Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that later today I will table Green Light: Signalling the Department of Transportation’s Commitment to the Environment.
Maintaining a healthy environment is one of the most important issues facing us today. Managing climate change, air and water pollution, and stemming the loss of wildlife habitat are some of our biggest challenges.
The residents of the Northwest Territories are fortunate to live in a vast and relatively unspoiled environment that supports subsistence harvesting, resource development, recreation and tourism. Northerners have a strong and enduring attachment to the land, which demands special attention to addressing environmental challenges.
The Department of Transportation has developed Green Light to highlight existing environmental practices and to further foster a corporate culture of environmental excellence within the department and throughout the northern transportation industry. Green Light lays the groundwork for improving operations and demonstrates the department’s commitment to continue efforts to get our own house in order, and to lead by example.
Green Light supports the vision of the 16th Legislative Assembly and the goal of an environment that will sustain present and future generations.
Mr. Speaker, Green Light is conceived and designed to spark action by individuals in each operational region of the NWT and throughout the
Department of Transportation. The action plan presents a guide for priority actions in the short term of the first two years and in the medium term of the next two to five years.
In the short term, the Department of Transportation will focus on determining appropriate roles and responsibilities to address priority environmental challenges by:
fostering employee commitment;
developing the Environmental Management System;
researching best practices and policies and procedures;
developing a greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan;
developing a climate change adaptation plan;
developing worksite-specific plans;
engaging the transportation industry.
The medium-term actions will focus on implementing the required policies and plans under a new departmental Environmental Management System.
Mr. Speaker, Green Light provides a blueprint to improve the environmental performance of the Department of Transportation. It will inspire and guide the department to achieve new levels of environmental sustainability and stewardship, while fulfilling its main mission of supporting and enabling a safe, secure, accessible and reliable Northwest Territories transportation system. The department is proud to enter an era of increased environmental awareness and positive action. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the significant progress being made by NWT community governments in planning and building the infrastructure they need to deliver quality programs and services within their communities.
Since 2007 when most NWT communities took on responsibility for the planning, design and construction of their community public infrastructure through the New Deal, we have seen impressive results. Community governments are provided with capital formula funding from the GNWT that they can use to bank, invest and leverage other sources of funding so that they can develop their capital plans and construct capital projects identified as a priority by their residents.
Municipal and Community Affairs piloted a series of infrastructure projects with interested community governments in order to establish best practices, gain insight into community project management needs and identify areas where communities might benefit from additional support in implementing their new responsibilities.
Based on this pilot experience, it is clear that community governments are innovative and creative in their approaches and are forming the partnerships and making the decisions needed to ensure that their capital projects are completed on time and on budget.
The Hamlet of Fort Liard, after waiting several years to have a maintenance garage constructed through the government’s capital plan, combined their Community Capacity Building Fund allocation with funding from MACA’s capital plan to implement three project in one year in order to achieve economies of scale. The three buildings -- a fire hall, maintenance garage and community office -- were bundled into one project and were completed in one construction season. The buildings reflect the needs of the hamlet and incorporate design elements that make them unique to Fort Liard.
The Hamlet of Fort McPherson has been another successful pilot. The community government pooled capital funding from various sources to construct a fire hall and community complex. The community complex houses the hamlet offices and also includes the radio station and space for an elders centre and an area for youth, features that would not have been possible under the GNWT’s capital planning process. The project was completed in 2008 and is well used and a respected asset in the community.
The Charter Community of Fort Good Hope also planned and implemented a community complex that suits the needs and priorities of residents. Under the council’s direction, a local project manager interviewed architects and consultants to see what each could offer the community in reflecting their needs. This unique approach ensured that community interests were first and foremost in the planning and design. The final product, which opened earlier this year, is a showpiece for the community and reflects Fort Good Hope’s culture, heritage and values.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, on September 21, 2009, an important milestone took place in Dettah when the Yellowknives Dene First Nation held the grand opening of the Chief Drygeese Government Building and Conference Centre. Using their community capital formula funding allocation, along with their own-source revenues and borrowed funds, the Yellowknives planned new offices for the band, meeting space for council, and a magnificent community hall and meeting place that can be rented out.
