Please be seated. Monsieur le président, mesdames et messieurs les deputes, mesdames et messieurs, et amis. It is a great pleasure to be here again today.
Since we last met, your Commissioner has had a busy and successful time. I have had the pleasure of travelling to Sachs Harbour, Enterprise and Fort Resolution, bringing the total number of communities I have visited to 15. It is always a delight to meet old friends and participate in local celebrations and events in our communities. It remains my goal to visit each and every Northwest Territories community before the end of my term of office and I am pleased to report today that I am well on the way to achieving that goal.
I had the honour of being invited to many community events in the last few months including the Inuvik Youth Conference, the Arctic Winter Games, the History Fair, the annual Youth Parliament here in the Legislative Assembly, and several high school and college graduations. I continue to be both impressed and amazed by the intelligence, skill and resourcefulness of our young people. They are certainly to be admired and respected for their extraordinary commitment and ingenuity.
It is good to see so many people, especially young women, graduating from high school and college. To witness so many going on to post-secondary training to fulfill their dreams and take their place as valuable, contributing members of our society is particularly gratifying. At least two women from the NWT have qualified as medical doctors this year. These young women have chosen a noble and important profession and I offer them my sincere congratulations.
As well, I would like to thank and congratulate the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the district education authorities, all our schools and, of course, the students themselves on their excellent graduation results.
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Our educational improvements and successes go from strength to strength and you should all be proud of yourselves. Our future is certainly in good hands.
During this session, the Government of the Northwest Territories will be introducing the following bills entitled Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2006-2007 and Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2005-2006 for consideration by the House. The government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government business and, as such, I recommend their passage.
As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I now declare open the Fifth Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, merci, mahsi cho and qianami.
Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber for another session. Welcome also to our distinguished guests and visitors who have joined us in the gallery today for the opening of the Fifth Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank, on behalf of all Members, individuals who have contributed to making the opening of the Fifth Session a memorable one. In particular, I would like to thank the Honourable Anthony Whitford, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, for opening our session. A special thank you to the Sir John Franklin High School Choir for the singing of O Canada; the Hay River Handbell Choir for their unique performance, and the very talented Nahendeh Fiddlers from Fort Simpson and Wrigley for their performances over the lunch hour and our Honourary Reverend Peter Chynoweth today who lead us in prayer.
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Colleagues, on Friday, May 26th, the Legislative Assembly hosted a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation event in conjunction with the Dene Nation and the NWT Status of Women’s Council. The Assembly recognizes this day as the result of a motion moved by the Member for Sahtu, Mr. Norman Yakeleya, during the last session. The event was a great success and I would like to thank Mr. Yakeleya for his initiative and drive.
This week, we will be served by Pages from Yellowknife and they will become eye witnesses on how we do our work on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. I hope that they enjoy their experience and I am confident that they will do a great job for us.
I would like to draw your attention to the visitors’ gallery and I would like to recognize some special guests. First of all, the Legislative Assembly Conflict of Interest Commissioner and Ethics Councillor to the Public Service, Mr. Gerald Gerrand, is with us.
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Also, Justice Ted Richard who is a former Member of this House.
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And Katherine Peterson, a former Law Clerk to the Assembly.
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Thank you for joining us. Later today, at the rise of the House or at break, I would ask you to join us at a reception in the Great Hall for some refreshments and more entertainment by the Hay River Handbell Choir and the Nahendeh Fiddlers.
The Fourth Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly ended on March 2nd. I know that since that time all Members have been very busy attending various functions, doing committee work and getting caught up on constituency issues. Although this session is scheduled to be a reasonably short one, I look forward to some very lively debate and a very productive session as you address the issues and concerns of the residents you are here to represent. I ask only that you do so respecting each other and respecting the dignity of this House. Thank you for your attention, colleagues.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the government’s fiscal position and outlook.
Since February, a number of events have occurred that will impact our fiscal outlook, the most important being the federal budget on May 2nd and the release of two key reports on federal-provincial-territorial fiscal arrangements. We expect a third report to be released very shortly.
