Good afternoon, Members. Colleagues, before we begin the business of the day, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a special day for one of our colleagues. It happens to be the birthday of the Member for Hay River North, Mr. R.J. Simpson. Happy birthday.
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Mr. Speaker, our government has committed in its mandate to supporting exploration and the mining sector. It is the lifeblood of our economy. Our people and businesses are innovative, self-sufficient, and resilient, and want to do their part to contribute to a strong Northwest Territories. We need the kind of well-paying, long-term jobs that come with sustainable economic development, and our government is working towards economic self-determination for all NWT residents.
Our strategic approach to unlocking the potential of responsible mining and exploration in the NWT is defined in our Mineral Development Strategy. We committed in our mandate to its implementation and, Mr. Speaker, we are making progress. The Government of the Northwest Territories has a vision of a strong, prosperous territory that provides opportunities for all our communities and regions. Sustainable, responsible development of our natural resources is a significant part of realizing that vision, and strengthening our economy through the responsible development of these resources will allow us to reach our full potential.
Today I'd like to highlight how we have met and surpassed a number of important milestones to helping us reach that full potential. In the first two years of our mandate, we have invested approximately $3.4 million in support for geoscience, marketing, Aboriginal capacity building, and our ongoing annual funding for the Mining Incentive Program.
Mr. Speaker, while mining is the foundation of our economy geoscience is the foundation of mining. Later today I will be tabling the recently released five-year strategic plan for the Northwest Territories Geological Survey. It is the guide by which this important division of our government will continue to provide the geoscience data behind the responsible development of our mineral and energy resources.
Last Friday we officially opened the doors to our Northwest Territories' Geological Materials Storage Facility. The completion of this facility is one that was recommended by our Mineral Development Strategy. It is a resource that has the potential to advance mining projects and increase development in our resource sector.
Elsewhere, Mr. Speaker, we have responded to the needs in our marketplace by implementing, and extending, incentives for exploration. This includes our Work Credits Program, which we extended by two years. The implementation of the Mining Incentive Program is a direct investment by our government in the future of exploration in the NWT. Not only did we implement this program, Mr. Speaker, we more than doubled it.
Meanwhile, we have worked to close the skills gap by partnering with the Mine Training Society and other stakeholders to offer training programs targeted to meet demand within the mining industry. This includes new surface mining and prospecting courses to build capacity within our local workforce. Our mandate commitment also includes supporting Aboriginal governments looking to benefit from mining. That is why we have established the Client Service and Community Relations Unit, in part to support Aboriginal governments as they build their capacity to deal with miningrelated activities. This unit was instrumental in facilitating the attendance of Indigenous government representatives at last year's roundup event in Vancouver, and in the work that we have supported to advance a regional mineral development strategy for the Dehcho.
In June we introduced the Resources and Energy Development Information Project to connect NWT residents with the information they need to understand what energy and nonrenewable resources exist in the NWT, what is entailed in their development, and the benefits that can be realized from their development.
Mr. Speaker, a related commitment in our mandate is the development of the Northwest Territories' firstever Mineral Resources Act. We are moving forward on an aggressive timeline to see that our territory's unique needs are reflected in our legislation before the Legislative Assembly dissolves. We are engaging Indigenous governments and organizations, stakeholders, and all NWT residents to inform the development of this act. We've visited seven communities, held focus group sessions with stakeholders, and had meetings with representatives from both the public and Indigenous governments. We will continue to take meetings, collect input from our new interactive engagement portal, and take phone calls, emails, and mail comments until December 1st.
While mining and exploration are the bulk of our natural resource sector, we also committed in our mandate to delivering an oil and gas strategy for the Northwest Territories. A draft strategy and proposed implementation plan is now complete. It offers a viable, balanced, and madeintheNWT approach to advancing oil and gas development in the Northwest Territories and is positioning our territory to realize economic benefits that this sector may have to offer.
As our government works on energy and climate change moves forward, there is also a need to reconsider our Oil and Gas Strategy in the context of our government's emerging vision for greater energy security. While work on our Oil and Gas Strategy is largely complete, we need to ensure that it is consistent with other Government of the Northwest Territories strategies, including the Energy Strategy and upcoming Climate Change Strategic Framework. For this reason we are delaying the delivery of a final Oil and Gas Strategy and action plan until later on in our government.
