Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a constituent, Jim Thom of Fort Providence. Jim is the former chief of the Deh Gah Got'ine First Nations and also the former Dehcho negotiator for the Dehcho tribal council. Also, he is a former original member of the Fort Providence canoe team that raced down the Mackenzie during the centenary race. He is also the partner of the Commissioner. Last, but not least, we all call him "Uncle J.T." Mahsi.
The legendary J.T., welcome to our Assembly. Mahsi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a couple of special people. I think that I have a couple of grandchildren in the gallery, Scarlett and Tucker are both young babies, and also Alyssa. Alyssa, actually, is doing amazing things. She is working with organizations like the Edmonton Eskimos. There is so much debate about whether we are Inuit or Eskimo and what that means to us. Alyssa is actually helping with that in what she does to educate people and educate people properly. There are so many misconceptions of the word, and even through this government. There is so much good work that the government does, and sometimes it's brought down negatively. Alyssa is one of the people who actually stabilized that, and I appreciate the work that she does, so I'd like to recognize Alyssa. Also, my daughter Maddy who is there. It's good to see kids around here.
Sometimes, we spend so much time being serious. We can't even sit down and have a conversation and laugh. I think we need to incorporate that into the work that we do here, especially with the advice that we get from all the professionals. I believe my mother, Helen, is in the gallery. My wife, Yvonne.
Mr. Speaker, family is so important for me. It's been the foundation of everything I do, whether it's here at home or working on projects around this world. My life before coming here was working on projects around this world educating the general public, and also advocating for Inuit in our drive to self-determination, and without family, I could do nothing of that, Mr. Speaker.
I'm grateful for my parents, who actually grew me up properly. I really give credit to my mom and dad for helping me out at a young age. They sent me away from Paulatuk when I was 15. They're like, don't come back until you have a good education or something. I still don't know what that means today, but I appreciate it. I'd like to welcome my family. Mr. Speaker, without them, I don't know where I would be today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife South, that Bill 61, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. The motion is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 61, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill?
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried.
I will now call for the last time Committee of the Whole to order. "What is the wish of committee" is how I would usually begin, but today is the day for speeches. I will keep it brief, committee. No worries. This is the last time the 18 of us will sit together as Committee of the Whole, so I just want to say a few words.
Prior to becoming an elected Member of this House, I really had no political experience. I hadn't really attended any formal meetings, let alone chaired any. It was a little intimidating to come here and chair Committee of the Whole right off the bat, but I have to thank all of the Members of this House for making my job very easy, especially when you compare this Committee of the Whole to Committees of the Whole around the country. The level of civility displayed in this committee is far and above that, that we see in virtually all other legislatures, not just in Canada but around the world. It's really not even comparable.
There are disagreements, and while some Members can get close to the line, and I know some Members have gotten really good over the years at getting close to the line, the Members' ability to discuss and debate has never been hindered by that. I have been fortunate enough to go to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conferences, and I talk a lot with other deputy speakers and other presiding officers, and it amazes me, some of the things that go on in those legislatures. Members will stand up to speak and will be heckled so that they can't get their words out. I hear a lot of stuff like that, and it amazes me. It makes me grateful that I have been able to chair this committee.
I also want to thank the unsung heroes of the Committee of the Whole, those people who ensure that, as legislators, we can focus on the issues at hand and we don't have to worry about having the right papers on our desk, or anything else. First and foremost -- I won't say "foremost"; everyone is important. First, I'd like to thank the clerks who have been by my side in this sitting. We have Mr. Glen Rutland, Cynthia James, and with me right now, we have Mr. Michael Ball and Jennifer Franki-Smith. In the past, we've had Doug Schaurerte, Ms. Gail Bennett, Sarah Kay, and our law clerks, Sheila MacPherson and Alyssa Holland. Some of these clerks have had decades of experience, and some have had less than me up here on this desk. I've learned a lot from those with the experience, and those who I basically learned with. I want to thank them.
I also want to thank -- I was going to name everybody, but that's how you leave people out. I'm not going to name anyone other than the clerks at the table, but I want to thank the back office staff. They're the ones who prepare the motions, who prepare the scripts, who prepare the House documents. If you've seen the volume of bills and motions and reports that we've been dealing with, you know that that that's an amazing feat.
I want to thank the sound and broadcasting techs, the ones on staff and from Pito Productions who make sure that we can be seen and heard and that the people of the NWT can keep their eye on us. There have been a lot of advances in how we can be seen and heard over this Assembly. We're now broadcast over various forms of social media. The satellite and TV broadcast has gotten better, and so I want to thank them for all the work they've done.
