Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the implementation of 20/20: A Brilliant North, NWT Public Service Strategic Plan is well underway. This plan is the first of its kind for the Department of Human Resources.
Mr. Speaker, 20/20: A Brilliant North is an important and exciting strategic plan that will guide the Government of the Northwest Territories human resource planning over the next 10 years and is being championed by all deputy ministers. The actions contained in the accompanying three-year action plan are ambitious, with year one focussing on the development of a number of programs, the second year piloting programs such as the training program for aboriginal employees and in year three, rolling out the full programs.
Goal one, Fixing the Foundation, supports 20/20: A Brilliant North’s mission and vision by putting in place a firm foundation of excellent human resource management practices and services necessary to ensure the other strategic goals have the support to be successful. Work that has already commenced under this goal includes the establishment of a transition team with a focus on streamlining human resource processes and procedures and reducing the backlog in pay and benefits. Client service training has also been provided to Human Resources’ staff in all regions; learning plans are currently being developed for all employees in Human Resources; and a client satisfaction survey will be issued to Department of Human Resources’ clients prior to the end of this fiscal year.
Goal two, Engage: Magnetic Attraction. This goal, through the attraction of Northerners and others to
the public service, and the engagement of existing workforce, will establish a public service that reflects our diverse cultures and provides high quality services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Some of the exciting actions being worked on under this goal include: the establishment of an Aboriginal Employees Advisory Committee; the establishment of recruitment strategies for hard to recruit occupations such as engineering, pharmacy and social work; and identifying ways to increase the support and representation of persons with disabilities.
Goal three, Dazzle: Diverse Opportunities, focuses on the commitment to the workplace and environment, individual wellness, and establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with our partners: the public and stakeholders. Under this goal the Government of the Northwest Territories Green Team has been established; a Summer Wellness Program was piloted in the Department of Human Resources; the Managers’ Tool Kit was launched; regularly scheduled meetings commended with both the Union of Northern Workers and the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association; cross-cultural awareness opportunities for employees are currently being developed and labour relations training is being offered to managers and supervisors in all regions.
Goal four, Inspire: Expanding Horizons, focuses on inspiring the public service to strive for continuous development and a culture of lifelong learning. Under this goal, the important work of developing aboriginal employees training programs, the implementation of learning plans and a new performance management framework are underway for all employees.
Last, but not least, goal five focuses on the future through excellence in planning for and management of the public service including the development of a succession planning framework that includes the transfer of knowledge. Under this goal, a framework for departmental human resource plans that will include an affirmative action component is currently being drafted and work is also underway on identifying common priorities and shared services where the Government of the Northwest Territories may partner with community and aboriginal governments to improve human resource management in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, we have much work ahead of us but I look forward to keeping the Members of this Assembly informed as we continue to implement 20/20: A Brilliant North. I am expecting that the first formal results, reporting on year one of the three-year action plan, will be tabled in this Assembly in June 2010. In closing, I would like to thank the Government Operations committee for their ongoing support and guidance as we move forward implementing 20/20: A Brilliant North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
MINISTER’S STATEMENT 15-16(4):
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in May 2008 I announced to Members that Municipal and Community Affairs would be leading the work on capacity building initiatives at the local government level, in full partnership with the Department of Human Resources as well as the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories.
Today I would like to provide Members with an update on the details of this exciting initiative. However, before I do, I need to thank our key partners in public service capacity building: the NWT Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the NWT. Without their vision, pragmatic advice and informed analysis, we would not be as advanced as we are in the development of strategies that aim to address this issue. At both the board and staff levels, these two organizations are fully committed to rolling up their sleeves and provide hands-on efforts to make this opportunity as meaningful and far-reaching as possible.
Mr. Speaker, the Public Service Capacity for Local Government Initiative will include a series of strategies, each aimed at strengthening the capacity of local government administrators as well as the leadership capacity of mayors, chiefs and councillors so that they can provide effective direction and support to their staff.
The first priority for the initiative focuses on the key position councils need to both maintain the day-to-day operations and to implement their long-term vision; this is the local government administrator, also known as the SAOs and band managers. We all know that local governments in the NWT have undergone significant evolution and transformation in their relatively short history. As a result, the skill set required to manage a local government has expanded significantly and at this point, many NWT local governments are challenged to recruit and retain competent administrators. This initiative will work to address this challenge and raise the profile of this rewarding and exciting profession.