Many hours were put in by the representatives from the Yellowknives who worked with MACA to navigate through GNWT funding policies, federal funding applications and also with the banks and architectural and construction firms. As the only pilot project involving a band government, this was a learning experience for everyone involved so that we could work through the details of band ownership of infrastructure. I want to commend the current and past leadership of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for their willingness to partner with us on this pilot and for their vision and leadership from start to finish. The end result is worth it, the Yellowknives have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind, energy efficient building that will benefit Dettah and the band members for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, the success of these projects is proof that the New Deal is working and that this enhanced control at the local level is contributing to the development of community capacity. MACA’s continuing role is to support and mentor community governments to take on these responsibilities in a way that allows for the communities full growth and potential to be realized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Aklavik is located on the west side of the Mackenzie Delta on the Peel River. Shoreline erosion, river embankment collapses, sloping and mudslides are a common occurrence throughout the Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, climate change is real. It is affecting the residents of the Mackenzie Delta in that the average year temperature in the Mackenzie Delta has increased by 1.7 degrees Celsius over the past century, and more than anywhere else in Canada, the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on earth and, Mr. Speaker, the effects are seen by the residents of Aklavik and throughout the Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, this government has to take climate change seriously and realize that we do have a major threat looming in regards to what we see happening in coastal communities throughout the Arctic with what’s happening with regard to communities in Alaska where they are now being classified as basically climate change refugees, because they have to move their communities from the coastal shorelines inland and the effects that climate is having.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen the effects in communities such as Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and also we can see it as we travel down our river systems, from shoreline erosions, major mudslides, and even in the mountain ranges where we can actually see large chunks of land which basically have slid into the creek beds. Again, with the rising temperatures and the effects that we see, we, as government, have to realize that we have to take this issue seriously and look at what we can do to shore up the safety and security of our communities. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, as a government, we should not be propping up industry; we should be propping up our communities to ensure they’re there for another century. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to leave a message for the government on two telephone issues. First and most pressing is the obvious need for introduction of 911 emergency telephone service beginning in our major communities. The Minister’s position on this can only be described as stubborn and illogical. The arguments for realizing the clear advantages of 911 service are overwhelming.
A well researched and documented feasibility study shows the service can be cost effectively introduced on a phased-in basis. Today’s media reports confirm that NorthwesTel, after 10 years of study and investment, is technically able and eager to introduce 911 in any or all communities.
Even when this government finally sets out to introduce 911 service, its installation will have to be phased in over several years. The basic reasoning that no communities can have 911 until all communities can have 911 simply doesn’t make sense. Would the Minister say that no community may have a paid fire department unless all communities have paid fire departments? Does he believe that small community residents are so mean spirited that they would deny this service improvement to larger communities? Where and when we can, we must take steps to protect the lives and property of our citizens and do what we can and strive to do even better always.
Mr. Speaker, I ask the Minister to reverse his unacceptable position and introduce his plan for phased introduction of 911 emergency service on the basis of the feasibility study’s sensible recommendations.
Secondly, I want to put my support on record with other Members for the introduction of a ban on cell phone use while driving. My colleagues have eloquently put forward the wealth of information proving this hazard and information on the example of bans put in place or planned by other jurisdictions. One constituent who called me said that while walking around the airport loop and narrowly being missed by several vehicles, she started keeping tally. She saw 32 drivers…
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. I am going to stop you there. Your Member’s statement is supposed to be on one topic. So we will stop you there. Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I wasn’t at all sure what I would speak about today, but then on my way home I took a detour and stopped at the multiplex for my flu shot. What great work our Health department has done, is doing and will do.
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Many people probably caught the news last night but didn’t get much besides H1N1 coverage. All across Canada, vaccination clinics have huge line-ups, four to five-hour waits, 2,000 people in line for 800 doses available at a clinic. That means 1,200 people were turned away there. But no one should panic. There will be enough vaccine to go around, just not this week. By Christmas, everyone in Canada who wants a flu shot will have had it. So contrast the experience in Toronto to my experience last night. Here’s my story.
First, a five minute wait -- hardly noticed as I chatted with someone I hadn’t seen for quite a while -- then a friendly face directs me to registration. Another familiar face there. Four to five questions, show my health care card, get a number. Hey, I’m number one. Like magic, no wait required. Nurse station number six is open and off I go. Another smile, we chat a few more questions. Here we go, she says. Ouch! I’m all done. I wait the obligatory 15 minutes, which again passes quickly as I chat with old friends and watch the parade of families coming in for their shots. We are so lucky to be in the NWT and not Toronto.
