Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This issue first came to my attention about three and a half years ago, when I travelled to the communities of Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte with the former MLA for the Nahendeh riding. At that time, I indicated that we would certainly be willing to have a discussion with Fort Nelson and the Government of British Columbia to put in place any protocols that would allow us to refer our residents from Fort Liard to Fort Nelson. At that time, I did say we would wait until we finished our negotiations with the Alberta government that we're currently updating our protocols on. Unfortunately, that has taken far longer than I had hoped. Last fall, I had a discussion with the department and got an update on both files. At that time, I did direct the Department of Health and Social Services to work with the Government of British Columbia and to speak to Fort Nelson to establish some protocols that would allow us to refer residents of both Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte to Fort Norman in British Columbia, which, as the Member said, is a two-hour drive away instead of a three-hour drive away and a two-hour flight away and then an overnight stay and then a return. We're interested in providing best health and best care to our residents, and I think this is an important protocol that we have to put in place.
The department has done some initial research and an analysis, and they will be travelling to Fort Nelson later in March. Hopefully at that time they will also be meeting with leadership in the community to try to determine the best ways to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for giving us that update. I appreciate the hard work he and his department are doing. Again, you can understand the confusion and the willingness or unwillingness. The community is saying it's been 25 years, and I appreciate the work he's doing right now, and the department is doing. Can the Minister please tell us what challenges are stopping this agreement from being completed?
There are a couple of things. First off, I want to say, as Canadian citizens, all residents of the Northwest Territories can go anywhere they want to receive acute care and primary care services. Residents of Fort Liard can go to Fort Nelson now, and those services will be covered. It's the referrals that I think are the problem. Right now if we make a referral, they're referring to our system, which means often they'll end up in Yellowknife or Edmonton, which is I think the main issue that's being raised.
One of the challenges we have is in gauging the level of interest in Fort Nelson and British Columbia to actually open up more their services than they currently do. Right now, a large number of our residents from Fort Liard do go to Nelson, but there are no formal protocols. We need to determine what level of support or what level of services they want to make available. We need to understand the costs of providing medical travel there as opposed to other things. There might be an opportunity for controlling some spending, which is good. We also need to make sure what types of services are available in Liard so that people are receiving services in Liard when they're there and are being referred accordingly. So there are some challenges and some details we have to work up, but we are committed to getting that work done.
I thank the Minister for the answer. In my conversations with some of the residents, they were concerned about exchanging of medical information between British Columbia and the hospital there in Fort Liard. I guess my question to the Minister in regards to that is: has this been one of the challenges that we see, and how are you able to resolve this issue?
Privacy rights of our patients is certainly an issue. A number of years ago, we come up with a new health privacy legislation here in the Northwest Territories. Having that legislation actually, I think, will help us in this particular situation because we know what the expectations are, as opposed to when all privacy was under the Access to Information and Privacy. I think we're actually in a better place to have a more informed discussion on this, but it is absolutely a factor. I mean, the rights of all patients to have privacy and their information not ending up where it shouldn't be is paramount, and we need to make sure that is addressed and taken care of in all of our discussions. If we're going to open up to having referrals to a jurisdiction that we don't currently have a relationship with, we need to make sure that that relationship is solid and that there are protocols in place to make sure that our residents' privacy is protected, while at the same time providing high-quality health services to all residents.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister's answer. It did help clarify a number of issues from what I've heard, and I think the Minister has heard those same concerns previously. When will the residents of Fort Liard and Nahendeh finally see an agreement in place so that they can be sent to Fort Nelson for their medical treatment in the future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I have indicated, I have already provided direction to the department to move forward on this initiative and to engage British Columbia, but this is a negotiation between the Northwest Territories and the Government of British Columbia. I'm cautious about sending out or setting a finite date, because there is a third party here. There's the Government of British Columbia that will have certain expectations and criteria they want. This may not be as big of a priority for them as it is for us, but we'll have a better sense, I think, towards the end of March on what kind of timelines and what kind of workload this is going to take. When I know, I'll certainly let the Member know and he'll be able to share that information with his community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I talked about the federal government's new plan, and that's for the Prime Minister to implement a new Indigenous Rights Framework. Some of this stems from the Royal Commission on Indigenous Peoples, which dates back to the 1990s. In particular, it's a call for the federal government to help foster autonomy by moving communities away from restrictions of the colonial-era Indian Act, which has impacts on Canada, but it also has impacts on self-government. I'd like to ask the Premier if this government has a position on the newly announced Legislative Framework for Indigenous Rights in Canada? Thank you.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government supports any initiatives that will enhance the situation of Aboriginal Peoples and also reinforce their Aboriginal rights and treaties. Certainly, I will be consulting with the Aboriginal governments to see if they are in full support of the announcement by the Prime Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Obviously undoing 150 years of colonization will not be easy. It will be complicated process. So is the Premier prepared to support these efforts at the territorial level and give our Indigenous nations the opportunity to participate in any process as it relates to consultation with the federal government on this framework?
