Debates of October 15, 2004 (day 21)

I would like to draw your attention to special guests in the gallery this morning: the senior team for the Canada Seniors’ Games. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Michael Miltenberger will be absent from the House today to attend the federal/provincial/territorial Ministers of Health meeting in Vancouver. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report on the action this government is taking as we move toward the elimination of family violence in the NWT.

The government of the 15th Assembly has a strong commitment to social issues. One of the goals of the GNWT’s strategic plan is to have “healthy, educated people living in safe communities, who are able to contribute and take advantage of life’s opportunities.” In particular, Mr. Speaker, the strategic plan identifies the need to strengthen support for families in conflict and to support initiatives to build safer communities.

Today I am pleased to release the Government of the Northwest Territories Response to the NWT Action Plan on Family Violence, 2003-2008: A Framework for Action. This is the GNWT response to the NWT action plan on family violence, a report prepared by the NWT Coalition Against Family Violence. The framework identifies 72 actions involving collaboration and partnership by Government of the Northwest Territories departments and coalition agencies.

Mr. Speaker, the development of this framework has taken some time but the work we have done with the coalition is well worth the wait. Our framework for action is strengthened because it builds on the partnership of the coalition and the GNWT.

Our response outlines actions that can be achieved within existing resources to provide better service to victims of family violence across the NWT. Actions such as implementation of the Protection Against Family Violence Act, developing NWT best practices models and an integrated community response to family violence will go a long way toward increasing supports for victims and children who witness violence.

The GNWT has already begun taking actions included in the framework. One of the most significant activities is the intensive and ongoing work we are doing for the implementation of the protection against Family Violence Act. A coordinator has been hired by the Department of Justice to work with the Implementation Advisory Committee. Training activities continue with those who will have a direct role in the legislation, this includes justices of the peace, RCMP, shelter workers and court staff. As well, all communities in the NWT will have an opportunity to provide advice on the delivery process.

The Department of Justice continues to develop a public information campaign for the act. Materials will be in plain languages and will be aimed at those who are particularly vulnerable to family violence. As well, a monitoring and evaluation framework is being developed. All this activity represents over a $400,000 investment in protection against family violence this fiscal year.

Mr. Speaker, along with implementing the legislation, interagency work has begun in the areas of policy and legislative review, standardizing family violence definitions, intergovernmental funding mechanisms, and training for professionals. Research has begun to examine the issue of gender equity in GNWT policies and programming. More work will begin shortly.

The departments of Justice, Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, the Executive and the NWT Housing Corporation have all made this work a priority over the next three years. As a first step, Ministers will be required to report on how their responsibilities under the action plan have been incorporated in the business plans for next spring.

I want to echo the Premier’s comments on Wednesday and recognize the hard work of the coalition. Their continued support and dedication to improving the lives of all northern families makes it possible to advance this work. Their work is extremely important because of what is means to eliminate family violence in our communities, our regions and our territory. I look forward to working with the coalition and my Cabinet colleagues to implement the commitments the GNWT has made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize a group of greatly spirited northerners who attended the Canada Senior Games in Whitehorse in September as ambassadors of the Northwest Territories. Team NWT was made up of 28 seniors, those aged 55 and older, from Fort Smith, Hay River and Yellowknife. They competed in seven different categories including golf, bowling, darts, contract and duplicate bridge, Scrabble and curling. The team brought home gold, silver and bronze medals in five of those categories for a total count of 10 medals. Those medal winners include Harry Sudom and Roy Bursey from Fort Smith, Robert Sibbeston from Hay River; and, Fred Koe, Dave Wind, Anne Wind, Brad Whitehead, Darryl Green, Helena Haener and Fred Couch, all of Yellowknife.

I would like to especially mention the oldest player from the NWT to attend, Ms. Prakash Chugh of Yellowknife, who is 83 years old.

