Debates of May 19, 2011 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 3rd residents of the Northwest Territories will be going back to the polls to elect the 17th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. As an Assembly we only have seven sitting days remaining for us, which will come in mid-August just prior to dissolution of the 16th Legislative Assembly, scheduled for September 5th. I’d like to formally announce today my intention to seek re-election in the riding of Kam Lake, of which I’ve had the opportunity, honour and privilege to represent since 2003 when I was first elected MLA for Kam Lake.

I enjoy working for my constituents, speaking out in this House about issues that are important to them, and trying my best to get things accomplished. In my time here, constituents have seen me consistently speak to much needed capital projects in the city of Yellowknife and in my riding, such as the city of Yellowknife bypass road, which connects Kam Lake Industrial Park to Highway No. 3, and the retrofit of Ecole St. Joseph’s School, which was made much more urgent when the school was badly damaged by fire.

Mr. Speaker, there will be much to focus on for this next government coming in this fall. Critical files will need to be moved forward: negotiating a final agreement on devolution, the Mackenzie Gas Project, the Tuk-Inuvik road, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the northern extension of a seasonal overland route to Gordon Lake, the expansion of the Taltson hydro facility, and ensuring that major capital projects around the Northwest Territories are concluded to the best of our ability.

Mr. Speaker, elections give us all an opportunity and a chance to get out and meet with our constituents to discuss the issues that face us. It’s a great opportunity to set the marching orders for the next government. Mr. Speaker, I’m very excited about all the possibilities and opportunities that await this territory. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to advise the Members of the House of the passing of Mr. Karl Mueller of Enterprise. Karl...everyone knew him. He suffered a heart attack and passed away on May the 12th of this year at the extended care unit of H.H. Williams Hospital in Hay River.

Karl was born on April 19, 1929, in Vienna, Austria. He immigrated to Canada in 1957, with Toronto being his first Canadian home. He then moved to the North, living and mining in the Yukon for several years before moving to Fort Smith, where he lived for approximately 20 years and worked in the field of construction. He then decided to move to Enterprise. He thought it was a good idea and a better location for a construction business.

It was after this move that he started his own company, his own business called Karl Mueller Construction, and he became very well known throughout the Territories for his abilities in the area of construction.

Karl also built a lot of our highways and winter roads in communities such as Fort Smith, Fort Resolution and Fort Providence, and he did a lot of work in the Sahtu. He also began clearing for a potential highway between Norman Wells and Inuvik for the federal government, which never became a reality. At least not yet, Mr. Speaker. Not too many people remember that.

Karl moved to Enterprise in 1975 and he lived there until he was admitted to the hospital in 2007, and he always acknowledged that he was a very proud resident of the community of Enterprise. He lived there with his wife, Anne Leskiw-Mueller. Karl lived with Anne for about 20 years before they got married a short while ago, on May the 7th, in the extended care unit.

Anne tells us that Karl had been feeling much better in the last couple of weeks, and she had talked to him about a half an hour before his passing and he was in very good spirits.

Most of you know Karl was a very active person of Enterprise, a very outspoken person, and a councillor of the community for a number of years. He served on the hamlet council for about eight years. He always believed, and firmly believed, that one day Enterprise and the whole Northwest Territories would be booming.

Karl is survived...

Mr. McLeod. Your time for your Member’s statements is expired.

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

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Karl is survived by his wife, Anne, who continues to live in Enterprise. He was cremated and will be buried in Winnipeg, Manitoba, near some of his relatives. A memorial service will be held on May 28th at 2:00 p.m. in the community hall of Enterprise and we welcome any visitors. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we close out another sitting of the Legislative Assembly, I think that we’ve all come to realize that the work we do here is quite important. We all have some challenges in that, but usually at the end of the day I like to think we come to a common conclusion and that we’re here to do the best for the people of the Northwest Territories.

We heard yesterday Mr. Roland saying that he was not intending to run again and I just wanted to use this opportunity to thank him for his mentorship. I remember when I first came in, in 2004, Floyd was the Finance Minister. At our first meeting, Floyd said one of the first things you have to realize is Finance Minister and Cabinet are always right. He said, “Every time I put up my hand, you put up your hand.”

---Laughter

So it took me seven years, but I’ve finally figured that out, and that’s pretty much how it works.

Mr. Krutko, you know, he’s put in 16 years, Floyd’s put in 16 years, and David and I, we’ve never always agreed on everything. Actually, I don’t think we ever agreed on anything.