Working in collaboration, the NWT Association of Communities, Local Government Administrators of the NWT, the Department of Human Resources and MACA have developed a number of strategies as part of this initiative. One of the larger initiatives is the Administrator Development Program, where local governments can apply for two-year funding to support either a trainee or mentor for their administrator position, depending on the current needs of the local government. There will be strong encouragement for local governments to hire Northerners into their permanent administrator position.
Another initiative is the Good Governance training for elected leaders. This program was successfully piloted earlier this year by the School of Community Government with a number of participants who were attending the NWT Association of Communities annual general meeting. This training will be offered to every newly elected council, on an ongoing basis, so that councillors have a common knowledge base around roles and responsibilities, especially in relationship to their administrator.
There will also be an Administrator Mentorship Program where skilled, experienced administrators will be available to formally mentor those who are developing their skills. As well, a pool of professionals will be developed, where local governments can access temporary expertise on an interim basis to troubleshoot or maintain services during a vacancy.
Professional development workshops will be held to build the skills and expertise of administrators. The first one, planned to coincide with the Local Government Administrators of the NWT 2009 annual general meeting, will address recruitment and retention challenges in local governments.
As well, an array of promotional materials will be developed, including brochures, information on Local Government Administrators on the NWT’s website and the production of a video on council-administrator engagement. These will be targeted primarily to Northerners to encourage them to consider the interesting and challenging work opportunities available in local governance.
In past discussions I have had with standing committee, they have provided excellent ideas and suggestions on the topic of community capacity, and we look forward to their input and analysis prior to the formal launch of this initiative.
I would like to thank Mayor Gord Van Tighem, from the NWT Association of Communities, and John McKee, from the Local Government Administrators of the NWT, for their leadership.
A capable public service at all levels of government is essential if we want to see quality programs and services developed and maintained for our citizens. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are providing the tools, supports and resources to local governments to make this happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, increasing literacy levels among the people of the Northwest Territories is a top priority for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. We recognize the importance of literacy across the lifespan and throughout society. Literacy is not so much a matter of whether or not people can read, but rather about how well they can read and use different kinds of information. The NWT Literacy Strategy, Towards Literacy 2008-2010, focuses on helping people lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society. The new strategy represents the ongoing commitment of the Government of the Northwest Territories and our partners, including schools, Aurora College, the NWT Literacy Council, communities, families, individuals and others, to improve the overall literacy of Northerners.
We built upon our past strategy and have increased funding in a number of areas. For the 2009-2010 years there is a total of $3.4 million budgeted for the Literacy Strategy. Some of our increased investments include $350,000 to provide literacy programming in smaller, remote communities throughout the NWT, and $150,000 to support community libraries. This money brings books to northern communities to give residents access to resources they need to improve their literacy.
Another focus on our revised strategy is for those NWT adults who have not finished high school. ECE is in the process of implementing an adult diploma equivalent to the NWT Secondary School Diploma. The new model allows NWT adults to earn a Grade 12 diploma through a combination of academic course credits and prior learning assessment and recognition credits. Education, Culture and Employment is presently working to put the supports for the adult high school diploma in place.
Mr. Speaker, youth literacy is also a critical area of concern in the Northwest Territories. We are investing in youth literacy by $250,000, focusing on youth between 16 and 25 years of age. We are specifically targeting out-of-school and at-risk youth. To reach this vulnerable group, we are working with youth centres across the NWT to emphasize the importance of literacy and help young people develop their literacy skills.
The department is also undertaking a Youth Literacy Gap Analysis to look into best practices and practical steps that we can take to increase youth literacy in the Northwest Territories. A Youth Literacy Working Group was established that will direct the work on the Youth Literacy Gap Analysis. Recommendations from the report will be used to develop a youth literacy action plan for the duration of the strategy.
