Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you. Welcome, colleagues, as we resume the session of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Although we have all been very busy over the past five or so weeks absorbing departmental briefings, setting up constituency offices and arranging for staff, becoming familiar with new portfolios, as we have also had an opportunity to work together as 19 Members to examine issues facing the residents of the Northwest Territories, I sense that we are filled with energy and resolve. We are fortunate and honoured to have been elected by our constituents to guide the Northwest Territories through the next four years. Today, as we sit together in this House, I would like to remind all Members of the words in the Code of Conduct which you adopted at the last sitting of the House. Members vow to fulfill your duties with integrity and honour and I will hold each of you to that vow. It is my duty as Speaker to do no less.

There are many decisions made in this House and although we may not always agree with these decisions, we must always remember to treat each other with respect, dignity and understanding. There is room for lively debate, for thoughtful comments and questions, and for informed and careful decision-making. With you, I look forward to the next four years.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend the condolences of this House to those who have lost loved ones in recent weeks. We have lost the guidance of several respected beloved elders and of aviation and industry pioneers. We will miss the knowledge and love of the land they all possessed, as well as their commitment to the people of the North. They will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and communities.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and privilege to stand here today as the Premier of the Northwest Territories. I appreciate the confidence and trust Members of this Assembly and people across the territory have placed in me. Along with the members of my Cabinet, we commit to all northerners that we will take decisions with a view to the future, anchored in a profound sense of responsibility for the kind of society our children and grandchildren will inherit. I am confident we will tackle the difficult choices necessary to position our

territory to have a prosperous and sustainable future, which means looking far beyond a four-year horizon.

As I stand here today, I’m struck by how much has changed in the recent history of our territory. I have often spoken of my father, how he knew the traditional subsistence life was changing to a wage-based economy. His life was about day-to-day survival to meet his family’s basic needs. Like so many of our elders, his life was defined by a strong bond to the land; one that provided shelter and food to feed his family. His life was all about giving his children the tools to succeed in what he knew would be a very different future.

Today, our lives are vastly different: snowmobiles, airplanes and ice roads; office buildings, computers and cell phones; diamond mines; exploration for oil and gas and the potential of the Mackenzie gas project; children going to school to get a formal education, helping them compete in today’s ever changing labour market; small businesses building their future in communities across the NWT; and tourists coming here from around the world.

The change has been dramatic and yet there is a strong thread that weaves its way through our history to where we stand today, on the brink of unprecedented opportunity. We have not forgotten our history or our traditions. We have not lost our attachment to the land and our respect for each other and for the gifts of our environment. We have created a very special place here in the North. In the midst of the challenges we face, that strong thread will anchor our vision to the future and guide the decisions we make.

As we look to the future, I’m filled with hope and confidence about what we can achieve if we work together. Like all parents, we want to leave a better place for our children and their children to come. We can build a strong and prosperous territory; a healthier future where our young people will not suffer from the devastating impact of alcohol and violence that has ruined far too many families, and a stronger, more sustainable economy across the NWT. We can also protect and preserve our environment, our traditions and the values and culture that define us.

All of that is achievable, but only if we make the right choices today. Only if we agree that it’s time to act, and act together.

I said that our territory is on the brink of unprecedented opportunity. I don’t think I’m overstating where we stand today. We are blessed with a wealth of resources; resources that can be tapped to build a balanced and diversified economy. The Mackenzie gas project, continued activities in the diamond and mineral industry and hydro power, all part of our great potential. It is time for us to turn this potential into economic opportunity in all 33 NWT communities, jobs for our people, contracts for northern businesses, and self-reliance of our communities.

Our young people are becoming more educated and skilled. The health of our people is improving. This means residents are better able to take advantage of the opportunities before them.

We have demonstrated we can govern responsibly and make good use of our resources. There is growing recognition, not just at the territorial level, but nationally and internationally as well, that the wealth of NWT resources will soon be a critical component in the strength and health of our nation’s economy.