Mr. Speaker, much work has been completed. Of course, there is also much more to do over the next two years. We are committed to continuing to push initiatives which will strengthen our foundation of natural resources for a resilient, sustainable economic future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to advise the House that the Government of the Northwest Territories has fulfilled its mandate commitment to complete the Mackenzie Valley fibre optic link, a project that will help modernize the economy and enable growth in all economic sectors. The Mackenzie Valley fibre link is an important part of the 18th Legislative Assembly's commitment to strategic investment, diversification, and modernization towards a high-tech future.
The completion of the nearly 1,200-kilometre fibre link brings affordable high-speed telecommunications to six communities along the Mackenzie Valley highway, including Inuvik. An additional five remote communities will also have the ability to benefit in the future. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley fibre link enables our government to offer improved delivery of social services, supporting healthcare, education, and social support programs, and facilitates economic development and diversification.
Our government is working to spark economic growth across all sectors and to foster an environment in which companies and individuals feel confident investing in northern opportunities and jobs. When residents drive in from Inuvik now, they may notice the cluster of remote satellite stations poking through the trees. As a result of the Mackenzie Valley fibre link, Inuvik is now positioned to be one of the leading sites for tracking and receiving real-time data from polar-orbiting satellites used for scientific mapping, weather surveillance, and more.
The Mackenzie Valley fibre link will further enable growth of the remote-sensing and commercial satellite industry in Inuvik. Since construction commenced, we have experienced considerable interest, nationally and internationally, in the growth of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility. The potential impact of an expanded satellite ground station in Inuvik on the Aurora Research Centre is significant and could make this facility one of the "places to be" to conduct space-based Arctic research.
Mr. Speaker, the potential of growing Inuvik through national and international customers is very positive for our territory's future. Current federal licensing processes for satellite telecommunications are out-dated, Mr. Speaker, but our government will work with Canada to encourage them to modernize their regulatory regime and better support the opportunities for Inuvik.
I would like to congratulate all the partners involved in this project and thank the sustained efforts and support from our residents, businesses, and community leadership throughout the Northwest Territories to ensure the successful completion of this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. We have with us Mr. David Ramsay. He is a former Member, former Minister. Welcome to our proceedings.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our road system is important to our people. Northwest Territories residents need to travel our territory for many crucial purposes. Members know that I support expansion of our highway network for social and community needs and to help grow economic opportunities.
One of our most utilized highways is the Ingraham Trail. The trail is used by boaters, snowmobilers, campers, hikers, hunters, and fishers. Most of our growing numbers of tourists take home memories of the trail from their auroraviewing expeditions. Many, who happen to be my constituents, make their homes and raise their families on the trail and drive the road multiple times a day. Of course, the NWT's biggest economic driver, the diamond mines, count on the trail as their essential lifeline for resupply.
That the Ingraham Trail is such an important corridor to so many of our residents underlines the needs to continually monitor and improve the road's safety. During last year's ice road season, there was an abnormally high number of incidents and accidents involving haul trucks on the trail, and this spring, on the May long weekend, sadly an accident resulted in a tragic fatality.
Because of the increasing use of the trail by so many different users, Mr. Speaker, it is important to make sure that all possible safety measures are in place. We do not want the increase in incidents we saw last year to become a trend or the norm. The Minister has been very open to discussing the department's continuing efforts to upgrade road conditions. I thank him for being forthcoming on these matters. I certainly noticed the roadwork and improvements on the Ingraham Trail this summer. These improvements are welcomed and much appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, as we are moving towards the cold season again, I am thinking forward to the building of the ice road. It is the Ingraham Trail's busiest season. I wonder if we have made progress in all the areas of road improvements, safety patrols, and a public communication strategy that are necessary for promoting and preserving public safety on our highways. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. The creation of a universal system of affordable childcare is one of the biggest promises of this Assembly, something we all agreed to work on at the beginning of our term. Collectively, we agreed to "develop an action plan for universal daycare within the next two years, including a timeline for implementation." This does not mean we have to implement universal childcare by 2019, but to at least develop an action plan to do so within an appropriate timeline.
Universal childcare is no pieinthesky hallucination. It is a matter of priorities and making choices. The fact that affordable pan-territorial child care could be achieved was documented during the last Assembly by the Feasibility Study of Universal Affordable Daycare in the Northwest Territories commissioned by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in response to a motion of this Assembly on October 31, 2013. That analysis provided in the study proved that child care could be offered to all NWT children up to four years old for about $20 million per year delivered on the same model as Quebec. It predicted a resulting increase in GDP of $16 million or more, an increase in labour income in excess of $15 million, creation of about 200 new jobs, increased female participation in the workforce, increased tax revenue, and decreased social assistance. Anyone who wanted it, would have had access to daycare for their kids with all the early childhood development benefits that it would provide.