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Prakash competed in the bowling category. Mr. Speaker, the energy and commitment of these individuals in the NWT Seniors’ Society as a whole is admirable. They have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Northwest Territories over the years and continue to be valuable resources for us today. I understand that the NWT Seniors’ Society is already starting to work on its team for 2006 in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Promoting an active lifestyle in all stages of life is important for one’s health and well-being.

I commend the NWT Seniors’ Society for the dedication and work it devotes to the seniors and elders in the North. I also commend them for the amount of fundraising they do on their own. I think it’s important that the government recognize their efforts by continuing to provide funding for their activities. To their credit, Sport North and MACA provided $10,000 for the seniors’ team to attend the Whitehorse games.

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Thank you, Mr. McLeod. They also provided their uniforms, which were worth $5,000.

Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate to have many of the members of the NWT Seniors’ Society in the House today, many of whom were part of Team NWT. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time on today’s order paper, I will recognize those in the crowd. Thank you very much.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am making a brief statement to mention two important events that took place in Tuktoyaktuk. They are the ladies Take Back the Night march and Family Violence Week.

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say that it was a pleasure to partake in these events. It was wonderful to see so many elders, youth, adults and government employees partake in the events that followed, such as food snacks, games and sing-a-longs. Mayor Jackie Jacobson, myself and government employees started off with opening speeches to remind everyone to love, respect and care for one another.

Many thanks should go to the coordinators of these events. Mr. Speaker, we must remember to always start each day by respecting and loving our elders, children, friends and neighbours. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, the income support system in the North is one that’s received recognition for its philosophy, for its approach, and for its effectiveness. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, we know that for an estimated 80 percent, or about three-quarters of the clients who come onto this system, it does work very well. It is intended to be a temporary hand-up to help people get on their feet, get re-established and into the community and working on their own.

However, Mr. Speaker, there are some people -- and I would suggest that it’s about one-quarter of the clients -- who continue to have chronic difficulties and issues with the support system and, I think especially, Mr. Speaker, the way that controls and criteria and limitations are placed on it. For some people, especially those with lifestyle and disabilities issues, they just don’t have the skills, Mr. Speaker, to cope with some of these conditions.

Let me give you a few examples. Landlords in Yellowknife, I am told, are very reluctant to accept Income Support clients as tenants, Mr. Speaker. The reason is at least partially because of the systematic way that their payments are administered by the system. Sometimes mistakes are made and landlords do not get paid and they end up carrying the bill.

This is not a healthy situation in an economy and community where housing is at a premium. Mr. Speaker, income tax refunds are continually clawed back. Most Canadians look forward to this kind of thing if they are in that position, even Income Support clients can get income tax refunds, but we claw them back.

Mr. Speaker, even families who have been gifted with things like airline tickets to go to a funeral, in one case, got the value of that ticket clawed back. Mr. Speaker, there are double standards. We in this government, as MLAs, are on this same plan. We get about $60 a day for food allowances when we are travelling, but an Income Support client, a single mom with one child, gets $230 a month. They get the equivalent of what we get in four days for food allowances.

Mr. Speaker, these are chronic issues that continue to be unacceptable and I want to bring them to the attention of the House. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will stay on the theme of elders. Mr. Speaker, from August 9 to 11, 2004, the first Sahtu Elders’ Conference was held in Deline. The purpose of the conference was to bring elders together to discuss important issues regarding the communities of the Sahtu region and to talk about forming a Sahtu elders’ council. That would include elders in a decision-making process on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Speaker, traditionally, aboriginal elders played a key role in our communities. Their wisdom, experience and stories are crucial to the success of our people. During the conference, more than 30 elders from the five Sahtu communities developed a slogan, “Our Life, Our Land.” Mr. Speaker, what affects our life, affects our land; what affects our land, affects our life.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical to ensure elders have a role not only concerning seniors' issues, but issues concerning the Sahtu as a whole. Traditions are changing and the threat of losing the traditions, upbringing and the gap between elders and youth because of the wage economy has become a reality and a concern of the Sahtu people.