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Just this morning at eight o’clock Toronto time, there were 500 people lined up for shots at a clinic that was due to open two hours later. We are so lucky to have smart, creative, dedicated health professionals in our Territory.
The YK clinic is a beautiful piece of work, efficient, pleasant and reassuring. Thanks to the medical personnel for all their hard work, and as the travelling teams depart for the communities outside of YK, I wish them safe travels, have fun and enjoy the tour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement is going to be on the vision of a Prime Minister from the past, John Diefenbaker, in terms of the Road to Resources and I am going to make reference to the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway in terms of the importance of this piece of infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I was in on several briefings where there are some funds out in Canada that would not consider the Mackenzie Valley Highway as a piece of infrastructure that would be looked at by the federal government. That’s a crying shame that the federal government would not look at this important piece of infrastructure that would serve many communities down the Mackenzie Valley, starting from the community of Wrigley and ending up at the Beaufort Sea at the community of Tuktoyaktuk. This piece of infrastructure would put a lot of people in the position to enhance their business, employ many people to further their skills as equipment operators, project managers, put business in our small communities to work and enhance our communities, as well, by creating a lot of self-esteem, I guess, amongst our people there.
Mr. Speaker, I would again look at the issue of the federal government in terms of their requirements and some of their funding projects that would support more businesses in the communities in the Mackenzie Valley. It seems the federal government has an interest in resource development that would be beneficial to them, such as the diamond mines. However, it seems to me when you look at their responses, it seems like they favour more the diamond, actually, than the people in the Northwest Territories along the Mackenzie Valley Highway. This infrastructure such as the Mackenzie Valley Highway would strengthen and support the sovereignty of Canada’s Arctic to the Canadian people and that would help the people in the Mackenzie Valley open up other resource opportunities such as oil and gas exploration and mineral exploration.
So, Again, I Ask This Government Here If They Would Encourage The Federal Government To Look At The Mackenzie Valley Highway As A Project That Could Be A Legacy For All Canadians To Enjoy. Thank You, Mr. Speaker.MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were elected in October 2007, and immediately after being elected, we worked together as 19 Members to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the people of the Northwest Territories. After that, Cabinet was selected and given the task to lead the bureaucracy and implement the collective strategy plan.
As a Regular MLA, I feel that my role is to bring forward and help address constituent issues and concerns; review, discuss, debate and either support or reject bills; review, discuss, debate and make recommendations on government business plans; bring forward ideas and initiatives that are in the best interests of residents of the Northwest Territories and to hold the government to account. I take my role very seriously and I have no problem holding Cabinet to account when they stray from our strategic plan. However, I don’t believe my job is to criticize everything that Cabinet does or says.
When something is done well, I think it should be recognized. A lot of good has occurred in the last two years and a lot of important things have happened. However, in this venue, official session, it’s seems to be a lot more about criticism.
So today I’d like to actually break away from my normal challenges to Cabinet and highlight a positive: specifically, this government’s response to H1N1. I talk an awful lot in here in this building about breaking down departmental silos and departments working together. In responding to the threat of H1N1, I feel strongly that Health and Social Services, MACA and Education, Culture and Employment have broken down their silos and have found ways to work together to effectively respond to H1N1.
MACA, as an example, has played a key role through their Territorial Emergency Response Team. They have worked closely and collaboratively with the Department of Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment to respond to H1N1. Health professionals have gone above and beyond and have committed time beyond their normal business days to actually respond to H1N1.
I was at the clinic yesterday getting my H1N1 shot and I was very impressed by just the flow of people through that centre. It was smooth. It was effective. I was in there and I was out of there, and I had my shot and my arm hurts a little bit, but otherwise I’m fine. This is clearly evidence that these departments can work together for positive results, and I applaud the staff of Education, Culture and Employment, MACA, and Health and Social Services for their continued dedication and support to the people of the Northwest Territories. Without our quality staff, there are no services to the people of the Northwest Territories. So to our staff: thank you very, very, very much. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Most residents of the Northwest Territories, when they get sick, they go see a doctor. Many times people are given the standard advice when they develop symptoms of illness: consult with your family physician. But in Nunakput, doctors’ visits are few and far between. Sometimes it can go as long as six or seven months, Mr. Speaker. That’s not acceptable.