The revised mandate tabled in this House on September 21st abandons universal child care for the NWT, and will represent a broken promise if it is approved. A firm priority is replaced by a weak statement about "making child care available and affordable" with no timeline, no action plan, and no measurable commitments. Gone is the promise in the mandate of an action plan. Gone is the timeline for implementation. A broken promise, Mr. Speaker.
What happened with the commitment to put together an action plan on universal child care within two years in the current version of the mandate? I will have questions for the Minister on what work has been undertaken on the mandate commitment to develop an action plan for universal child care for the NWT. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. With the help of the federal and territorial governments, the City of Yellowknife recently completed a 10-year plan to end homelessness. The plan includes a comprehensive analysis of the homelessness problem, and a robust set of recommendations to implement over the next 10 years. The next step is to move from planning to implementation with all orders of government at the table.
I want to share what I learned about homelessness from this report. First, homelessness is a problem that is located in Yellowknife, but only one in 10 people who identified themselves as homeless were born in this city. Homelessness in Yellowknife is a territorial issue. Its origins are unemployment, poverty, and a lack of suitable housing in the communities. People relocate to Yellowknife because they want the services and opportunities of the city. Of course, not everyone who migrates to Yellowknife lives happily ever after, and a significant number of people become homeless.
Mr. Speaker, one of the plan's strengths is that it was developed with extensive consultation with people who are now homeless, or were recently homeless. While they need a place to live, many people said they also need the supports that will help them hold onto housing they have including help with mental health and addictions.
Ending homelessness is going to require an investment. The plan as presented will cost $11 million per year over the next 10 years to implement. Once implemented, the investment in housing will return $5 million a year in savings. Most important of all, 240 people who are now homeless will have a place to call home.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the federal government plans to invest the better part of $600 million in the NWT in the next decade. It can't and won't all go to roads. Some of it must be allocated to social infrastructure, and housing in particular. I want to say again that homelessness in Yellowknife is a territorial issue. This report confirms a point made often in recent years: it costs the government more to manage homelessness than to end it.
What we need next is leadership on homelessness in the form of a commission which would include the mayor and the Housing Minister to implement the plan. We need the commitment from all levels of government to work together on solutions the plan outlines. I will have questions for the Minister. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. One of the highlights of my summer was participating in summer assemblies, enjoying good food, the company of friends, and cultural activities. This summer, I attended the Dehcho First Nations Annual Assembly in Fort Providence, and the 47th Annual Dene Nation Assembly on the Hay River Reserve.
As always, the assemblies provide an opportunity for Dene people to come together and talk about the issues that affect us. A common theme running through the discussions this year was Treaties 8 and 11 of 1899 and 1921 respectively, and how they are being interpreted in modern land claim and self-government negotiations.
These treaties were negotiated between First Nations and the Government of Canada. There are opposing views as to whether those treaties were agreements of peace and friendship only, or cessation in nature. Dehcho First Nations believed that, based on the treaties, all of Denendeh was and remains Dene land. Our land was never ceded to the federal government. Our ancestors lived on the land long before European contact, and we continue to live here today.
It is Canada's view that treaty rights need to be modernized in the form of land claim and self-government arrangements. The challenge with this perspective is how to interpret the treaties based on today's circumstances.
One of the reasons that this was a topic of concern at the summer assemblies is because Canada and the GNWT are asking the DFN to clarify the position on the role of the GNWT modern treaty negotiations. They are also asking the DFN to clarify their position regarding the development of an integrated system for managing and protecting natural resources in the NWT.
The DFN is understandably frustrated by persistent delays to the negotiated process, and talks have been stalled again since the Government of Canada wrote to the DFN in April of this year.
Since the treaties were negotiated, the federal government moved decision making to the North, and in the process, delegated its authority to the GNWT. The First Nations hold the perspective that treaties are negotiated agreements, and that it is a matter of recognition by both governments. Yesterday, the DFN issued a press release confirming this and further confirming that they have always supported the development of a truly integrated system of resource management.