---Laughter

But that was part of the enjoyment. I mean, David and I have butted heads on a number of occasions and part of it I think we were just trying to see who could get madder, him or me. I want to tell you, David, you won that hands down.

---Laughter

But I’ve enjoyed my time working with him.

There are a couple of things I want to point out, Mr. Speaker. In Inuvik this summer we’re having the Truth and Reconciliation national event and we’re expecting over 1,000 people to come to Inuvik. It’s going to be a huge, huge event. I remember saying in the past that as a town boy we didn’t realize the challenges that those staying in the hostel were having to go through. We’re looking forward to this as an opportunity to show some genuine Inuvik hospitality, and we look forward to having all the visitors come to Inuvik.

Mr. Speaker, as I close out my Member’s statement, we’ve had a few people say that they’re not running again; we’ve had a few say that they are running; and I think in the seven years I’ve been here I’ve gained some valuable experience, which I think would allow me to contribute to Inuvik Twin Lakes. So it would be my intention to seek re-election and I just wanted to have that come out today. So, thank you very much, I hope you all have a great summer, and everybody out there, please be safe. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker... [English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize Ms. Bren Kolson in the gallery. Bren is the mother of Kiera-Dawn Kolson that I talked about earlier today.

I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank all the Pages who have joined us over the last two weeks and have done all the hard work for us. In particular, two of the Pages from the Great Slave riding: Ms. Shanaya Haogak and Ms. Shania Richler-Beaulieu. Thank you all for everything you’ve done for us today. We’ve really, really appreciated it.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honour to introduce in our gallery Premier for the day, Ms. Erin Nadli, who has come to watch our session and been involved in a number of things today, accompanied by her mother, Paschalina Nadli, and her aunt Edith Squirrel, and also accompanied by our intern at our press office, Victoria.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Darrell Beaulieu, a resident of the Weledeh riding, and any other residents of Weledeh that might be in the gallery that I haven’t seen yet.

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to just highlight those Pages that are in here doing a fabulous job. More specifically, those two students from Jean Wetrade Gameti School: Ms. Brenda Wedawin and Falicia McGee. I’d like to thank them for their hard work here.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleague from Great Slave, I’d like to recognize the work of all of the Pages that served the House during this sitting. Specifically, I’ve got a constituent, Miss Caleigh Matheson, who I would like to point out the work that Caleigh’s done. Appreciate that.

I’d also like to recognize the members of the Jacobson family who are in the gallery and my favourite little girl from Tuktoyaktuk, Mikayla Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to recognize two representatives from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business: Corinne Pohlmann, the vice-president of national affairs from Ottawa, and Mr. Richard Truscott, the director of provincial affairs from Edmonton. I should point out that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Welcome to the Assembly.

I’d also like to recognize Darrell Beaulieu, the chairman of our Business Development Investment Corporation.

Like all the other Members here, I want to recognize all the Pages; specifically the Page from Yellowknife South, Justin Krause.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my great pleasure today to recognize a resident of Range Lake, but he happens to go to school in the Frame Lake riding. Mr. Tim Riviere is up in the gallery here and I wanted to note Tim is a grade 7 student at William Mac. He is shaving his head for cancer for the fourth year in a row and it’s his second year as a Relay for Life team member. He is the team captain for the Relay Rink Rats. He’s been the top youth fundraiser for three years in a row and has raised over $9,600 in those three years. This year Tim wants to raise $5,400 to bring his four-year total to $15,000. I want to say that if anybody can’t get a hold of Tim and wants to give me the money, I’m happy to pass it on. I challenge all Members to assist him in his goal.

Tim is accompanied today by Ms. Bianca Jorgenson from the Canadian Cancer Society. She’s the revenue development coordinator within Yellowknife and she’s the backbone of the Relay for Life event.

Last but not least, Heather Riviere is accompanying Tim and Bianca, and Heather is our very own legislative officer here.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.

I am also pleased to welcome Erin Nadli from my riding and my hometown of Fort Providence, who is now here with us as Premier for the day. Erin, along with many students throughout the North, entered an essay contest explaining why she wanted to be Premier for the day. She was quite surprised to find out she won. Her essay was about the importance of protecting the Dene land, about animals and climate change. The honourable Erin Nadli is a grade 10 student from Deh Gah School in Fort Providence. Erin plans to continue her education in the North and plans to further education and continue on to environmental law or social sciences. When we asked her about how she found her first few hours here in the Legislative Assembly, she said it was good and she was happy to find out that Premier Floyd Roland isn’t all that scary. I think she was a little bit apprehensive when she first got here. I want to say congratulations to Erin and welcome her to the Assembly.