The federal budget included some good news for NWT residents and for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). The reduction in the GST from seven to six percent, along with a number if income tax measures, will decrease the tax burden and help lower the very high cost of living faced by our residents.
The federal budget’s proposal to increase the small business income threshold to $400,000 will encourage our small business sector. This increased threshold will also apply to the NWT small business tax rate. The immediate repeal of the 10 percent excise tax on jewellery is a positive signal for the diamond industry in Canada and for the development of our secondary diamond manufacturing industry in the NWT. Finally, the budget’s confirmation of support for the $500 million socio-economic impact fund for pipeline communities was welcome news.
With respect to the GNWT, the federal budget provides for up to $50 million for affordable housing for the NWT. This money meets the federal commitment references in my budget address in February and, when matched with an equivalent investment from this government, will allow for the construction of approximately 530 much needed new homes across the NWT over the next few years.
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The budget also included up to $3.6 million for other infrastructure programs and $1.9 million in additional funding through territorial formula financing in 2006-07. The final amounts to be provided for housing and other infrastructure will be known when the 2005-06 federal public accounts are finalized this fall and the size of the final federal surplus for the year is known.
Finally, the federal budget contained a commitment to consult with the Territories to put in place long-term fiscal arrangements that will support “transparent, principle-based territorial formula financing transfers that recognize the unique circumstances of the North.”
This commitment is critical, Mr. Speaker. In the past few months, two important reports have been released on the issue of fiscal arrangements. On April 3, the Council of the Federation Advisory Panel on Fiscal Imbalance submitted their report to provincial and territorial Premiers. This report concluded that there is a fiscal imbalance in Canada, an imbalance that favours the federal government. It also concluded that the three northern territories face enormous difficulties in providing basic public services to our residents and that we face important social issues. The Council of the Federation Advisory Panel on Fiscal Imbalance supported this government’s position that current territorial financing arrangements should be replaced with a formula-based approach tied to the expenditure needs and eligible revenues of each territory. The “fixed pool” approach currently being used is not appropriate.
The report also recommended that negotiations between Canada and the territories on devolution agreements be expedited. Northern governments must become the “principal beneficiaries of revenues and royalties” derived from northern resources. We welcome this support.
On May 2, along with his budget, the federal Minister of Finance released a report entitled “Restoring Fiscal Imbalance in Canada: Focusing on Priorities.” This report recognizes the issues created by the existence of large, unplanned federal surpluses. For the territories, the paper is a positive step in that it acknowledges territorial concerns about the cuts to formula financing made by Canada in the 1990s, and notes our consistent position that these cuts must be restored. Perhaps the most positive aspect of the paper is the commitment of the federal government and, in particular, the federal Minister of Finance, to engage the provinces and territories in discussions on the issues identified in the paper.
Mr. Speaker, we expect that within the next week or so the federal Minister of Finance will release the Report of the Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Formula Financing. This panel has a mandate to undertake an independent review of these two programs. The publication of this report sets the stage for formal discussions between Canada, the provinces and territories to address the outstanding fiscal issues. I will be updating Members on the report once it is released.
In this regard, the federal Minister of Finance, the Honourable James Flaherty, has laid out a process for reviewing federal-provincial-territorial fiscal arrangements. Minister Flaherty has committed to meet with his provincial and territorial colleagues, following the release of the report of the expert panel, to begin discussions. This meeting has been tentatively scheduled for the end of June. A number of other intergovernmental meetings will be held over the summer, with a First Ministers’ meeting to be held this fall. The 2007 federal budget will lay out the new fiscal arrangements. I look forward to meeting with Minister Flaherty to begin these very important discussions.
We have also raised another critical issue with the federal Minister of Finance. That issue is the lifting of the arbitrary $300 million limit that the federal government has imposed on our authority to borrow. Mr. Speaker, as I stated in February, this government is committed to fiscal responsibility. We have adopted and adhered to our fiscal responsibility policy, which sets clear guidelines and a responsible definition of acceptable borrowing limits.
Moody’s Investors Service has reviewed the fiscal plan we laid out in February, and has recently reconfirmed our Aa3 credit rating. At the close of this fiscal year, we are required to repay $290 million in corporate income tax to reflect an overpayment of taxes we received from Canada in 2002. We need to have the flexibility to meet our cash requirements and to borrow in a fiscally sound manner. The current borrowing limit goes against the principle of territorial political autonomy.