I agree with Grand Chief Herb Norwegian when he says, "Our people are patient, but we've had far too many delays." Today, my question to the Premier is this: how does the GNWT recognize treaty rights, and is the GNWT prepared to get back to the negotiating table as soon as possible? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. "We are the prisoners." Mr. Speaker, those are words spoken to me by my constituents who live next to the North Slave Correctional Facility. Over the summer months, they have been bothered by frequent noise late into the evening, and almost direct interaction with inmates, only a stone's throw away from their backyards, Mr. Speaker: catcalls from the inmates at their children and living in concern of a perceived unsafe situation, especially after last year's incident where an inmate escaped the facility.
Now, I know the Minister and his department have been diligent at responding to these concerns, with the construction of the extension of the current perimeter fence that has begun during the week of September the 11th and will be completed in another week or so. Now, if everything goes according to plan, this six-foot extension should discourage individuals from unintentionally crossing onto the private property of residents, while also creating a certain degree of additional privacy for residents. With this, I am sure my constituents will be very happy.
What does not make them happy, Mr. Speaker, and certainly also does not make me happy, is that the tender for the installation of the additional barriers needed to address the security flaw that enabled the escape of an NSCC inmate has been cancelled. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre brought this up earlier this week, and largely, this is due to the fact that the bids that were received were well in excess of the appropriated budget.
Now, I am very concerned that we are only hoping to address this situation. Those are the words of the Minister; "hoped" that it gets addressed. This is a public safety concern, and my residents have a right to be concerned about their safety and their level of comfort in a residential neighbourhood that this government had a part in creating.
I hope that the Minister takes this situation seriously and will do everything possible to ensure that these security improvements are put in place. I will have questions for him later today, and I hope he has the answers. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework is making significant progress. It's a global initiative, and our small jurisdiction of Canada is contributing to that initiative.
The strategic plan is based on three pillars; the three pillars are knowledge, resiliency and adaption, and emissions contributions and mitigation. A statement from the appropriate Minister this past March the 8th outlined a previous engagement through regional consultation, input from the engagements by the people for the people, gave marching orders in producing, followed by Premier's statements made on May the 19th moving forward.
As a result of these consultations and moving forward in our contribution and efforts to emissions reductions and the footprint allowed, it leads us to the conclusion that two days ago the appropriate Minister made contribution efforts using that footprint endeavour and framework to bring reality and calmness to the community. One only has to look at the windmill project in Inuvik and the installation of solar panels in Tulita.
My last visit to Tulita, I witnessed that by seeing the work crews doing site preparations, and they were quite happy knowing the fact that they were developing their community on independence of energy and making a difference in the footprint. Later I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about another constituent who recently passed away this summer, Melissa Pascua-Matte. I had the pleasure of knowing her personally throughout her young years.
Melissa was born on the 19th of February, 1998. Her family moved to Fort Simpson from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 2005. She went to school from grade 2 to 12, with a break of grade 11 where she went to the Philippines to finish off her grade 11. She was a very beautiful, happy, friendly, caring, intelligent person. She was full of ambition and very adventurous. She loved to travel and see the rest of the world. She was involved in politics and cared about youth empowerment issues, which gave her a chance to participate at the United Nations Winter Assembly in New York City this past year.
While she was in high school at Thomas Simpson School, she had the chance to be part of the NWT Youth Ambassador Program. This gave her the opportunity to travel to Iceland and Greenland for the Arctic Winter Games, participate in the NWT Association of Municipalities General Assembly. MACA staff would constantly contact her when she moved down to university to participate in conferences on youth issues.
Melissa was an active volunteer in Fort Simpson. As well, she participated in fundraising activities for the Historical Society, Community Garden, and Fall Fair.
Melissa loved children and, since the age of 14, she worked at Open Doors Society as a student supervisor, organizing activities for the youth. She was active in soccer and track and field, where she had the opportunity to participate in sporting events across southern NWT and northern Alberta.
Melissa just finished her first year of schooling at University of Ottawa, where she was working on her joint Honours program of Political Science and Communications, which was in French immersion under a co-op program.
At the time of her passing, she was working as a summer student involved in agriculture projects and activities with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. She also worked as a part-time employee as a visitor information centre attendant with the Village of Fort Simpson.
She was a young lady who was seen as a leader. Unfortunately, she has moved on to another dimension of her life. Her parents know that she is still watching over them and her siblings.
Melissa's family is forever grateful for the support and love they received from the community members during this time.
Melissa is survived by her mother, Renalyn, father, Rock, and her two sisters, Abegail and Sylvia. Melissa will be sadly missed by her family and the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Our condolences to the family and also to the region as well. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2007, when I became MLA, one of my first and biggest issues was employment in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, the 16th Assembly made a decision to address issues on employment rates in small communities
Programs like the Community Access Road Program, programs that supported traditional economies, were enhanced. The budgets were tripled, Mr. Speaker. Programs such as single window service and small communities' employment were created.