I also wanted to recognize Paschalina Nadli, her mother, and Edith, who are here as chaperones with Erin. Thank you and have a safe trip home.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to recognize all the Pages; specifically the two Pages from the Sahtu and the community of Deline: Raymond Bernarde and Jordon Kenny.

I also want to recognize the support in the House for Members, especially for Mr. Jacobson and his family. It’s nice to see them here and to know that the real boss is in the House.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to as well recognize Victoria Velez. She’s the intern here with communications. She’s a constituent of Yellowknife Centre.

I, too, would like to recognize the Jacobson family. The longer I work with Jackie Jacobson, the more I feel for them. Very good to see them all here.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say likewise to Mr. Hawkins in regards to look who it’s coming from.

Anyway, I’m honoured today to have my wife in the House. It’s spring break in Tuk and she’s working at the school now and not down here as much as I’d like her to be with me. My son Matthew and my daughter Mikayla, it’s good to have you here. I look forward to the day ending today.

Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. If we’ve missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. It’s always nice to have an audience in here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to acknowledge the former MP of Western Arctic Mrs. Ethel Blondin-Andrew. She was recently recognized as a contributor to the building of our education system in the North. Mrs. Blondin-Andrew was given the honour of her name to stand beside others who were also named to the Hall of Fame in Education.

Mrs. Blondin-Andrew was the first Aboriginal MP to sit in the House of Parliament in Ottawa. Today Mrs. Blondin-Andrew continues to support our education system by representing the Sahtu on the Aurora College Board of Governors and representing the seven land claim organizations through the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated.

I salute Mrs. Blondin-Andrew for her continuing efforts.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning I received an excellent briefing from officials of Municipal and Community Affairs updating the work being done on the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework in the Yellowknife block land transfer area. Control of squatting and protection of the watershed of the Yellowknife drinking water supply are major issues for my constituents. Here again the biggest obstacle, though, is how to get comprehensive action in the negligent federal government on this issue.

The GNWT can hardly control squatting or protect our waters when the federal government does nothing on immediately adjacent lands within the watershed. For example, 26 squatters are on the east side of Prosperous alone.

I’ve asked before and I’ll ask again, is this government demanding action from our federal overlords. Will he write the new AAND Minister and demand action?

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is that briefing went very well. We do have some concerns that have been raised before with the squatters on the INAC side of it. Or I’m not sure what it’s called now, AAND? On the AAND side of it. I can commit to the Member that at the first possible opportunity I will communicate to the federal Minister our desire to see them try to be a little more stringent on their part. This just goes to show another excellent opportunity as to why the devolution would work in the Northwest Territories, because we would be in control of the land and decision-making authority on those lands.

Thanks for the Minister’s commitment there. I did expect to hear the response that this is why we need devolution, of course, but obviously that will be then and this is now.

We control the lands on the west side of Prosperous, they control it on the east, and they’re not doing anything. I’m wondering, though, since the Minister mentions devolution, the federal government has indicated to the Premier and this government that they will give GNWT more involvement, at least now that an AIP is signed. How will the Minister of MACA use this opportunity to exert our influence, use our example, and get control of this intolerable situation?

There is an opportunity and commitment that was made by the federal government that we’ll have to explore to ensure that we take full advantage of it so that we don’t have the glut that we’re having over on the east side of Prosperous Lake.

I appreciate that commitment again from our Minister. Of course, that was just an example, the east side of Prosperous. It’s within the entire watershed. MACA is moving the Recreational Leasing Policy Framework forward proficiently and says public consultations will begin shortly. Can the Minister inform us of the schedule for consultations and give his assurance that the opportunity for input will be widely publicized so that non-resident users of the area will know they can’t contribute? Obviously, we have cottage owners that live throughout the city.

We see the meeting this morning with Prosperous Lake Association as part of the consultation process. As for an actual schedule, I would have to commit to the Member that I don’t have the actual schedule with me, and how they’re going to go about it and where they’re going to go. I will commit to the Member that I’ll get that information and I’ll share it with him.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again to the Minister. I’m also well impressed with MACA’s new vigilance in enforcement to prevent new cases of squatting in the block land transfer area. Are you listening, federal government? Can the Minister say what the status on legal actions is here?