The budget I presented in February projected an operating surplus of $31 million for the current fiscal year. We are still on track to achieve this. However, the fiscal situation of the GNWT remains challenging. Resolution of the key issues of territorial formula financing and the borrowing limit are critical in order for us to effectively plan for the future. Until these matters are resolved, we will need to continue to be very cautious in our spending and our expectations.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to follow the path outlined in the budget. We will continue to make our case for adequate and appropriate fiscal arrangements with Canada and we will continue to pursue the fiscal tools and authorities that will allow us to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Roland. Before I go on to the next Minister's statement, I would like to draw your attention to the gallery again. As you can see, there's a number of dignitaries here today that will be introduced in due time; however, I would like to give a special welcome to Grand Chief George Mackenzie from the Tlicho Government who is here with us.
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With him is Mr. James Rabesca, a former Member of the 7th and 13th Assemblies.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the recent announcement of the affordable housing plan that will provide a $100 million investment in affordable housing in the Northwest Territories over the next three years.
As Members are aware, the 2006-07 Main Estimates of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation were prepared on the basis of commitment by the previous federal Housing Minister to provide $50 million over three years for new affordable housing. At that time, Members were informed that the comprehensive plan set out by the Housing Corporation to provide 530 units over three years was conditional on formal approval of this commitment by the incoming government.
I am pleased to inform Members that the announcement of this funding in the recent federal budget means that our plan will proceed as proposed.
Mr. Speaker, I have worked closely with my colleagues in the Yukon and Nunavut to convince the Government of Canada to make additional investments in affordable housing north of 60. The result of these efforts in the recently announced Northern Housing Trust, $500 million of which will be delivered to the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, this investment is the result of a concerted effort to lobby the federal government for additional funding. The Housing Corporation sent a series of proposals to the federal government outlining a plan to deliver 530 units over three years with a $50 million contribution from the federal government to be matched by existing GNWT resources.
Mr. Speaker, this investment will allow us to make major improvements to housing conditions in communities where core need remains high. With this funding, every community in the Northwest Territories will see additional units constructed over the next three years.
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Conditions in our public housing units will be improved, and more eligible clients will be able to become homeowners. But we must keep in mind that delivering an investment of this magnitude will require commitments from several key stakeholders to ensure that it is completed successfully.
Land development will be a key component of this strategy. The Housing Corporation will be working together with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and community governments to meet the goals of the affordable housing plan. All avenues will be considered to ensure "on-the-ground" housing for NWT residents over the next three years of this funding commitment. The formation of partnerships and community support will be key factors in achieving the plan.
Mr. Speaker, in partnership with the federal government we have renewed our commitment to building new affordable housing in the Northwest Territories and across Canada. This investment represents a new beginning in our efforts to lower core need and to ensure that every resident of our territory has an adequate and affordable home in which to live and raise families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the contributions that persons with disabilities provide to our communities. This year, Disability Awareness Week is recognized in the NWT from May 28th until June 3rd. The theme for this year is Living, Working and Educating Together - Include People with Disabilities.
Disability can affect all of us directly or indirectly at any point in our lives. The onus of responsibility is upon us all to include people with disabilities in every aspect of life. The important message that comes with this is that we focus on people's abilities, rather than define them by their disabilities.
The Department of Health and Social Services, in partnership with other social program departments and agencies, continues to work at improving services for persons with disabilities. Partnerships with non-government agencies and the disability communities are critical if we are to better meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
For example, the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities is expanding the Community Outreach programs to include Wekweeti, Gameti, Fort Simpson, Inuvik, Hay River and Behchoko, as well as the existing office in Fort Smith. The department has committed funding for the next three years to support the development of Community Outreach programs.
Recent developments in the creation of accessible housing, transportation and recreational facilities have improved the quality of life for persons with disabilities in our communities.