With these initiatives, employment rates continued to increase gradually to a point where the average is nearly 50 per cent, which is still 20 per cent lower than large communities and almost 30 per cent lower than Yellowknife. In all fairness, Yellowknife has one of the highest employment rates in the country.
Mr. Speaker, this government sharply increased employment programs for small communities, and that was great; however, Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House the Minister of Education decided to spread the money to all communities except Yellowknife. Employment rates are derived from participation rates. With the addition of regional centres, we have almost 19,000 people participating for these employment dollars, as opposed to 7,000 in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, we have a committee of small communities' members who have worked for three governments. The government recognizes this is a big issue and has been supporting small communities to increase employment rates.
Mr. Speaker, I am quite concerned with what the Minister's game plan is for the upcoming months. I would like to see more job creation in small communities. I would like to see the Minister focusing on creating jobs in smaller communities so people can remain in their home communities with their children. As I've said many times in this House, employment is the best cure for the social ills we face.
Mr. Speaker, with regards to the major changes to the employment program in the NWT, under whose direction was it to disregard this and pass our successes on for the small communities to all communities?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will seek clarification from the Minister at the appropriate time. Marsi cho.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the life of this Assembly we've seen the Department of Health and Social Services release the Quality Mental Health Care Action Plan, the Mental Health Strategic Framework, and we've seen a draft Child and Youth Mental Wellness Action Plan.
While I don't like endless strategies and actions plan, I give the department credit for focusing its efforts on addressing mental health issues in the NWT. However, there is one element that is missing from every one of these plans: ensuring that all residents who suffer from mental health issues have access to all necessary treatment options, including prescription medication, if that's what is required.
Right now the fact is that there are people in the territory suffering needlessly simply because they can't afford the medication. This issue is often overlooked. Most people in the territory have prescription drug coverage either because they're registered under the Indian Act, are Indigenous Metis, are 60 years old or over, are receiving income assistance, or have benefits through their employer or their spouse's or parents' employer, so the issue of not being able to afford medication isn't brought up often enough.
However, Mr. Speaker, medications for mental health conditions can easily cost $500 to $1,000 a month. Not every mental health issue requires medication, and some people suffering from a certain condition may need medication while others suffering from the same condition don't; however, when prescription drugs are needed to treat these issues, they're needed.
Sometimes they're needed to improve the quality of one's life, or even just to give them something that can be considered a quality of life, and sometimes, Mr. Speaker, these medications can mean the difference between life and death.
Not only do we need to think about those who benefit from medication who haven't yet received it, we have to consider the fact that there are serious mental and physical health effects that occur when a person abruptly starts/stops taking psychiatric drugs. This happens when someone loses benefits as a result of, say, a change in employment or relationship status.
Extended health benefits to residents for certain conditions is not unheard of in the NWT. In fact, the GNWT does it for those suffering from cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and about 50 other conditions. Absent from that list, Mr. Speaker, are any mental health conditions. When I brought this up with the Minister before, he stated that there's a cost involved with extending these benefits.
Mr. Speaker, mental disorders in youth are ranked as the secondhighest hospital care expenditure in Canada after injuries. Medical conditions linked to depression have a global cost of $1 trillion annually, and, like many negative social indicators, the rates of mental health issues in the NWT are many times higher than that in the rest of Canada. So, Mr. Speaker, I think there is a cost with not doing this. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Charles Thornton, Ph.D., P.E., from Easton, Maryland; Larry Grimms from Haymarket, Virginia; Darrell Beaulieu, president and CEO of Denendeh Investments; Margaret Gorman, chief operating officer, Denendeh Investments; and Dave Ramsay, director of Denendeh Investments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to recognize and introduce Ms. Ray Solotki, my constituency assistant from Inuvik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Darrell Beaulieu, a constituent of mine from Ndilo. It is partly his fault that I am here today. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to also welcome Yellowknife North resident, former MLA, and former Minister, Mr. Dave Ramsay. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Yellowknife North resident and constituent, man of many hats, Mr. Tony Whitford. Welcome.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my mother, Bette Lyons. It is partially her fault that I am here today.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Father Joe Daley. He is a tour guide this time, with Vicky and David from Victoria, BC. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent in the gallery, from Fort Smith, my wife, Anne.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
