Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we moved forward with midwives and stabilized midwives in Fort Smith, so there are two positions there providing birthing services in the community. We also have two staffed midwife positions in Hay River that are providing birthing services, as well as other services in the community. We did move forward with a model in the Beaufort-Delta. Originally, we were planning to have a community-based midwifery program there, but our demographics and some of our information changed. As a result, we went with a more community-based, or more regional, model that is supported by physicians and the MOREOB program, as well as one nurse practitioner consultant who also happened to be a midwife in a previous career. Since then, we have been able to expedite the work that we are planning to do in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, and we were able to start that in the 2015-2016 fiscal year as a result of those changes in the Beaufort-Delta.
We have actually hired two consultants. It took a little longer to hire those consultants than we would have liked. It was difficult to find the appropriate staff. These consultants are working on basically three broad areas. First, strengthening and supporting the current midwifery practice in the Northwest Territories. This includes updating policies, reviewing and revising standards, and reintroducing the Midwifery Advisory Committee. They are also building on the 2012 report to continue community and territorial program design, so they put together, or rather they are putting together some terms of reference that will outline the work that they are going to be doing in that nature to move forward with the territorial program that includes midwifery services here in Yellowknife. Third, they are also doing monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the services are being provided appropriately and effectively. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the Minister for his reply. Can the Minister advise the House: Are there plans to include a midwifery unit in the new Stanton Hospital project?
There is no designated midwifery unit in the hospital, as midwifery is primarily a community-based service versus an acute care service. If the territorial midwifery program is advanced to implementation, part of the development will be to include identifying an appropriate location that best fits the needs of the program. As a note, Mr. Speaker, the three birthing rooms in the new hospital are sized to include birthing tubs, which would allow for water birth. Those rooms actually, the physical layout and how those tubs will be utilized, the midwifery consultants actually had some opportunity to provide some input on how that would be done. The midwifery staff have been having conversations about how those rooms can be used in the future.
We are only four years from the last midwifery report. Can the Minister clarify what outcomes are expected in the current consultation efforts that will be different than the outcomes that came in the 2012 Midwifery Options Report?
The 2012 report was more of an aspirational report. It wasn't actually a prescribed plan. It proposed three models for conversation: a community-based model, which the consultants felt could work in communities like Hay River, Inuvik, Yellowknife, or Behchoko; a regional model, which the consultants felt could work in the Beaufort-Delta, the Sahtu, or the Tlicho regions; and a territorial model. We did move forward and stabilize the midwifery services in Fort Smith. We did expand and provide midwifery services in Hay River. The realities in the Beaufort-Delta changed when we were actually looking at a community-based model for Inuvik. We had locum physicians, we didn't have any permanent staff, so there was a lot of turnover and inconsistency in birthing services, and we also had a very high rate of births.
The birth rates in the Beaufort-Delta have come down, and we now have stable staff in the Beaufort-Delta. As a result, we went with more of a regional model in Inuvik. The difference is we are actually moving forward on a territorial design, which is more than an aspirational document. It's a structured document outlining how we will provide the services both in Yellowknife and at a territorial level. It's actually a plan to move forward with some of the suggestions that were provided in the 2012 report.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for his answer. Lastly, advocacy groups like NWT Citizens for Midwifery are made up of moms, women with knowledge and experience in this area. Can the Minister tell us what opportunities there will be for these groups to be involved in the important initiative going forward? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's going to be really important to get feedback from as many interested parties as possible, and over the next year, the department will reach out to community members, Aboriginal organizations, healthcare practitioners, and others from across the Northwest Territories to help develop an understanding of the strengths and gaps in the priorities for the enhancement of midwifery services at a territorial and Yellowknife level. The timing and details of the consultation plan will be developed by March 2017, and we hope to have a completed proposal for development of the territorial midwifery program at that time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Transportation regarding the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, specifically about the progress the department has made to fulfill the social and environment commitments made before construction began. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is a national level strategic project that is much more than a construction of a highway. Both contractors, EGT and Northwind, are gaining experience in major construction project management, logistics management, human resource management, media relations, and financial management. This experience will give them the confidence to take on further challenges that will enable them and the people who work for them to be successful. This capacity building benefit will assist northern companies to become strong and capable, and have the confidence to take on future challenges. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Another aspect of capacity building is in delivering training opportunities to residents in the region. Can the Minister detail the training opportunities available to residents?