On June 5th, there will be a Disability Awareness Week celebration in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly at noon. I will be presenting Ms. Rae Celotti with an award for her work on behalf of persons with disabilities. Ms. Celotti has been a visible supporter for this cause for over 30 years. Since 1997, she has worked as the program coordinator for EmployABILITY, an employment program for individuals with disabilities.
Mr. Speaker, during Disability Awareness Week, let us recognize people like Ms. Celotti who make a different in our territory. I would also like to ask Members of this House to applaud persons with disabilities throughout the NWT as a gesture of thanks for their contributions and the strength they provide to our friends, families and communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Joe Handley will be absent from the House today and tomorrow to participate in the Western Premiers' Conference and the Leaders' Summit on North American Relations in Gimli, Manitoba. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this, the very first occasion to speak in this Fifth Session of the 15th Assembly, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak about something that has been at the forefront of my mind over the least seven weeks, and that is the labour dispute between Ekati diamond mine and its bargaining unit, the Union of Northern Workers.
Mr. Speaker, I believe I join everyone else in the House when I say how encouraged we are that the parties are back at the negotiating table as we speak, and how much we wish, in the interest of all parties involved, that they will reach an agreement that will bring an end to this labour dispute that has gone on for too long.
Hear! Hear!
Mr. Speaker, the emergence and prosperity of the diamond mine industry have benefited our city and many surrounding communities enormously. However, if this labour dispute continues for much longer, more workers may choose to leave the city, as some have done already, and we will lose much of what we have gained. We will lose not only the skilled tradespeople, but also their spouse, many of whom are employed in many important sectors in our economy, whether they be teachers, nurses or small business operators. Goodness knows, Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to lose any of them from our community.
Mr. Speaker, I could tell you that this strike has been unbearably difficult for all parties concerned, especially for the members of the bargaining union, no matter on which side they sit on the picket line. I have talked to many of them for long hours on the phone or in face-to-face meetings. The workers do have legitimate claims for job security, wage parity and fairness, and the company agrees that these need to be addressed. It is for this reason I'd like to take this opportunity to call upon all parties involved once again to set aside their differences or obstacles they cannot overcome at the moment, and work on what can be agreed and come to a resolution.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I do hope that the latest round of negotiations will result in a settlement. But if it does not, I'll again be calling upon the Premier to show his leadership, to use his power and influence to keep the parties talking, to become more involved than he has done so far, including his influence to call upon the federal Minister of Labour to intervene to bring this dispute to a close as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and welcome my colleagues on their safe journey to attend the Fifth Session of the Legislative Assembly; also to the Nahendeh Fiddlers, Sir John Franklin High School and Hay River Handbell Choir on their fine performance to open the session.
Hear! Hear!
Over the last two months I had the opportunity to travel to a number of special events in the riding of Nunakput. Mr. Speaker, the residents of Ulukhaktok invited me to celebrate an historic event to commemorate their official name change from Holman to Ulukhaktok on April 1, 2006. I am proud of the residents of Ulukhaktok in their determination and hard work to find their identity in the language and culture of Ulukhaktok.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, there was disappointment from the residents of Ulukhaktok when there was no one from the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Municipal and Community Affairs to help celebrate this special occasion.
Shame, shame.
Mr. Speaker, on two other occasions I travelled with Parks Canada and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation personnel to Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour to celebrate the opening of two of Parks Canada's new culture and language centres respectively. These two offices reflect the diversity of the culture, wildlife and environment in the Tuktut Nogiat and Aulivik national parks. I encourage the people of the Northwest Territories and Canada and internationally to visit these two offices, and also prepare to spend time in the national parks. The establishment of these two parks stem from the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Mr. Speaker, many elders and government personnel were involved in the preparation of these two offices. I would like to thank and congratulate the people of Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour for their warm welcome and friendly hospitality, and to Parks Canada for the invitation to the opening of these two offices. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It's been estimated that here in the Northwest Territories some 8,800 people have or will experience some form of mental illness or addiction disorder in their lifetimes. Further, Mr. Speaker, it's been predicted that the number and complexity of these disorders will increase significantly, with service demands up by 50 percent. This was an estimate made eight years ago, Mr. Speaker.