Against that backdrop of opportunity, let’s be clear about some of the challenges we face. There are high and unrealistic expectations that our government can be all things to all people and solve all problems. This dependency on all levels of government stifles creativity and ambition and keeps us from moving forward. As self-governments are established, all governments should have the capacity to meet their responsibilities as part of an affordable and sustainable system of governance. We need to balance maximizing benefits from resource development with supporting other opportunities for economic diversification. We know our environment is fragile. Communities have yet to see the full impact of what warmer temperatures could bring. We continue to be too dependent on the federal government. We still have to work out a deal that will allow us to manage our rich resource potential and flow development dollars into the NWT.

Addressing those challenges and seizing the opportunities to build a better future for the NWT must be the primary focus for this 16th Assembly. As Members of this Assembly, it is our duty to chart the next course, to respond to the dreams and aspirations of our constituents and, most important, to make decisions and move forward.

That means making some difficult choices. Last week, Members of this Assembly met and talked about our vision, goals and priorities. There is a clear recognition among Members that we must sharpen our focus, develop a set of priorities and act on those. As was commented on during the discussions, “If everything is a priority, nothing is.” I could not agree more.

There are difficult but essential questions we need to address. What are the most pressing priorities? Where can we have the greatest impact, not just over the next four years, but for the longer-term future of our territory? And toughest of all, should more of our existing resources be focussed on our highest priority areas?

I look forward to working with Members to finalize the vision, goals and priorities for the 16th Legislative Assembly. These priorities will be supported by specific actions and initiatives to be set out in our strategic plan, and based on sound and responsible fiscal management. It is my intention to table the government's strategic plan, based on the Assembly's vision, goals and priorities, early in the new year.

It is important that we are an effective and efficient government. As a Member of this Assembly and now the Premier, I'm proud of what we have achieved over the years. But the reality is, we are spending over a billion dollars a year and we need to assure people across the territory that we are spending those dollars on the right priorities and achieving the best possible outcomes. There is no end of worthwhile initiatives we could fund, but we risk reducing our effectiveness if we don't target our efforts where they can have the greatest impact.

To improve effectiveness, we need to recognize the connections between individual decisions and programs, between health and education, or economic developments and environmental impacts. We need to also broaden our view to look out 10, 20 or even 50 years from now and engage Canada as a partner as we build a sustainable future for our territory.

It is critical for our government to support people where they live. We all know about the challenges in our communities. It's time to address those challenges and take action: to create opportunities for people to work and build businesses, to reduce the high cost of living, and to provide the infrastructure and services so many Canadians take for granted.

An ongoing commitment to protect and preserve our environment must guide every decision and choice that we make. Of all the gifts we have been given in the North, our environment is one of the most precious. Development must continue to be undertaken in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The health and wellness of our people is a pressing concern. Instead of continuing to focus solely on reaction to the social issues in our communities, it's time to shift the focus to prevention. We should encourage people to stay healthy, take concerted actions to prevent illness and injury and help build a healthier future for our children. One of the most important steps we can take is to make sure all our children get a sound start in life, that their first five years are healthy and positive. Children should begin school ready to learn and able to keep learning through high school and beyond.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we need to tackle the fiscal challenges of our territory head on. We have been too dependent on the federal government for the past 40 years. But that's not what we want for the future. We want strong individuals, families and communities. We want to take full responsibility for our future. We must be able to manage, control and make decisions to govern resource development and to benefit from its revenue in our territory. With that, we will be able to take a stronger place at national tables where key issues affecting our territory and the rest of Canada are addressed. We want to partner with Canada on many initiatives, including major infrastructure projects. We can only do that from a position of confidence, of fiscal strength and independence.

Mr. Speaker, our government believes that this 16th Assembly will be a turning point for our territory. We will approach the choices we need to make thoughtfully, as partners with the people we serve, and with our eyes focussed firmly on the future of the NWT.

As Premier, I will do my part to keep our work focussed on a bright and prosperous future for our children and their children to come. My Cabinet and I will work with Members of this Assembly and all northerners to make the necessary decisions, knowing how difficult that may be at times. We will work hard to ensure taxpayers' money is spent wisely and for the benefit of individuals, families and communities across the territory.

