Colleagues, before we begin, I just want to thank you the CPHO and the Department of Health for the great news today for the Beaufort Delta. Everybody up in the Delta is very happy now that they get to travel to the Yukon so I am sure Canadian Tire and everything will be empty by next week.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to navigate our every changing circumstances as the pandemic continues around the world. And After a long winter, I am sure we are all looking for a summer of fresh air and outdoor activities. The Northwest Territories parks are ready for visitors. We have already received a record number of registrations from residents across the territory. In 2020, registrations from Northwest Territories residents booking overnight stays in territorial parks increased by 46 percent and already this year we are see a further increase of 15 on top of 2020's already impressive numbers.
Building off this momentum, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has recently released of a new logo and branding for Northwest Territories parks. This new look will be reflected in all of the marketing and communication platforms for NWT parks, allowing us to position our parks locally, nationally, and globally, as premier wilderness destinations.
With that said, tourism remains one of the hardest hit industries globally. The NWT had been enjoying increases in visitors year over year and people now know, and want to experience what our unique and beautiful home has to offer. Many Northwest Territories' tourism businesses are adapting their company models to make sure they are ready when visitors return after travel restrictions are lifted. And We, as a territory, must support our tourism operators and businesses as best we can. As a government, we must provide the support to help keep them in business.
Mr. Speaker, last week was Tourism Week across the country. This year, to mark this national event, we developed a campaign that involved interviewing Northwest Territories residents who took advantage of the adventures and experiences available across our territory. They enthusiastically recounted their stories and shared their pictures. So many people across the Northwest Territories supported tourism operators and had, in their own words, some of their best travel experiences ever.
It is inspiring to see the resilience operators and businesses have demonstrated, and adapted to focus on opportunities for residents, while we wait for the pandemic to ease. The tourism industry has offered innovative packages tailored to all budgets and opened residents' eyes to the worldclass experiences we have right here in our backyards. With every booking, we have shown operators how much we value their contribution to the economy. In return, they have given us a new appreciation that the Northwest Territories is truly spectacular.
Mr. Speaker, Tourism Week is only one way we continue to celebrate and support the tourism industry. Building on the momentum of past supports, like the digital boot camp training for operators to enhance their online profiles and inmarket presence in partnership with Northwest Territories Tourism, as well as the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism program, delivered through a funding collaboration with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.
Very soon, we hope to launch the newest support programs to bring relief to the tourism and accommodation industries; the Pandemic Relief Extension Program, or PREP, for licensed tourism operators, and the Supplement for Tourism Accommodation Relief, or STAR, for accommodation providers who have three or more rooms.
The federal government has been a critical partner throughout the year, and they are planning to continue supports through federal recovery programs. However, we know that the STAR and PREP programs are also going to be needed to continue supporting relief measures for these heavily impacted sectors.
Accommodation providers in the Northwest Territories have been particularly impacted by COVID19. Average occupancy levels for hotels reporting from statistics dropped from 65 percent in 2019 down to 39 percent in 2020.
The STAR program will provide financial assistance for eligible expenses to accommodation providers in the Northwest Territories with three rooms or more and helps to continue the support for the sector that CanNor offered through their Northern Business Relief Fund.
Mr. Speaker, although there are positive signs for our tourism restart as the territorial and national vaccination programs gain momentum, the majority of tourism operators cannot maintain their businesses without some form of support. In the fall of 2020, 75 percent of tourism businesses had reported a decline in revenues of 50 percent or more.
The PREP will provide relief for eligible fixed costs to licensed tourism operators at a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $100,000. While homebased tourism businesses were not eligible for the federal relief through the NBRF, they will be eligible for relief funding under the PREP.
Mr. Speaker, our tourism operators have demonstrated their resilience through their adaptation and refocus under neverbeforeseen conditions. When our travel restrictions ease, we are confident our tourism industry will rebound and continue to grow into one of the most robust areas of economic diversification in the Northwest Territories, supporting one of our primary mandates. We know that visitors are looking forward to returning, and we want to make sure our tourism industry is ready to welcome them with the unique experiences and opportunities that make our territory spectacular. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Education, Culture, and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, the arts, culture, heritage and language play an integral part in creating a strong and sustainable territory. Living without access to live music, art shows, craft fairs, traditional events and seasonal festivities because of the pandemic has highlighted the beauty, tradition, celebration and community that arts, culture, language and heritage bring into our lives. This past year has also shown the resiliency and creativity of the many individuals and organizations who have found ways to continue to bring us together even when we are apart.
