The GNWT is the largest client for the accommodation sector. Without any of the duty travel and no tourists coming in, their future is very bleak. We are currently slated to spend more than half of the COVID secretariat budget on isolation centres, but that contract was sole-sourced. Will the GNWT look at creating a program similar to the Yukon's Tourism Accommodation Supplement?
Yes. I am actively looking at that. That material came across earlier on, and right now the department is looking at what we can do and whether or not there are some elements of what's happening in the Yukon that we can adapt here. Similarly, with respect to the isolation centres, we are using, to some degree, some of that hospitality industry here with the isolation centres and are continuing to look at whether or not there are ways to better support the hospitality industry while having the isolation centres up and running. That is a very active question, and I am glad to have that question here on the floor.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am going to read something that was issued by the government yesterday. This is a quote from the Business Advisory Council: "With the hard work that the GNWT, the business community, and the residents of the Northwest Territories have put in over the last six months, we are optimistic that the territory will not have to go back to the restrictions required during phase 1 of Emerging Wisely. The Business Advisory Council will continue to work with the COVID secretariat and will be vigilant in monitoring its efforts to achieve the objectives of greater transparency, efficiency, and cost reductions." Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the COVID secretariat. Can the Minister tell us what she has been hearing from the business community with respect to spending these funds on the COVID Secretariat? Thank you.
That has been an evolving conversation, and one that has happened largely in the public sphere. It's not necessarily for me to speak for the private sector here on the floor, but the Business Advisory Council, I have had the opportunity to meet with them more than once already, as well as with the chambers, as well as with a number of individuals who are bringing attention to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment at all times, around how to navigate their needs during COVID as well as how the government is navigating the need to support people, which is a large part of the COVID secretariat.
Again, once there is an understanding of what the secretariat is designed to do, why it is designed to that, and a recognition of the supports that it is providing to the residents of the Northwest Territories. I believe not only the Business Advisory Council but other business entities have actually come around and said that they indeed support the work of the secretariat, want it to continue, and recognize that it's because of the secretariat and, because all of the efforts in COVID, that we are not returning to a full lockdown, we're not returning to the doors closed, and that we're not shuttering the businesses as is so sadly happening across much of Canada, right now. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. For years, a governance review of the Power Corporation since its board was removed and replaced with deputy ministers has been requested. It's been promised by previous Ministers, but it has not been delivered. We now find ourselves with a new Minister asking the board to review themselves. My question for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation is: what has happened in the last four years since the board was removed in regard to a governance review, and how much longer is this going to take? Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I recognize that this is a long-standing issue and the Member will be happy to know that I'm committed to looking into and completing the governance review of the Power Corporation. The last four years have been critical in gaining hands-on understanding of NTPC's governance structure and also options for some improvement. Work has been underway to identify and assess the governance options to further advance this work ultimately towards the goal of approving the accountability and framework for this important organization. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I'm very happy to see that this Minister is committed to a governance review. One of the fundamental problems with this governance review is we as government are asking our deputy ministers to review themselves and see if there is the proper accountability. Much of the Power Corporation's bookwork is done behind closed doors. Much of this review and these decisions come to Cabinet, which is also behind closed doors. My question for the Minister is: given the just inherent conflicts and trouble navigating accountability of a non arm's-length corporation that's supposed to be, will the GNWT do any public engagement on this review?
Again, I mentioned the governance model. Again, I committed to working with the Members of this House on the review and the offer to briefing to Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment. I also look forward to discussing and to advancing some of this work together.
I recognize that the Minister is willing to work standing committee, but I don't believe that was public engagement. I'm going to try this one more time. Does the GNWT recognize and acknowledge that deputy ministers -- I know they work hard and probably that's one of the problems is that they are so busy working that they don't have time to completely review a corporation. They have expertise in public service. They don't have expertise in managing a Crown corporation and energy interests. Does the GNWT recognize that is an inherent problem, that we have the wrong people on the board?
NTPC is a large organization providing public service and deputy ministers have brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board. Since deputy ministers were appointed to the board, we have seen improved ties and implementation of GNWT energy policy and have been able to integrate the corporation's decision-making with the policy decisions and even the programs and services that are provided by GNWT departments, so a review of the board composition will also include the government's review work and assessment of some of the options.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Yellowknife North.
Madam Speaker, perhaps the deputy ministers have been doing a good job. We've asked them to serve on a board at the expense of their other work, and we all know that no such senior management is overworked. There is some serious work that needs to be done here. There is a level of expertise that is not necessarily found in the public service. I believe a third-party review needs to be done. I believe there needs to be scholarly research. We really need someone who is not the GNWT or its senior management to look at the Power Corporation. Is the Minister willing to conduct a third-party review of the Power Corporation? Thank you, Madam Speaker.