Delivering meaningful training opportunities contributes to a sustainable future of northern residents who wish to enter into the construction industry. To date, the contractors' training focuses have been on operating heavy equipment. As I mentioned earlier this week, more than 70 people from the region are now trained as heavy equipment operators, and more than 30 individuals have been trained as Class 1 and Class 3 drivers with air brakes. Another heavy equipment operator training course is going to be available for Beaufort-Delta residents in the 2016 season. Nine seats are available in a 15-week course that will be delivered in Fort Smith beginning in April.
We encourage residents to contact Aurora College for more information and apply on these courses. These training opportunities will provide valuable and transferable skills to allow residents to take advantage of job opportunities associated with other developments ongoing across the Northwest Territories.
During the environmental assessment for the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway project, the Department of Transportation made many commitments about reducing its impacts on the environment and the people of the Inuvialuit settlement region. My question is: how does the department track its progress on these commitments, and how is the department measuring its performance against those commitments?
The department has made over 230 commitments during the environmental assessment, and each one has been implemented, monitored, and reported on. Most of the commitments are also being tracked through the regulatory approval, such as land use permits and water licences. These permits and licences come with all typical monitoring and reporting, so there's constant and timely feedback. We track the status of all commitments on a real-time basis, and any issues or potential issues are brought forward to the management group on a timely action.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide assurance that the department is implementing its environment stewardship responsibilities for this project? Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
The department is working closely with many regulators that have mandates regarding the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, including the Inuvialuit Land Administration and the Inuvialuit Water Board, as well as the departments of Lands and Environment and Natural Resources. Recognizing that the new highway will change access to fantastic nearby fisheries, the department has provided funding and other resources to fishery managers to create a fisheries management plan along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway corridor. To satisfy wildlife commitments that came from the environmental assessment, DOT is working very closely with the local ENR office by supporting a dedicated ENR wildlife biologist. That biologist also works closely with the environment and wildlife monitors working for the ILA and for the contractor. These monitors are on site whenever there is active work going on, in order to observe the wildlife and report any potential impacts.
In addition, the department has three environmental staff dedicated to this project. One focuses on the regulatory requirements and environment commitments. Two others are located in Inuvik and are permanently working on the highway. They work with the contractors' staff, environmental and wildlife monitors, and any stakeholders and regulators to ensure nothing is missed and as issues arise.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. It's in regards to carrying on the torch here on Sahtu regional trades technical centre. My predecessor brought this up many times. In my research here, I want to quote a motion that was passed. It says, “Now, therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member of the Yellowknife Centre.” This is a document dated February 2014. It says, “The GNWT will conduct a planning study in the 2014-2015 fiscal year for a Sahtu regional institute of technology, and further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this motion within 120 days.” I think we're beyond that 120 days. I'm wondering if there is a response. No, I'm just kidding. My question to the Minister is if we can reactivate that study and move forward, revisit it to see if there's viability for this trades tech centre in one of the Sahtu communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The feasibility study that was conducted in 2014-2015 to examine the viability and a regional institute of technology in the Sahtu was brought forth to the department, and we shared that report with the Member for Sahtu at that time in the 17th Legislative Assembly. Unfortunately, the final report did mention that it was not feasible at this time to move forward on this initiative. The Member did ask if we would revive that report. I have no problems sharing that report with the new Member and moving forward to see how we can best look at providing programs and services in terms of trades and industry work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I welcome that initiative here, and some things have changed since that time. I guess one cost measure in favour of this institution to revisit or review, is that the four bands in the Sahtu most recently have formed a joint venture, acquired some building assets from the former hotel owner and have moved on to acquire another…
Member for Sahtu, could you ask your question, please?
My question of the Minister is: will he be willing to look at the building bought by the bands as well, because we've got a building?