I need to thank the Hansard staff, the ones here and the ones who work outside of here. Their jobs as keepers of the official record is vital to democracy, and I want to thank them for what they do.
The Sergeant-at-Arms. I want to thank the Sergeant-at-Arms' staff for helping me maintain order. Although I've never had to ask them to escort a Member out, I know they would, and I've confirmed that they would.
The security team. I want to thank the security team. When we're here late, they're here later. The same with the guys in the back office. The same with everyone else I'm talking about.
Finally, I want to thank the people over at Cliff's Café, who I think put in more hours than anyone else in this Assembly to make sure that we get breakfast in the morning, and, when we go late, we get fed at night.
Once again, thank you all to the Members, and thank you all to the staff who make this happen.
---Applause
What is the wish of community? Mr. Beaulieu.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Committee wishes to thank you for your work, and the committee wishes that you rise and report progress. Thank you.
Thank you. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. Minister Moses.
I want to reiterate, thank you. The Members' comments, you've done a tremendous job over the last four years in your role as chair, as well as the other deputy chairs. I just want to thank you for what you've done. Thank you.
All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
I will rise and report progress.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee would like to report progress, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Masi. Do we have a seconder? Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that Bill 61, Appropriations Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2020-2021, be read for the third time, and Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. The Member has requested a recorded vote. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to speak to this appropriation bill. I acknowledge that there is a bit of levity in the air today, but the business of the House still must get done, and in this case, it is passing a very large capital budget.
I do not stand in support of this budget on principle, because one of the most important issues to my constituency and to my constituents is the issue of municipal funding and the funding gap that has remained stubbornly unclosed since the start of this Assembly, despite repeated calls for it to be addressed. This budget was last opportunity to add some additional and much-needed funds to our municipalities, and it was not delivered.
After tireless advocating on this side of the House, through business plans, through reviewing budget documents, nothing has still been done, and I told myself that eventually a line would be crossed, and for me, that line is this lack of attention to detail.
The Members on this side of the House and the House itself is not here to rubber-stamp government decisions. It is here to advise government on how to make the right decisions. In this case, there were a number of projects, and this one was very important to me and my community, that were left on the cutting room floor. This has happened time and time again. At this point, I cannot bring myself to support a bill that has essentially been rubber-stamped. It is important that the Ministers are not just there to explain government decisions to this side of the House, but to hear this side of the House, and to incorporate our recommendations into their plans, and especially into their budgets.
Although there are a lot of great projects in this budget, that fundamental issue, which is so important to not just Yellowknife, not just Kam Lake, but to every community in the Northwest Territories, and it is still unaddressed? That is something that I cannot stand for, and I will not stand for this budget as a result. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. To the motion. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, will not be supporting this bill and the appropriation. We have had a great last day here, and I do appreciate the sentiments from everybody. We have accomplished a lot together, but I still need to do my job as an MLA.
In my view, the review of the capital budget was rushed. I wish that we had had more time to carefully consider it and go through it. I did note that there were, I think, opportunities for the Regular MLAs to get input into it, but that didn't happen. I would hope that that changes in the next Assembly, Mr. Speaker.
I know that this is the largest-ever infrastructure acquisition plan by our government, and I am all in favour of investment and creating jobs, but it is a matter of priorities, and sometimes our priorities differ. I guess that is why I have to get up and say this today, Mr. Speaker.
I am concerned about the potential to increase our debt as a government. As I said, I don't agree with some of the priorities set out in this budget. There is a very large portion of it, around 34 percent, that is dedicated to roads. Some of those are winter roads and so on, Mr. Speaker, but when I see a decline in spending or expenditures or money to the NWT Housing Corporation at the same time, I wonder about our priorities, Mr. Speaker.
There are a number of other issues, I believe, with the capital budget. The City of Yellowknife had requested assistance with a water line replacement. It asked for $8 million. That support is not contained in the budget. I had hoped to see some progress with the Mackenzie Valley fibre link, to ensure that all of our communities are connected and that the promised benefits accrue to our communities down the valley, but that's not to be found in here. I question why there is no funding for visitors' services in three communities, Tuktoyaktuk, Whati, and Yellowknife. I think that there is a missed opportunity there.
Lastly, I am very concerned about some of the energy project investments in this capital budget. In particular, there is a replacement of the diesel plant in Lutselk'e. I just hope that that includes high-efficiency turbines or variable-speed turbines so that we get the best value for that. There is also a river, Snowdrift River, right next to the community that has, I think, great potential for mini hydro. I wonder whether the money spent on the diesel replacement might be better used for a mini hydro project in that community.
