Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, before we commence our proceedings today, I wish to speak briefly about the difficult issue of childhood cancer. As we all know, children's cancer is not a rare disease. It has touched so many lives. In fact, 1,500 Canadian children will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, and more than 10,000 kids are living with cancer in Canada today.
Although September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, our House was not sitting, and I wish to take this opportunity now to spread awareness of this dreaded disease and its impacts on our lives and those of our constituents. Childhood cancer takes more lives than all other children’s illnesses combined. One in five children will not survive their cancer diagnosis. Despite these terrible statistics, only three per cent of cancer research funding in Canada is directed to childhood cancer research.
No one is safe from the ravages of this disease. One of my colleagues, the Honourable Chris Collins, Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, and his family have been directly impacted. Speaker Collins and his wife had their son Sean taken away from them far too soon. Speaker Collins recently brought to my attention an initiative called the "Maggie Project," in memory of a little girl named Maggie Jenkins.
She was taken by the disease in 2014, just two weeks after being diagnosed. Her parents have donated lapel pins for every Member in this House in an effort to raise awareness of this dreaded disease. I would like to thank you for wearing the pin today, colleagues, and creating awareness and fundraising support for childhood cancer research efforts and vital programs and services that serve children with cancer across Canada.
On behalf of Speaker Collins and his family, and the Jenkins family, I thank you for your support and
time today. My prayers and the prayers of this House go out to all Northerners and Canadians so greatly impacted by this terrible disease. Masi, colleagues.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to support and participate in a National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls in collaboration with families, Aboriginal governments, the federal government, and other organizations.
I am pleased to report that on August 3, 2016, the Government of Canada formally launched the national inquiry. The launch included the appointment of five Commissioners to lead this work along with the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. The Commissioners have been directed to recommend concrete actions to remove systemic causes of violence and increase the safety of Indigenous women and girls in Canada; they have also been directed to recommend ways to honour and commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; and provide its recommendations to the Government of Canada through an interim report by November 1, 2017 and a final report by November 1, 2018.
The inquiry will be funded by the Government of Canada, with the participation and full cooperation of all the provinces and territories. The Commissioners are currently developing the process for the inquiry. I will continue to share any progress with Members.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has long supported the call for a national inquiry as we believe it is an important step in acknowledging and addressing the root causes of violence towards Indigenous women and girls in Canada. With this in mind our government is committed to doing its part to support the national inquiry. An important first step as a show of our commitment was the registration of an order under the Public Inquiries Act on October 4th that provides the national inquiry with the authority to fully examine matters within the jurisdiction of the Northwest Territories.
The Government of the Northwest Territories, led by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, is currently in the process of establishing an interdepartmental working group to guide our participation in the inquiry. These efforts will include collaboration with our Aboriginal government partners, families and other stakeholders.
Our government continues to work with our federal, provincial and territorial government counterparts and the National Indigenous Organizations to fulfil the commitments agreed to during the Second National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls held this past February in Winnipeg.
Among these efforts is the establishment of a pan-Canadian prevention and awareness campaign focused on changing the public perception and attitudes on the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls. We are sharing information and seeking advice from our Aboriginal government partners on how to address the issues of violence in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, violence against Indigenous women and girls remains a serious issue in the Northwest Territories. While we welcome the news of the national inquiry getting underway, it remains critically important for all governments to continue to do their part to ensure that the national attention on violence against Indigenous women and girls remains at the forefront. This includes improving communication and coordination between Indigenous families, communities, victim services, policing, prosecutions, women’s groups, anti-violence groups and shelter workers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to strengthen culture and heritage in the NWT by working with stakeholders to update the 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan: A Shared Responsibility.
As we all know, there are nine official Aboriginal languages spoken throughout the Northwest Territories. Most of these languages are in a critical state and in real danger of disappearing over the next few decades. As our territory loses its elders, we find ourselves in a serious situation with fewer proficient, fluent speakers able to teach these traditional languages to our young people. Culture and language are closely connected, and while we see pockets of success throughout the territory, there needs to be a far greater focus from everybody on preserving and revitalizing these languages.
An updated NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework and Action Plan will reflect the government's new partnership approach to language revitalization, where regional Aboriginal governments are funded and responsible for managing their own language revitalization efforts.
The updated plan will also better capture the advice and recommendations gathered from Northerners and territorial language committees over many years. It will also include measures to ensure all partners in language revitalization remain accountable.