Together we can shape a proud new vision for the future of our territory. We can make our ancestors proud and maintain the strong thread of traditions, culture and values that weaves through our lives today, connects us to the past, and shapes the way to the future.

It is an exciting time to be a Member of this Assembly. It is an exciting time to raise a family, create a business, seize an opportunity, and build a better future for our territory. And now, Mr. Speaker, it's time to get to work. Quanami.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Frame Lake, that Minister’s Statement 1-16(1) be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. A motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. All those in favour? Opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Minister’s Statement 1-16(1) will be moved into Committee of the Whole for consideration.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to speak today of day care matters. Yes, Mr. Speaker, day care matters to families in the North and in particular to my constituents.

We have to take a serious look at the state of affairs for our children and their care, Mr. Speaker. How do we provide day care in the NWT? Do we do sufficient work? Do we provide sufficient standards to make sure that they’re safe in that place? Do we provide appropriate training? Do we provide access to training? Do we provide appropriate funding? We need to take a serious look at how we fund these agencies and organizations that provide safe and secure places for our kids to go during the day.

Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure it’s affordable, because our average hard-working family is finding this to be a difficult and daunting task. Good and affordable day care, Mr. Speaker, is a foundation of an appropriate investment to all of our futures. I fear without that investment, this is an area where we are punishing the working family, Mr. Speaker. We need to allow people to work, earn a living, and still be confident that their children are receiving the head start that they deserve. We cannot afford to contribute to another crisis to the working family. Eight hundred dollars per child per month is really out of reach for the average family. This government has seen the signs and the signals, but it’s time that they act.

Mr. Speaker, in the 2006-2007 fiscal year only 92 families in the entire Territories receive funds through the childcare user subsidy. How can this be? With 4,500 children in the NWT under the age of five, are parents unaware of this program or is the threshold just too high for them to qualify? We need to have a serious look at how we support our day care options. Funding based on daily attendance rates does not make sense. There are fixed costs that these operations must adjust for, given registration and capacity issues. The onus is placed unfairly on the shoulders of these operations to make sure that everything works okay; but when it doesn’t, it certainly goes down the toilet quick.

Formulas must find middle ground, Mr. Speaker, because we must make sure, we must ensure that these operations are always open and always able to take kids. Last month we had a crisis in Yellowknife where they had to send kids home because they could not afford to keep those doors open. That cannot happen again.

Mr. Speaker, this government needs to respond by making sure that their options for good…

Mr. Hawkins, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement? Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, the government must make sure that day care is accessible and reliable to all her citizens and definitely our parents, because we have to be providing programs for those we care about most.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later today, because day care matters, truly matters, to my constituency and the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the recent announcement in regards to regulatory reform in the Northwest Territories by the Minister of Indian Affairs, Chuck Strahl, on November 7th.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister appointed Neil McCrank, a person from the South again who is involved with the regulatory agency out of Alberta. But yet, Mr. Speaker, I believe it’s time that the North took its place in managing its own resources, its own regulatory system, but, more importantly, looking at what we already have and seeing exactly what’s working and what’s not.

Mr. Speaker, it’s nice to hear that Ottawa is taking the issue in regards to the interest of the people of the Northwest Territories. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act -- the land claims have been settled in the Northwest Territories -- was basically implemented through federal legislation. Yet, Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit Environmental Impact Review Board, the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act implements the regulatory boards up and down the Mackenzie Valley. But yet, Mr. Speaker, nowhere in the Northwest Territories has the federal government lived up to its obligation under existing legislation by way of ensuring that the regulatory boards and agencies have the tools to make decisions based on fundamental factors.

Mr. Speaker, one of the points I’d like to raise is land use planning. Mr. Speaker, under the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act, land use planning is an integrated process for decision-making. Yet, Mr. Speaker, under the Northwest Territories environmental audit in 2005, the main report states less than one-fifth of the area covered in the Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act is protected largely by establishing land use plans.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has the tools already in those legislation. It just takes a little bit of commitment and will by the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories to enact those regulatory responsibilities for the people of the Northwest Territories, to protect our lands, resources, our environment, for the benefit of all northerners and future generations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of the Environment. Thank you.

