Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update the Members of this Assembly on the status of the NWT Public Service. The Department of Human Resources reports on the public service using various mechanisms, including the 20/20 Strategic Plan Results Reports, the Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey Results, and the Public Service Annual Report, to name a few.
Later today I will table the 2015 Public Service Annual Report. I want to take this opportunity to tell Members about improvements to this report and efforts to increase transparency and accountability of public service salaries. Mr. Speaker, the 2015 Public Service Annual Report provides information on the management, composition and development of the public service, and highlights some significant achievements from 2015.
The 2015 version of the Public Service Annual Report has been streamlined in comparison to previous years. A significant component of this redesign has been ensuring important information and data it contains about the public service is presented as clearly as possible. The Department of Human Resources is modernizing the report to ensure the report focuses on citizens. These changes will ensure the information is presented in a way that will have meaning to the public.
In the coming years, the report will be tabled in the House using a fiscal year reporting cycle instead of the calendar year. This will better align the report
with Government of the Northwest Territories reporting cycles. Additionally, reporting on the fiscal year will help readers make a stronger connection with what is being reported and what they have experienced over the past year. Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is committed to transparency and to providing the public with information about how public money is being spent to maintain the public service.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to update the House on a matter concerning the transparency and accountability of the public service. The GNWT is committed to transparency and to providing the public with information about how public money is being spent to maintain the public service. Currently, salary grids for unionized, excluded, senior management and deputy head employees are available on the Department of Human Resources’ website. These salary grids provide the salary ranges for all of our positions.
In an effort to increase transparency, in mid-November, the Department of Human Resources will begin to make organizational charts, job descriptions, and salary ranges publicly accessible on the department website. Exact salaries will not be disclosed; rather, the salary range of positions will be released. This is an important step towards greater transparency for public service salaries, while still ensuring that there is no invasion of personal privacy under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is an engaged and highly motivated public service that provides quality programs and services for residents of the NWT. The dedication and commitment of public servants to their communities is an important part of what makes the GNWT a great place to work and an employer of choice.
I believe I am not alone in the belief that NWT public servants play a very important role in what makes the NWT a great place to live. I want to take this opportunity to make certain that all public servants know that we do not take their contributions for granted. As the Minister of Human Resources, I take great pride in this government’s commitment to its public servants. I am proud that this government has consistently been recognized as one of the top employers in Canada for diversity. I am proud of the fact that GNWT employees are, on average, among the highest paid public servants in Canada. I am proud of the benefits, like health care and 24-hour access to our Employee and Family Assistance Program, that contribute to our employees’ well-being. I am proud of the generous leave package, the northern living allowance, and the five paid days off at Christmas time that allow our employees to live balanced lives.
Mr. Speaker, as the work of the 18th Legislative Assembly continues, the public service continues to work hard to support the priorities of this House. I am confident that, with such a dedicated public service, we will make great progress in the months and years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is committed to working with public and private sector partners to continue to improve transportation infrastructure across the Northwest Territories under the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Our government strongly believes in working collaboratively with various levels of government, from Aboriginal and municipal authorities to the federal government, as well as our private sector partners.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to strengthen our partnership with Canada by ensuring that the priorities and challenges of our territory are being recognized. Infrastructure improvements result in economic and social benefits for Northerners and all Canadians, and the Department of Transportation is committed to identifying new opportunities to increase investment in the NWT transportation system, in collaboration with our federal counterparts.
Mr. Speaker, our collaboration with the federal government has allowed us to make several improvements this year to nearly every one of our highways and to several of our airports across the territory. These investments wouldn’t have been possible without the New Building Canada Plan, which has given us the opportunity to invest in core transportation infrastructure to support economic growth, job creation, increased productivity, and an enhanced quality of life in communities across the NWT. The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway is another example of successful cooperation with our federal partners. Without Canada’s $200 million contribution, the project simply would not be happening.
With the project entering its final year of construction, an Opening Ceremony Stakeholder Working Group has been established as we work toward the opening of the highway, set for November 2017. The working group is made up of representatives from Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, and a number of Government of the Northwest Territories departments.