Mr. Speaker, with 11 official languages, it is also important to encourage Northerners to use their traditional languages. We are increasing our emphasis on supporting aboriginal language literacy, emphasizing the importance of being able to speak in the indigenous languages of the North. This will form part of a larger plan to invigorate and support aboriginal languages.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, we also established a Literacy Strategy Advisory Committee which represents all regions of the Northwest Territories and include representation from the NWT Literacy Council and Aurora College, as well as other organizations that have a strong interest and commitment to literacy. This committee will guide the implementation of the NWT Literacy Strategy. Literacy is important to everyone, from infants to elders, in all official languages and requires the involvement and support of everyone in society in order to achieve our goals. We look forward to continuing to work with our many partners to increase literacy awareness and levels in the NWT. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the Department of Transportation and its Minister.
Mr. Speaker, in the South Slave we are happy to have roads. We have a good road network system. I empathize with those who are from areas where that is still an aspiration to be realized. But, Mr. Speaker, I want to talk a bit about the Department of Transportation and their responsiveness to the issues that I have raised with the Minister and in this House, and I hope my colleagues don’t feel bad, because I realize that not everybody loves the Department of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, when I went to the ferry crossing one year and the ferry was out, and I got all the way to Fort Providence before I realized that, I suggested they get a solar powered sign outside of Yellowknife that tells what the status of the ferry is, and they did that right away and it worked out very, very well. I asked for a roadside turnout between Enterprise and the border, and right, just like magic, there went up the sign and there was the roadside turnout.
Wow! Wow!
Mr. Speaker, just recently I asked the Minister, I said, why has the road been chipsealed between Enterprise and Hay River for three months and the lines haven’t been painted on. And, like, 24 hours later I was on the road and there were all the lines on the road.
Whooo.
I went to the Minister about a steel supply contact that we didn’t feel had been resolved fairly, and it was resolved to the satisfaction of my constituent. We had a gravel crushing contract that was not being resolved to the satisfaction of a constituent and it went our way.
Mr. Speaker, I raised the issue of the graffiti on the sign at the border, and I know that the Minister’s not responsible for Justice, but the next day the corrections inmates were out there and repainted the sign at the border. Mr. Speaker, I told the Minister we didn’t need a bridge at the Deh Cho, we didn’t need the Deh Cho Bridge, but he didn’t listen to me. But I guess you can’t win them all.
Mr. Speaker, today I have another great idea. Mr. Speaker, the issue of black ice on the roads that are paved and chipsealed has become a real problem. It is a problem this time of year, and just last night my husband and I stopped just north of the border to check a vehicle that was rolled in the ditch. We did not know we were on black ice until we touched the brakes to stop and try and help someone while we were going by.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation today if it would be possible to get another solar powered sign, perhaps at the border, so people can phone in and let people know that are coming behind them that there are hazardous road conditions. Those could be posted remotely to make the road safer for the travelling public. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is interesting my Member’s statement is on transportation.
---Laughter
I certainly hope he listens. Mr. Speaker. I have spoken many times in the past about the need to improve the Deh Cho Trail and the improvements this would mean to the safety of residents, truck drivers and tourists. It would also be beneficial to the economy. The Deh Cho Trail, Highway No. 1 from the Providence cut-off to Checkpoint and all the way down Highway No. 7 to the B.C. border is a route that the residents of the Deh Cho travel regularly for work, to attend appointments and to visit family and friends. They depend on the road for the delivery of goods to their communities.
The Deh Cho Trail is also a scenic road trip. Tourists can drive north from Alberta and along the way visit beautiful waterfalls, well-equipped camping facilities and several Deh Cho communities. They can continue their journey on to Fort Simpson or follow the Liard River to Fort Liard on the way down to B.C. This circle route is well promoted by Industry, Tourism and Investment to national and international visitors to our Territory and is an important part of our tourism infrastructure. If the Northwest Territories portion was upgraded, the route would increase the popularity.
A main concern about the road, for both residents and tourists, Mr. Speaker, is safety and reliability. When the road was washed out last year and closed for several weeks, it had a big impact on Fort Liard residents. The cost of groceries and other essentials went up, because items certainly had to be shipped by air.