The GNWT has completed many studies of this corporation over the past 10 years. Many aspects of the corporation have been studied in great depth, from rating settings to governance and accountability aspects to the economic viability of the corporation. These studies have formed the basis of the review that is currently underway. I look forward to discussions with the committee on this matter and advancing this important work. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Madam Speaker. I hope I can get on the roll that my colleague with Frame Lake was on here with the Minister of Health. Going back to my Member's statement on dental services in our small communities, I also, with my research on this, found out that the eye teams are still going out into the communities and still providing that service, so that's something to think about. I'm hoping that we have some common-sense approaches and this crucial service, dental services, done in the North in our small communities. With my first question: can the Minister explain what the restrictions are for dental practice in small communities? Marsi cho.
Thank you, Member. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you for the question. The department doesn't restrict dentists from going into small communities. The issue at the moment is about infection control in some of the health centres where they are not adequate to meet the challenges of COVID-19. There hasn't been as much travel as there was previously. As an alternative, emergency cases are being flown to Yellowknife for service. Thank you.
I'm just trying to get at the heart of the issue, and I thank her for the response. I want to see this service brought back. My next question is: what can be done to allow full dental practice to resume?
The service here is primarily in NIHB service. What's happening is that senior leadership from Indigenous Services Canada and the department of health authorities are meeting this week to get an update on a resumption plan that they have all been working on for the last little while that deals with current air exchange requirements and infection control standards so that the services are delivered safely to the people in the communities. What I'm anticipating is that an announcement will be made next week on the timing and locations of phase 1 resumption of dental services and that that will answer the Member's concerns and our concerns about making sure that everyone has access to dental services.
Yay!
---Laughter
That's good to hear that there is going to be some work done here. These next couple of questions, I don't expect an answer very quickly. I'd like to know: how many people have been flown in town here for this service and at what cost?
I'm sorry. I don't have that information. That information we would need to obtain from the NIHB, both the numbers of patients and the cost of the service.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Madam Speaker. My last one, again, I don't expect a response right away on this, is: what is the expected backlog of dental requests?
I don't know if the department or Indigenous Services Canada has collected that information, but I can certainly find out and make sure the Member gets it. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I brought up in my Member's statement regarding MACA and clawing back funding for the Paulatuk sewage lagoon. I am just wondering if the Minister of MACA would be able to give an extension. The extension was given to January, and you know that in our riding it is freeze-up, frozen solid, can't do anything. Would the Minister be willing to extend the project for the community of Paulatuk until August? Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Minister of MACA.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. These, I want to say the project for the water and sewer, as a department, we encourage the community governments to access federal funding. I did do a statement on the water quality in the Northwest Territories, and that was a federal engagement that we initiated in the territory. I would have to look at this file further to see what kind of funding was available to Paulatuk. Looking at the extension, I would have to verify whether that was federal funding. Should it be federal funding, I am not too sure how much authorization we would have as a territorial government to encourage an extension. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
If the requirements, federal funding requirements, are the barrier here, did MACA give any consideration in finding an innovative way to get around it, working with the community to make sure that all the expenditures are done, notification given to the community, other than just saying, "Your funding is pulled"? Is there a way that we could talk to our federal counterparts, the Minister, to extend this? Because it's $53,000, and that is a lot of money for the community of Paulatuk, clawing back on water and the sewer program.
I will have my department reach out to the Hamlet of Paulatuk. I just need to slow down. I remember hearing that from the interpreters. I am just so anxious to answer the question. I will just have to get further information on what they may have for their CPI and their gas tax money and how much of this could be applied to the water and sewer issue in Paulatuk. I will have my department follow up with the hamlet.
It's more important to get the work done than to meet arbitrary funding deadlines. How does MACA expect the Hamlet of Paulatuk to pay back the funding and still update the sewage lagoon? Is there a way that we could do a letter of intent to say that we could do the work? Then, we could work with the gas tax or whatever funding that is available to them. Is that possible?