Any decisions regarding increased training facilities or training program deliveries need to be made with a territorial context, as well as subject to the GNWT's capital planning process. What I would like to share with the Member, though, is that the Sahtu does have a regional training partnership that has been re-established. From my understanding, they stopped operating in 2013; however, the ECE Sahtu regional office is utilizing community employment officers as points of contact for community leaders, businesses, as well as residents to bring forward these training initiatives. I would be looking at working and also discussing some of these options, in which the department is also an active member. I'm looking forward to working with the Regional Training Partnership Committee to see what options there are in the Sahtu.
It's good to hear that there's principle to engage on a move-forward plan. My next question is: is it the willingness of the Minister to come and visit one of the Sahtu communities, have a look at these buildings and the other elements to form a forward plan here for revisiting the institution of setting up of Sahtu Tech?
A couple of things. The Skills 4 Success Initiative that we're going to be working on is going to build the foundation for what is needed out in the labour force, as what are the community needs. I did mention earlier in this session that we were going to be releasing the Labour Market Information Report that's going to guide us along the way in terms of all regions and what they need in terms of labour market workforce. With the department and my commitment to getting out to the committees and the regions to see what is needed, I can work with the Member to look at when we can make a visit to the Sahtu.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Would the Minister propose some dates in the next 90 days -- I know we're going to be busy, but “proposed” is the right choice of words on dates there -- for a site community visit to analyze this potential?
As mentioned, the Sahtu Training Partnership Committee that's formed I would be willing to meet with that group as well and we can get some dates in place for the Member to see the best time to make the visit into the Sahtu.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently the Housing Corporation announced a plan to build 40 new units for RCMP housing, new energy-efficiency units. Would the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation answer some questions about this? The federal government got out of RCMP housing because it was no longer cost-effective. Why is our financially challenged government taking this on and how we will make it cost-effective? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government is actually getting out of the provision of housing for RCMP officers effective April 1, so we don't have a lot of time to work on this. Their reasoning is that they don't want to do the retrofitting to the current housing that they're in. The NWT Housing Corporation is not looking at taking on their current housing, but providing services to the RCMP. Because of economy of scale, it's easier for us to provide all of the housing versus having to have them negotiate individually with market housing before April 1st. Thank you.
We've heard a lot about how our priorities have to be tempered by our fiscal restraints. I think there's a concern for many people that if the Housing Corporation is overreaching with new projects we may not have enough resources to go to very important social housing. Would the Minister tell us where this money is going to come from and whether or not it is confirmed spending?
Nothing at this moment is confirmed. We're still in negotiations with Justice and the federal government. Once we decide upon it, we would be putting in a request to the Financial Management Board. The money, actually, will not take away from social housing at all. In fact, it will help to provide social housing. Within the next 15 years -- 2032, in fact -- CMHC is expected to delete all of their funding for social housing, so we need to look at revenue sources to be able to continue to provide social housing and this is one method.
Is the Minister proposing that this plan to building RCMP housing is going to be a revenue-generating option for the GNWT? Is the government interested in being a landlord?
Currently, actually, the Housing Corporation does have some market housing. One of the reasons is that within the communities it's hard to find housing for professionals such as teachers, nurses, et cetera, RCMP as well. So yes, it will be a revenue base that we can actually use towards maintaining of our social housing.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question would be: what will happen to the existing stock of RCMP housing? I believe it's over a hundred units. That seems like a sufficient amount and I can't image that they all are in a position to be demolished. I'm sure there's some units we might be able to use. Can the Minister update us on what the quality of the stock is and what the plan to dispose of it is? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Actually, there's only 45 units that the RCMP are interested in negotiating. All of their units, they are not interested in retrofitting them. The Housing Corporation is not interested in taking on their old housing either. So they are going to be trying to sell them into the market community, and if not then they'll negotiate with the Housing Corporation to take them on based on land value only.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my Member's statement, as you recall during our election period, I have had a lot of concerns about negotiations, whether its self-government or land claims. Some of these land claims and self-government agreements have gone on for almost 20 years now, with spending in the neighbourhood of $20 million, and then, whether it is a land claim group or the government that is negotiating, they receive that much less. There are some challenges, for example. The reason I know this is eight years ago, these same issues were a challenge at the time, whether it is core principles and objectives or taking over programs at the current level. My question to our honourable Premier is: when can we expect the outstanding land claims negotiations to be completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Honourable Premier.
