Member from Yellowknife Centre on a personal explanation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide a personal explanation pursuant to rule 1.8(1).
Mr. Speaker, a copy of the letter addressed to me by the Native Women's Association was provided to the media. The letter is regarding my response to a question asked in this House on February 23rd, 2022.
The media reports on this matter have not quoted my response in full to this question. I believe this has resulted in me being misunderstood.
Mr. Speaker, quoting from the February 23, 2022 Hansard, the question asked was "Will the Minister finally admit that we are in a mental health crisis here in the Northwest Territories after two years of this pandemic?"
Mr. Speaker, here is the whole of my response:
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I recognize that the pandemic has been incredibly stressful for almost everyone. It has produced a lot of anxiety, depression, loneliness, especially for people who live on their own like elders. And we have provided services throughout. The demand for services is uneven. At this point, we are able to keep up with the demand for services, and so I feel confident that we're not facing anything that we can't deal with.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, 74 percent of the electricity that powers homes, businesses, buildings in the Northwest Territories comes from hydroelectricity. However, there is more we must do as a government and a territory. That is why in the 2030 Energy Strategy we committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in dieselpowered communities by an average of 25 percent.
Mr. Speaker, one of the projects that will help us reach this objective is the Inuvik Wind Project. This project was the first in the Northwest Territories approved for funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada is committing $30 million to the project and the GNWT is committing $10 million.
The Inuvik Wind Project is a key initiative within the 2030 Energy Strategy. Once operational, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,000 tonnes annually and offset diesel consumption in Inuvik by three million litres per year. This will reduce diesel consumption in Inuvik, our largest dieselpowered community, by 30 percent. We are making significant progress on this project.
Construction of the 6kilometre access road to the High Point site, where the 3.5megawatt wind turbine and battery storage system will be located, started in January. That work is progressing and is expected to be complete by August.
Despite the recent flooding in Hay River, the wind turbine equipment is still on track to be sent by barge to Inuvik for installation later this summer. NT Energy is working with Marine Transportation Services to get the turbine shipped safely to the Beaufort Delta. Right now, the construction schedule remains on track and we anticipate the project to be completed by the winter of 2023, barring any unexpected delays.
Mr. Speaker, not only is this project critical to helping us meet our greenhouse gas emissions target and the objectives in the 2030 Energy Strategy, but as we emerge from two years of responding to the COVID19 pandemic, infrastructure projects like Inuvik Wind will aid the territory's economic recovery.
Contract work flowing from this project during the construction phase will significantly benefit Gwich'in businesses, as the project is in the Gwich'in settlement area.
Mr. Speaker, investment in alternative and renewable energy can reduce the territory's reliance on diesel. It is a priority for our government. It is good for the environment. It is good for the North as we adapt to our warming climate and try to realize the 2030 Energy Strategy's vision of providing NWT residents with secure, affordable, and reliable energy. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our environment is changing rapidly. Average temperature in the territory are rising up to four times faster than the rest of the world. Coastal erosion is already affecting communities, and melting permafrost is impacting infrastructure. We know that icefree summers in the Arctic will become a reality in the future, and ice jams have caused largescale flooding events in the NWT two years in a row. There are many factors that contribute to ice jam flooding, and climate change is affecting each of these factors in different ways. We will continue to see flood events in the future, and it is possible that they will occur more frequently, or become more destructive with the effects of climate change.
Climate change is real and action is needed now, and I am proud to say that our government is taking action. 92 percent of funded action items in the NWT Climate Change 20192023 Action Plan are on track to being fully addressed by 2023. Last year alone, we invested $55.6 million to implement actions from the climate change action plan and the energy action plan. We are working to make communities more resilient to the changing climate by investing in research projects to understand how our environment is changing as we find ways to respond and adapt to those changes. But it takes more than money to make real change.
Addressing the climate crisis requires us to work together. I'm happy to hear of the great work the NWT Climate Change Council has been doing to provide guidance to our government. The council brings together staff from Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, NWT communities, elders, environmental organizations, and industry stakeholders. We are working with our partners on climate change adaptation initiatives, including risk and opportunity assessments and community hazard mapping to identify the key adaptation risks we are facing. This will allow us to focus our resources on priorities that make the biggest difference.