Mr. Speaker, languages are the foundation on which cultures are created. Language is integral to healthy communities, individual self-esteem and the growth and development of our people. Through the use of languages, people express their unique world-view, value and self-worth. Language helps people define relationships and collect and share knowledge.
The updated plan's vision is an NWT where Aboriginal languages are supported, respected and thriving to be celebrated by all people. This vision speaks to every NWT resident. Everyone has a role to play in preserving, promoting and celebrating the NWT’s Aboriginal languages.
We are continuing to seek input to update the plan from language partners, including the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board and the Official Languages Board. Members of both language boards have reviewed past recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Government Operations in their 2009 and 2014 reviews of the Official Languages Act and offered their recommendations for an action plan.
I will continue to seek advice from Aboriginal language partners over the coming months to ensure we build the most comprehensive framework and action plan that outlines effective approaches in the revitalization of our Aboriginal languages. I will share updates with Members as this important work progresses.
Mr. Speaker, revitalizing languages is a monumental task and one that the government cannot do alone. Revitalizing our nine Aboriginal languages can only happen when all language groups, key stakeholders and all NWT residents share the responsibility to support, respect and use Aboriginal languages.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has made this a call to action for all provinces and territories, to ensure the future of Aboriginal languages and preserve the culture of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. I look forward to tabling the updated NWT Aboriginal Languages Framework and Action Plan: A Shared Responsibility during Aboriginal Languages Month in March 2017. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' Statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few years there has been an increased understanding and awareness that in Canada there is a disparity between the health status of Indigenous people and other Canadians. Acknowledging this reality forces us to confront difficult issues, including the legacies of colonization and the residential school system, and the fact that mainstream institutions have often not served Indigenous people effectively.
We must confront these issues if we are going to change. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action challenge us to acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies. They further challenge us to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, to recognize the value of traditional Aboriginal healing practices, and to provide cultural competency training for all healthcare professionals. The government’s mandate speaks to the need to deliver culturally appropriate services, and to implement the calls to action of the TRC.
Mr. Speaker, during my time as Minister of Health and Social Services, I have travelled to all the communities in the Northwest Territories. I’ve met with community leaders, attended Aboriginal Government Assemblies, and convened meetings with Aboriginal governments to discuss how to transform the health and social services system. I’ve heard over and over again that our system needs to do a better job of respecting the needs of Indigenous people, and of honouring their traditions. I’ve heard that we need to ensure our staff are given the opportunity to learn, not only about northern cultures and history, but about the lasting impact of residential schools on today’s families and communities. I’ve heard that there needs to be a place for traditional healing and traditional knowledge in our system.
We also need to recognize that other groups have experienced the effects of bias and lack of sensitivity when accessing services. The LGBTQ community has challenged us to do a better job of meeting their needs. Our communities are home to people representing cultures from around the world, and they all deserve to experience a high standard of service in our system.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time today I will be tabling a document entitled “Building a Culturally Respectful Health and Social Services System.” This document outlines what we’ve heard from people across the Northwest Territories, what we’ve learned, and how we plan to move forward in full partnership with Aboriginal governments, the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Leadership Council, the Tlicho Community Services Agency, regional wellness councils, and other key stakeholder groups like the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife.
This document represents a commitment to action. The action planning will not be done in isolation. It will be done in collaboration with our partners, recognizing the principle of “nothing about us without us”. This commitment is consistent with the government’s priority of collaborating with Aboriginal governments. I look forward to working with people across the Northwest Territories as we continue to improve care and services for all our residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the Arctic's greatest mysteries lies under the surface of Darnley Bay; a large circular shape gravity anomaly near Paulatuk suggests very unusual geology and may be the result of an ancient meteor strike. Whatever its origin may be, Mr. Speaker, it's the largest gravity anomaly discovered in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, in 1969 the Geological Survey of Canada suggested the potential for massive deposits of nickel, copper and platinum minerals in that area, almost five times the size of the Sudbury Basin. Areas like the Sudbury Basin are proven to be one of the world's richest resources of minerals such as nickel and copper. Darnley Bay could hold the same wealth, but in even larger quantities.
In addition, there is the diamond potential in this region, as indicated by kimberlite on the nearby Parry Peninsula. Mr. Speaker, these resources could mean big things for the region, the Northwest Territories and the Inuvialuit. Darnley Bay Resources, a Canadian mining company, long ago negotiated the required agreements, permits and mineral rights.