For those individuals and their families, a sad reality is that our government services have actually been badly eroded over the past decade. Here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, we've seen agencies like Northern Addictions Services, Structured Success Program for Kids, NWT Family Counselling, and the Somba K'e Healing Lodge shut down for a variety of reasons since 1997. The latest in this regrettable legacy was the surprise decision by the Minister of Health and Social Services a year ago to cancel an approved building renovation project and move the Territorial Treatment Centre from its 15-year-long roots here in Yellowknife. The idea was that a recently vacated building in Hay River could also be renovated and the whole continuum of about 15 staff, the involvement of schools, hospitals, and other service agencies, could all be transplanted successfully, economically, and seamlessly. As we now know, Mr. Speaker, this decision was made in contravention of rules set up by the government’s own Financial Administration Act; and more to the point, we know that through the admission of the deputy minister at the time that this was all being done for political purposes.
I’d remind the Assembly, Mr. Speaker, of the petition tabled last fall signed by 707 residents demanding that this program be continued in Yellowknife. Since then the issue has become even more clouded with the decisions, more snap decisions made in secret when the government changed the program from a renovation to a demolition of the building and a new project, all projected to be completed within the next 15 months for a September 2007 opening at the original budget of $3.1 million. Mr. Speaker, this just does not compute. I come back to the demand of the 707 people who signed the petition to continue the service here in Yellowknife, Mr. Speaker, not for politics, not for money…
Mr. Braden, your time for Member’s statement has expired.
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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, firstly I would like to welcome all the Members back to the Legislative Assembly for this spring session. Spring is here and the buzz is in the air in Nahendeh, and the buzz is not that spring came early, but it’s about the recent announcement the Premier made regarding $50 million for the extension of the highway along the Ingraham Trail. More and more I’m hearing it being referred to as Joe’s highway.
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Mr. Speaker, I’m not against infrastructure enhancement or expansion in other regions of the Northwest Territories. Regional and community leadership and residents of Nahendeh have expressed the concern that previous and current transportation initiatives that were committed to by this government should be honoured and completed before other projects are considered. Highways No. 1 and No. 7 are critical transportation routes that need all the funding they can get. Communities and regions worked long and hard to acquire the funding and commitment from this government for badly needed transportation infrastructure, enhancement, or expansions. Recently, the honourable Minister of Transportation was placed between a rock and a hard place and had to make a difficult decision. The option that he chose was to transfer $1 million from the Nahendeh to the Sahtu. Both highway projects have been in the works for quite some time and very important to the regions. We should not be robbing Peter for Paul, or, in this case, Kevin for Norman…
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…if we have the financial capacity. The Premier’s political statement is sending a message that this Ingraham work is a priority of this administration. This also means that we will have an additional competition of an already scarce and overstretched budget. As activities and commerce increase, not just in specific areas of the Northwest Territories but in all regions, so too must infrastructure enhancements and expansion dollars. This is critical to progressive development in the regional capacity building, something this government has expressed support for time and time again.
In closing, this government must complete planned projects long before new ones are initiated, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi cho.
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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to comment on one subject. We had a celebration last week. There was approximately 12 graduated students last week. It’s the school of Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. Every year we’re having more and more success in graduating, which we are very proud of. Next week there will be a graduation of four students in Whati. (Translation ends)
…a very important event that just occurred last week. The Tlicho Nation celebrated a 13th high school graduation since Grade 12 became available within the region. It was certainly a huge day for the proud Tlicho Nation, Mr. Speaker. There were 25 graduates from Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School in Behchoko and four graduates from Mezi School in Whati early next week. This just as the growing numbers of high school graduates; Tlicho citizens pursuing post-secondary education, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, Tlicho high schools are producing among the highest aboriginal student graduation rates in the North and are known across Canada for their achievement.
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The Tlicho leadership and staff of both schools deserve a big pat on the back. They have done a tremendous job since the inception of both high schools. With the addition of these new grads to our growing numbers of post-secondary students down south, we are proud to say that we have more than 100 students enrolled in post-secondary education, Mr. Speaker. Their dreams are being fulfilled and Tlicho Nation is watching their success with pride.
