I think you're channeling my answer, which is that the outreach to our business community is going to involve far more than just my department, but I anticipate that, certainly as we're going forward in our response to COVID and our COVID relief efforts, I expect there will continue to be quite a bit of dialogue across different sectors. No doubt, if this is something that the industry of tourism finds, if they are getting interest from the community, then I'm sure that I'll work with my colleague to explore that further. Certainly, I am conscious that the public sector is a leading role and a leading employer, and what we do often can set a bar for what is happening in the community. It is important to engage the community before we make any substantial changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] When I made my earlier Member's statement regarding interpreters for the unilingual elders, I would like to ask the Health and Social Services Minister a question. [Translation ends]
…to help the medical staff community with Dene elders after the medical interpreters have gone home for the day after 5:00, especially after visiting hours at 8:00, when family members can no longer be there? Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In our medical interpretation, we have seven official languages in the Northwest Territories that are offered at the Stanton Territorial Hospital. In terms of what's available after 5:00, we've limited some of the patients' visitors to most of our health centres and most of our hospitals across the Northwest Territories.
What we do have are some virtual services. On interpreter services, Stanton interpreters are available via the telephone and virtual care with an iPad, which is 24/7. We also have provided interpreters with iPhones and iPads to allow for a variety of virtual care options, like FaceTime and WhatsApp. Stanton also has a contract with CanTalk to provide interpretation 24/7.
I'm just trying to picture myself as a 91-year-old in the hospital, speaking to somebody in the Tlicho language, with an iPad in front of me or telephone beside me. I think it would be a very difficult, challenging task. They've never been exposed to that. They've been born and raised in the bush, and all of the sudden, it's an English environment in the hospital. I think we can do more, providing additional resources after hours. That's what I'm after. Could the Minister please describe the on-call system that the hospital initiated or instituted to make Dene interpreters available to assist these elders after hours?
As I've mentioned, it's a very difficult time right now where we're trying to limit some of the patients' visitors to come in. I think where the Member is going with this is asking, you know, what's available? I understand that we do have elders who are in care and are patients, and it's very difficult for them to be able to look at an iPad or an iPhone. Some elders do, and some elders really engage with that, because they like to see what's going on on Facebook and some of the activities that are happening on social media. However, I do understand that some of the elders, they don't have that. What we do have is we are looking at on-call for Tlicho.
I need the Minister to elaborate more on this on-call system that she's referring to. Is it in place now, or is it coming? It's just a consideration that the hospital is introducing a night shift for medical interpreters at the Stanton Territorial Hospital. Medical interpretation is such a complex system to interpret, so it's very important that we have interpreters available for these patients, Mr. Speaker.
The interpretation services here in the Northwest Territories is very important. I mean, the majority of our patients who are in care, are in any of our health centres, are predominantly Indigenous, and it's important that we have the available services to them. What the Member is asking is to describe what the on-call looks like right now. Right now, we do have an on-call for Tlicho. Any time a patient requires any assistance, we go through the process to be able to call someone and have them available for interpretation.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. I think we can do more than just on-call. Again, I have to put myself in the position of an 86-year-old who was hospitalized a week ago, and that individual had a heart issue. The family left after 8:00 p.m., and there was no way of communicating with the nurse, and he was getting needles, and he was getting tablets, uncertain of what it was for.
Mr. Speaker, I'm just wondering of the Minister is open to the idea of creating more of an interpretation system, even improving that in Stanton Hospital. Masi.
I apologize for the situation that's happened over at the Stanton Hospital with the Member's constituent and patient. I am open to looking at options with the Member to be able to see what can we do to improve our interpretation systems in the healthcare system. I will commit to looking at some ways to improve. Right now, with the COVID situation, it's very difficult for us to do anything other than virtual. That is something that we can look at. Thank you, Minister.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I mentioned in my Member's statement the problems related to excess alcohol consumption and the avenue afforded the community leaders for TPO. The leaders of my community genuinely wanted such an order during this state of emergency as this was the quickest way to stop all alcohol from entering the community, quelling all of the problems associated with alcohol. My question: why is it that a coronavirus public health emergency, a state of emergency, is not enough to override any current legislation or acts in order to issue a TPO should one be requested? Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The situation of alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse certainly isn't new, as a result of the pandemic. It has, sadly, roots that extend long before the pandemic, and sadly will likely continue after, but the pandemic has certainly given us an opportunity to have quite a number of conversations about alcohol abuse and its causes and the troubles that abuse then causes, as well.
Unfortunately, the Emergency Measures Act doesn't give any special powers over any other piece of legislation. I shouldn't say, "unfortunately." It simply is the fact. It doesn't give special powers to overwrite the Liquor Act. Mr. Speaker, in this particular case, I don't have a tool available in the context of the pandemic to rewrite the Liquor Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi cho to the Minister of Finance for that answer. In the community of Fort Providence, the liquor establishments were working with the leadership and agreed to shut down the bars. Could this not be deemed as consultation and agreement with the liquor establishments and perhaps written into the act in a time of crisis in order to issue a TPO?