In celebration of these individuals and organizations, Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce this year's recipients of the Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle Awards, all of whom are leaders in protecting, promoting, and preserving heritage and culture.
In the individual category, I would like to recognize Myrna Pokiak from Yellowknife. Myrna shares her formal and landbased education with her community. She promotes her culture through developing cultural awareness programs and was recently asked to design a celebratory coin marking 150 years since the NWT joined Canada.
In the youth category, Kaysea Fountain from Fort Resolution. Kaysea has emerged as a cultural role model to her peers and a true champion of her ancestral language Dëne Suliné Yatié.
In the elders category, Rosalind Mercredi from Yellowknife. Rosalind has been a catalyst for many art events, including the 2020 Iceolation Art Shows which allowed people to enjoy the arts despite the COVID19 pandemic.
In the group category, Collège Nordique Francophone from Yellowknife. Collège Nordique has demonstrated outstanding leadership with their efforts to build awareness among Northerners about the importance of protecting, preserving, and celebrating the North’s unique cultures and ways of life.
As well, this year a new category was added to recognize the important work of promoting, preserving, and protecting Indigenous languages. This award is presented to any individual or group whose efforts increase the presence, visibility, use, or scope of languages in communities. I am proud to award the first Indigenous Languages category award to Angelina Fabien from Fort Resolution for her work in reviving her ancestral language Chipewyan.
Each year, Mr. Speaker, I also have the discretion as Minister to present the Minister’s Choice Award to an exemplary person or group who embodies the spirit and purpose of the Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle.
This year, I am honoured to present this award to Lawrence Nayally from Wrigley, Pehdzeh Ki. Lawrence was raised by his grandparents, Dora and Boniface Nayally. Through the example set by his grandparents and his community, he developed a love of language, culture, identity and storytelling. Lawrence has volunteered with youth, taught Dené games with the Aboriginal Sports Circle, created music with Juno Award winning artist Leela Gilday, and was featured in the powerful documentary Nahanni: River of Forgiveness. He has done advocacy work through Idle No More and helped to create Dené Nahjo, a group working to advance social and environmental justice for Northern peoples and promote Indigenous leadership.
Over the years, listeners of CKLB and CBC’s Trail’s End have been treated to Lawrence’s insights into his Dene life, heritage, and language. He regularly offers pronunciation guides, including definitions of Dene Zhatie words that encourage the revitalization of language.
Early in his life, Lawrence set out to make a difference for the North and the people that call this place home. He has used his life and career to inspire others through his messages of hope and his vision for the future of the Dene. For that, I am honoured to recognize Lawrence Nayally with the Minister’s Choice Award.
This year, in light of the current public health measures, we are honouring all of our winners virtually through a celebratory video featuring all of the award winners and further information on their important work. The video can be viewed on the Government of the Northwest Territories YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Mr. Speaker, I invite all Members of this House to join me in honouring this year’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award recipients and thanking them for their leadership and passion in promoting and celebrating our incredible Northern cultures, languages, and heritage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, this government recognizes that owning your own home leads to physical security as well as emotional and financial security. Our goal, our mandate, is to increase the number of affordable homes and reduce the core housing need across the territory. Throughout my time being responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, I have made it my priority to listen to community members and look for resolutions to the barriers that have been identified.
The NWT Housing Corporation has been working diligently, and in partnership with Indigenous groups, community governments, and the private sector, to meet this commitments through a variety of programs and initiatives including the Home Ownership Initiative.
This initiative targets current Housing Corporation rental clients who have the ability to manage and succeed as homeowners. Part of that means the financial resources to pay for the shelter costs and utilities involved in being a homeowner. Another part involves taking care of the maintenance issues each year to ensure greater longevity of their homes.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT Housing Corporation recognizes that we must also support these households in their transition. Moving from renter to homeownership brings on more responsibilities, and people need to be prepared. To ensure this, tenants will be provided with the tools to become successful homeowners such as additional counselling, as well as maintenance and repair courses, and courses on developing financial skills.