It continues to hold exclusive mineral rights in this area and has spent in excess of $20 million on exploration. Mr. Speaker, Darnley Bay is remote, expensive to access, an extremely challenging place to operate and explore. In 2011 the resource company wasn't able to complete its drilling program due to unstable permafrost conditions. Their last exploration project wrapped up in 2013. Mr. Speaker, like many companies, Darnley Bay has struggled with the downturn in the economy and has focused on other projects in order to raise money to invest back in the far North.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories must look towards future projects as our diamond mines reach the end of their life spans. There are exciting possibilities for exploration and discoveries in the Darnley Bay area. Mr. Speaker, the Arctic is changing quickly, it is becoming more and more accessible and the world is aware of the rich resource potential it offers.
Mr. Speaker, we need to plan for the future, preparing our workforce, providing opportunities for youth and community development and finding ways to facilitate research, baseline environmental study and gathering traditional knowledge alongside exploration. Developing project readiness is a wise use of time during a slump in the market. Mr. Speaker, Darnley Bay is significant to the future of the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the honourable Members on the excellent work done in the interim report on the review of Standing Committee of Rules and Procedures on public engagement and transparency, and also the work done on revising the guiding principles and process conventions for consensus government. This attempt to bridge the ever-growing democratic deficit is a real achievement by the 18th Assembly, and symbolizes that we are truly attempting to evolve our public engagement into 21st century standards, which admittedly, took a little longer than other jurisdictions, but not from the lack of effort of this Assembly.
Now, Mr. Speaker, it's time for us to continue this good work while also keeping to this mandate commitment I and other honourable Members of this House are very passionate about, and that's transparency. The primary focus of our mandate to transparency is that we improve access to information and the protection of privacy by developing and proposing amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Now, if we are looking for direction, we need look no further than the recently released 2015-2016 Annual Report by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the upcoming year will be the 20th anniversary of our act coming into force in the Northwest Territories, and as the Commissioner has suggested, the best way to celebrate this landmark will be a new and updated act. Most Canadian jurisdictions are ahead of the ball game on this, and particular praise goes to Newfoundland and Labrador's act which came into effect in 2015.
It is being hailed as one of the most innovative and progressive pieces of access and privacy legislation, not only in this country, but across the globe. The act narrows exceptions while shortening timelines, and also provides more powers to the provincial Ombudsman.
Using this example, along with this government's commitment to updating our own act and developing an NWT Office of the Ombudsman, we have a real opportunity to create perhaps the most transparent access to information and protection of privacy regime in the world.
This Assembly and its government has made great steps in transparency so far in this term, such as our nomination period for the premiership, recorded votes on legislation and appropriation bills which keeps Members of this House accountable to its constituents and literally makes us stand up for what we believe in. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable Members. Cabinet's open houses have also given citizens the opportunity to speak directly on issues that matter to them and should matter to this government. Most importantly, we have put into place a mid-term review that will demonstrate our commitment to the principles of open government and accountability to which we all strive.
Though it won't be easy, and I'm sure there will be bumps along the way, we must continue to endeavour down the path of open government. Most Members of this House are not veteran politicians, and were elected on a change mandate, and at least in the areas of transparency and public engagement we are accomplishing the real change we have all committed to in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about Indigenous Guardian Programs, an innovative model for strengthening communities and caring for the land and water we all depend upon. Indigenous guardians are the "eyes and ears" on the ground for Indigenous communities and effective partners with public governments.
Working with the youth and with advice and direction from the elders, the guardians monitor wildlife, collect wildlife, water, sediment and soil samples to measure against baseline data while managing their territories and sacred places. They engage with industry and government partners and they provide training for youth, giving Aboriginal Youth an opportunity to re-connect with their elders and land that creates a sense of purpose and opportunity.
Mr. Speaker, we already see the positive results in the NWT. New research conducted by Social Ventures Australia, commissioned by the Dehcho First Nations and Lutsel K'e Dene First Nations, shows that guardian programs in the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nations and Dehcho First Nations generate major social and economic benefits:
They improve public health, reduce dependency, strengthen environmental management capacity and for every one dollar invested, the programs save two and a half dollars in social spending.
