radio regarding the issue of the seniors’ duplexes that were recently built in Hay River, and basically the crux of the story was that the Housing Corporation had constructed 12 duplexes and they were designed for couples and a number of the new tenants had sold their existing homes prior to moving in. Now, Mr. Speaker, the rent is free, regardless of net worth of the tenant and provided the tenant’s monthly household income does not exceed $3,300, Mr. Speaker. This was a capital project undertaken by the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, the question is, what was the intended target market, people over the age of 60 regardless of financial means? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, this policy has been in effect for 10 years. It was put in place during the 13th Assembly to allow seniors to live in public housing and not pay rent. The policy has been there and we are simply following the policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.