I think we have had this discussion before. We will certainly work with our Aboriginal government partners. If they are in support, we will fully support the initiative, as well.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I was making reference to questions to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. My first question is: can the Minister explain what subsidy programs are available to the NWT elders' community? Mahsi.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can only really speak to my department, where we do have the Senior Home Heating Subsidy, as well as in September of last year we did do an increase to the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit. I know Housing has some programs. Health and Social Services has some programs. I mean, all departments can work together to get that information. We also do work very closely with the NWT Seniors' Society. The Yellowknife Seniors' Society, they have a really great handbook in terms of the programs and services that are provided to seniors. I would encourage the Member to also contact them to get that information for his constituents, and any Member to get that information to share with their seniors in their respective hometowns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am glad to hear there is a wide variety of programs available to our elders. Can the Minister explain the elders' fuel subsidy program in general detail? For example, does the rate of subsidy differ from smaller communities to regional communities?
The Member is correct. Depending on the household income and the community in which you live in is the amount of subsidy in terms of home heating that you will get. This is for all Members and all residents of the NWT: seniors are eligible to receive a set amount of wood, oil, propane, gas, and/or electricity. As I mentioned, it is dependent on the household income and the community in which they live in. Our client service officers do a good job of informing our seniors and residents of what they are capable of accessing and encourage any seniors who have any questions on this to go and see one of our employees.
Will the Minister work with me to draft some information for a couple of clients who have brought to my attention the disclosure of their personal information? They have found it difficult as to why the department is asking for their personal retirement savings that they have earned prior to retirement. Will the Minister work with me to get the information to the appropriate clients?
Yes, I will work with the Member if he can provide us with the names and information of any constituents who are having any concerns with accessing the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. As I mentioned, there are different indicators of being eligible to receive the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. I will work with the Member and ask him to provide us with the names of his constituents.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question prior to the long weekend is: will the Minister, along with the Minister responsible for Seniors and the Minister responsible for HSS, taking Minster Moses' lead on our request, coordinate a seniors' gathering in preparation for the opening of the Sahtu Regional Health Centre later this spring? Mahsi.
I will work with the Minister responsible for Seniors, who is also the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, to look at options for such an event and get back to the Member and also work with the Member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you noted, it is National Flag Day. It is only befitting that I talk about immigration. Our country is obviously a great one. Arguably, our territory is one of the greatest things about it. I appreciate the effort the government is making as it relates to attracting immigrants here to the North. My questions are for the Minister of ITI. I would like to start to ask the Minister: as mentioned in my Member's statement, ITI's business stream for attracting immigration doesn't appear to have been that successful over the past few years. Can the Minister advise us if the department's latest numbers indicate any improvement in recruiting immigration to the business stream? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The latest numbers that I have in front of me here, I will read them out so everyone can hear them:
Arrived in NWT for operating businesses, we had four applicants, for a total investment of $1.2 million;
Signed a BPA and awaiting arrival in NWT is 10 applicants, for $3.9 million;
Submitted application for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program's staffing analysis is one, for $300,000; and
Received an invitation to apply and staff awaiting applicants is seven, for $2.3 million.
A total of 22, with a total investment of almost $8 million. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Those are, I suppose, maybe good statistics to hear. Can the Minister indicate to us if the department feels that they are meeting their intentions with regard to attracting immigrants into the business stream? I appreciate getting the statistics. Are those numbers what we are trying to achieve? Are we behind or are we ahead of our goals?
If we go based on the number that is always thrown around, attracting 2,000 immigrants to the Northwest Territories, if you put ECE's file and mine together, we are nowhere near the 2,000 number. We are working diligently to try to improve that. Myself and the department have had conversations about how we can approach the business stream of things and how we can maybe change things up to attract more people into the Northwest Territories. The department is working very hard on this initiative by launching a new website, working to streamline the process and make it simpler, and these sorts of things.
I think one of the conversations that has taken place that I can update Members on is with myself and the department. We are looking at the challenges. The federal government takes so long to approve some of these applicants. That is a hindrance to the whole process. Maybe we start looking at attracting immigrants from inside the country, newly arrived immigrants who have moved to Canada and maybe want to relocate and look at moving somewhere else, or business opportunities and that sort of matter. That is one of the things the department and I have talked about.