---Applause

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

I have been talking in my language about the need to provide recreation opportunities for the youth in the communities of Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution. Youth in the larger communities have an opportunity to be involved in a number of activities. Opportunities for our youth in the communities I represent are limited. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, one of the problems that smaller communities’ councils have in meeting the needs of the population is in making those hard decisions on how to spend money that is provided by the territorial government.

Giving the communities the power to set their own priorities and plan for their own infrastructure need is a noble concept in empowering the communities. However, Mr. Speaker, I would argue that the amount of money that flows to the communities that I represent is barely enough to deliver the programs that they are required to do, let alone build infrastructure that could keep the youth out of conflict with the law.

Mr. Speaker, the youth in my communities need youth centres to hang out in; places where they could access programs and services like tutoring or study help while being supervised in a safe, sober environment. MACA has come up with the money for a youth centre in Lutselk’e, but the youth centre in Fort Resolution is still not operational. I believe that if we keep the youths' minds and bodies busy with sports, academics and social opportunities, they will be less likely to get into trouble.

The government has a responsibility to future generations. The New Deal, in my mind, downloads the decision-making process on funding for infrastructure to the communities, thus making them the bad guys instead of the Government of the NWT. This works for larger tax-based communities who have the ability to leverage money from banks to complete needed infrastructure projects in a timely manner. Smaller community means smaller block funding, smaller pots of money, meaning that it would be unlikely the bank would get involved with those communities.

Later on today I will have questions for the Minister of MACA on the adequacy of block funding in smaller communities and just what the department is doing to help the community meet their needs, infrastructure needs in relation to youth. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2005, the 15th Assembly released a declaration on volunteering which demonstrated the government’s commitment to work with organizations that represent the diversity of the voluntary sector and support the voluntary sector through active partnerships and leadership on such programs as the NWT Volunteer Support Initiative, which is the VSI, and the related finance action group.

Volunteering in organizations within the voluntary sector supports community wellness and helps all northerners build the kind of communities that we all want to live in, for both families and individuals. Through the voluntary sector, people have had the ability to come together, take action, and come up with solutions to the common problems that improve the quality of life for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

The sector is broad and includes voluntary organizations which support the arts and culture, actively engage youth and adults in organized sports, and provide social programming to northerners in need and/or crisis. The sector includes organizations that are purely volunteer-based, as well as non-government organizations which employ staff in order to provide administration and respond to the wishes of their membership. All add to the strength of communities. Given the nature of the sector, organizations within it are able to respond to community and individual needs far quicker than the government.

As part of the government’s declaration, it was recognized that helping others is a shared tradition of northerners and that open, informed, and sustained dialogue with the NWT voluntary sector was, and is, required between the sector and government. As such, in compliance with the government’s commitment to support the voluntary sector, the GNWT appointed the Minister of MACA as the Minister responsible for addressing voluntary sector issues and accounting for the NWT VSI. Unfortunately, although MACA has done some work with the Volunteer Support Initiative and the finance action group, the sector continues to struggle and their ability to provide services to meet local needs and advocate for the marginalized and under-represented individual groups and their cause is being compromised.

Many of the organizations within the sector feel that the lack of progress may be related to the lack of the GNWT staff dedicated to this area, as well as the lack of government-wide approach on supporting the sector itself.

May 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. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The catch is now figuring out where I was. Alright.

Further, they feel that some of these challenges may be overcome by assigning the responsibility, mandate and accountability for implementing the government’s commitment to the Executive under one Minister.