I'm certainly pleased to hear that there has been coordination and communication between the private establishments and the local government. I know I have also been in contact with the local government, and the Liquor Act is written such that, where there's a licensed establishment, a temporary prohibition order is not an option, unfortunately. Certainly, if there can be that communication within the community, that is good news. Going forward, as I've sort of alluded to in my first answer, Mr. Speaker, it's quite clear that there needs to be a much bigger conversation around the Liquor Act but perhaps also a much bigger conversation about alcohol abuse generally, which would be far and beyond the Liquor Act.
It seems like, when this pandemic started, we started off slow, but, eventually, we were working. We had patience on this side of the House for the actions of all involved with the CPHO and the emergency measures organizations. It has always been a problem that we just couldn't harness the very thought that this is a public health emergency and a declared state of emergency. We should have been afforded all avenues to change acts for emergency purposes. Perhaps we really have to look at that as part of the lessons learned.
It's been a while, this coronavirus pandemic. I believe there's an element missing from this process, this consulting with Regular MLAs. There are many heads on this side who would have ideas having to deal with this pandemic. We have a vast range of experiences on this side that could offer suggestions to make it happen. It is that side of the House that is going to want to make it happen because we keep harping on this, and, probably, it'll never end until they find a solution. I just want to ask: can the Minister commit to seeking advice or comments from Regular MLAs on an ongoing basis?
If what is sought is simply a "yes," then I'm happy to simply give a "yes," Mr. Speaker. I gather that perhaps slightly more may be in order, which is to say that there are a lot of ways of communicating, and I want to ensure that I commit to certainly informing Members before there are changes, where I can. On this particular instance, we certainly did have some correspondence on this particular issue, on liquor regulation amendments. I had a lot of conflicting comments about liquor regulation amendments, some people seeking complete prohibition, others saying, "Please don't do that." This was a very difficult issue, and I will certainly continue to, as best as I can, have those conversations with the Members, so I appreciate that request.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Justice tell us what Indigenous programming is currently being offered in the NWT corrections facilities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The correctional service did develop what's called "Northern Sessions." It was developed specifically in the Northwest Territories and was meant to bring northern Indigenous perspective into the correctional programming that's available. There are also other programs that are built upon from Correctional Services Canada and then adapted and delivered by local facility staff members.
Mr. Speaker, can the justice Minister tell us how many of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action have been implemented within the NWT corrections?
I want to start by acknowledging that that is going to be ongoing work and that it has to be ongoing work, and there are still quite a number of the calls to action that, quite frankly, are still outstanding. Number one that comes to mind with me is the over-representation of Indigenous people in the correctional system. That continues to be a challenge, and it's one that I've certainly spoken about many times, both in my past life as well as in this House.
There is progress happening, though, Mr. Speaker. For instance, in terms of that particular call to action, number 30, of eliminating over-representation, there is work underway. We are taking efforts to again change the way that people are brought into the system and change the way that they go out and are reintegrated, with the hope that that will impact those numbers. With respect to addressing the needs of offenders with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, another call to action, Mr. Speaker, that is one where there has been a lot of effort made within the correctional service here around better diagnosis and treatment options and simply more awareness. Again, Mr. Speaker, there are others with respect to providing culturally relevant services, and, as I mentioned, there has been some effort to design local programming to better reflect the local culture and not just a sense of some sort of "pan" culture which really has and, perhaps, continues to be a problem, that we need to be more adaptive to the unique need of individual cultures across Canada.
Mr. Speaker, there are also calls around ensuring that there is better training about cultural sensitivity. Again, with the development of the Northern Recruitment Program in the North, it is our intention and effort that we are responding to that call by providing that localized cultural training. I'm conscious of the time. I'll stop there. That is an important one and I'll commit to providing the Member with going through those calls and providing some more detailed responses, again being conscious of time, but that is certainly an overview of the work that is happening, and I am conscious that there is more work to be done.
It is very important to have rehabilitation programming being led by properly qualified people, especially people who understand historic trauma and Indigenous healing, not just people trained in corrections or regular counselling. My question is: can the Minister list all the corrections programming that is being led or overseen by Indigenous personnel with proper qualifications?