Working with various Aboriginal governments in the territory is also a major priority for our government, and indeed, for the Department of Transportation. The Tlicho Government has consistently been a valued partner in advancing one of the strategic projects for our territory: the Tlicho all-season road. We also appreciate the relentless support provided by the Sahtu Secretariat’s Mackenzie Valley Working Group, helping us advocate and move forward the construction of the Wrigley to Norman Wells portion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to talk about the work that we are doing with a number of partners to improve road access into the Slave Geological Province. A detailed analysis of optimal routing options was carried out by the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Transportation using a mapping tool developed by Aurora Geosciences Limited.
As a result of this partnership, a route that will provide the greatest economic benefit has been chosen for the project. The Government of the Northwest Territories is now assessing the P3 potential of building an all-weather road along this route through the Slave Geological Province.
The Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Departments of Finance and Industry, Tourism and Investment to develop a P3 business case assessment for the route, and we look forward to working closely with representatives of the diamond mines to advance this project.
Mr. Speaker, our government is not only committed to building a safe, secure and efficient transportation system. We are also committed to working with our partners to study the effects of climate change on transportation infrastructure and permafrost.
This summer, we launched the second phase of the Northwest Territories Transportation Monitoring Program and extended research activities along the established research sites. For this, the Government of Canada is providing $560,700 over the next two years from the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative, while our government is providing the remaining amount. All told, this will amount to over $740,000 in research funding.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to provide an update today on our government’s efforts to work with the private sector and the federal government to restore safe marine operating conditions in Hay River. We continue to work with the Harbour Restoration Working Group, which is led by the Hay River Harbour Authority, with participation from a number of organizations, including the NWT Fishermen’s Federation, Small Craft Harbours, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
I am pleased to announce that progress has been made on this issue. In May, the Canadian Air Force used a CP-140 surveillance aircraft to record aerial photographs over the Hay River Harbour. In June, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans conducted a technical review of the harbour infrastructure. All of this information is being used to define what exactly we need to do to address the immediate safety concerns of the Harbour Authority. We will continue to work with our partners to secure federal funding for rehabilitation of this important harbour.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is committed to strengthening connections with its partners to improve the NWT's transportation system to improve safety for the travelling public, lower the cost of living, adapt to the effects of climate change, and support economic opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Deputy Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Bob McLeod will be absent from the House today to attend the state memorial service for the late Jim Prentice in Calgary, Alberta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about what the community of Jean Marie First Nations has done recently. This small community has really taken the initiative to become more energy efficient. The community has constructed a solar panel installation at the water treatment plant. This solar panel installation will generate approximately six kilowatt hours, which will offset 15 per cent of the plant's power consumption.
Mr. Speaker, the community was very excited about installing new solar panels to provide power to the water treatment plant. During the installation, the community was informed that there was both money and the capacity to install 44 panels instead of the 24 that they presently had installed.
The community was informed that the Power Corporation would only authorize a maximum generation output of at least 20 per cent per community from solar so as to ensure their use of the plant operation. Upon hearing this, the community and I did not see this as a fair and reasonable idea. This would seem to be contradictory to the intent and purpose of having solar power available. To the community and myself, solar power is a perfect avenue to reduce the cost of diesel fuel.
Mr. Speaker, even with this fact the community completed the project. As well, the community work with Arctic Energy Alliance to come up with a more efficient way of lighting their buildings. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the community was able to retrofit seven buildings with LED lights. This will help the community save money for the residents and the band.
Mr. Speaker, with these two initiatives in place, the community and Arctic Energy Alliance held a parade with an ice cream party to celebrate the retrofit and solar panels installed. This small community is taking the initiative to become more energy efficient with the help of Arctic Energy Alliance. Later on, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for many years the Northwest Territories has needed an overall guiding plan for generating and distributing electrical power. At a public meeting on October 26th, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, who is also the Minister responsible for Transparency and Public Engagement, missed an opportunity. He had a chance to share with MLAs, and the people of the NWT, the government's broad vision for NTPC.
An overarching vision is what is needed, Mr. Speaker. But what we heard was a technical presentation justifying NTPC's claim that it is not overcharging customers. Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand why we pay what we pay for power, but we also need to understand the bigger picture.