Mr. Speaker, other concerns revolve around the impact of development and change throughout the region, specifically in the areas of health and social services, the social programs, the education system and the high rate of aboriginal children dropping out of school. In addition, the elders are concerned with the pension clawback and government’s policies and laws. They feel that these laws are preventing them from participating equitably in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, recommendations developed by the elders are to create a Sahtu elders’ council, hold another Sahtu elders’ conference in the winter of 2005 and invite federal and territorial governments, oil and gas industry representatives and Sahtu leaders for the next elders' gathering, and also to work with the Sahtu youth.

Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu conference, in terms of participation, recommended full intentions to be part of the decision-making process and was a huge success and a positive benefit to the Sahtu people. I would encourage other regions to do similar things for their own elders.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Deline First Nation for their hard work in hosting the event and the many sponsors who contributed to this wonderful event. I would like to thank the people of the Sahtu region for making it happen. Mahsi.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this summer, July 13, 2004, I was privileged to hold a meeting in Deninu Kue with the Deninu Kue First Nations, the Metis Nation, the public and six Members of our Cabinet. I wanted to thank Premier Joe Handley, Ministers Bell, Miltenberger, McLeod, Dent and Krutko, for taking the time to visit and discuss many of the issues with the community leadership and the public.

Community leadership was very appreciative of this and looks forward to following up on some of the concerns brought forward. The public is also looking forward to having Minister Miltenberger and Minister Krutko revisit and consult with the community on many important health and housing issues, and also a visit sometime by Deputy Premier Roland to address some property taxation issues and other financial concerns.

Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to point out the significance of this meeting and the fact that the Deninu Kue First Nations and the Metis Nation have actually sat and met is a very big step in improving overall community governance and cooperation in the delivery of community affairs and programs.

I want to commend Chief Sayine and the newly-elected Metis president, Lloyd Cardinal, with their open-minded and respectful consideration of their respective community councils, concerns and direction while working towards a more cohesive working relationship within the communities.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that is also the beginning of a new and improved working relationship between the leaders of Tu Nedhe and the Government of the Northwest Territories, one which encompasses more community input and consideration on government programs, services and initiatives, more effective co-management and fiscal responsibility, and especially more respect and acknowledgement of the hardships people in smaller communities are burdened with on a daily basis.

With that, I am glad to say that I feel optimistic that this government will continue to support and encourage more open communication between government officials and the people in the remote communities. I offer my support to this government to continue to work towards achieving the higher level of remote community pride and confidence in the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to travel back home on October 8th for the official opening of the Aurora Campus facility in Inuvik. I was joined by Commissioner Hansen; Ministers Dent and Krutko; the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mr. Fred Carmichael; and a representative of the Inuvialuit, Mr. Eddie Dillon.

Mr. Speaker, in these types of events and facilities that are opened up, we must recognize the hard work and contribution of a lot of individuals. There are far too many to mention at this time, but for sure one of the key players in making sure this went along, and kept reminding members from the Beaufort-Delta that it was an important facility that needed to continue to stay on track, was Ms. Miki O’Kane and the staff of the campus, as well, for making the shift a good one.

Mr. Speaker, it’s an important facility and is recognized as such just by seeing how many people came to the turnout. It was a full house. Elders, students, businesspeople and government workers were there to see that this was an important event and open to continue with the education of adult learning. We were reminded that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can still go back and gain more experience and education and go forward with that.

I just wanted to recognize that from the community end, it was a good event, a good time and it was good to see the atmosphere that was created by opening this facility. We were also put on notice, Mr. Speaker, by Mr. Carmichael that the student residence is the next issue that the community intends to bring to the table and push as they see it as an important part of this facility.