Mr. Speaker, again, I'm going to commit to firstly put that into writing for the Member. I think there are quite a lot of programs that are happening, and I don't want to be seen as missing one or simply reading out a list and not getting to the root of what is being requested. I will just briefly say, Mr. Speaker, that there has been trauma-informed care being provided as training for correctional staff now for, I believe, two years. There are Indigenous liaison officers meant to be stationed at all of the facilities, although I acknowledge that sometimes those positions have not always been filled. I believe they are at present, although I will confirm. There is an effort at the facilities, often coordinated by the liaison officer, to bring elders into the facilities to provide spiritual guidance and cultural supports for offenders or inmates who may be there. I'll also note, as I think I've spoken about in this House more than once now, the South Mackenzie Correctional Facility in Hay River, although the work has been a bit delayed, there is still an effort to make that into a therapeutic community in line with Indigenous culture in the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Indigenous healing work with elders and knowledge holders is an important component. My question is: can the Minister explain what collaboration is taking place in the NWT corrections regarding Indigenous elders in terms of healing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
At the risk of repeating it a bit, there is a liaison officer position at every institution. It is a major part of their role to provide exactly that: the liaison between the community and elders in particular, and to have elder visits coordinated and available for anyone at the facility. That includes not only, for instance, here in Yellowknife, elders who might be part of the local Indigenous community but also Inuit elders. We certainly have a number of individuals coming from across the territory from different Indigenous cultures. There is a conscious effort made to be inclusive as much as possible. I know that, when I went to the Fort Smith Women's Facility, too, they again have focused on having that space available to be able to bring the elders in from the community. Fort Smith was one that has a long history of doing that and one that we are hoping that we will certainly want to put up as a shining star of what to do in the future, hopefully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today was in regard to the Minister responsible for the NWTPC. Since we are still in this pandemic of COVID-19, is the Minister prepared to instruct the board for making exemptions to late payments to the power bill and to ensure disconnections and late fees, once this pandemic is done, making sure that the date from, say, August to the end of April, our coldest months of the year, making sure people are not put on power limiters, and getting rid of the power limiter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've heard the Member and other Members in this House here about limiters and the impact it has on our residents. As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic happened, we stopped limiters and we did not ask people to be charged or making them pay because of their needs. We're working with the people right now and trying to make sure that they are treated fairly and are looked after. As for what we're doing with limiters, as I've said previously in this House, we are looking at that issue. We are researching across Canada to see what it is and to make sure that we are being fair for all of our residents in the Northwest Territories.
I ask the Minister if he is prepared to stop using limiters across our territory and to discontinue use. It's really belittling to people. I know it's a tough situation. People in the communities are really affected by this, and it's pretty tough to cook for families; like I said, planning for the winter already. COVID-19 is still here. Pandemic is still here. Why are we charging them? Why is the ministry able to push aside the bills, the power bills for the communities, and then, come September sitting, I'll be making a motion in the House to get rid of all the power bills and charge it to COVID-19. That would be the best way to do it. Is the Minister willing to do that?
Unfortunately, no. What we are trying to do is we are trying to understand how limiters have been operated across Canada. What we're trying to do is come up with a system that works for all residents. We are working with residents right now, with their power bills. If they need to, we try to give them avenues how they can get their power bills paid through ECE. We are also working with them to come up with a budgeting process that they pay a little bit more during the summertime so that their wintertime costs are not hitting them as big as it is. We're working with the clients. We're working with the system right now. I want to be able to make an informed decision because, if we don't, we're going to be having a whole bunch of people disconnected during the summertime, and we don't want to do that. We have made a commitment to take no limiters right now during the COVID-19. We're not charging interest on late power bills. We're working with the constituents. I've heard the Members from the other side, and we're trying to work the best we can with the system right now. I've made a commitment previously. We will work with the communities as we get this information.
Just in regard to the limiters and to the bills for the communities, is it possible to get it under COVID-19? I'm going to ask that for my Finance Minister, if we could write that off? I have a few other things I would like to bring forward to write off, too, for the people. It's the only right thing to do. The Minister is responsible for the bureaucrats that are these board of directors. He could instruct them. They work for him. Tell them. Work together in regard to making it better for the people and the costing of our power corporation. Again, from August to April, we can't have those for the weather up in the Delta and in my riding. It's the coldest months of the year. Make sure that we are working with them to get through once this COVID-19 is over. It looks like it's a long way off because of no vaccine.
Yes, I will work with the Finance Minister to see if we can reach out to the federal government. Right now, we can't make a promise to do that. What I've made a promise in this House is we will work with the other side and people to make sure we look at this issue and to come up with an informed decision. As for the board, they are independent. They have the right to come up with their collective response. We're working with them. I believe the board has heard the concerns and we are moving forward on this. Yes, I will work with the Finance Minister. There is my "yes" for the day. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Member for Nunakput.
Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When will the House see results of the work that the Minister tells us he has asked his deputy minister to do, developing options and reconstructing the Northwest Territories Power Corporation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I was waiting for this question. I thank the Member for asking that. The board is working on it, and we are hopefully having it by the end of this month in something we can present in June. We are working on this. They are looking again across Canada to see how the boards are done, operated. Again, what we are trying to do is make sure it is an informed decision and work with committee on it. At the end of the day, it's about working together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. As I said in my statement, I believe the GNWT has failed small business in this territory by not offering enough support through the pandemic. At the end of April, the Minister previewed her recovery plan and made the statement that some small businesses are expected to fail or scale down. My question for the Minister is: what is her responsibility to prevent small businesses from closing? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