Compounded by another issue that is equally important, especially during the H1N1 swine flu developments, are that our nurses diagnose patients, and if in their opinion the situation warrants, then a patient will be referred to a doctor. Mr. Speaker, most resident of the Northwest Territories do not have to go through this additional layer in the waiting times. When they have a problem, they go see the doctor directly. When regional health authorities have shortages of doctors, it’s always the smaller and remote communities that are left behind. We’re put on the backburner. We’re not given a fair share of doctors’ visits, Mr. Speaker, and that’s a shame.
A shame.
We are lucky in Canada to have equality of health care access to all residents. It’s a right, but that’s not always the answer and shared with all residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, recently in central Canada a perfectly healthy young boy passed away of H1N1 within days of catching the flu. During the years and flu season, this government must implement extra measures to monitor and treat all residents of the NWT equally and not just regarding the flu, but all medical conditions. We all know how fast medical conditions can progress; even a one or two-month situation could mean a matter of life and death.
I expressed in several Member’s statements over the past two years I’ve been here that our community health centre staff and nurses are working very hard in trying to ensure the medical services they can, but they need this government’s help, Mr. Speaker. The government needs to devote resources to ensure the problems do not affect quality of care to all residents. The government needs to ensure that the shortages in small, remote communities aren’t always bearing the brunt of it all.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about Highway No. 6. I have raised the issue previously with the department, and the department has responded. I would like to thank the Minister for putting infrastructure dollars into the reconstruction of Highway No. 6 to a chipseal state from kilometre 67 to kilometre 90.
Mr. Speaker, the current allocation of capital is sufficient to complete that portion of the highway. The department has completed the work that many residents consider the most dangerous part of the highway.
Mr. Speaker, my contention is that the government must complete the chipsealing of Highway No. 6 100 percent. The residents of Fort Resolution would be interested to hear if the department has a strategy on completing this road. With the number of announcements made by the federal government in the last couple of years, I am sure we can identify funds to complete Highway No. 6.
To date, Mr. Speaker, the department has committed to complete aggregate production, culvert replacement, widening of the road, base construction and chipsealing for 26 kilometres of Highway No. 6. However, Mr. Speaker, there remains about 40 kilometres of that highway that is wide enough and needs to be brought to a chipseal state.
Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned before, this road is in need of some major reconstruction. I would like to see the department continue its direction. Highway No. 6 is 90 kilometres long; however, only 27 kilometres of this highway is currently chipsealed, with another 23 kilometres planned for chipseal. I would like to see the department implement a plan to complete this highway and make a commitment to chipseal the remaining 40 kilometres of Highway No. 6. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I wish to speak on vandalism and how it is hurtful to people. The Deh Cho Drum reports that it has been a very disturbing time for a family in Fort Simpson. The grave of Marc Andre Lapierre, who died at the age if 18 in 1996, was desecrated last week. Mark Andre loved fire trucks, so a model of a red fire truck was placed under protective glass as a memorial on his grave. However, vandals damaged the fire truck beyond repair and left the site in disorder. This is a terrible thing. It causes a resurgence of grief to the family. My sympathies, Mr. Speaker, go out to the family for this unkindness done.
Mark Andre’s cousin, Yannick Lapierre, is quoted in the Deh Cho Drum as asking: “Why would they do that? What is the point of doing something like that?” Editor of the newspaper, Roxanna Thompson, repeats that question. She also questions how it is the village of Fort Simpson could be a place where this could happen. Ms. Thompson thinks residents should speak out and let everyone know that vandalism isn’t acceptable.
Hear! Hear!
Like other communities, vandalism occurs in Fort Simpson. It is usually in the form of spray painted words on signs, sidewalks and sometimes it goes as far as damage on empty buildings. Vandalism is a costly problem and can make a community look unsightly. It shows a lack of respect.
In this case, one or two people did something worse, with the desecration of a grave. The RCMP are treating this case very seriously and have asked anyone with information about the vandalism to phone the RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers. As the Deh Cho Drum said, this particular incident by vandals hurt and disturbed the entire community. I say let’s pull together so that we can, first, catch the vandals and, second, help prevent future acts of this type. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to remind NWT residents of something they probably knew, but maybe from time to time need to be reminded of, and that has to do with coverage for medical travel.