Then there is the Whati transmission line that I raised earlier today, Mr. Speaker. I am not convinced that there has been a thorough evaluation of all of the options for the Tlicho communities. Earlier today I tabled some information about the costs of mini hydro projects in three of the communities, and I wonder whether we are getting good value for money and whether the money that might be spent on the Whati transmission line might actually fund mini hydro projects in three Tlicho communities, allow them to get off diesel, allow them to use electricity for home heating, commercial space heating, make a more significant reduction in greenhouse gas reductions, and lower the cost of living in those communities, all at a cheaper price than the Whati transmission line.
I challenge the Minister to make more information available about the options and make sure that the public understands what the real purpose of this project is, whether NICO is making a contribution, the NICO project by Fortune, whether they are making a financial contribution towards this line, and to really look at who benefits, as well.
For all of these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I cannot support the capital budget today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. To the motion. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I support this bill, as mentioned in our vetting yesterday in Committee of the Whole, looking at the bill. I mentioned yesterday, and I'll mention today, and I'll just give one example. I don't want to go through the whole document.
There is a capital cost allowance for a new school in Colville Lake. You have two buildings. This government is supporting education by establishing a new institution there, a new building, with the help of the community leaders, who will help design and agree on the colour of the building. Right now, you have bookshelves dividing classrooms, and the students are told that they have to whisper, so that they are not interrupting their neighbouring classes. Those are just examples that I have witnessed there.
There are many allowances. We have acts, we have policies, and I have every confidence than this government has scrutinized, balanced, and put forward a legitimate, sound capital plan. I agree with the capital plan. I agree with all of the benefits that it is going to produce, as the Minister said yesterday. Building the school, for example, in Colville, the community will prosper by the paycheques of the father hammering the nails on the building that will house education for their students.
I support this bill. Mahsi cho. I think that we can carry on and conclude. Thank you.
Masi. To the motion. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is unfortunate; I didn't want to have to stand up and speak and have to defend a $410 million capital budget that provides opportunities for folks across the Northwest Territories, especially in a lot of the smaller communities.
I have heard some of the concerns. I do recall sitting before committee on a number of occasions with this particular appropriation, plus others that we had been working on. To say that there was no input from committee I think is misleading the public. To say that this is a budget that doesn't seem to address the municipal gap, it is good fodder for the campaign brochures, but Members know as well as I do that that is an O and M issue. There has been money put into the capital side of the budget for communities.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize for having to stand up and do this. I have always thought, what we do in here, we need to bring our concern to the floor. At the end of the day, we take our blinders off and look big picture and see that this is a budget that is good for the people of the Northwest Territories because it allows a lot of projects to get done. Respect to those who see big picture and realize that we need to try to do what we can.
I know I am supposed to speak to the motion. That is exactly what I am doing. I will say, for those who are running and want to come back, I have said when I didn't run that I wanted to see some new energy for Inuvik, which is true. I also want to see some positive energy from people across the Northwest Territories, because we have important work to do. Appropriation budgets like this are part of that important work we do. We may not disagree on everything. At the end of the day, we have to look big picture, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Masi. To the motion.
Question.
The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, the Member for Hay River South, the Member for Thebacha, the Member for Hay River North, the Member for Sahtu, the Member for Yellowknife North, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, the Member for Nahendeh, the Member for Yellowknife Centre, the Member for Deh Cho, the Member for Nunakput, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, the Member for Range Lake, the Member for Great Slave, the Member for Yellowknife South.
Masi. All those opposed, please stand.
The Member for Kam Lake, the Member for Frame Lake.
Masi. All those abstaining, please stand. The results of the recorded vote: 15 in favour, two opposed, zero abstentions. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 61 has had its third reading. Third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Honourable Commissioner Margaret Thom is ready to enter the Chamber?
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. [English translation not available.] Mahsi.
I am pleased and honoured to once again sit with you in this Chamber. I will assent to the bills that you all have worked hard and deliberated upon so carefully. Today marks the day that I imagine is mixed with many emotions as well as much personal and public planning for each of you. As Members of this 18th Legislative Assembly, each of you has become an instrument of change and enhancement within this government. You have acted on the wishes and concerns of the people of our vast territory during your elected term. For that, I applaud you with huge mahsi cho. Know that we owe you a debt of gratitude, and we have much to be thankful for.
Being in politics is difficult, not only for the politician, but for your families, as well. As difficult as it is, we must remember the sacrifices of your families who contribute immensely to how you function as individuals, as a team player, and as a member of our great consensus form of government. On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I extend my deep admiration and gratitude to your families.