A vision for our power system should guide government as we consider the major challenges that face us. The vision must tell us: is NTPC's role to partner with other governments or the private sector? Is it to compete against the private sector? Or is NTPC going to be a monopoly, the only game in town?
Mr. Speaker, I know that the new NWT Energy Plan is going to answer some of these questions, but clearly the government has already adopted certain assumptions. Otherwise, decisions like bidding on the Hay River power franchise or engaging in talks with SaskPower would not have already been made.
Mr. Speaker, the plan needs to be open and transparent, and it hasn't been. We don't know the underlying assumptions being made by the Power Corporation. The public is looking to us for leadership. No family, community or business should pay more than is necessary.
No one should feel like they're paying more than their fair share. We have a responsibility to set a direction that is in the best interest of everyone, and not let rate payers be used as pawns in games that serve some unknown agenda.
Mr. Speaker, as a Crown corporation owned by Northerners, NTPC must clearly state its mission and vision: what it is, where it is going and how it will get there. Later, I will have questions for the Minister Responsible for the Power Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. Mr. Speaker, I'll share a few observations today on the costs to small businesses of ensuring safe workplaces. First a bit of good news. Members may be aware of COR, or the Certificate of Recognition of safety through the NWT Construction Association. It's the occupational health and safety accreditation program that verifies a fully implemented safety and health program meeting national standards, and it's also independently audited. Even though it's voluntary, many NWT businesses have embraced COR certification and risen to meeting those standards.
Following up on a constituent inquiry, I contacted the Minister of Public Works and Services to see whether, when procuring services, points might be awarded in the tender evaluations to firms who have COR certification in place. This would be a kind of financial carrot to recognize the extra costs in meeting the heightened safety standards of COR, and in the best interest of promoting safe workplaces. The Minister replied to say the department is indeed looking at the possibility of building safety certification requirements into tendering processes. So that's good news and supportive of the safety initiative of contractors.
While this is good news from the Minister of Public Works and Services, the Worker's Safety and Compensation Commission seems to be working at cross-purposes when it comes to small businesses. Currently, there is a program called Safe Advantage which will refund a portion of premiums to businesses on the basis of good safety records. However, this refund program is only open to employers whose last three years of premium assessments was $40,000, and where continuing premiums remain above $32,000. In replying to my question on this, the Minister responsible for WSCC pointed out that a recent review of Safe Advantage did not make a recommendation to roll out the refunds to all employers.
Some program supports were created to assist businesses with fewer than 20 employees that are not required to develop a formal Occupational Health and Safety Program. Those are good measures, but still, no refund of premiums or real financial incentives for safety in the workplace. COR certification provides an off-the-shelf, internationally recognized set of standards and competencies smaller firms can use to set up high-quality safety programs. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In the end, that's the sort of incentive that we need, COR certification and some sort of off-setting of fees through the WSCC. But safety does have a cost, and a premium refund to businesses who set up COR, no matter what the size, would be a good inducement. I urge all the Ministers to develop a coordinated approach to promote safety in the workplaces for small business. I'll have questions later today for the Minister responsible for WSCC. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, as we look outside, the snow is here and the winter road is coming for the Sahtu region. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is on the upcoming annual winter road construction and maintenance season, which totals a coverage area of 670 kilometres.
The residents of the Sahtu region look forward to this project for a variety of reasons. I guess the highest on the list would be taken out of isolation and access to the outside world, and also the construction and maintenance opportunities and employment that it brings. Also just the opportunity and freedom of going out visiting family and friends in other communities and within the Sahtu communities as well, as well as the ability to go out and get cheaper energy, meaning firewood.
In preparation for these opportunities it presents and knowing the physical position of our government, later I will have questions to the Minister of Transportation on staffing and operations. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation runs a program called CARE, Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements. When residents use the CARE program they can access up to a hundred thousand in a forgivable loan to help them make major repairs and renovations to their homes. Access of these funds helps Northerners make sure that their homes can be safe and healthy residences and that their homes can be maintained for the full lifespan of the building. The Housing Corporation also offers additional assistance to help people with disabilities improve accessibility in their homes.