Mr. Speaker, we have very good medical travel coverage for residents of the Northwest Territories. However, what people need to be reminded of is the only medical travel the GNWT pays for through your health insurance is travel that originates in the Northwest Territories. So, Mr. Speaker, when NWT residents travel, and I believe they travel very extensively and I believe statistics would prove that NWT residents probably travel in other parts of Canada and to foreign countries more than average on a per capita basis, but when we travel in Canada, if we got into a medical emergency situation, I believe that if we produced our NWT health care card we would receive medical attention at a Canadian institution that provides health service.
However, if you need to be transported to that medical attention in an ambulance, on an airplane from a site that was remote to medical help, that particular travel cost would not be covered by the GNWT because it did not originate in the GNWT. Especially to parents who have students who are attending school outside of the Northwest Territories, if you are a student, if your child is involved in an accident, for example in Edmonton or anyplace they may be attending post-secondary school, and needs to be transported to a medical facility by ambulance, again those kinds of expenses are not covered.
It is amazing, actually, how cheap medical insurance is if you need to purchase it. I know during the height of the SARS crisis, one of my sons went to Japan. I went to an airport kiosk and bought him medical insurance to bring him home if he got ill. It was actually quite inexpensive, but we need to remember to do that.
Mr. Speaker, thinking back to the time when I was Minister, too, someone was skiing in Quebec and broke their back. They received their medical attention, but they needed to get home, back to where their family was. Those are the kinds of things that can happen. A person driving from Inuvik to Edmonton had a heart attack on the Yukon side of the border. He needed to get to Edmonton for medical attention and again, because that incident did not occur in the Northwest Territories, that medical travel was not covered.
So today I just wanted to remind people of the NWT to buy medical insurance for travel. It’s inexpensive and you never know when you’ll need it. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to a concern that several Members have raised quite well here in the House and it’s the concern for the lack of support for the Canada 55-plus Games that will be held next year in Brockville, Ontario, in 2010.
Mr. Speaker, the issue is this: our government has had a history of supporting this program in the past for $50,000 each and every second year. Mr. Speaker, the issue here is this year the government, out of the blue, has decided not to support this program. Mr. Speaker, it seems to be a bit of a shame when we have a $1.3 billion budget and there is nowhere in any cupboard of government finances we could find that type of money. Not looking in the little jars of MACA, not looking in the big pots in Transportation, not looking in the little slush over in Health? There is nowhere anywhere we can find a collective way of finding a little bit of money?
I think the point posed by Member Bisaro the other day of why couldn’t multi departments work together to help support our seniors was a great approach of saying this.
Mr. Speaker, we have seen many times supplementary appropriations come forward and ask for specific amounts of money for specific projects that are very important. I think supporting the seniors of the Northwest Territories is very important, Mr. Speaker. I would encourage the Government House Leader as well as Finance Minister, Mr. Michael Miltenberger, to consider this. He controls the purse strings of that supplementary appropriation if he ever needed to dip into it to support some important initiative. I would be very surprised if anyone from this House questioned it in a way of it being thought of as irresponsible. If anything, we would probably champion the government in thinking seniors are important. It is about time you show it.
Mr. Speaker, the seniors are looking for $50,000 to help their organization of the games to help book hotels, help coordinate jackets, and it really goes to the fundamentals of helping our seniors. They help the youth out there so they can participate in multi-sport games. When has anyone ever heard that not engaging our seniors and getting them out there is the right approach? Mr. Speaker, if anything, there are a ton of studies out there that say make sure you support them and keep them active and get their minds moving.
Mr. Speaker, later today I will have questions to the Minister of Finance, who should be taking a lead role. As well, we should be encouraging all Members of this House and anyone reading transcripts should be encouraging the people out there to e-mail the Minister of Finance to support this program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t often get this opportunity, but I would like to acknowledge two of the Pages that are serving in the House today, two fine upstanding young men from Fort Smith: Mr. Kyle Payne and Mr. Randall Maidl. I thank them for their work that they have done and they have been good ambassadors for the community of Fort Smith. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.
I would like to welcome folks in the gallery today. Welcome to the Chamber. I hope you are enjoying the proceedings.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member’s statement I spoke of the reconstruction of Highway No. 6. I have questions for the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, how much money is being spent on Highway No. 6 for the reconstruction over which period? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, the total investment for Highway No. 6 is $6.9 million over three years and will be focusing on key areas of that portion of road that needs upgrading and reconstruction. Thank you.