The council provides an opportunity to continue to build and strengthen relationships, shared understanding and trust. We are supporting the Climate Change Council to establish a youth advisory group, and I am excited to hear the perspectives and ideas of the next generation of northern leaders.
We are listening to and working with people who feel the effects of the changing climate every day. We have heard the need for better access to information on climate change and will be engaging the council at the next meeting on a draft climate change outreach plan.
We are working toward transformative projects; projects that, with the right federal investments and the hard work of Northerners, will deliver results for the North. For example, the NWT government needs energy that is secure and affordable as well as sustainable. We are working on alternatives and madeintheNorth solutions that can meet all of these needs. We have a new climate scientist and hydrological modeler who is working to assess how water levels have changed over time and how they are projected to change in the future. GNWT scientists are working with the federal government to review and update existing floodplain mapping information to floodprone communities. We are incorporating climate change considerations into public safety and community operations planning.
In addition, we have developed a highlevel climate change vulnerability assessment on the impact of public and community infrastructure within all NWT communities. Proposed adaptation measures and recommendations for future work have been identified for all NWT communities.
We are the first, and currently the only, jurisdiction in Canada to establish a climate change archaeologist position to assess climate change impacts on archaeological sites and other places of cultural significance in the territory. But we cannot do it alone.
Climate change is manifested and the responsibility must be too. We are working with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, communities, industry, nongovernment organizations and others to find solutions that work to prepare this territory and its residents for the future.
The climate crisis is real. It is frightening and can even seem overwhelming. But together, we can adapt and respond proactively. Together we will continue to rise to the challenge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to speak about our progress in establishing a polytechnic university in the Northwest Territories. The magnitude of this project was never something to be taken lightly, and we remain committed to completing work in the right order and at the right time.
The transformation follows a threephased approach that ensures Aurora College can build a strong foundation so that it transforms into a sustainable polytechnic university that delivers high quality education to Northerners.
We are already seeing gains as we establish the building blocks for transformation and strengthen the college's programs. These gains are evident when I speak with faculty, staff, and students in their communities, and they include:
A new approach to corporate planning and annual reporting;
The launch of an entirely new Aurora College website, including a student information system;
A new approach to strategic planning, academic planning and strategic enrolment management;
The new centre for teaching and learning dedicated to the ongoing professional development of Aurora College instructors, enhancement of Aurora College curriculum and course delivery;
The establishment of two new research chair positions and a new research services team, being launched this year;
The completion of the social work and education program reviews; and
The coming into force of the new Aurora College Act.
Moving into Phase Two, the relationship between the GNWT and Aurora College is now evolving and will be marked by a new mandate for Aurora College. An early step toward a new way of working, this mandate will guide the College in its goal to operate at arm's length from the GNWT while taking steps to ensure academic and research excellence across the territory.
Another major milestone in Phase Two of Aurora College's transformation is the completion of a Polytechnic University Facilities Master Plan.
Mr. Speaker, the Facilities Master Plan will provide Aurora College and the future polytechnic university with a roadmap for the ongoing enhancement and expansion of facilities across the NWT. The development of the Facilities Master Plan has been a process involving input and participation from Indigenous governments, partners, and stakeholders.
Since transformation began, we have heard from across the NWT that the polytechnic university is in a unique position to integrate Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing into its physical form and operation, programming, and governance structure.
I look forward to seeing this theme of Indigenization manifested through the new governance system, particularly the Indigenous KnowledgeHolders Council as they develop a framework that will guide the culture and administration of the polytechnic university.
Mr. Speaker, as we continue to move forward with Phase Two of the transformation. I am confident that we are designing a polytechnic university that will meet the needs of Northerners, northern residents, and will become a showcase of education for students in the North, in Canada, and around the world.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my statement today was going to be on homelessness but I have decided at the last minute that I'm going to talk about one of our mandate priorities is, you know, in this House when the 19 Members came together, one of the biggest issues that we talked about was contracting and keeping the work in the North, you know. And, you know, we've had lots of talks about this, you know, we've talked about revamping our procurement, our Indigenous procurement policies. So when I look back and thank the Minister for her statement because you know what, I'd really support this wind project, you know, in my community but the one part of it is there's one section of that contract that is only going to be able to benefit the people of my community or the people that live in our region is that access road.