Mr. Speaker, later this afternoon I’ll be asking the Premier some questions regarding the effectiveness of having the responsibility for the voluntary sector under the Department of MACA and how the government intends to move forward in order to provide the support committed to the voluntary sector in March 2005. Thank you.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker…(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about the ongoing problems with buffalo in Fort Liard. The community of Fort Liard has had serious concerns about the free-roaming buffalo in and around their community. The buffalo roam right through town and through the schoolyard. They are in the middle of the roads. They destroy people’s gardens and yards. We are just lucky that nothing has happened to any children and no one has been hurt. The airport is there, Mr. Speaker. The safety is at stake because animals roam right through the airport runway and they’re not even scared anymore being chased away, and there’s a high risk of passenger safety.

Mr. Speaker, this issue is not new, since I started bringing it up in the 15th Assembly. The community and residents have not seen adequate action and the community of Fort Liard has been looking for solutions to their bison problem. The government has been there. Action plans were developed. But what’s still missing, Mr. Speaker, is the action.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources committed in its framework for action that the Deh Cho communities develop a bison management plan. This plan is supposed to address the expanding population and also public safety concerns of my constituency. Last year, in June, the department even reported that they have project teams in place that will develop a bison plan for the Liard herd by the fall of 2007.

Mr. Speaker, fall of 2007 is coming to an end, yet the community of Fort Liard is still struggling with the same bison problems without a management plan. I urge the Minister to take immediate steps to rectify the bison problems in Fort Liard before an unavoidable tragedy happens. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity to profile an organization of benefit to all NWT residents. Forty years ago, two far-seeing and forward-thinking northern leaders had an idea for a sporting event for northern athletes. With the assistance of Alaska Governor Walter Hickel, then-Commissioners Stuart Hodgson of the NWT and James Smith of Yukon developed the idea into a concept and the Arctic Winter Games were born. The very first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970.

Members should all be aware by now that Yellowknife and the NWT will be invaded in a few months as the Arctic Winter Games return to Yellowknife for a 20th anniversary games and homecoming celebration hosted by the 2008 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

The games have grown considerably over the years from 500 participants in 1970 to 2,000 in 2008, from three jurisdictions in 1970 to nine in 2008, from only northern North America in 1970 to the northern world in 2008. There are five Canadian contingents: one from Alaska, the one from Russia in the area of Yamal, and Greenland, and the Sami of Finland and Norway.

The catering contract for these upcoming games provides for 23 meals for 2,200 people for eight days. During the week of March 9th to 15th, 2008, not only will Yellowknife’s population swell by the number of participants, but the games will bring in 200 or more media, 500 or more VIPs and corporate sponsors, and anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors and spectators. About 2,500 volunteers, both local and visitors, will ensure that the games go off without a hitch.

The NWT will showcase the athletic and cultural talents of our young people. The economy will boom for several weeks as Yellowknife’s temporary residents spend their money in the NWT economy. Our young people will strive to do their best, have new experiences, meet new friends, meet old acquaintances, and the benefits to our communities from this event are absolutely undeniable.

So, Mr. Speaker, I say to all Members of this House, and indeed to all northerners, that this unique celebration of northern sport and culture is one which is best enjoyed when immersed in it. I encourage all Members to take part…

Ms. Bisaro, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement, please, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I encourage all Members of the House to take part in these 20th Arctic Winter Games as a volunteer. It’s easily done. Go on-line to the Arctic Winter Games website -- www.awg2008.ca -- or, better yet, join the Host Society in a volunteer drive this weekend. You can get a taste of the games Saturday at the Multiplex. You can meet the 2008 Host Society members. You can see Foxy the mascot in action, and you can sign up right there to be a volunteer.

As has already been referenced, the voluntary sector has been invaluable to our communities and ultimately our economy. I urge you to become a part of that sector; be an Arctic Winter Games volunteer. I look forward to volunteering with my Member colleagues on March 9 to 15. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, providing a quality of life to the residents of the NWT so they can become independent, self-reliant individuals has to be a priority of the 16th Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, on November 15th, I had an opportunity to meet in Inuvik with some families of people that are confined to wheelchairs, quadriplegics. As I sat there listening to their concerns and the frustration that they had with some of the programs, lack of services and lack of support, I felt their frustration, Mr. Speaker. I truly felt their frustration and when constituents have that and they come to you, it is something that you have to bring forward.