Mr. Speaker, under the initiative, rental clients enter into a forgivable loan agreement with the Housing Corporation that facilitates the transition to homeownership. Forgivable loan agreements are for a period of three years or five years depending on the value of the home. Approved program participants are also eligible for $20,000 in financial assistance for desired upgrades to their home. I strongly encourage anyone who may be interested in this program to reach out to the Housing districts or check the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation website for more information on this program. Communication is also going out directly to the tenants, as well informing them of the initiative.
Mr. Speaker, the homeownership initiative provides a great opportunity to add more homeowners to the Northwest Territories. Being a homeowner is something that many of us ourselves and our families need. I am pleased that this program will be able to help make this ambition a reality for many residents. I also want to thanks the Housing Corporation staff who have worked diligently to find solutions, expressing ideas, programs to meet the needs of our future homeownership clients. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities of this government is to enable seniors to age in place with dignity. It is great a sound byte with no real plan and limited action from this government.
Mr. Speaker, there are seniors living in their homes who are bedridden with limited support. There are seniors housebound because they are in a wheelchair and without a wheelchair ramp. There are seniors living in homes that are in need of major repair. We have seniors living in homes where the wooden basement and structure is being compromised by frost heaves. We have seniors without homes who are living on the street. We evict seniors from public housing units. We have seniors locked up in extended care facilities with limited interaction with others. We promise more homecare support but have no plan and no budget. We house seniors from the south while those born and raised here go without. We have seniors who are abused by family members and we do nothing. And we have seniors who are abused and neglected by this very government and, again, we do nothing.
Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on but the reality is that this government needs to step up and address all these issues I mentioned. It is not the responsibility of one department; it is the responsibility of several and all of us working together. To start, we all need to show compassion and respect for seniors. We need to listen to all seniors and not just those that have the means to get our attention.
Mr. Speaker, seniors want to see a commitment and a plan from this government that will allocate the financial and human resources that will allow them to age at home with dignity, that will provide those without a home with suitable housing or accommodations, that will provide them the care they require to stay healthy and safe, and to provide each with a quality of life and a quality of living that we would want for our own parents.
Mr. Speaker, I ask each of the Ministers sitting across from me if they are up to the challenge? Will they commit to making a difference for seniors, and I ask each if they will start now. And before answering that, to consider what they would want and find acceptable for their own parents. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in March of last year, I brought up the urgency of housing and the housing crisis in Nunakput. Since then, I've had more concerns from my constituents regarding the state of housing in the communities. There are no market housing in the communities in Nunakput, and the NWT Housing Corporation does not have enough houses to address the issues. The lack of housing we have in the public housing.
Public housing units in Nunakput are ageing, Mr. Speaker. Houses are that we have built in 1970 and the '80s now need retrofits. I'm getting messages about needing new windows because when a certain wind blows, it's blowing snow right into the unit now. We need new windows and doors. In Paulatuk, I got a call from the mayor saying that he was at his daughter's house one night and he could almost he had to put blankets on the floors for them to walk in because it's so cold.
So the overcrowding, again, Mr. Speaker, with that needs is a big issue in my riding, especially with everything happening with COVID and the pandemic. Overcrowding in the houses is extra stress, frustration, making an already severe crisis and addictions and mental health and challenges make worse for families being overcrowded. There's still a lack of single units in each community. How young people are supposed to return to home to their communities and start families or just come home to live and work? Some people have to live in overcrowded shacks as they have been evicted and are waiting for housing, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the local housing organizations are doing their best with what limited resources that they have, but I'm grateful for the work that they do, but we require additional support from the NWT Housing Corporation. We need to work together with the Minister, Mr. Speaker, for the small communities outside of Yellowknife. We need to she needs to see this firsthand, understand the urgency of the situation that we're in in my riding.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. In our last sitting, I made a statement on this government's less than adequate first attempt at integrated climate change reporting. Unfortunately, there was not much to report given the lack of progress over the last year. This may have been partially due to COVID but is also rooted in the faulty design of the climate change approach from the last Cabinet that carries over into this Assembly.
