Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my final question. Not only is it important for this government to develop a strong engagement plan and actively roll it out and make it a part of our daily business, but it is important to learn from our experiences. Mr. Speaker, how does the government intend to capture what we have learned and incorporate the lessons into our delivery of programs and services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I believe we can capture what we have learned in various ways. First of all, as I mentioned several times previously in answers, the ATIPP Act, we are seeking the involvement of the general public in that. Also, of course, as I mentioned, at the Caucus meeting we are discussing several issues that are very important for public engagement and openness of the government. I believe we can capture what we have learned. We can hear from the public, and we can move forward in this very important area.
Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about the recently announced federal review of the environmental assessment processes. While I welcome this initiative to rebuild public confidence, there is no place for residents in the Mackenzie Valley to participate in this review. Can the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations shed any light on why we have been excluded from this review and whether this was discussed in his meeting with the federal Minister for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can shed a lot of light on that matter. During the federal election, in response to a question that was posed by ourselves to all of the leaders of the federal parties, I posed a question about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, or the Northern Regulatory Improvement Initiative that was called at the time, that the leader of the Liberal Party, and now the Prime Minister, in his response, wrote back and said that their government would be doing a review of the whole environmental assessment process and they would set it right. In my first meeting with the Prime Minister, I asked him about it. We were ready and willing to be engaged. I also met with Minister Bennett a couple of times now. She indicated that she is quite prepared for our government to be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. I talked to fisheries Minister LeBlanc, and he is very willing, very excited, about our government participating in the review of the Fisheries Act. In hindsight, the fact that we are not involved in the federal review is probably a good thing because that is what caused these issues anyways. Minister Bennett has indicated we will be fully involved in dealing with the northern regulatory process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I appreciate the response from the Minister. Certainly the previous federal government made a number of unilateral changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act that resulted in a successful court challenge by the Tlicho Government. Has the Minister’s Cabinet colleagues had any communications with the federal government over the court challenge and any plans to repeal those changes?
We have engaged in the federal government on a number of fronts on this because it is a very important matter to us. The MVRMA is a product of land claims negotiations in the Mackenzie Valley. The goal of this legislation is to provide a single process. It provides a voice for each of the groups. Although the legislation is federal, it is the result of a collaborative process. In our minds there are three types of activities right now, all linked to the MVRMA. First and foremost is the fact that as the Member indicated Canada made a number of changes to the MVRMA that impacted the North. It is not clear to us if Canada is doing the background work necessary to implement these changes, for example, consultation guidelines. We have also raised the matter of participant funding, as the Member has indicated. We have asked as to where the federal government is going with that. We know the federal government has stood down on the Tlicho legal action. It was not clear to us, and they haven’t indicated where they are going with that. We also have the fact, as the Member stated, that Canada has made commitments to restore credibility to environmental assessment commitments that would include reviewing the MVRMA. They have indicated that we would be involved in a joint review of the MVRMA. We are holding them to that. Of course, in the devolution agreement, Canada committed to review the devolution agreement provisions related to MVRMA. The previous government agreed to five years. We have told this government we think we could do it sooner. Also, there are requirements itself that the government has to put in place to fully implement devolution through the MVRMA process, which we are still waiting for indication from the federal government as to how they are proposing to do it.
I appreciate the response again from the Minister. The federal government has now indicated they are ready to repeal sections of some changes that were made to Yukon environmental assessment legislation. Has the Minister received any assurances from the federal government that they are going to be repealing the changes to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and is there a timetable for those changes?
We have received no indication that they will be repealing any legislation. We have no timelines. The last meeting I had was with the federal Fisheries Minister where there is an indication that the review of the Fisheries Act will also look at the Navigable Waters Act, will also look at environmental assessment. We indicated to him that we were ready, willing, and available to participate. He was very excited about that, and he was looking forward to us participating and working with him on it.
Oral question. Member for Frame Lake.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Fisheries Act is an important piece of federal legislation. I am glad there is going to be some changes, perhaps a need to that. I am talking about the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and this federal review of environmental assessment processes and how the North has been excluded. I am wondering if I can get a commitment out of the Minister to write to the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and seek a firm timeline for repealing those changes to Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and some way for us, as Northerners, to be involved in the federal process that is being undertaken? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I have already written to the Indigenous Affairs Minister a number of times. I have met with her at least three or four times. We will be meeting again in the coming months. I am quite prepared to write to her again to specifically ask her about the environmental assessment and if she has any timelines.
Masi. Oral question. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my Member’s statement here, during the summer we will see the new health structure take place for the Sahtu and other regions throughout the territories here on August 1st. I would like to ask the Minister of Health what preliminary action plans are in place for the startup date of the new structure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a lot of work has gone into preparing us for the August 1st deadline when the new legislation takes effect. Last week, we notified the upcoming members of the different regional wellness councils who were nominated, including the board chairs. We will be bringing individuals together to provide some upfront training prior to the go-live date. Significant work is being done right now on organizational design, identifying the positions that are being required, and how the linkages will work between the existing authority today and how they will all work together in authorities. I do want to remind Members and the public that August 1st is one step in moving forward and transforming the health and social services system here in the Northwest Territories. It would allow us to have a new structure that will allow us to make changes that will benefit all residents in the Northwest Territories. Some of these changes will take time. August 1st is the date that allows us to start making those changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I understand the move-forward step is to bring the regional chairs for an orientation to Yellowknife, which is good. I commend the department on that. As far as the regional council, is there a regionalized orientation for that group? If so, when Mr. Speaker?