That access road could be built by anybody in our region. We have companies that have built the Tuk Highway. We have the companies that have been working on the highway to the border, you know, but yet we you know, the Minister talks about this project and the Minister is also responsible for the NTPC, the Power Corp, which Entec falls under. This somehow got really swayed in the way we're doing contracts, you know. And so when I, as a community Member, as an advocate for the businesses in my community see that we have outsiders coming in to take the only part of work that our community members could do, they're not gonna build the wind turbine. They don't have those expertise, you know, but they could build that access road. And when we see, when I'm driving and I go to work and I see Whitehorse companies' body jobs sitting in the parking lot and when I see trucking companies coming in from Whitehorse sitting down and, you know, in yards working out on the highway, this is not what we said we were going to do as a government. We said we were going to keep the work local. Whoever we're working with Ministers, Members, we should all be working together to ensure that work stays in the North and not ignoring it.
I will have questions for the Minister of ITI later on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is time to rename some things. In the last year and half of this Assembly, I propose we start with the lake just down the street here, Great Slave Lake, Mr. Speaker.
Great Slave Lake, it was named after a Cree word “Awokanek” which refers to the Dene people being "Great Slaves." Mr. Speaker, it's 2022. I don't know why we still have a name that honours the history of slavery between warring nations long ago that was essentially picked by European explorers.
Mr. Speaker, I love that lake, it is a great lake, but its name does not do it justice. There are plenty of different names. There are Indigenous names. I think we need to go out and consult with the public and find a new name that does not honour slavery in this generation.
Mr. Speaker, next, moving up the valley we have the Mackenzie Mountains and the Mackenzie River, both named after Alexander Mackenzie. But wait, named after two different Scottish men named Alexander Mackenzie.
The first, the explorer was on that river for about three months, got up to Tuk, and found out it wasn't the Arctic Ocean, it wasn't the Pacific Ocean, and so he turned around.
Mr. Speaker, Alexander Mackenzie did some good cartography work but, honestly, in the realm of explorers does not deserve the great Deh Cho River.
Next, Mr. Speaker, the mountains the glorious Mackenzie Mountains were named after Alexander Mackenzie, Canada's second prime minister who, really, was a pretty unremarkable prime minister. Honestly, his biggest accomplishment was implementing the Indian Act and his countless efforts to assimilate Indigenous peoples. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Alexander Mackenzie, when he was Prime Minister those mountains weren't even part of Canada. There's no evidence he ever set foot in those mountains or knew anything about them at all, Mr. Speaker.
I'm going to read you a quote from Alexander Mackenzie, our second prime minister, who we have decided to honour by naming one of our great mountain ranges after: "It is the mission of the AngloSaxon race to carry the power of the AngloSaxon civilization over every country in the world."
Now Mr. Speaker, I recognize that many of our first prime ministers said ridiculously racist things like that, and had white supremacist views. But I don't believe that in this day and age we have any reason to honour him by naming the beautiful Mackenzie Mountains after him. Mr. Speaker, let's do our history, our culture and our geography a favour and rename some things.
I'll have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this spring has been especially hard on the river communities due to floods. I would like to bring attention to our highway systems and the washouts we have been experiencing lately. Mind you, this might be a once in a lifetime event and hopefully not a recurring event.
A section of Highway 1 from the NWT/Alberta border was closed for a few days due to a washout from highwater levels. A section of Highway 1 from Junction 3 to Kilometre 238 was closed due to a washout. The Kakisa access road was shut down for a day or so due to a washout. A section of highway between Enterprise and Fort Providence was overflowing from high waters along both sides of the ditches. These have all been actioned, monitored, and have since opened to traffic.
There's a stretch of highway between Highway 3 between Fort Providence and Behchoko, approximately Kilometre 170, which has highwater levels which are almost even with the roadway. This has the potential to possibly wash out at some point. Maybe not this year, but is a great possibility.
When one travels the highways, one can notice the abnormal amount of water gushing out of the bushes, filling many ditches, causing great concern of possible washouts. This could be detrimental for highway travel and the delivery of goods to the people who rely on the highway systems.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Infrastructure Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the 2022 graduating class of Fort Smith's PWK High School. Yesterday the grad class had their convocation and tonight they will have their grad dinner.
I was unable to attend the grad ceremony as I'm here for session. However, I did send some remarks be read at the ceremony on my behalf.