We must ensure that this road is safe and reliable on a year-round basis. The logical solution is to make it a priority to property upgrade this portion of the highway infrastructure with chipseal, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased that the capital estimates for 2009-2010 did indicate some 70 kilometres of work on Highway No. 1 and the Deh Cho will be completed early in the 2010 construction season, Mr. Speaker.
I urge the Minister of Transportation to include the chipsealing of the Deh Cho Trail in the capital plan for the next two years. The benefits to the economy, to tourism and the safety of travellers would be the legacy of this 16th Assembly. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Social Services announced last week they are establishing a new committee, the Territorial Administration Committee, to look at the administration of applicants to a long-term care facility. Mr. Speaker, I think that we, as a Territory, realize that we have some tenant facilities throughout the Northwest Territories, small facilities like in the Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik to a large facility such as the Dementia Centre here in Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, I think it is essential that we ensure that we have a fair and equitable access for process but, more importantly, from the aboriginal people and the aboriginal communities that we like to keep our loved ones as close to home as possible in regards to the culture, language and, more importantly, the food that people depend on.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that, as a government, these facilities are used with the best available clients and the people in need. Mr. Speaker, we do have to ensure that all facilities are operated at their potential capacity and ensure that all treatment facilities or facilities are provided essential services to carry out that responsibility. Mr. Speaker, I state that because the Joe Greenland Centre is repaired and in need of some major repairs in regards to the assessments that have been done. Some repairs have taken place, but a lot of repairs still have to be concluded. This is an aging facility, but again I would like to bring it to the attention of the Minister of Health and Social Services that when we look at facilities throughout the Northwest Territories, we have to assess them all on the same term and basis to ensure that they all operate in regard to the same type of condition rating, but, more importantly, ensure that they are filled to capacity.
Mr. Speaker, my fear is that facilities such as the Joe Greenland Centre are going to be shunned away because of the simple size of this, and the larger facilities will receive all the attention. Mr. Speaker, I hope that is not the case. At the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions regarding this decision. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unknown to many of us, I imagine, is the fact that today has been declared Recreation Leaders Day. Our very own NWT Recreation and Parks Association is highlighting the contribution of recreation leaders in our Territory by declaring October 26th as Recreation Leaders Day.
Members of this House often speak of the importance and the need for programs and activities for our youth. They also give tribute to those residents in our communities who step up and provide the necessary programs and activities for our youth and for all residents of our communities.
Recreation leaders come in many shapes and sizes, Mr. Speaker. They are volunteers, they are professionals, they are young, they are old, they are male, they are female, they are people like the Yellowknife Snow King, they are our facility maintainers, they are Arctic Winter Games team coaches and Arctic Winter Games regional coordinators, they are Nordic walking instructors, they’re the teachers in our schools who open the gym at night so the kids can be active, the ones who lead the on-the-land camps, the ones who start music and craft groups after school. The list is endless. But all of these people have one thing in common: they willingly give of their time and expertise to further recreation activities for NWT residents; recreation activities which are indoors, outdoors, all seasons of the year. Each and every day our rec leaders provide invaluable community support in recreation and sport.
The value of participation in recreational activities is well known. Recreation, sport, fitness, arts, culture, parks, are all essential to personal, social, economic and environmental well-being. Engaging in recreational activities leads to happier, more positive lives for people of all ages. It provides healthy activities for our youth to keep them away from the unhealthy ones. It provides activities for our elders to keep them healthy, happy and young at heart.
The enthusiasm and leadership shown by our rec leaders makes huge contributions to the social and economic wellness of the NWT and to our communities. Rec leaders, through their actions, encourage all of us to achieve better health and well-being as individuals. The motto of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association is: Recreation for Life. Today we acknowledge those people who make sure that NWT residents can live up to that motto. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize and applaud current best efforts of our citizens, aboriginal governments and non-government organizations to meet key environmental challenges and to point out opportunities now before us for greater progress.
On the critical issue of climate change, I am happy to see our government making strong first steps, and I also note our partners at the City of Yellowknife are making remarkable progress with a community energy plan meeting their original targets well ahead of schedule through such actions as improved energy efficiency standards for buildings, shifts to wood pellet heat and even pursuit of geothermal energy at the former Con Mine.