Coming out of that meeting, I planned on speaking to a certain individual in particular and the challenges that she faced being confined to a wheelchair for the last four years. I had documentation that I was going to bring forward to present on her behalf. But, sadly, Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, this individual passed away. I feel, Mr. Speaker, like I owe her and her family…I have to bring their concerns forward because we have other quadriplegics living in Inuvik. I feel like I will let them down if I don’t bring their concerns forward.

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we have to listen to the concerns of the people. The only thing that I know of that is written in stone is the 10 commandments, Mr. Speaker. Everything else can be changed. If it is programs that have to be changed, if wording has to be changed, then I think we should be flexible enough to change them. If the delivery of the programs is the problem, then that might be something we may have to look into, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that the delivery of the programs is benefiting those across the Northwest Territories, not just in Inuvik.

We have made a commitment, and I will make it my personal commitment to these families that I will continue within the next four years to bring their issues forward and have their issues heard. Cabinet, you have made that commitment to hear these issues and between you folks and us on this side, we should be able to address these issues, because the bottom line is the well-being of the residents of the Northwest Territories. It has to be our top priority and nothing else. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to welcome my colleagues back to the House. Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure and an honour to be back here in this building working with you and the other Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, on November 7th, at 9:58 a.m., my wife, Amanda, and I welcomed into the world a son.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. His name is Malachi David Ramsay. He weighed just under five pounds at birth and came to us five weeks ahead of schedule. He was born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and had to spend 12 days there before we could bring him home with us. Both my wife and my son are doing great. We are beginning a new journey together as a family.

Mr. Speaker, nothing gives me any greater pleasure than seeing the two of them together. Having a child wasn’t easy for my wife and me as she had to spend nine weeks in Edmonton prior to his birth, confined to a hospital bed in order to carry him. For all the commitment she has shown, not to mention the numerous pokes with a needle, nine weeks of hospital food, 16 hours of labour and a cesarean section, I will be forever grateful to her. I wanted to thank the doctors and nurses involved in her care, both in Edmonton and in Yellowknife, and our son’s care while he was at the Royal Alexandra. Special mention to Dr. Jonathon Tankel who delivered Malachi, Dr. Bing Guthrie and Dr. Rob Krushel who were instrumental in the early stages of our pregnancy, and to Dr. Shawn Mattas, our family doctor, who has helped us maintain a positive attitude through the face of adversity. To all the nurses who helped Amanda and Malachi along the way at Stanton and at Unit 39 at the Royal Alexandra, the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal Alexandra, and now the public health here in Yellowknife, thank you very much. I wanted to also thank everyone who has offered their support, their prayers and their thoughts the past few months. It has helped us immensely. I thank you so much.

In closing, I wanted to thank both my wife’s family and my family who have been lending support to us, especially my mother-in-law, Catherine Fabien, who has been giving us so much loving help and support. Mr. Speaker, both my wife and I are really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead with parenthood. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a matter has arisen so soon that will test our Premier’s leadership and his commitment to transparency and accountability. On October 19th, I stood in this House and asked questions about the extent of our government’s liability with respect to the Deh Cho Bridge project. During the life of the 15th Assembly, many questions and concerns were raised by Members on this side of the House regarding the bridge acquisition process. Our concerns, for the most part, were unanswered. On August 31st, the 15th Assembly was dissolved, leaving Ministers in place to maintain the status quo of government operations.

At the first available opportunity, I sought an update on the status of the Deh Cho Bridge project and the level of commitment by the GNWT to this project. I am not a difficult person to understand, so imagine my surprise yesterday when I learned that a concession agreement with the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation had been signed on September 28th, three days before a territorial election when the Members of the 16th Assembly were elected.