On behalf of the community of Fort Smith, congratulations to all of this year's graduates for your hard work in reaching this point in your academic careers. I wish all students well in their future endeavours.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize all the students who came to the Legislative Assembly for Youth Parliament two weeks ago; particularly, I want to recognize the youth parliamentarian who represented constituency of Thebacha and the community of Fort Smith, Naomi Reimer.
Thank you for your participation in youth parliament. I was very happy to see Fort Smith well represented.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the serious incident that took place in Fort Smith in March. I know that Fort Smith is still dealing with the traumatic events that took place during that time. I want to encourage all my constituents to please continue to support each other, but especially the grieving family who lost a loved one. I also want to acknowledge the multiple other deaths of other community members who have passed away from various sources over the past few months.
Our community has experienced many losses in such a short time. So I want to acknowledge this and offer my support and condolences to all affected families and friends of people who passed away in recent months.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the amazing constituents of Thebacha for all their continued support and for their attendance at my recent constituency meeting.
Thank you as well to my community team, who are always ready to support and advise me on issues most important to my community. You know who you are. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, due to the extensive flooding, many residents have been displaced from their homes with some staying with friends, some in hotels and motels, some in RVs, some in shelters, and some in tents. We are also hearing of residents moving out of the community for good.
It is now time to rebuild those homes and businesses impacted by flooding in the South Slave before we start to lose our residents and businesses due to lack of accommodation and supports. To do this, we need to provide financial supports immediately so rebuilding can commence.
Mr. Speaker, most importantly, those residents affected by flooding need to mitigate damage, or further damage. They require timely assistance to abate damage to the point their homes are ready for repairs. Those residents who had access to friends, or the finances to hire contractors, were able to remove water damaged items and material allowing repair work to commence on their homes or businesses. However, there are others that do not have that same level of support and their homes remain with water, waterlogged items, and damaged structures, which all work to foster mould growth and worsening structural damage.
Mr. Speaker, in the absence of flood insurance, those impacted by flooding or sewer backups are relying on this government to provide the financial resources required to address any damage. Residents are hearing that some of their neighbours have received compensation through private insurance and are now proceeding with repairs. Those residents and businesses who are relying on the Disaster Assistance Policy are asking why is it that this government cannot provide the same level of service.
Mr. Speaker, the Disaster Assistance Policy includes a number of key points, including eligible expenses, levels of assistance (including maximums), procedures to request assistance, timeframes within which assistance will be provided, and appeals.
To date, most impacted residents and businesses received and completed DAP applications with some having properties assessed. To move forward, those impacted residents are now looking for timelines, list of eligible expenses, list of standardized values, and immediate financial assistance.
Mr. Speaker, while residents wait for this government to complete the assessment process, residents are attempting to line up qualified and reputable contractors to complete the work on their homes. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With approximately 350 applications submitted to date, finding a contractor will be difficult and made more difficult without the finances to provide a deposit in order for work to commence.
Mr. Speaker, you can see why this government must work swiftly to get money into the hands of those that need it. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about overpolicing and police brutally happening in the Tlicho communities.
I have had many of my constituents step forward to share their negative experiences with the RCMP and the fear they have about their safety with the RCMP.
Mr. Speaker, in the last year, some of these have been publicized by the media. However, these are just a few of those incidents that have been made public. Many are never made public or formal complaints have not been made.
The current complaint process is burdensome, and for many Indigenous people the complaint process is not accessible or culturally safe. Mr. Speaker, many Tlicho people are worried about their safety with the RCMP. They are afraid they will be wrongly accused or treated inhumanely.
There have been many, many incidents of being disrespected. Racist remarks, aggressive handling, bullying and intimidation, especially towards Indigenous women. This is violence against Indigenous people, and it is totally unacceptable.
Indigenous women face the threat of violence every day. The experiences of trauma and violence is connected to the legacy of colonizations and policies aimed at erasing Indigenous people and families. The RCMP needs to protect Indigenous women and not harm Indigenous women.