I want to recognize a group of dedicated citizens who organized a Climate Justice Now march just this Saturday in a run-up to Kyoto negotiations in Copenhagen this December, calling for strong action by all governments to combat climate change. This reminded me of a summer gathering in Inuvik of youth from across Canada committed to fighting climate change. It was organized by Ecology North, the Pembina Institute, the Gwich’in Council International, the Arctic Athabaskan Council and Climate Action Network Canada. The Inuvik Declaration they produced makes several important observations. We’ve done a lot, but we must do more.
It is time for governments to set ambitious science-based targets for greenhouse gas reductions in the NWT and Canada. The federal position on combating climate change is an embarrassment to Canada and an immediate threat to the safety and security of northern citizens and indigenous people in particular. Science shows that Canada and the world must reduce greenhouse gas production by 25 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels if we are to avoid disastrous and accelerating consequences.
We must assist developing countries to reduce their emissions and adopt new technologies. We must also make the strongest possible efforts to shift our federal government to a more responsible and progressive position.
Mr. Speaker, I urge our Members and this government to take firm action, to think locally with a firm and ambitious NWT carbon neutral date and a plan to get there, and to act globally by strongly urging the federal government to accept our international responsibilities and dramatically improve our position at the Copenhagen negotiations of the new Kyoto Protocol this December, and I will be asking our Minister of the Environment some questions about that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What if you went to a grocery store on your way home today to buy a few basic things like four litres of milk and some dish soap, and it costs you $25? Some people might think it was a mistake, but not if you live in Fort Good Hope. It’s normal.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of living in the Sahtu is amongst the highest in the Northwest Territories. We’re paying through our teeth. At $2.42 per kilowatt for electricity, Colville Lake pays the highest power rate of all Northwest Territories communities. Let’s start by having some real discussions on a review of the electrical rates in the Northwest Territories.
Four litres of milk costs around $13.29 in Fort Good Hope, compared to $4.59 in Yellowknife or $7.49 in Inuvik. We need to have a real Food Mail Program so that all milk is the same price everywhere.
The average income in our communities is $42,604 per year. Most employment opportunities are only part-time or seasonal. In Tulita, where the average income is $31,800, 35 percent of the households are in core need. That’s more than twice the territorial average. The price of groceries limits the number of healthy choices families can make.
One of the goals of the 16th Legislative Assembly is to reduce the cost of living. We should invest in more efficient ways to get energy and power into our communities. We need an all-weather road into our communities. Our people should be able to afford the house they live in. We should encourage local stores to shelve our local meat and fish. We need to create jobs by developing renewable resources like tourism, like the Doi T’oh Park or implementing woodchip or other wood product industries like a firewood cutting service for seniors. These may not be high paying jobs, but they would go a long way to helping our families and they support the Assembly’s goals.
Some of the solutions require large investments upfront, but they will benefit our people far longer than most subsidies. Our people deserve the opportunity to succeed. Let’s give them our hope.
I believe it’s time for a new way of thinking. We need to be creative and it’s often said that we need to think outside the box, but right now far too many people in my region, and maybe other people in the other regions, feel that we are cornered into a box waiting to be busted out. Some people are living…
Mr. Yakeleya, your time for Member’s statement has expired.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Some people are living in poverty in this wealthy Northwest Territories, but it shouldn’t be the case, and we here in the House have the responsibility to be creative and do something to change this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about establishing a new territorial park in the Tu Nedhe riding near Fort Resolution. Having recently returned from a community visit to Fort Resolution, I met with a group of residents who informed me of their desire to establish a new territorial park. Currently, I believe, there has been some discussion around establishing a territorial park at Mission Island; however, there is some concern over this, because Mission Island holds significant spiritual interest for the community.
Mr. Speaker, many residents do not want to see this sensitive area turned into a tourist attraction. The community would like to see a new territorial park established elsewhere. They have identified a location just outside the community, along the Slave River.
Mr. Speaker, being raised in Fort Resolution, I am familiar with the area and I can say it’s a beautiful, scenic spot and would make an ideal location for a territorial park. Both the Slave River and the community of Fort Resolution have equal historical significance in the Northwest Territories. Fort Resolution is the oldest community in the NWT, first established in the late 1700s. The community has been designated as a national historic site, only one of four in the NWT. The Slave River has played a key role in opening the North. Famous explorers such as Samuel Hearne, Sir John Franklin and Alexander Mackenzie travelled this river enroute to their historical journeys.
