Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if the Member can point to anything that is cheaper in the NWT than it is anywhere else in the country, and that certainly is true for health as well. So what happens here is that several factors come into play to determine the cost of services and fees. They're set on a cost recovery basis. We're not trying to profit from this. But, for example, if chest xrays are required as part of the medical exam, they must be sent to Alberta for review, and we have to pay the cost of both sending them and having the review done.
So this is an additional cost that may not be relevant in the southern provinces. But we can certainly take another look at our fee structure. We don't want to overcharge people but nor do we want to subsidize them. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd say hugs are cheaper in the North because everybody wants to give them. It's the last day. Well, COVID friendly hugs.
Mr. Speaker, is it possible for NTHSSA to work with the federal government, to even the playing field on immigration across Canada, and perhaps have the Immigration Canada support the NWT's drive for immigration by evening the playing field on the cost of immigration medicals in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as an immigrant myself, I appreciate and value the role of immigration in our society in building our society, providing a skilled workforce. As you may know, my family came here, my dad is a plumber or was at the time we came, a plumber, and we had to go through all these hoops back in the day. And so we want to make things as efficient as possible. But as I said earlier, there are some limitations on what we can do as a territory where this is a federal jurisdiction. And so I'm not able at this time to say that we will match the current fee structure that Alberta has because I really feel that that is beyond my ability to follow through on. Thank you.
Community Based PostSecondary Education Program:
My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. There are many challenges Tlicho residents face if they want to pursue postsecondary education.
Aurora College has a presence in each of the Tlicho communities through the Adult Education Learning Centre but these centres do not deliver Aurora College diploma programs. If Tlicho people were provided the opportunity to become a teacher, a social worker, or even a nurse through remote learning centres, Tlicho residents could remain in their community while working towards an education that results in longterm employment in their home community. There's five questions.
1. To date, how much money has the Government of the Northwest Territories spent on relocation costs to hire nonNorthwest Territories residents for employment in schools within the last five years;
2. Since 2018, how many Northerners have graduated from Aurora College diploma programs in nursing, education and social work;
3. How many people in the Northwest Territories have a grade 12 education and are on income support;
4. Can the Minister provide data showing how many Indigenous teachers, social workers and nurses are in the Northwest Territories; and,
5. When will Aurora College complete the report on the teacher and social work program and open doors to students?
Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Critical Minerals Workshop Information Package. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Justice.
Tabled Document 540-19(2):
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2020 Annual Report Including 10 year Review 20112020. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Operations Report 20202021 Western Canada Lottery Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the document: Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Annual Report 20202021. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Annual Report 202021 Northwest Territories Hydro Corporation and Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish table the following document: Followup Letter for Oral Question 82019(2): Staffing at Stanton Territorial Hospital. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Merci, Monsieur le President.
WHEREAS this Legislative Assembly is required to appoint alternate members to the Board of Management in accordance with section 36 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
AND WHEREAS Rule 89 requires that the Assembly appoint a Board of Management in accordance with section 26 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;
AND WHEREAS there are currently two vacancies for alternate members of the Board of Management;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North that the following members be appointed as alternate members of the Board of Management: Mr. Rocky Simpson, the member for Hay River South; and, Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake.
AND FURTHER that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations: Mrs. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake; Mrs. Frieda Martselos, the Member for Thebacha; and Mr. Rylund Johnson, the member for Yellowknife North. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion?
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
Carried
Motion. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the proceeding of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories and all of its Standing and Special Committees are conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS the current Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories were adopted on February 12th, 2021;
AND WHEREAS the Rules of the Legislative Assembly have been reorganized;
AND WHEREAS a copy of the revised and approved Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was tabled in this House on December the 7th, 2021 and identified as Tabled Document 527-19 (2);
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that this Legislative Assembly repel the rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories originally adopted on February 12th, 2021, and adopt the newest version of the rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories identified as Tabled Document 527-19(2);
AND FURTHER that the new rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, upon adoption of this motion, come into effect February the 2nd, 2022.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The motion is in order. To the motion?
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Motions. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on December 9th, 2021, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022;
AND FURTHER, that any time prior to February 2nd, 2022, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that this House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The motion is in order. To the motion?
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
Carried
Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration of Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Bill 23, Bill 29 with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.
I now call Committee of the Whole to order. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to take a moment and say that for every word we speak in this House, there is a group of interpreters who are saying those same words. And so they have been with us this whole time and they have been busy, they have been working very hard, and I want to take a moment on our last day to make sure that we recognize their work and I would like the House to join me in giving them a round of applause. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Applause
Thank you, Member. Member for Frame Lake, what is the wish of committee?
Thanks, Madam Chair. That's a pretty hard act to follow. But I move that the chair rise and report progress.
The motion is in order and is nondebatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.
May I please have the report of Committee of the Whole. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23 and Bill 29 and would like to report progress, and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Frame Lake. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Third reading of bills.
Madam Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.
Mahsi, please be seated.
Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.
[Translation] Thank you, it is good to be here and see all of you. It seems so long that I was to thank you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times. I want to say thank you. [Translation Ends].
It seems such a long time to see each and every one of you again. It seems so long ago that I was here addressing you, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times.
As we enter the festive season and what is our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to face many challenges.
The challenges will continue and I believe that is what gives us courage, gives us strength, and it gives us the opportunity for personal growth. In spite of the challenges, we must keep moving forward with the best of our abilities and always remember the accomplishments that we have each made - both personally and professionally.
The last two years during this pandemic has been very difficult, particularly to those of us who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic or other reasons. We mourn the loss of loved ones, we celebrate and cherish the ones present, and we must have faith and hope for the future and excitement for the ones yet to come.
As you journey home for this well-deserved break with your families, friends, and your constituents, know that you are going to make cherished memories. Memories are precious.
I wish you sincere blessings of the season and Happy Holidays. Mahsi.
Now as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act
Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act
Bill 31: An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act
Bill 32: An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act
Bill 33: The National Indigenous Peoples Day Act
Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act
Bill 42: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
Bill 43: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
Bill 44: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 4, 2020-2021
Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2022-2023
Mahsi Cho, Thank You, Quyanainni, Merci Beaucoup, Koana.