One of the other things we are talking about and we want to sit down with is the three diamond mines, and see if there is an opportunity there with the people who are flying in and outside of our territory. We would prefer them to be living here. Is there a group of immigrants who we can attract from outside the country who could potentially relocate and move to the Northwest Territories and work in these mines? These are the kinds of conversations that are taking place. We want to try to increase the numbers.
I appreciate the Minister providing that fulsome answer. It seems as though he is having some genuine conversations and putting considerable effort into this important area, which is applauded by me, quite frankly. We have seen success in the past as it relates to attracting the immigrants here. The Minister will recall that the secondary diamond industry brought a number of folks here, Armenians in particular. It is those kinds of efforts I would like to see us undertake in the future.
Specifically to the business stream, you heard me speak earlier today about other jurisdictions making some changes to attract people. In British Columbia, the initial investment has to be $200,000 to have an immigrant come in and invest in small business. Ours is $300,000 for the City of Yellowknife. Is there any kind of consideration being given to that investment that can help attract immigrants more to the North?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is a conversation that I have not had with the department. If the fee is a hindrance to the people moving here, I will take that up with the department and get back to the Member if that's a possibility of having a look at that.
Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that. That is a critical factor. I mean, obviously, how much somebody has to take out of their savings to invest in a new country where they are not familiar with the rules and the policies, it's a big risk. Recognizing that we are also competing with other jurisdictions, I think if we can give that some serious consideration, then it will be to our benefit.
I am wondering if the Minister has taken the opportunity to reach out to others in terms of industry and small business. You mentioned the diamond mines, but are there others that the Minister and the department are reaching out to, to learn from where it is that we need additional capacity? Where we need new skills sets? Where we need new investment? I gave the example of the secondary diamond industry. Are there other opportunities we could exploit?
Yes, those are two exactly that I have raised. It's funny that he's mentioned the secondary diamond industry. As we all know, Almod Diamonds have purchased the one site out on Airport Road, and the issue they are having right now around getting that up and running is through Immigration Canada and how long it takes, and I'm referring back to that. As far as other industries, I have not talked to anyone else about "Is there an opportunity to do this?" The business side of it is for new investment dollars for businesses in the Northwest Territories. I get the Member's point around if we're not being cost competitive with a sister territory, like a province like BC, if they're $200,000 and we're $350,000, that takes us out of the market. This is a high cost of a country to doing business, and we will have to have a serious look at that. I'm open to any kind of input from all Members or residents of the Northwest Territories on how we can increase the numbers in the business stream. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. My question is for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, who also has responsibility for oil and gas. We spoke of the developer's decision to not proceed with the Mackenzie Gas Project in December 2017. GNWT ended its financial contributions to the Aboriginal Pipeline Group in 2017-2018. I would like to know from the Minister: what, if any, support does our government continue to provide for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group now, and are new contributions or support being planned? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is right. Last year was the last time we supported them, but moving through this business cycle, we have no plans on providing funding to APG.
I'd like to thank the Minister for his response on the last question. One of the mandate commitments that Cabinet pushed was to develop a long-term strategy to attract investment in oil and gas. The mandate tracking webpage shows that this item was completed in late 2016, but it still hasn't seen the light of day. Companies are voting with their feet and wallets and leaving. Where is the long-term strategy, and why would we continue to try to attract investment when industry has no interest?
Our territory has considerable petroleum potential, and we have committed in our mandate to deliver a long-term strategy and capitalize on these reserves. With that said, though, this isn't an isolated initiative. It directly links to the important work we are doing as a government in the Northwest Territories. We have the energy strategy, the climate change strategic framework, and we are moving all three initiatives together. This is a shared vision that we have to work towards the new energy climate change strategic framework going forward, and the initiatives that we've signed on to. We are looking at publicizing these three documents, hopefully in April.
Thank you to the Minister for letting us know that this oil and gas strategy is supposed to be made available in April. Clearly, there's no interest in exploration in the offshore. Now, onshore oil and gas. As shown by the demise of the Mackenzie Gas Project and the decision by Husky to not frack any further in the Sahtu, the Premier predicted the end of oil and gas, and even Matthews Energy Consulting says we need to shift our oil and gas focus from exploration to remediation. Will the Minister start to refocus our efforts on oil and gas to remediation and small-scale development that could provide local energy rather than the mega-project approach?
When we bring our strategy forward and table it in the House here shortly, it recognizes that we have to address the needs of climate change. That is the first priority of this government. Also, we've got to take in the current political environment around what we consider moving this forward with the knowledge economy as such, and what advantages does it ensure residents of the NWT. I can reassure the Member for sure, in the strategy when we table it, there is going to be a focus of using local energy for local use. That is one of them, but we still have to have a long-term strategy going forward on how to develop our resources.
Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