Mr. Speaker, I want the Housing Corporation to know that this program is very helpful in our communities, but that doesn't mean that there's no room for improvement. Complex and inflexible rules are seeing elders' debts to the Housing Corporation passed on to their families when elders pass away. I've seen this growing issue impact residents in my riding, Mr. Speaker. An elder may use their will to leave their home to a family member, but if that elder has an outstanding loan with the Housing Corporation that family member is expected to pay the loan in full. This can be difficult to accomplish, especially when loans range from whether it's $3,000 to $80,000. That's not small change, Mr. Speaker, that's a lot of money; big money that was once part of a forgivable loan.
Later I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation on the work being done to revise and improve the CARE program and its policies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the 2016-17 trapping season begins I would like to remind hunters and trappers to have a safe and successful season.
Mr. Speaker the Take a Kid Trapping Program has introduced hundreds of school age youth across the Northwest Territories to the traditional harvesting practices of hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor survival. Delivered through schools and Aboriginal organizations in co-operation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the program is funded by the Departments of ENR, Municipal and Community Affairs, and Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, Take a Kid Trapping was launched in 2004 and the number of participants tripled within the first four years. Projects such as birch bark canoe building, setting traps for Arctic animals and a caribou hunt helped establish the program as a permanent investment in our youth.
The program continues to offer hundreds of students every year a classroom on the land as instructors incorporate visits to trap lines and hands-on experience setting traps, snares and fishnets. Outdoor safety is introduced through first aid and survival training. By taking students trapping, they get to practice the skills and apply the knowledge they learn in class about wildlife and conservation, and build their awareness of traditional cultural practices.
Mr. Speaker, culture-based education enhances a sense of belonging and pride in culture. For some students, it's their first time on the land. For others, it's an opportunity to connect with their roots and practice valuable skills outside of their usual family setting. Meaningful learning experiences connect youth to their families, the past, the present, and also the future as these activities provide an ideal foundation for other opportunities, such as the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Marketing Program.
In recent years, the program has branched out to initiatives such as Take a Kid Harvesting and Take a Kid Gardening that helps promote food security and community sustainability. Mr. Speaker, being on the land helps us to take responsibility for our own actions and appreciate the natural world, as global changes will continue to have a greater and greater impact on our everyday lives.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT Curriculum states, ''The wisdom of the Elders is central to cultural learning according to Aboriginal perspective. Elders are the 'Keepers of Knowledge,' and it is their guidance that Aboriginal people seek as they strive for balance in their relationships with the creator, the natural world, other people and themselves."
Mr. Speaker, this wisdom applies to all people, young and old. I believe the best way to teach that wisdom is by going on the land. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was 100 years ago this year that women got the right to vote. Women in Alberta were the first to be enfranchised and voters there elected the first female MLA, Louise McKinney, in 1917. Suffrage spread slowly across Canada, with women in Quebec getting the vote in 1940 and Aboriginal women along with men as well in 1960. Women slowly entered political life and in small numbers, and today we are still well short of parity.
A quarter of members of Parliament are women, and here in the NWT, as you know, there are just the two of us. This Assembly has committed in its mandate to increasing the number of women running for elected office.
Mr. Speaker, I bring this information to your attention because I recently attended an event which shared this same goal. The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians in Canada met in Regina at the beginning of the month. We spent a day with a group of young women who are considering running for, or helping someone else run for, public office at some point in their lives. They are part of a national initiative called Daughters of the Vote.
Mr. Speaker, a young woman between the ages of 18 and 23 will be selected from each of the 338 federal ridings to attend an event in Ottawa the week of March 6th next year. The programming for these emerging leaders will introduce them to how Parliament works and it will give them an opportunity to engage with elected officials. The goal is to provide knowledge and inspiration to women who are considering a career in public life.
Mr. Speaker, I'm delighted to tell you that the event sponsor, Equal Voice Canada, received a total of 19 applications from the NWT, representing eight different communities. Unfortunately, only one of them will be chosen to go to Ottawa because, of course, we have just the one federal riding. This is a challenge faced in other jurisdictions as well, where there were several times as many applications as there are positions available.
Mr. Speaker, one of my takeaways from this outreach event is that if we want more women elected to represent us in all orders of government, and of course we do, we need to make engaging young women a priority. They see a world of possibilities as they work on their post-secondary education and plan their careers.