Today, Mr. Speaker, the Slave River area supports a strong traditional subsistence activity of hunting, trapping and fishing for many residents. The basin area of the Slave River of 616,400 square kilometres and, again, I repeat, is one of the scenic jewels of our North.
Mr. Speaker, establishing a new territorial park will have both immediate and long-term significance in economic impacts for the community, immediate benefits during the construction phase and long-term benefits for maintenance and use for the park. One of the issues I have been raising in the House is a lack of employment and economic opportunity for the community.
Mr. Speaker, there will be increased revenues from tourists using this park. This project is a win/win for everyone; for people who live in Fort Resolution and for people that will use the park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday, while discussing the capital investments within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, I made some comments on two projects that I felt were missing from the 2009-2010 Capital Plan; specifically the J.H. Sissons School and the Yellowknife Campus for Aurora College. For clarity, I want to point out I am not requesting that the GNWT turn J.H. Sissons into the new Yellowknife Campus or that Sissons be shut down. There is no evidence, in my opinion, to suggest that such an action would be appropriate and no research, that I am aware of, has been done. For the record, I reconfirmed with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment that the department has no plans in place to shut down any schools in Yellowknife.
My statement on Tuesday was intended to encourage the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the GNWT to think outside the box and to consider all avenues to address our capital and infrastructure needs. As a government spending public dollars, we must look for ways to maximize the dollars that we spend to ensure that we get the best results for our investments.
I mentioned Sissons only because I was already talking about Sissons School as a project that has clearly fallen off the capital plan. I am sorry for any stress that this reference to Sissons may have caused parents, teachers and students.
However, currently Sissons is part of a much larger problem. The problem of enrolment. Yellowknife is faced with a rapidly declining enrolment. Running schools that are only half filled increases costs significantly. High costs for students in facilities operating with low enrolment actually take dollars out of the programs for our children, money which could be used to enhance programming like immersion programs, if the system better utilized space.
My first concern is the education of our youth. I want this government to enhance programming that will give our youth the best results and prepare them for the world and their future in it. Enrolment in Yellowknife has continuously dropped since 2002-2003 from 3,751 to 3,462 in 2008-2009. Projected numbers for 2009-2010 are even lower at 3,380.
Mr. Speaker, we the residents of the Northwest Territories, including the residents of Yellowknife, Members of this Legislative Assembly and the public school board, will be faced with significant challenges, many which are financial, over the coming years. Hard decisions will need to be made; decisions will be required, but cannot be done in the absence of research. Hard questions need to be asked.
I am committed to working with all interested stakeholders to find reasonable and responsible solutions; solutions that work in the best interest of Northerners, solutions which may include reprofiling school facilities.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, this will require individuals to ask hard and, occasionally, controversial questions. For the sake of the children and their quality of education, I’m willing to ask these hard questions so that the relevant information can be collected and help decision-makers make informed and responsible decisions. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to encourage this government to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on the Local Housing Subsidy Program. Several sessions ago we gave the government instructions to review the Public Housing Subsidy Program, because since transferring administration from local housing organizations to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment there has been some serious problems on the delivery of the program.
Years ago when the government was first considering transferring the administration to ECE, many local housing organizations told the local government what the real problem was, and that was that the local housing authorities did not have the adequate resources to properly administer the programs. Mr. Speaker, however, the government is convinced that only the Department of ECE can properly run the program.
Over the years my constituents have expressed concerns with the way the public housing rental subsidy has been administered. Francis Wolki has been very vocal with her community and how it has affected these changes. She’s concerned with the people who have been in the same houses for years, never giving their LHOs any problems and recently getting letters of eviction.