Mr. Speaker, there is a long history of mistrust between Indigenous people and the RCMP. The RCMP must be respectful and build positive relationships with Tlicho people in the communities and all the Indigenous people in the territory. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Earlier this year Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, ITK, shared a plan to change the relationship between Inuit people and the RCMP. The Northwest Territories needs the same thing a plan to develop respectful relationships between Indigenous people in the territory and RCMP. Mr. Speaker, the time is now for the RCMP to commit to improving relations with Indigenous people. The territory needs officers who work well with the people and communities who have empathy and providing services that are culturally safe.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I raised the issue of discharges from the Alberta tar sands tailings several times in our last two sittings. Although the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources has committed to share information with this side of the House and the public, I have seen nothing. I can honestly not recall having received a single proactive email or update on the issue of the development of Alberta and federal regulations for discharges from the tar sands tailings ponds from the Minister or the department.
I’ve also raised the issue of Alberta refusing to allow GNWT representatives on committees considering water quality downstream of the tar sands. The Minister said he would be raising the issue with the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. But again, nothing has been shared with us as Regular MLAs.
What I have learned over the last couple of months from our own research is that the GNWT put out two $60,000 Request for Proposals for technical advice regarding discharges. The successful contractors will conduct critical reviews of all information provided to the Government of Alberta related to oil sands toxicity and review all information related to technology-based effluent limits. And that's good work, Mr. Speaker, but maybe sharing some of that with this side of the House would be good.
It’s not clear whether or when our government may conduct its own modeling of impacts of discharges into the NWT.
I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources about what is going on with regard to tar sands tailing ponds discharges and when information will be shared with this side of the House and the public. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one in six Canadian couples experience infertility. The costs of fertility treatments are financially, emotionally, and physically exhausting. Most companies, policies, and initiatives focus on issues like duration of parental leave, post leave integration, and work life balance. While pregnancy and child birth are highly visible and often celebrated, fertility challenges tend to be invisible, silent, and devastating.
Some employers are working to walk the talk when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing and supporting the diverse ways that families grow. Canadians are calling on infertility to be covered by health care given its status as a valid medical condition, and as a result seven Canadian provinces provide financial support to residents for fertility treatment.
Nova Scotia and Manitoba offer a tax credit of up to 40 percent of treatment costs. New Brunswick has a onetime grant of $5,000. While in PEI, IVF grants run from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on family income. In Newfoundland and Labrador, IVF treatments are subsidized at $5,000 per cycle to a maximum of three cycles. These funds are intended to support travel as there is no IVF provider in the province. Quebec and Ontario both have programs that pay for one round of IVF treatment. And BC Liberals are currently proposing similar public funding.
Mr. Speaker, to recruit skilled workers in a tight labour market, some Canadian employers are starting to offer these fertility benefits.
TD Bank offers benefits for reproductive treatments and costs associated with surrogacy, donors, and adoption with a $20,000 lifetime maximum for each benefit. Scotia Bank offers a lifetime maximum of $10,000 for surrogacy, fertility or adoption expenses. CIBC offers a lifetime maximum of 15,000 for fertility and a separate lifetime maximum of $15,000 for surrogacy expenses. Mr. Speaker, even Starbucks offers a lifetime maximum of $30,000 to employees for family expansion.
Yes, the cost of fertility treatments are financially burdensome, but in the world of health insurance, fertility benefits are not costly or risky to include because they are considered nonrecurring health claims, and employees are unlikely to spend money on fertility every year of their life in perpetuity.
When I started my research, I expected to find a growth strategy that would set the North apart. But, Mr. Speaker, it appears the North has already fallen behind in offering inclusive support for a chronic illness that speaks to the needs of Canadians.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Ministers of Health and Social Services and Finance and hopefully update our territory's support for the diverse ways that families grow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Member’s Statement 1097-19(2):
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to today to express my thanks to the communities of Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River for my recent visit to the Deh Cho to have a look at how things were shaping up ahead of the recent flooding. I wanted to thank the interim Grand Chief for the Deh Cho, Stanley Sanguez, for taking time to speak with me, as well as the LKFN Chief Kele Antoine, and Chief Nolene Hardisty of Jean Marie River who made her staff available for me.
In addition, I'd also like to thank the municipal staff, Mayor Sean Whelly of Fort Simpson, as well as the shelter operator was, for allowing me to come and really have a look at the community and see where the flood recovery is at.
Mr. Speaker, I'm quite concerned about over a year out from the floods in Fort Simpson last year that we don't have people back in their homes. We've spent $2 million on a sole source contract to a business in order to project manage and get these people back in. And I'm curious, Mr. Speaker, to know if there are penalties built into that contract for the fact that they have not delivered on time.