They also expand local economies. In Lutselk'e, the Ni Hat'ni Dene guardian program is already supporting and managing tourism activity around Thaidene Nene. This has a big impact in remote communities in which most employment rates in small communities is below 50 per cent.
Mr. Speaker, when local economies and communities thrive the entire NWT benefits. Indeed, guardian programs can help the GNWT meet many of its mandates, from generating good-paying jobs to monitoring the Mackenzie watershed to implementing its sustainable economy plan and reaching at-risk Aboriginal youth.
Mr. Speaker, Social Ventures Australia did similar research for the Australian Governments PMOs on their National Aboriginal Stewardship Program. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement today.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The results of both research projects demonstrate real return on investment of a ratio of 2.5 return for every dollar invested. There is value here for the NWT and Canada, Mr. Speaker, and I will be asking the Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources questions relating to this matter. Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House here today to talk about the Anti-Poverty campaign here. In March of 2016 I had the opportunity to attend my first and the Third NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable, "Building on our success". The roundtable theme focused on children, family support, healthy living, reaching our potential, safe and affordable housing, sustainable communities and integrated continuum of services.
The Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan was structured to build on successes and set priorities for the upcoming year and I am looking forward to the next one that is scheduled at the end of this month in Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased our Territorial Government is taking actions in reducing poverty in our remote communities, and I see the high need for this Anti-Poverty Campaign Conference in my Sahtu region. Therefore, later I will have questions to the appropriate Minister on supporting the invitation of holding that conference in the Sahtu region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to reflect on this year since I was elected to represent the residents of Yellowknife Centre and, indeed, the whole Northwest Territories. I want to talk about yesterday as both the best of times as an MLA and among the worst.
Mr. Speaker, I want to start be referencing the mandate of the 18th Assembly. It is both our statement of principles and our work plan for our time here. It requires us to take action on the crisis of family and community violence. It also directs us to make strategic investments in transportation infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, the 26 priorities were not assigned a weight and it's clear that this government values some more than others. Mr. Speaker, 10 of us on this side of the House spoke passionately about the A New Day Program yesterday, a one-of-a-kind program in the NWT that provides healing for men who use violence and additional safety for women and children. We requested an additional year of funding while an evaluation of it is completed at a cost of $325,000.
Upstairs, just a few minutes later, Regular MLAs heard the government's pitch on building a 97-kilometre road to Whati. The road is in environmental assessment and there's work going on to come up with money for construction. The last public figure on the cost of this road is $150 million.
Mr. Speaker, about the same number of people live in Whati as the number who have used the New Day Program, that's roughly 350 people. Yesterday we learned the government has decided to interpret the mandate to make the road to Whati a high-priced priority while remaining non-committal about funding a systemic solution to family violence, specifically the New Day Program. Perhaps what galls me above all is that no matter how many times we, as Regular Members, tell the executive to back off on its $150 million reductions target, our direction is ignored and generating cash for roads relentlessly wins out.
Mr. Speaker, I am never going to be happy when the government decides to invest in roads rather than people. The cost benefit study indicates some economic benefits if a mine ever goes ahead, almost no economic worth if it doesn't. Investment in the New Day Program may change not only the life of a single man but the life of his family scarred by the trauma of colonization and residential schools. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and thank you colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I have spent much of this year advocating for people who live on the margins of our society: women and children, those who don't have adequate housing and those who live on low-income, those who've experienced violence and those with disabilities. It's a sometimes exhilarating and sometimes frustrating experience to pursue these issues in this House, but I'm committed to these people and this work with even greater passion than when I was elected a year ago. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources now has the authority to sign off water licences following devolution. When I raised issues around how this new authority is being exercised, the Minister tabled a response in this House on October 27th. The Minister said "when rendering a decision on a water licence, it is the responsibility of the Minister to ensure the quasi-judicial process administered by the board has been conducted in a fair and transparent manner. To this end, procedural fairness is a primary consideration."
This raises a number of significant public policy and legal issues. One of the first times the Minister exercised this discretion over procedural fairness it was done in favour of a mining company that had submitted additional information after the close of a public hearing, which, in itself, was procedurally unfair.
Do we not trust our land and water boards to set up and run procedurally fair processes? This is exactly what they have done in designing a made-in-the-North approach with clear rules of procedure, collaborative work plans developed with all interested parties, an open public registry, and detailed reasons for decision.