The funding provided to the communities, they submit their capital budget, and I am looking for flexibility within that budget to see how we can work with the Hamlet of Paulatuk. I did mention the gas tax money and the CPI, as well. The department will be reaching out to the hamlet to further offer more assistance on how we can look at either an extension or having conversations with the federal government.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Is it okay if I blame COVID-19 for the extension, please and thank you? I just want to make sure that the Minister commits to the community of Paulatuk and to the people of Nunakput that she would come to our community and do a community tour here soon, but I need a commitment from her to say that she will work for the people of Paulatuk on this issue. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
My department will be reaching out to the hamlet. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have asked the people of the NWT to give up a lot here since March, and I am going to ask some questions on resource development. However, I think that, when we think about non-renewable resource development, we think of the diamond mines. I think that, with what people have had to go through, we should give them all a diamond when this is over. That will help our resource sector, as well. Madam Speaker, we seem to not appreciate the non-renewable resource sector until we start to see it disappear. This sector is not only important but is essential to the growth and development of the NWT. Knowing COVID-19 is impacting all economic sectors, can the Minister of ITI confirm if and how the department is working and supporting the non-renewable sector? Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Minister of ITI.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I think there is a sort of general rule that I am not supposed to run down the clock, but I could easily talk about the resource sector for 20 minutes. I won't do that, Madam Speaker. The mineral resource sector is, I would say continues to be, extremely important. It's still the foundation of the economy here from the private sector and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.
There are quite a number of things that are happening right now in the Department of ITI to support that sector. For example, there have been quite a number of active conversations just in the last several weeks with federal counterparts as well as with the territorial Ministers also responsible. The territorial Ministers are all aligned that we need more geoscience in the North, for the North, and built in the North in order to actually help make our tremendous amount of resources accessible and to help make people aware of them around the world. There are a lot of conversations about critical minerals and strategic minerals. There is a task force that has been developed on a national level, and we want to have an active role in it to make sure that we are one of the jurisdictions where critical minerals and strategic minerals have a real place.
There is obviously, as well, remediation, Madam Speaker. There is a huge amount of funding that was announced for some of the provinces in that regard, but it's an area where we have a number of shovel-ready projects. Hopefully, we will be able to participate with that area of funding. As a part of COVID-19, there has been a working group developed with the Chamber of Mines, and we are continuing to work with them to identify whether there are gaps in areas where we can help provide more direct relief.
Another major area, I am happy to speak about it here, is with respect to regional mineral development strategies. This is where funding is provided directly to Indigenous governments for them to develop their own regional strategies. This is such a tremendous opportunity for regional development and for strategies that are really meaningful for each region of the Northwest Territories that can then feed into a bigger strategy. I think that is a good overview, Madam Speaker, and I am sure there will be more questions so that I can speak to more things. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
As time progresses, our government, along with federal government, continues to tighten regulations that make the non-renewable resource sector reluctant to work in the NWT. Can the Minister confirm what the department is hearing from the non-renewable sector with respect to barriers causing their reluctance to consider the NWT as a place to do business? What are we doing to deal with that reluctance?
A lot of the barriers here are not new, nor are they unique to the Northwest Territories. They are barriers that are experienced across northern Canada, certainly. That is including the high costs of operating here, both in terms of the initial exploration and then in terms of developing a profitable mine site. There are also some concerns that continue to be raised, of course, around uncertainty and the benefits and importance of having certainty in the regulatory system.
Fortunately, Madam Speaker, we are taking some good steps to advance in dealing with some of those barriers. For example, the Mineral Resources Act regulations are actively being worked on right now, and that will allow the Mineral Resources Act to be implemented here in the Northwest Territories. There is a socio-economic review, which is of course a big part of what supports the mineral resource sector in terms of providing their certainty when they are engaging here in the Northwest Territories. The Mining Incentive Program, Madam Speaker, is another one where there have already been some modifications to reduce the amount of equity required from industry when it's participating and also to increase the funding that is available. Of course, then there are a number of strategic and infrastructure investments that are being looked at, indeed, in part of the capital planning process that we are looking at this session.
It is important that this government, the Indigenous peoples, northern businesses and residents receive benefits from any and all resource development. Can the Minister confirm what is being done to strengthen our socio-economic agreements and to support those IBAs entered into with Indigenous peoples in industry?
Of course, the IBAs themselves are confidential themselves as between the industry proponents and the Indigenous governments themselves, but by continuing to be engaged with both Indigenous governments as well as with the industry, we're certainly able to help navigate the development and the strengthening of all of those levels of cooperation and collaboration. I'll go back to what I had mentioned earlier, which is the development of regional mineral development strategies which helps give a voice to individual regions so that they can better finetune what it is they want to see out of the mineral resources sector. As I mentioned earlier, we are going to review the socio-economic agreements. That work, as I say, I think is just only beginning now internally but with a view to having that done in the near future.