So what's changed since February? Our neighbour to the west has joined a growing international movement to plan and implement more stringent emission targets to keep this planet from going completely off the rails. The Yukon government has committed to a target of net zero by 2050. While doing this, the Yukon also established and held its first meeting of a youth panel on climate change.
Meanwhile in Europe, a group of German youth took their government to court over climate change inaction and they won. Germany's constitutional court, on April 29, sided with nine young Germans against their federal government. The court agreed the country's landmark climate legislation, passed in 2019, put too much of a burden on future generations and didn't take enough responsibility in the present. Gee, the same thing could be said about our weak and totally unachievable climate change approach that is backend loaded with Taltson expansion for which there is no funding, no buyers, and no plan.
An Ontario youth group is also taking their provincial government to court over inaction during the climate emergency and another group of youth are taking our federal government to court. I suspect that NWT youth are also watching these court cases closely.
Meanwhile, our dinosaur approach from the last Cabinet continues to creep mostly backwards with only a commitment to review where we are at in 2023 at the conclusion of this Assembly a recipe for inaction and disaster. I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources as the apparent lead Minister on climate change. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, further to my statement from yesterday about ageing school infrastructure in Fort Smith, I want to discuss the student resident building that is currently being used by Aurora College in Fort Smith. Aurora College Thebacha Campus is currently using a former residential school building called Breynat Hall as a singlestudent resident facility for students attending Aurora College.
Mr. Speaker, Breynat Hall was built in 1957. Given the undeniable historical legacy of this building, it's no surprise that Fort Smith constituents feel uncomfortable, to say the least, with its continued presence in our community, especially in conjunction with its present use and function as a single student residence facility. With residential schools once again coming to the forefront of a national discussion, I want to harness this moment and really emphasize that for many people, there is much pain, trauma, and suffering that's associated with Breynat Hall. Therefore, there's a strong community desire to see it decommissioned and replaced.
Mr. Speaker, all things considered, the reality is that the sad situation in Kamloops, BC has farreaching effects on survivors, their families, and the communities where these facilities still stand. Fort Smith still has several such facilities remaining. We must address these issues and if means going to the federal government for 100 percent financial coverage to remove and replace these reminders of federal day schools and residential schools, then let's do that. As a government, we need to be doing that.
The same goes for the other former residential school buildings in Fort Smith that I talked about in my statement yesterday. So it's no wonder, then, that both Fort Smith and other NWT residents feel uncomfortable, wary, and offput about Breynat Hall still standing and in active use.
All buildings that were used for residential schools need to go, period. I am very mindful and concerned about the social and psychological scars which those buildings represent. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, everybody talks about healing from wounds of residential school, intergenerational trauma, and colonization. But how can we do that when we continue to maintain the structural relics of the former residential schools themselves? Our government is spending good money on bad infrastructure. We cannot continue to have bandaid solutions in addressing the major institutional and structural issues of colonialism and its ongoing effects in our everyday society.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, as our government moves forward with the transition of Aurora College into a polytechnic university, one aspect that we must also consider is a student residence. Given that Breynat Hall student residence is a severely outdated and carries with it the traumatic dramatic memories of residential school, I believe that the Department of Education needs to invest in a new student residence at Aurora College Thebacha Campus. We must be ready for the eventual polytechnic transformation to take effect, and I hope to see with a brand new single student residence which will reflect Indigenous culture. I will have questions for the Minister of Education later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Since I began my term, the most pressing issues from my constituents stem from housing issues. My district is home to many of the apartment buildings used by the Housing Corp for their clients in Yellowknife, with Simpson House and Norseman Manor the subject of the majority of complaints. One constituent, who moved to Yellowknife from their home community to be closer to needed medical services for their child, routinely has issues with their family’s unit. These issues range from an overflowing toilet to ants on their countertops crawling in their cupboards and over their infant children while they sleep. The provided solution always seems to be to use pest control chemicals; however, how they interfere with their child’s medical issues is unknown.