Mr. Speaker, the intention is to provide all of the regional wellness council members throughout the Northwest Territories orientation into the new system, how they will fit into the new system, how people across the Northwest Territories, including Members, understand the new accountability structures that are in place and that address the Auditor’s General report, and much of that training will be taking place in the regions where those regional wellness councils are currently located. I can’t confirm a date. Those dates haven’t been set. But they will be taking place through the summer and into the fall.
Will the regional council orientation include development of regionalized policy because the geographical differences that many of our ridings have? If these policies would be a part of the orientation or part of the first quarter developments?
Mr. Speaker, the role of the regional wellness councils starting August 1st, and ongoing, is to do exactly what the Member is talking about. It is to work with the territorial authority on territorial programs, but also how do we customize or tailor those programs to meet the local community and individual regional needs. Those policies will be done, probably, ongoing for the rest of the life of this new structure because changes do take place. It will take time. The councils will be involved on an ongoing basis. As new programs come out, they will be required to help us design a local delivery. This is part of their role. This is something that they will be involved with ongoing for the life of the authority.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question: is there a possibility for an extended invitation to the MLAs of the area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I won’t commit to that at this time. I will certainly give it some consideration. I do want to remind the Member that these regional wellness councils are not political bodies. They are not bodies intending to provide politics around health and social services. They are intended to help tailor programs and customize programs to meet the needs at a regional level. I will have to think about that one. I think all of us would like to keep these bodies away from being political bodies.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation. Can the Minister provide an update to this House on the plans for maintenance and improvements on the Northwest Territories highway system? Mahsi.
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has a 25-year transportation strategy, which we are continually reviewing. We review all the north and south sections of the Northwest Territories. We do these on an annual basis, and we have a long-term plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for his very terse and brief reply. My second question is what is the plan for the repairs and improvements for the section of most concern, between Behchoko and Yellowknife.
As many of us know that drive this highway, the department has some serious challenges with this section of highway between here and Behchoko. Over the number of years, the department has been working on and developing a program, that is under way, of monitoring four test sections of this highway to determine the best options, how we are going to deal with them moving down the road. There are some major challenges with this section of highway, but the degradation of permafrost and such… We need to make sure that the future money that is spent on this section of the highway, we will fix the highway properly, so we can get it to a situation where it is the way it is supposed to be.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What are the findings of the Department of Transportation on the reasons for the increasing deterioration of the road conditions? Are they unique to the North and how would the Department of Transportation address them? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I’ve said, there’s four test sections on this highway; most of it’s related to degradation of permafrost. Also, as the Minister responsible for Climate Change this is a serious problem that we’re going to be facing and we are facing right across the Northwest Territories. It’s a challenge. As any government moving forward, us as the 18th Assembly, 19th, and 20th Assembly, are going to be facing if climate change isn’t brought under control, so it’s something that the Assembly as a whole is going to have to work towards. It’s going to cost a lot of money for mitigation and adaption in this area and we are spending the appropriate amount of money to try to keep this section of highway in a safe and effective manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister did state that the department is looking at some best options in terms of addressing the need for improvements in maintenance on the highway system, so this could be a long shot, but my closing question is: would the department consider the options in terms of currently using chipseal versus the idea of maybe down the road examining the serious merits for using asphalt versus chipseal? Mahsi.
It’s ironic that through forced growth $3 million has recently been allowed for significant chip seal repair. For this coming season we are looking at chipsealing 80 kilometres of this section of highway between here and Behchoko, and I think it’s something the department is having a serious look at. There’s a couple of other options, but this particular year we’re moving forward with chipsealing on a certain section of highway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Locking up men for family violence offences can give victims a temporary reprieve from abuse but does nothing to address long-term crisis of family violence in the territory. We need programs focused on rehabilitating offenders. “A New Day” is a program funded by this government that helps men who want to stop committing acts of violence. Its funding runs out December 31st of this year. Anecdotal evidence suggests the program was successful, but it’s undergoing review by the Department of Justice. My first question is: how much is this review going to cost? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the Member is quite correct, the funding does run out at the end of the year and there is currently an evaluation taking place. An external evaluation is being conducted by a company by Proactive; their services were obtained to a standing offer agreement. The cost of the evaluation is $43,700 and the evaluation is to be completed by November 1, 2016. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I believe I heard by November is when this review is going to be completed. The NWT Coalition against Family Violence stated that making this program permanent is one of their top three priorities. If this review is not going to be completed until November and the government deems it unworthy or ineffective is there going to be something to replace this program so there’s not a gap in service? Is that going to give the government enough time?
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, the evaluation is to be completed by November 1, 2016, and hopefully we’ll actually receive it slightly before that time and we do believe that that will give us sufficient time; that there will be no gaps in treatment and that this important type of program will continue.
Is there a contingency plan if the review finds that the program isn’t effective?
I’m not aware of a contingency plan at this time, but I will certainly undertake to provide the Member opposite with any information I do have or I can obtain, rather, as to a contingency plan that might exist.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is that family violence is often the result of intergenerational trauma, and this crosses departments. Is the Department of Justice working with other departments like the Department of Health to try and create programs for children so that we can stop the violence before it occurs when they’re adults? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