Some of you have already announced your intention to seek re-election. I wish you well and every success in your platforms and in your campaigns. If you are elected again and return to this House, know that it was meant to be. If you do not get re-elected, close this chapter of your life knowing that you have done your very best in representing your constituents and the people of the Northwest Territories.
Some of you have announced your intention to not seek re-election. Rather, you have chosen to pursue new adventures and perhaps to rest and relax. I applaud you with sincere appreciation for your commitment and dedication in the service to your constituents and to all the people of our territory. I sincerely wish all of you success, good health, and happiness in the next chapter of your journey you will embark on, take on from here.
Please be seated. Well, it's that time of our term. I would first like to extend the appreciation of this House to the Commissioner, Margaret M. Thom. As always, it was a pleasure to have her in the House today.
Colleagues, this is our last day together in the Chamber as Members of the Legislative Assembly. For those who are not seeking to return as Members of the 19th Assembly, I would like to thank you for all of the services that you have provided to this institution and to the people of the Northwest Territories.
We have previously had the opportunity to recognize the contributions of the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes and the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Today, I wish to take a moment to recognize two other Members who will be ending their time in the Assembly.
First, I would like to recognize the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. He was first elected in 2011 and has served two terms. In the 17th Assembly, he served at the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, work which I know he took very seriously.
In the 18th Assembly, he was elected by Members to serve on the Executive Council and has served as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. He has also served as the Minister responsible for Youth, Homelessness, and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.
Few can dispute the Member's commitment to the young people of the Northwest Territories or his passionate delivery of replies to questions in this Chamber. Masi for that.
Next, I would like to recognize the Member for Great Slave. First elected in 2007, the Member has served in three Assemblies, three terms.
In the 16th Assembly, he served as the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which foreshadowed the important role he would play in the 17th and 18th Assemblies.
The Member was elected to the Executive Council in 2011 and has served as a Minister since that time. He has served as the Minister of Health and Social Services, as well as the Minister of Justice, Public Works and Services, and the Minister responsible for Seniors and Persons With Disabilities.
He has also served as the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Human Resources, and as Government House Leader, where he had the chance to work collaboratively with the Speaker, myself. The Member and I go way back, so it kind of gets emotional at times.
The Member for Great Slave will be remembered for his approach on various initiatives and his passion for consensus-style government. The Member will be taking time to enjoy life with his young son, David, and his wife, Caroline.
Members, join me in wishing both of these Members all of the happiness that they richly deserve.
---Applause
For Members seeking to return to this Assembly, and all those residents who have or will be putting their names forward to serve as a Member of this Assembly, these departures leave big shoes to fill. However, I am confident that the Members of the 19th Assembly will rise to the challenge.
As we reach the end of the Assembly here today, it is a time that reminds all of us of an important truth: this building that we are in. This Assembly is about more than the people of the Northwest Territories, who come and go over time. It is about the people whom we come here to serve. We are the trustees of responsible government, not the holders.
While not all Members of the 18th Assembly may return, your work here will be remembered as the Commissioner has indicated. A common misunderstanding of a consensus-style government is that we must all agree, but that is simply simply not the case. We work together.
Consensus government is all about voices, voices of the North that we hear as we move forward with the decisions that we had to make in this House, in this Chamber. While we may not always agree on certain issues or certain demands, we will always listen. As Members, each one of you has brought a distinct voice to this Assembly and to our proceedings. That will not be forgotten or lost.
I want to thank the interpreters who ensure that distinct voices are heard by residents in our official languages. Your work is greatly appreciated.
I also want to thank those pages who have been with us throughout our journey the last four years. They have done a tremendous job. They provided us lots of patience, dedication, and simply for being here with us. Thank you. Masi.
I also want to thank those contractors who help us out with our jobs: Pido Productions, Tinwin Janitorial, Twilite Security, and ASAP Reporting Services.
Finally, I have to do this again: the Pages. They are the young leaders of the future, and they have been here with us. Your presence in the Chamber is much more important. Your presence here reminds us that the decisions we make today will certainly and definitely affect your future. Thank you for your services, particularly in the last few days of our session here.
Orders of the day for Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.:
Prayer
Ministers' Statements
Members' Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to the Commissioner's Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
-
Minister's Statement 151-18(3), New Federal Infrastructure Agreement
-
Minister's Statement 158-18(3), Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services
-
Minister's Statement 211-18(3), Addressing the Caribou Crisis
-
Tabled Document 442-18(3), 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework 2019-2023 Action Plan
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Masi. Mr. Clerk. This House is adjourned until Thursday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m.
---ADJOURNMENT
The House adjourned at 1:42 p.m.