The unit located next door has been boarded up for an extended period of time and one has to ask, why is a profitable unit not being used? I can only assume it is due to an issue like mold which makes me concerned for my constituents. But when asked, the Housing Corporation had no idea why the unit was boarded up and it hadn’t occurred to them to ask. In my constituent’s unit a window has been broken for months in freezing temperatures without replacement. I ask you, Mr Speaker, is this unit suitable to raise children in? Particularly one with compromised health.
Another common constituent complaint is of drug and alcoholfuelled parties with people then using the common areas of the building as a toilet. During one such incident the excrement was not cleaned up for several warm days leading to an offensive stench throughout the building. In my own experience, I was catsitting for a friend and found myself having to step over puddles of urine in the building foyer for days before they were ever cleaned up.
Being harassed and asked for money or cigarettes is a common occurrence for my constituents. Fire alarms are often pulled in the middle of the night and laundry rooms are shut down due to escalating repair costs from vandalism. Many housing clients no longer have the ability to wash their clothes onsite, which adds more stress, costs, and time to their burden.
Recently I toured these buildings and found that they’re in an advanced state of disrepair with several housing programs operating in the buildings with little to no integration. The landlord’s manager, who was kind enough to show us around, presented me with a thick file of complaints and invoices for repairs and costs associated with false alarms. He indicated that 24hour security is badly needed in the buildings in order to provide a deterrent to those creating problems. It is my belief that the cost of security would be far less than what is currently being paid for repairs and callouts. And when one factors in the wellbeing and peace of mind this would bring to my constituents, it is invaluable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our seniors and elders are the fastest growing population in the NWT. Before I'm an emptynester, our seniors population over 60 will increase by 56 percent and the demand for home care by 80 percent. Historically, Canadian elder care is lost in the fog between housing, social assistance, and health care. But this government committed to empowering seniors and elders to age in place and to an elders strategy. If we are going to achieve either of those, Mr. Speaker, we have work to do.
In March, Health and Social Services announced a decrease in its projected need of longterm care beds from 435 to 169 beds. How accurate that is remains to be tested. But what does remain is the fact that seniors who once anticipated a future in a longterm care facility will now need to be accommodated through an integrated approach to home care, multigenerational accessible housing, and an aligned government policy and programs.
Today, 40 percent of elders live in poverty with an annual income less than $25,000, meaning they rely on income assistance. The 2019 home and community care review found that seniors and elders who live in public housing often pay too much for rent when they live with family and that rent tied to household income creates a disincentive for adult children to live with elders. Mr. Speaker, this decreases family supports for elders ageing in place.
It's also important to note that 40 percent of NWT seniors are homeowners. Seniors living in their own homes can only access income assistance accommodation allowance if they're on the public housing waitlist. But homeowners are ineligible for public housing, which means this policy also makes them ineligible for the accommodation allowance to help pay the high cost of housing with income assistance. Income assistance policies require an elder applying for financial assistance to sell their home to receive the income assistance accommodation allowance. The Housing Corporation is currently driving homeownership and also does not have the public housing stock to support this policy. Rather than providing a support where people are at, we have a policy vortex that creates stressful barriers for seniors while driving our need for government care institutions.
Mr. Speaker, government policies that serve our elders are fragmented and inconsistent with our priorities. It is time to reshape elder care into something we are proud of in a system that celebrates the equality of life or quality of life of our parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about an aspect of a young person's journey in education. It may very well encourage them in a career path.
As parents or educators, we always strive to get the best quality education for our young students so they can have success in life. Many will reach the biggest milestone of their young school life in obtaining their grade 12 graduate diploma. For many, the realization that graduating from grade 12 that it is not all that it is cut out to be when they realize the grade levels are not on par to get into postsecondary studies. Many have struggled with postsecondary studies and soon leave to return home. Most feel they are stuck between a rock and a hard place with nowhere to go. Many do not have peer support groups to discuss their dilemma. For most of our students who have gone through school systems in our small centres, they were inundated with school books on basic sciences, basic math, basic reading and writing. Now throw in virtual learning sessions, which they may get nothing out of as they are already struggling with just trying to achieve credits in order to graduate.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps we need to take a closer look at education learning outcomes for the small centres. Perhaps they would be very interested in education if we offered more than just school books. Perhaps we need to seriously look at incorporating life skills courses into the schools in small centres.