If we inspire young women we may indeed have more women sitting in this Legislature one day in numbers approaching half the population. That is our challenge and we need to dedicate time, effort and resources to making this goal a reality. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] Today I would like to talk about…] [Translation ends] My Member’s statement is on early childhood development. Mr. Speaker, promoting healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy is an important component of early childhood development. This means dealing with the challenges related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, is a term used for a range of incurable cognitive and physical disabilities that a baby is born with as a result of a woman consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the leading known cause of developmental disabilities in Canada.
At least one in every 100 Canadians, or more than 380,000 people, currently live with this devastating 100 per cent preventable disability. The federal government and the provincial and territorial governments collective spend an estimated $4 billion per year on programs to support those affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Mr. Speaker, I once attended a conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and at that conference the presenters were talking about the importance of investment in prevention, and working with mothers at risk. Researchers tell us that for every $150,000 spent on the prevention of FASD we would save $1.5 million in costs to manage the impacts of FASD. If we prevent just one case of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder we will save $800,000 to $1.4 million. More than that, we will prevent the damaging effects of someone living with FASD.
Mr. Speaker, although there is no cure for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, early interventions can help a lot of kids. I have spoken to educators who agree that if a kindergarten student comes to school with all of the opportunities that should be afforded to them -- Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Should be afforded to them through early childhood development. They will have a much better chance of graduating and becoming contributing members of our society. Mr. Speaker, it is clear, we should be viewing early childhood development as an investment in our children and their future. If we view this as an investment, it would be easily the highest yielding investment we could make.
Mr. Speaker, early childhood development is the responsibility of two departments, Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment. Later today, I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know last week was Small Business Week, however when you represent Kam Lake there's always a good reason to talk about business. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to acknowledge the achievements of one of my constituents who recently won the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award at the Yellowknife Chamber's 70th Annual Business Award Gala, Garth Wallbridge and his firm Wallbridge Law Office. Mr. Wallbridge is a Metis public speaker, lawyer, and a leading northern entrepreneur.
Having over 30 years of experience in the North and operating the only 100 per cent owned Indigenous law firm in the NWT, Mr. Wallbridge's influence has had a profoundly positive impact both locally and nationally. He was the founding director of the McGill Aboriginal Law Student's Association and the Metis Nation's Lawyer Association. He's also been invited to speak nationally on a variety of issues, but none more important to him personally than offering a better understanding of Indigenous people in Canada.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Wallbridge and wish him well in his continued success that he's had so far over the course of his prestigious career and for the future years to come. He's an inspiration to everyone here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm going to be very brief so we can all make it out of here early and get down to Chase the Ace. Chase the Ace needs no introduction, everyone in the territory is talking about it, the territory's a buzz. Tonight’s total potential payout should be just shy of half a million dollars. If your ticket's drawn, you have a one in 11 chance of pulling the ace and taking it all home.
Hay River, it's a short five-hour drive from Yellowknife, so I encourage everyone in the capital to take the afternoon off. Perhaps the Ministers can let their departments go at 1:00. You've got to get in line for tickets by about 6:00 p.m. at Riverview Cineplex, Ptarmigan Inn, The Back Eddy, The Legion, Diamond Jenness Secondary School, or the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre. Mr. Speaker this fundraiser is put on by the Hay River Curling Club, but because it's grown to be such a huge event, it benefits multiple organizations, and really the entire community. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work to put on, and I want to give a shout out to all the volunteers that make it happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. See you in Hay River.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great honour and pleasure to welcome my father, Mr. Winston John Moses, joining us here today. Both he and my mom, Martha, are avid watchers, they rarely miss a -- I want to say an episode -- but a day in the House in sitting when they're watching on TV. I'm glad that he could be here joining us today and taking in the proceedings. So welcome, dad. Thanks.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to use this opportunity to recognize and thank two pages from Inuvik Twin Lakes. We've got Kyra McDonald with us today and Jazelle Pokiak, and I want to thank them and all the other hardworking pages. I also want to recognize Mr. Winston Moses as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also too would like to recognize Mr. Winston Moses who went to residential school with my father, and I'm proud to be working here alongside his son now. So welcome, Winston. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