Mr. Speaker, it is our dream that one day these post-secondary students will come back to our region or even to other regions of this wonderful North that we’re living in and pursue their careers as professionals and skilled workers. We will be looking up to these talented community members and we will continue to be there to support them through their journey, Mr. Speaker. Well done, grads, this is your big day. Congratulations to you all on behalf of the Tlicho citizens. Mahsi.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there’s a lot of activity in the North right now. Spring is in the air and there is excitement and optimism about our economy. At a recent Meet the North Conference in Edmonton, I have never seen more networking and deal making going on. There is an expectancy surrounding the possibilities of the Mackenzie gas project. The Joint Review Panel will be in Hay River next week to commence their hearings in our region.
Amid all this flurry of activity, though, there hangs a backdrop of uncertainty as to how northerners are going to benefit from resource development. The development agenda is out in front of the agenda on devolution and resource revenue sharing.
Some northerners say that we will benefit through opportunities for northern business and this will be assured through a comprehensive socio-economic agreement. Some say that we’ll only realize long-term benefits through an equity position in the pipeline itself. Others say that levying a property-type tax is the answer. Still others would argue for regionally negotiated access and benefit agreements. These are just some of the ways proposed in which northerners could benefit from resource development. I say "could," Mr. Speaker, because we’re arguably a long ways away from these avenues being nailed down.
So what would it take to conclude these discussions and negotiations? Well, it would take leadership and support of that leadership. It would be an understatement to say that anyone doing business in the North might be confused by northern politics. When our Premier goes to Ottawa to promote devolution and resource revenue sharing positions someone is sure to get their name and their picture in the media right after declaring to the world that he does not speak for us. Some support a unified voice for aboriginal government through the Aboriginal Summit, but then we’ve heard grumblings that the chiefs don’t support their positions. The Dene Nation was another institution that was going to unify the voices of our northern regions, but one might wonder about the credibility of an organization that has been trying to remove their democratically elected chief since the day she went into office.
Development is coming and we can maximize benefit to northerners or not. It might be interesting to consider how much more effectively we could advance our agenda if we could support and respect the leadership that is in place and that has been elected to speak for us in all of our respective governments and organizations. If you think you can do a better job than the person who’s doing it now, I’ll tell you what, when it comes election time, you run and you show us. But in the meantime, in order to advance our agenda, let’s support the people that are in office now. Thank you.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An issue that’s been really upsetting and unsettling for me is that of the proposed relocation of the Territorial Treatment Centre to Hay River. During both the June and October 2005 sessions, I questioned how it was that the Department of Health and Social Services could move capital dollars and a project from one community to another without any consultation with affected Members or committees.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, the government and Minister Miltenberger were adamant that every rule in the FAM directive was followed, but a very strange thing took place on the heels of questions about the project in June of last year. The government went out and made some very substantive revisions to that very same FAM directive. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Did they learn anything, Mr. Speaker? Apparently not. It is clear that the decision that was made by the Minister and government to relocate the program was based solely on political motives. The only notion that gave any legitimacy whatsoever to the move was the fact that Hay River had a building, the former Dene K’onia facility that the department was looking to renovate.
The Minister said it himself last October, and I quote, “the fact that it was cost neutral, there was already money in the capital budget that could be used to upgrade Dene K’onia, the fact that there was a facility.” Those were, as the Minister stated, key factors in making the decision.
This spring it came as an absolute shock that an ad appeared to demolish Dene K’onia. This shocked parents of the children at the Territorial Treatment Centre, the staff at the Territorial Treatment Centre and Members of this House who, last year, were told one thing and this year we are going to be force fed a different scenario.
How could it be that the Minister and government, for the second time in less than a year, ignore its own FAM directive, did not consult, communicate, or advise any Members of this House even though a substantive key element to this political shell game had changed?
I am finding it very hard to believe that demolition and construction for this project can be completed for the $3.1 million that is there. I am finding it even harder to understand why this program must even relocate, given the new circumstances that have arisen. If you want to put a new residential treatment program in Hay River, then go ahead. Plan for it. No one is going to stand in your way. But, Mr. Minister, please, I implore you, revisit the decision to relocate the TTC. The factors are obviously much different today than they were last year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on May 24th at 12:17 p.m., an event happened that changed my life forever. That event, Mr. Speaker, was the birth of my very first grandchild.