I'm not a lawyer, but, when I went through the Waters Act, there was no specific direction or requirement in there for the Minister to ensure procedural fairness. Section 56 does provide for an appeal of any decision or order of the board on a question of law or questions of jurisdiction. Where should that appeal go? The law says it goes to the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, not to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. This is the normal practice for questions around procedural fairness. The courts are the experts and final arbiters when it comes to procedural fairness.
If the Minister exercises any discretion in signing a water licence, it should be to make sure that Section 26 of the Waters Act has been complied with. This section sets out a number of requirements for a board issuing a licence, that compensation claims have been dealt with, that an applicant is financially responsible, and that water quality standards will be met.
There are a number of contaminated sites around the Northwest Territories with very significant public liabilities, many of which have been raised in this House. I was surprised that the Minister would not make this issue of financial responsibility of licence applicants this government's primary consideration in signing off water licences. I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past spring I had the opportunity to speak with Chief Peter Marcellais and a number of councillors and band managers about building a youth wellness camp near the community of Nahanni Butte and the proposed Canadian Zinc mine. The community was very excited about the potential of building a youth camp, not only for their youth but for the youth of the whole region.
The community looked at going through the Government of the Northwest Territories to build this camp. The community felt, going to the government, it would take years before the camp was a reality, so the band looked for a new way and that began by negotiating with Canadian Zinc to access funding and building expertise to build this site.
Today I'm proud to say that Canadian Zinc and Nahanni Butte's First Nation are working hard to come up with a positive process and are close to finalizing their negotiations. In the Deh Cho Drum, Chief Marcellais was quoted, "The band is very happy with how the negotiation for funding has proceeding."
Mr. Speaker, the band has taken a different approach to their traditional territory. They want to be proactive, so they took the comanagement approach to doing things. The agreement came after the band decided to take a lead role in the heritage study, road survey, and wildlife monitoring for the proposed allseason road leading to the potential mine. Mr. Speaker, it's about two organizations working together for the betterment of the residents of Nahanni Butte.
According to Chief Marcellais, working together on a framework for comanaging this important economic develop project is important and a good process to follow. Mr. Speaker, the band continues to look for employment in a way that does not look for a handout by the GNWT but a way the council and the residents of Nahanni Butte can help and protects their traditional territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, education has been a large focus of our work in the House over the past two weeks, and we've also talked a fair bit about the importance of choice for parents and for students. I'll be continuing on this theme today.
Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents in my riding have come to me with concerns about policies affecting their children, their children's ability to learn and to choose the course of their own education. The Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council's policy says that, when a child enrols in a language class, for example, to learn Gwich'in or Inuvialuktun, that the child is required to register in one or the other, based on whether they are registered as Gwich'in or Inuvialuit.
In my riding, residents have varied backgrounds. In Aklavik, for example, the community is roughly half Gwich'in and half Inuvialuit. Parents in the community feel that the choice to register their children in one language class or another should be their decision, not decided based on council policy. In southern communities, language instruction often responds to parent and student choice. Students can choose to enrol in French, Spanish, or in another language class, where that's available. Mr. Speaker, let's not forget that parents, grandparents, and family are a child's first teachers. Their wisdom and guidance can't be counted out. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I hope that we can work together to find a solution that pleases all parties and extends more than one option to parents and students in the Beaufort Delta. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As is symbolized by the poppies we all wear in this House, I rise today to call attention to next week's national day recognizing Canadians and others who have devoted their lives in service of our freedom. Next Friday, Mr. Speaker, is Remembrance Day. We, in this House, sit in a privileged place. We are here, members of a democratic institution representing electors who have a franchise to vote according to their beliefs and their conscience. We practice a form of public government, consensus government. This is only practiced in northern Canada. We can do so because we and generations of our predecessors before us have worked to bring it about.
We have developed this system and will continue to improve and perfect it as the truest, most authentic expression of the character and will of our communities and society which we can achieve. We do all this as citizens of Canada, one of the best countries in the world.
So many flaws, disputes, and challenges occupy so much of our daily national consciousness that it's easy to forget that we enjoy the freedom of a democratic system of public government. Indeed, we live under one of the most free and expressive systems of government that humankind has ever in its wisdom developed.
We only do so because we have freedom, Mr. Speaker, and we must never forget that it was built on the courage and sacrifices of men and women who served this country and fought for those ideals.