The purpose of a life skills course or training is to realize the student's full potential and develop selfesteem by learning practical skills required for everyday living. This also improves social skills, community connections, and most of all, increasing independence.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Education Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What is the future plan of emergency in homeless shelters of the Northwest Territories? I spoke about our emergency homeless shelter in Inuvik last week, and it was something that was raised to me by many constituents, their concern that the shelter had closed with the weather still cold. And just so everyone here knows that the weather is still dipping below zero, and it was snowing this morning in Inuvik.
We've also heard from my colleague the struggles of the funding of the Hay River homeless shelter. In recent news, the Yellowknife day shelter is closing. Then the flooddamaged homeless shelter in Fort Simpson.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister has mentioned there is a homeless strategy. Where is this strategy, Mr. Speaker? Our homeless are still NWT residents, and the NWT needs to ensure that their basic needs are met. So instead of waiting for a strategy, let's get moving and assist, come up with some real solid solutions to provide a place for them. Let's secure some longterm funding for NGOs so that these boards, these volunteer boards that are made up of community members that care, they have enough to do the work that they do and be able to hire adequate staff and pay for operations.
The Minister committed to a staff person in the regional office to support the shelter board and the staff and, specifically, in Inuvik. This is needed in all regions, and I hope the Minister is committed to having this support position ongoing as we know that our emergency shelter has struggled along the way. How long do we expect some of our most vulnerable to wait for a strategy when they have nowhere to go now? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for Homelessness.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does everyone have a right to housing, a right to a place to sleep at night, a roof over their read, and a secure place to store a few possessions with access to privacy? Well, Mr. Speaker, from the actions of this government, it's clear that they do not. Mr. Speaker, less than three percent of our capital budget was spent on housing this year. Mr. Speaker, and even our own processes don't guarantee a right to housing. Mr. Speaker, once again, the Spruce Bough, formally the Arnica, future's is uncertain.
Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife Women's Society has been running, what was originally supposed to be a place for the homeless to isolate for the pandemic, has become a community of people who have come to call the Spruce Bough home. The Yellowknife Women's Society has been advocating since 2016 for a place to run their programs, and it was only because of the pandemic that our government was able to provide any funding through COVID relief to make it possible. However, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health and Social Services herself has stated that the department recognizes the value of the program at the Spruce Bough and it manages some of the two best practices together, which is a managed alcohol program dealing with addiction and homelessness at the same time. However, Mr. Speaker, the contract for the Spruce Bough has only been extended by six months to September, leaving all of its residents wondering if they will have a home, leaving all of its staff wondering if they will have a job.
Mr. Speaker, there have been multiple questions to the Housing Corp about what is the future of the Arnica or the Spruce Bough's funding but its CMHC program has once again been delayed. And if it wasn't for the generous support of the owners of the Spruce Bough, who have been a saving grace for the Yellowknife Women's Society, this process would not go forward at all.
Mr. Speaker, the process of the Housing Corp and the CMHC is a detriment to using any preexisting buildings in the NWT. There are multiple barriers, multiple hoops to jump through just to use an existing building to provide people with housing, Mr. Speaker. This is why we need to stop waiting on the federal government, and we need to fund these programs ourselves. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services later today to see where we are in providing the Spruce Bough and its residents a safe future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Dan Schofield and his wife Kim, longtime Northerners and public servants, will be retiring and leaving the North. Today I would like to acknowledge the impact he has had on many of the youth, including my own children.
Mr. Speaker, Kim Schofield has served in the North within the Justice Department. That and serving in the capacity of recreational leader, community development, director of school community government, and COVID Secretariat. The role I know Dan's best, however, as a coach, advocate for the youth.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Dan for countless hours here he put into youth across the Northwest Territories. He coached soccer for Canada Summer Games. He was a president of Basketball NWT. He initiated Arctic Shootout, the Cager high performance team, initiated the still, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, Dan Schofield has coached hockey in the NWT for well over 30 years and has affected the lives of hundreds of Northern youth. Dan's team completed nationally and internationally, at Arctic Winter Games, Canada Games, and Europe Challenge. He coached both male and female players, many of whom who went on to complete at higher level in the south, Triple A, Junior A, NCAA University, WHL, Royal Hockey under 18 hockey championship.