Congratulations to the campus and their new environment, the new building, and thanks to all those who turned out and made it a success. Again, thanks to our government for meeting with the community and addressing the needs of that community and region. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today on the issue of recreation and recreational facilities, specifically in the community of Nahanni Butte. It is a well-known fact that a good, comprehensive education requires not only academic or vocational instruction, but recreational opportunities as well. More than that, the provision of recreational opportunities is a necessary part of helping people make healthy lifestyle choices. I am pleased to see that the government recognizes this fact. In the 2004 strategic plan, which the Minister of Education earlier referred to in his statement, the government promises to support recreation and sports initiatives that provide opportunities for physical activity and personal development. Further, the government supports initiatives that encourage individuals, especially youth, to make positive lifestyle choices. My concern, Mr. Speaker, is that these recreational opportunities and choices that are necessary for well-rounded education and a balanced lifestyle are not being provided equally to all residents of the Northwest Territories. In the community of Nahanni Butte, in my riding, there is no school gymnasium. More than that, it appears the government has no plans to provide the community with a gymnasium for at least another 13 years; in the year 2017, Mr. Speaker. Nahanni Butte may be the only community in the whole of the Northwest Territories that does not have a school gymnasium. This is an unacceptable state of affairs.

Elsewhere in the North, existing schools and recreational facilities are being expanded and upgraded. Recreational opportunities and facilities are being improved for certain residents, while the residents of Nahanni Butte are completely denied the same opportunity to participate in life. They don’t have a choice, and they are not being offered one, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is a simple matter of fairness and equality in a democratic society that all residents receive the same basic level of service before we consider increasing or improving services that others already receive. The youth of Nahanni Butte need a gymnasium. If this government is serious about supporting recreation initiatives for everyone and about helping everyone make healthy choices, then now is the time to do it. Give the youth of Nahanni Butte what everyone else has and don’t wait 13 years to do it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in our vision for the 15th Legislative Assembly, we talk about people making productive lifestyle choices for themselves and their families and elders being supported by their community. The Government of the Northwest Territories has also included these goals in the strategic plan. Productive lifestyle choices and employment opportunities are nice words, Mr. Speaker, but these things are not going to happen if the system continues to discourage people from working.

Mr. Speaker, I want to give you a little example here. I am aware of an elderly couple in Wha Ti who have been denied their seniors' fuel subsidy because they have been assessed on overall household income. Mr. Speaker, this elderly couple has their daughter and granddaughter living with them, who is currently working at a local store for a minimum wage. Their daughter wants to work and is using her income to buy groceries and other household items for herself, her parents and her child. Yet we are penalizing the elders who are not receiving their fuel subsidy and also the young daughter who wants to work, by discouraging her from working in order for her parents to receive the seniors' fuel subsidy. Mr. Speaker, what incentive is there for her to keep working and helping her parents out?

Mr. Speaker, this is just one of the many flaws in the income support system that needs to be addressed, and it should be addressed soon. We can’t keep asking people to make productive choices on one hand and punish them with the other. This is exactly what the government, with their Income Support, is doing to them. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize some competitors from Team NWT that we have here in the audience with us today. I will go through the list: Sandra Taylor, welcome; Howard and Josie Gould, David and Anne Wind, Mr. Fred Koe, Mike and Helena Haener, Albert and Gladys Eggenberger, Brad Whitehead, Prakash Chugh, Helena To, and Liz Bailey-Hopf. Also, I would like to mention Barb Hood, the team manager. Welcome, Barb. Also, present today with us is Ms. Beatrice Campbell. She is the president of the NWT Seniors’ Society from Fort Smith. Welcome, Beatrice. Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to just make a mention of Mr. Fred Couch who is one of my constituents and also won the first gold medal for Team NWT. He could not be with us today because he is recuperating from surgery at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Thank you, everybody.

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Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, it is a real pleasure to repeat what my colleague has said on behalf of some of my constituents: Mike and Helena Haener and Josie and Howie Gould. Congratulations. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the president of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Mr. Fred Koe, and also Bea Campbell, the president of the Seniors’ Society. Welcome to the House, and all the elders up there. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be brief. I, too, wish to acknowledge the great efforts that the NWT seniors’ team put forward by recognizing them, as well. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also recognize the elders. Way to go.