I look at the homes. They are not suited for northern buildings. They have flat roofs. Snow load on them will be a lot. In fact, water was pouring out of the corner of one of them when there hadn't been rain or snow for weeks prior to that. I'm very concerned that when we look at what's happening in Hay River that we are going to be in the same situation there within the next year.
This government has told me that it is on the municipalities to budget and prepare for emergencies; however, I cannot understand how we can leave it to communities and municipalities with little to no capacity and underfunded resources to prepare for climate change driven emergencies. That is the responsibility of this government and this Cabinet to ensure that happens.
Mr. Speaker, I'm not going to ask any questions today. My own mental health has been struggling through this last while as I listen to people tell me time and time again how neglected they feel by this Cabinet, how neglected they feel by senior bureaucracy, and how basically horrific things have become in some of the smaller communities. And I really have to say I don't think people care. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, condolences to my residents in Nunakput over the last few months.
For Paulatuk, Fred Bennett, thoughts and prayers to his wife Mary. Fred Thrasher, too. Thoughts and prayers for Eileen and the family.
Sachs Harbour, Samantha Lucas. And thoughts and prayers to John Lucas Sr. and family. And Charlie Haogak Jr. Thoughts and prayers, his mother Betty.
In Ulukhaktok, Mr. Phillip Inuktalik, and his wife Lillian, thoughts and prayers to them.
In my home community of Tuktoyaktuk, thoughts and prayers for the community of Tuk, passing Lena Kikoak, and thoughts and prayers to Francis and the family. Laverna Kikoak, thoughts and prayers to Stanley. Joshua Gruben, thoughts and prayers to Sharon and Justin and to Josh's family back home in Tuk. And the loss of my brother.
Mr. Speaker, my little brother Gilbert passed away this week. He'll be missed by all of us and all who knew him. He was an awesome uncle to all his nieces and nephews, and he was just a good person. Like, in caring for everybody and helped everybody who asked him, but really quiet in doing so. He is going to be really missed by all of us, my brothers and sisters. Thoughts and prayers for all of them and his mom, to Donna, to Monica, to Sam, to Nicole, thinking of you, love you guys, and to all the lost loved ones, Mr. Speaker, thoughts and prayers for myself and my family and Nunakput as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput, our thoughts and prayers are with your communities and yourself, and you know we're here for you. Mahsi.
Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard about the war in Ukraine and witnessed its impact on the news. In this House, we saw numerous Members donate to the Canadian Red Cross and the GNWT made a commitment to match the donations by NWT residents up to a maximum of $50,000.00.
Well, closer to home, our pharmacist and his wife were impacted deeply. Ukraine was their home country. In 2011, he immigrated to Canadian to start a new life. As the war broke out, they watched in horror. They had family and close friends living there So he started with a petition asking the federal government to facilitate visa requirements for Ukrainians that wish to come to Canada. As he was doing this, he witnessed the generosity of the residents of Fort Simpson. As he said, "In Fort Simpson everybody knows everyone and people knew we were from the Ukraine."
They had people come to their work or home to ask how they could help. Residents from the community gave what they could so they could help their friends and family back home. As this support was happening, the Village of Fort Simpson contacted them and asked them how they could help.
Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to say the community of Fort Simpson has two new residents.
On Friday, April 22, 2022, his friend and her daughter (his goddaughter) landed in Fort Simpson with just a few personal items. He and his wife were there to meet them at the airport and welcome them to the community. I have had the pleasure of watching him and his goddaughter walk past my home.
According to them, both are adjusting well. Last week, they reached out to the principal to get the daughter into school. As for his father, he has safely landed in Canada, another worry removed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the residents of Fort Simpson, the village, the federal government, and others who helped them during this difficult time. As well, all Canadians who helped the country and residents of the Ukraine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my wife Jenny and my son Joseph into the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nunakput. I see Joseph is growing in to a bright young man. I remember when you first brought him in, he was just a little baby. Just goes to show how long we've been here. Welcome to the Chamber. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome Mr. Joseph Kochon who is from the Ayoni Keh First Nation of Colville Lake. It's always nice to see leadership from our ridings in attendance. I would just like to say thank you, Joseph, mahsi. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Sahtu. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to recognize two of the pages who have been helping out this week, from Yellowknife North. Asfa Arshad and Jaedenz White. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