Mr. Speaker, Dan is a tough coach. He expected the best of his players and worked them hard. But no one worked harder than Dan. He scored extra ice time for his teams, coordinated training and tournaments, arranged multiple fundraising opportunities so that the team can travel. He was constantly raising the bar, pushing his players to do better. His influence extended far beyond the bench. Dan's lessons were life lessons.
In the words of my son, Jayde, Dan was a very strong influence. The main key for the hockey experience. He gave me more opportunities than I have ever asked for. He motivated me to be the best hockey player possible and version of myself, pushing me every time. Even if I want to give up, he trusted me. He believed in me. Those teachings also transfer to life lessons to never give up and keep pushing for what I want. Thank you, Dan for everything, and thank you for being the best coach.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of many players, coaches, and families affected by generosity and dedicated spirit, I would like to thank Dan Schofield for his dedication to his sport and youth in the NWT. Masi cho, Dan.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is very sad to see the plight of floodaffected families and we all must come forward to help each other in the hour of need. This includes the GNWT as we work on doing their best to assist the affected families and evacuees during the 2021 flood for the communities of Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson. As a person who was in one of the communities during the flood and in contact with the other community, the GNWT did a great job. What I saw and witnessed was the departments doing their best to support each community as we dealt with the flood.
The GNWT response started with the regional EMO team that is made up of departmental staff who helped and assisted the community staff and team. They showed great leadership and willingness to help and get things done as quickly as they were asked. This process started in January/February. Was it perfect? No. Did we need to adapt and modify the plan daily? Yes. Did we learn what needs to be improved next time? A big yes.
As I said in my previous member’s statements, I know I am missing things the GNWT did but what I did see was nothing but amazing. They were there for the communities. I have attached appendixes with the various departments and staff lists that helped with the flood response. I would like to deem them as read.
Mr. Speaker, Deh Cho Health and Social Services moved our longterm care elders to Norman Wells with four staff, homecare elders to a B&B on the mainland, had community and regional staff available to provide necessary services and a M.A.S.H.style mobile health unit.
Infrastructure had airport staff working to accept flights in with food, supplies, and transporting evacuees to Fort Smith and Hay River. They worked to get the ferry up and operational, ensuring it was done in a safe manner, so supplies could get into the community. As well, Infrastructure ensured the JMR access road was maintained.
The Power Corp did an amazing job in both communities. They had staff look after the power plants and shut them off in a timely manner. Unfortunately with the plants being shut off, they had to bring in a temporary plant to Jean Marie from Fort St. John, BC and start up an alternate plant up on the mainland.
They brought in staff from outside to help the community ensure that they had power and made sure, as the water receded, the power was hooked up safely.
ENR – they were a great asset during the flood. They helped bring in a mobile unit so staff had a place to stay in Jean Marie as they dealt with wildfire, wildlife issues. They helped the residents that stayed behind in both tent city camps. They brought in shower facilities and additional wall tents for Fort Simpson. They transported goods in the community and between both communities.
Municipal and Community Affairs provided – as food was needed, the department purchased 210 food hampers for Fort Simpson and Jean Marie. This was a big help for the residents that stayed in the community. The department put another 300 hampers together as evacuees started returning home.
Mr. Speaker, this is a small amount of support the GNWT offered during our difficult time. On top of this, the Government of the Northwest Territories donated $150,000 to the United Way in support of those impacted by flooding in the Northwest Territories. All I can say is thank you, thank you, and mahsi cho.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Colleagues, please be mindful of the clock. It was like two statements there but we will let it go for today.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Welcome to the gallery; I hope that you are enjoying the proceedings today. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker.
[Translation] Mr. Speaker, we have interpreters here in the House for us. On some days, we don't have the complete interpretation but interpretation is very important. Today we have Mary Rose Sundburg and Harriet Paul interpreting for the language. Even though no one is here, we are being recorded so the recordings will also be recording into the future. So I would like to say thank you to them. Masi. [Translation ended]
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would also like to recognize our interpreters that are doing a great job and keeping up to our Members even though well, actually, everybody kind of slowed down a bit here. So thank you, once again.