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Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would also like to welcome all the seniors here. When I took the job of Speaker, I was registered to compete as part of that team. I would like the seniors up there to know that I would be very proud to sit up there as part of the seniors’ team. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have a few questions for the Minister of Justice, Mr. Charles Dent. I would just like to know how it is the new family Legal Aid office ended up leasing space in what amounts to a retail mall in Yellowknife. Perhaps between him and Minister Floyd Roland, Minister of Public Works, they could explain how that transaction transpired. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Minister of Justice, the Honourable Mr. Dent. Mr. Premier.

Mr. Speaker, the question should be referred to Mr. Roland, the Minister of Public Works and Services. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware of the concern that is being raised. For that office space, a request for proposals went out in late summer. It was issued, and a number of parties put in proposals. What had happened was the space that was required in the RFP was not met, and based on the number of calls that were made trying to secure the location, it was decided at that point that one of the proponents did have a suitable space, but didn’t make the cut-off time for the RFP. It was contacted and discussions were entered into and an agreement was made. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks, Mr. Minister, for the response. I find it hard to believe that this government would put a Legal Aid office in a retail mall and pay top dollar for the rental space when there are other options out there, Mr. Speaker. The retailers in that mall are not happy that a Legal Aid office is going into prime retail space, and I know and I’ve heard that leasehold improvements won’t start on that space until November 1st. Mr. Speaker, is it too late to look at a different location for this office? It just doesn’t fit in a retail setting. I mean, the clientele who will be attending it…It just shouldn’t happen that way, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like the Minister to let us know if it’s not too late to have another look at another location. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess number one is from the Public Works and Services end when we were reviewing the request for space, preferred locations, we don’t put a lot of weight on who the clientele might be going into that space. What we did look at was the request for the space, storefront or easy access by disabled persons. So in reviewing the proposal that came out, it was determined that that space wasn’t adequate. There were discussions held with those who did put in proposals and found out there was still not adequate space that could be suitable for this location. The one party that did have adequate space that was in the area of downtown and accessible by disabled persons, discussions were held with them and an agreement was made and a contract was entered into. So at this point the contract has been signed for an initial five-year lease, with options to extend. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a five-year lease, but it amounts to a 15-year lease, Mr. Speaker, because they have a five-year lease and two options for five additional years each, for a total of 15 years in a retail setting. I’m just wondering, Mr. Speaker, what the premium is that this government is going to pay. I know dollars are at a premium. What is that premium that we’re going to pay to put an office in a retail mall? There has to be a premium that we’re paying. It’s top dollar, it’s prime retail space, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to know what that is and is that going to cut into the services that are going to be offered through this office? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the information on the actual dollar figures at this point. I can share with the Member or committee members if there is a concern about that, but what we’ve done is work with the Department of Justice who required this space, who knew there was a budget to operate within, and based on those parameters with the results that came back with the RFP, had discussions with the proponent, being the Department of Justice, and there was agreement that this was the best avenue to work in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a government that purports to support small business, this is a major step backwards, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the government has taken any consideration into the fact that it’s harming, by putting a Legal Aid office into a retail mall, the small businesses that are located in that mall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 223-15(3): Legal Aid Office Lease In Yellowknife

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I would have difficulty in recognizing how we are harming the operations of a company that did put in a response to an RFP. This company had put in their response. All three were actually deemed not to make the cut, but when we looked at what was on the table and the request for the space, and this was seen as adequate space in a downtown location where people can easily access the service that’s been asked for, it was felt that this was the avenue to go. Again with discussions with the Department of Justice, we felt that this was the avenue we go with. It may not be the best and the 15-year term the Member refers to, again, it’s a five-year lease with an option to extend. If we find that it’s just not fitting or the Department of Justice finds that it is not working there, at that point we can review the options that are available to us. We all know that here in the city of Yellowknife space is very, very tight and everything is going at a premium. Thank you.