When repeatedly and specifically questioned about the commitment and liability to our new Premier on October 19th, he did not take the opportunity to share with Members of this House that a very significant milestone on the Deh Cho Bridge process had been passed. So what is the significance of this concession agreement in relation to the liability? If the outstanding conditions of permits, financing and equity are met, the GNWT’s liability changes very significantly. I am not asking Premier Roland to be accountable for the actions of the previous government; however, I will ask him to account to this House and to the public for not making any reference to the concession agreement signing when questioned in this House.

The concept of a Deh Cho Bridge project is good, but the process has been flawed and failure of this information coming forward has added insult to injury for me as a Regular Member. I will have questions for the Premier later today so that he can tell us why he didn’t mention the signing of the concession agreement when questioned about our government’s commitment and liability on October 19th.

Leadership, to me, today, would be to say from him that he should have said this when questioned on October 19th. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this has been a very difficult month for the people of Nunakput. It is with great sadness that I inform the Assembly of the loss of three very respected elders: Mrs. Sarah Kuptana from Sachs Harbour, Mrs. Alice Carpenter from Tuktoyaktuk, and Mr. Bobby Gruben also from Tuk. All of them will be greatly missed. Bobby Gruben is well known across the North as an ambassador for the people of Tuk. The whole community looked up to him. He was always there to lend a helping hand and give me advice, for which I am grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my condolences to Rosemary, Robert and Roger Kuptana and their families; Willie Carpenter and his family; and Jean, Mervin and Eddie Gruben and all of the Gruben family from Tuk. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and with the Nunakput people at this time of sorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to government support for the volunteer sector. We know that there are many demands on government resources and that we need to stretch those resources to meet as many of those demands as we can while still fully meeting all of our goals. There are essential services that must be delivered effectively and efficiently and government cannot do it all. These services affect the well-being of all citizens in the NWT, services that deal with homelessness and poverty, substance abuse, youth justice, environmental education and protection, sport and recreation and the list goes on.

Fortunately, our government has able and willing partners to meet these needs, partners collectively referred to as the voluntary sector. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly thinking here of those working for the good of all, the common good. The annual economic value of volunteerism here in the NWT is almost $70 million. That is every year. This valuable contribution is worthy of wise investment and support by this government.

To quote the YWCA, "The voluntary sector is essential to the democratic process." Like the marketplace which creates economic wealth in our society or the government which protects institutional memory of how to effectively govern ourselves, the voluntary sector creates and expands social capital. Social capital refers to the values and networks that enable coordination and cooperation at the community level building trust, mutually beneficial relationships, inclusion and tolerance. The voluntary sector includes all self-organized groups of people committed to the betterment of human life and has a key role in the advancement of human well-being. It is all about citizen participation and engagement in community betterment.

Mr. Speaker, while the 15th Assembly committed to implementing the Volunteer Support Initiative, only modest progress has been made. While many or all of our departmental mandates overlap with the areas in which volunteer groups are active, responsibility for supporting this sector seems lodged in only one department, that of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s 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. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for maximum benefits here, our government and the voluntary sector must work closely together, more closely than we have in the past. We must ensure a clear line of communication between ourselves and our partners at the decision-making level. We must ensure government policy and support is developed together with those who can draw on much front-line experience. Importantly, Mr. Speaker, we must ensure government-wide coordination and integration in implementation of the Volunteer Support Initiative and in all of our dealings with the voluntary sector. A joint GNWT voluntary sector working group under the Department of the Executive may be the best way to achieve this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the president of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, Dan Costache. I would also like to recognize Greg Debogorski, executive director of the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize a long-time resident of Yellowknife but originally from Tulita, Paul Andrew is in the visitor’s gallery. Paul has been a recipient of the 2008 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for media and communication.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a constituent, Mr. Greg Debogorski, who is with us today. He does a tremendous amount of work on behalf of seniors here in Yellowknife and in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent who was not able to attend our First Session in October and also happens to be my lovely wife, Marianne Bromley.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Lydia Bardak, coalition team and also a city counsellor, and also I would like to recognize from my riding Therese Pelletier who is the adult educator in the audience. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize today a hard-working staff member from MACA, Beverly Chamberlin. I believe she is accompanied by her father. Welcome.

---Applause