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My grandson was born to my daughter Kim and her husband, Raymond. What this has to do with the Legislative Assembly, that is a good question. I am glad you all asked it. As I held the boy for the first time, I had a new perspective on what I do for a living. I wondered what was in store for him. I wondered about his future and the future of the other children that were born in Inuvik. We have had a few of them in the last couple of weeks, Mr. Speaker. I wondered if he would be able to benefit from the resources that we seem to have a lot of here, but seem to be getting nothing out of. I was wondering, in 17 years when he graduated from high school, if SFA was going to be straightened out and would be fair to him and his graduating class. If he decided to become a tradesman, will he be able to be trained under local tradesmen that were trained during the building of the pipeline and not 10 years after it? Seriously, I was wondering if he would have any caribou or birds left to hunt as he got older. It is something that we should all be asking and we should be looking after.
Mr. Speaker, the 15th Assembly, along with the aboriginal governments of the Northwest Territories, we have a unique opportunity here to shape the future for our children and our grandchildren. We shouldn’t let them down. Since I have been here, I have chosen my words very carefully. Now that I am a grandpa, I don’t have to because it is expected of us. So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, it takes a whole community to raise children and provide for them. In our case, because we are so small, our whole community is the Northwest Territories. If my daughter and son-in-law don’t lock me out, I will be doing more than my fair share providing for my new grandson. Thank you.
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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome all the Members back to the 15th Legislative Assembly. I welcome all the people in the gallery here today. I am looking forward to seeing some positive outcomes and results of this fifth spring session.
Mr. Speaker, my constituency of Tu Nedhe, some of the ongoing initiatives such as the Taltson hydro expansion project, the Snap Lake diamond project, the Gahcho Kue project and the remediation of the Hook Lake bison recovery project are just a few of this government’s priorities in my region which I am glad to see are moving forward and will provide my constituents, along with many northerners, with new employment opportunities and improved living conditions. These, along with many other community-based initiatives like the Lutselk’e arena which is nearing its completion this fall, and the Lutselk’e tank farm initiative, and the Deninu Kue sawmill are also just some of the initiatives that I would like to continue to move forward on but are still very dependent on the unrelenting cooperation and support of this government and that this government has provided and hopefully will continue to provide going on into the future.
Although the future does look bright for my constituency of Tu Nedhe and many northerners in general, Mr. Speaker, with the many economic development projects being brought forward by industry, government and community organizations like the First Nations, Metis and community councils, there are also many other social issues that tend to get overshadowed by all of these big picture items. Mr. Speaker, it will be these issues and concerns and health, education, housing, capacity building and community governance in our smaller communities that I will be raising in this House during this Fifth Session. Many of these so-called social ills sometimes may seem insignificant and petty, but to the uneducated single mother or father living in a dilapidated two-bedroom public housing unit with their four kids, any opportunity and support I can provide through this government which offers them some sense of hope, dignity and strength to carry on, I will definitely take action on. I hope that our government embraces the same earnest desire and passionate enthusiasm of support.
We, as Members of this Legislative Assembly, will encourage our colleagues, our employees, our subordinates and our bureaucratic system to follow the same lead in addressing and resolving in a tolerable and dignified manner all of these reiterated but curable issues and concerns that are being raised in this House over the course of four years. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
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Merci, Monsieur President. Mr. Speaker, it has been three and a half years since Stanton Territorial Hospital last had a board. Since that time, this hospital has been under the direct control of the Minister, the Department of Health and Social Services and through a public administrator. In 2003, the Minister, and I have to say with some credible vision, established a Joint Leadership Council made up by the Minister, the deputy minister, and the chairs of all the health and social service authorities around our NWT. The mandate of this council includes providing advice, general guidance to the public administrator on the operation of the hospital. At the time, the establishment of the council was a positive step. Its side benefits included some increased opportunities of sharing information and coordination among regional health boards across our territory. But, Mr. Speaker, while the appointment of the public administrator may have been a good temporary solution for Stanton hospital, the isolated authority should have come with an expiry date. Therefore, the time has come to reinstate a governance board to ensure that public accountability and decision-making is made in a way that is representative of our Northwest Territories.