Mr. Speaker, our region has a petition circulating to review all the regional leadership, urging all MLAs to work aggressively with this government to develop a solution to these issues. Housing is a core responsibility of the government. However, I expressed previously, recently developments of the government seem to contradict this principle. The housing conditions or the program implementation, especially for small and remote communities, has been in a crisis situation for quite some time. The recent changes of the Income Support Policy in relation to the community housing support has only created a worsening situation. The housing conditions in small communities such as Paulatuk are facing serious problems that the government must address.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to transfer the administration of the Public Housing Subsidy Program back to local housing authorities, with adequate resources to properly administer the program. Local governments know their communities’ issues best.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to transfer the administration of the Public Housing Subsidy Program back to local housing authorities, with adequate resources to properly administer the program. Local governments know their communities and issues best. They know the best ways to administer the programs.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today marks the first day of a mass vaccination against the spread of H1N1 -- Swine Flu -- in our Territory. Nationwide, this will be the largest mass vaccination and immunization program in Canadian history.
Like many parents, my wife and I find ourselves struggling over whether or not to give our two-year-old son this H1N1 vaccine. We’re even wondering, Mr. Speaker, whether or not we should get the shot ourselves.
I want to be clear that the Department of Health and Social Services is doing a great job at providing information about H1N1, and their website and public announcements have been good. I’m concerned over the fact that Health Canada is supplying the vaccine that our Minister of Health likes to refer to as the Cadillac version of a vaccine, to our residents and to the people of Canada. This vaccine, known as Arepanrix, contains such ingredients and formaldehyde and potassium chloride. Are we getting that information out to our residents?
Mr. Speaker, in the United States many parents are saying no to this vaccine. In China, over half the population says they don’t want it and, indeed, there are many Canadians and residents here in our Territory that will say no to the vaccine.
Mr. Speaker, I know that these vaccines are different, depending on which country you live in. For example, in Australia they were using a vaccine called Panvax. This vaccine does not contain formaldehyde, like Arepanrix does. So there certainly are differences.
Mr. Speaker, like any vaccine, there are side effects associated with Arepanrix. I would like to advise those residents that want to know more about the vaccine, to visit Health Canada’s website for a product information leaflet on the Arepanrix vaccine. It certainly is enlightening.
It’s certainly not my intention today to scare people away from getting the vaccine, and at the end of the day, when you weigh the odds and the fact that I couldn’t stand to see my son become sick with H1N1 and hospitalized, he’ll probably end up getting the vaccine.
Given the fact that getting this vaccine can, in rare cases, cause serious issues with the nervous system and paralysis, I’m wondering will those adversely affected have any legal recourse with the government. Do people receiving this vaccine have to sign a waiver, are people fully informed of the ingredients of this vaccine prior to it being administered, and are they asked about allergies, especially to eggs, Mr. Speaker? At the appropriate time I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I’d like to talk about barrier-free schools and playgrounds. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that this government stands for inclusive education and has for a long time. The issue being raised today is that some parents recently requested money from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to improve accessibility at one of the Yellowknife schools, because at least one of their students is confined to a wheelchair and they wanted to make sure that the playground was as accessible as possible to them. However, Mr. Speaker, their funding was denied. Mr. Speaker, it’s my view, to deny one child the ability to play and certainly enjoy fun time with their fellow friends is certainly one child too many from enjoying these lively and important activities.
If we want education to be inclusive, we need it to be fully barrier-free at all levels, from door to door, and that includes the playground. Mr. Speaker, buildings being built today are certainly taking these considerations into effect, but the old schools that have been built years ago do not necessarily have all the standards to meet the modern needs of today. Mr. Speaker, this is a territorial problem, not just a Yellowknife problem, and I would say that every school should have the ability to say their school and playground is as accessible as reasonably possible. I cannot say that enough, that all schools need to have this, again a territorial program.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment needs to work to develop a long-term strategy that ensures that all schools and playgrounds are accessible. I realize funding just doesn’t fall from the tree, but I certainly know that some strategy could be developed.
Mr. Speaker, the call to arms to deal with this problem was when the parents decided to set up a link on the N.J. Macpherson website to get parents to help vote to get funding for their program. There is a group organization called Aviva Community Fund and they, based on votes from parents, will give away money to schools to help them with this problem.
Mr. Speaker, our playgrounds are special places for our youth as they grow up. I know that the Minister understands this, having so many children himself, the importance of good education and children having fun. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge this government to take this problem seriously and to do what it can today to help those kids of our tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