We achieved that freedom over generations because of the sacrifices of men and women in service, and we keep that freedom today because selfless people continue to serve, to place themselves at risk, to do their work of the nation, to preserve the quality of life that we hold so dear.
So, next Friday, Mr. Speaker, it's important that we take the opportunity to pay our respects. We should honour the men and women who serve Canada, the many who have served in the past, whose selfless sacrifices make it possible for us to be here today, and those who work now, showing the face of Canadian freedom and democracy, the pride of who Canadians are as a people and a nation to the world, lest we forget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In March of this year, the federal government announced an increase to Canada's immigration targets, up to 300,000 people, with an emphasis on family reunification and refugee and humanitarian cases but also with a new and express going of boosting entries in the "economic class."
That means that Canada will welcome 12,000 or more skilled workers, business people, or caregivers in the coming year. Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure that this influx benefits our territory.
The GNWT has set its own immigration target: an increase of 25 per cent in the number of applications to the NWT Nominee Program each year for the next five years. If you ask anyone who runs a business, they'll tell you there is a shortage of skilled labour in the NWT, and the statistics back it up. The longterm forecast isn't favourable, either. With the skills gap and many workers approaching retirement, the most recent labour market information suggests that 33 per cent of territorial job openings over the next 15 years will require a skill certification or college diploma, not to mention the projected need for university and management-level expertise. The new federal immigration economic class presents an opportunity for the NWT to address this labour shortage.
While there are more than enough jobs for everyone, our population doesn't have the skills to fill many of those jobs. Those who do, often work in the mines or for government. This means that small businesses, which simply can't afford to match the salaries of either, are the ones who bear the brunt of the labour shortage.
If we want to diversify our local economies, we need to ensure that small businesses have access to the skilled labour they need to grow. Mr. Speaker, we have to remember that small businesses in the Territory have the capacity to become international corporations: Igloo Building Supplies and Northern Arc cranes both started just down the street from where I live in Hay River.
Entrepreneurs are doing their part to try and grow our economy and we need to do a better job supporting their efforts. To achieve real outcomes, the departments of ECE and ITI must coordinate their efforts and take decisive action to improve our immigration outcomes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, of all the horrific acts humans commit, there is none more grievous then war, though of all the acts of valor people commit, there is none greater than serving in a time of a war. It is with this contradiction in mind that I speak before this House on the subject of Remembrance Day.
Throughout our history, men and women of all races, creeds and ages have served in some form or another with great distinction in countless military engagements. Some storming the fields of Passchendaele, Juno and Zabul, while others tended to the home front assuring those who fought would come back to conditions where they could live in peace.
No words can do justice to the sacrifices committed by so few, but owed by so many, though what we do on November 11th is a recommitment to the continued acknowledgement of those hallowed sacrifices. That we state as one people that we will never forget what was given in order to assure that all of us here have the opportunity of existing in a free society.
Mr. Speaker, my own father, George Stanley Cochrane, as well as other members of my lineage, served throughout the Second World War, and most fortunately, all returned alive. That is not to say though that they came back unscathed. When thinking of my father’s service, silence is the word that comes to mind, for he would never voluntarily broach the subject for reasons I can only assume originate from a sense of great pain and even greater loss.
The term, post-traumatic stress, had not yet entered our vocabulary and he and his generation found other ways to cope with the horrors of the battlefields. My father was a warrior all his life; he fought on the battlefield, he fought his demons off the battlefield, and he fought to make the Canada we know today. I loved my father, and admired his strength.
A strength shared by all those who willingly put their lives on the line for duty and honour. On November 11th, I will honour all soldiers, medics and civilians who now only live on in memory, those today who are trying to return to normalcy, and those who are still fighting to return home, Mr. Speaker, lest we forget.
Colleagues, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the following pages from my riding: Nichole Blackduck is here with us and also Kobe Apples is in the back there, and they are from Jean Wetrade Gameti School. In addition, all those pages that have served us greatly in this House, for that, I would just like to say masi to all the pages as well.
Now I would like to draw to your attention to the public in the gallery, I am pleased to recognize the pages' chaperone, Rollden Eyakfwo, here with us. This also happens to be Rollden's birthday, so happy birthday. Thanks for joining us. Masi.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my brother, Stan Cochrane, and his wife, Karen Cochrane, who have joined me today to honour my father and the veterans of wars. There are also constituents of the Range Lake riding and local businesses involved in the mineral exploration field. Thank you.