This paradigm shift could be easily made by simply formalizing the existence of the Joint Leadership Council that the Minister created several years ago, by giving them the governance authority and responsibility for policy development, oversight, planning and budgeting of our hospital. The existence of this council has the capacity to carry out this mandate. They also have the skills. We wouldn’t need to create additional bureaucracy administration. Mr. Speaker, in a territory that is so short of financial funds, this would be a smart and wise use of our resources.
Mr. Speaker, it is time that this Minister take that strident leap and show some leadership and give the governance board back to the hospital. Mr. Speaker, I believe that a formal appointment of the Joint Leadership Council as the new board for Stanton would go a long way in strengthening public accountability and regional involvement in that hospital. Mr. Speaker, it is truly a territorial facility. Mr. Speaker, later during the day, at the appropriate time, I will have positive and reasonable suggestions for this Minister who, I am sure, will be very interested in cleaning up this lack of accountability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to say, listening to the Sir John choir that was here, that was beautiful music. I thought I was in heaven. Then I heard the bells over there. Gee, I must be really in heaven. It was an awesome job. Mr. Speaker, I want to say it was awesome by the hidden talent in the Northwest Territories. It reminds me of my statement today in terms of what I am going to say about the residential school for the Northwest Territories.
This government has made history in terms of having the first and being the only jurisdiction in Canada to recognize and observe on May 26th as a national day for residential school for healing and reconciliation. It is a big step for us. It gives a lot of commitment and support to the people who are dealing with residential schools in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, there are roughly, in my estimate and research, over 23 residential schools in the Northwest Territories right down the Mackenzie Valley. The earliest being the 1865, the latest about both in 1996. That is over 131 years of residential schools experiences in the Northwest Territories. Every community that we visit, there is someone that has been impacted by the residential school experiences. Good or bad, right or wrong, they had the experience for themselves, their parents or brothers or sisters. There are a lot of people in the communities. This government observing May 26th really gives them the support and gives them help. I also want to take a step further by asking that this government somehow formulate with all this complexity of the residential schools and helping the people have some form of central unit that would help the people in the communities with the early payments, with the healing and all the other stuff that needs to go on to get this experience out once and for all and start the real human process.
I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that our people in our communities are looking at the healing mode. They are looking at healing within their families and in the communities. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to be part of this legislation that gives history to Canada and again the Northwest Territories is not shy of a good fight when it comes to it. I think we all show that through May 26th. Thank you very much.
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today to be able to welcome the Hay River Handbell Choir in the Chamber. I understand you are going to introduce them individually when they perform for us again in the Great Hall. I just wanted to say welcome. Thank you for coming. I would also like to recognize my constituency assistant, Wendy Morgan. Thank you.
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Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I realize there are lots of VIPs in the gallery and everyone else I would like to welcome them, but there are a group of people that are really important and they are the senior citizens from Aven’s Court. It includes, of course, my mother and all her neighbours. I would like to welcome my mother, Taejeong Lee, and the lady who lives behind her, Sandra Taylor, the lady who lives next to her, Esther Braden, and the man who lives across from the field, Mr. Ed Jeske, and Vivian Squires who just started working for the Seniors' Society and is looking after all of them. I would like to welcome them today. Thank you.
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Thank you, Ms. Lee. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) Today, I would like to recognize our leaders in the Tlicho region; our grand chief, George Mackenzie, and with him is James Rabesca. He is also with the Tlicho Government. I thank them very much for coming to listen to our meeting.
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Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition to those who have already been recognized, I would like to recognize some of the RCMP leadership who continue to keep our community safe. Yellowknife Detachment Commander Roch Fortin; Superintendent Rick Roy; Inspector Jim Cunningham; and, Chief Superintendent Pat McCloskey.
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Mr. Speaker, in addition, on behalf of my colleague, Michael McLeod, I would also like to recognize his big brother Bob. Thank you.
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