Yesterday, the honourable Minister of Health and Social Services rose on a Point of Order in response to a statement by the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. The Minister believes the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh was out of order. She said he made allegations against her and imputed false motives. The Minister relied on Rule 3.2(3) subsections (h) and (i).
When deciding whether language used in this Chamber is unparliamentary, Speaker Lafferty, on June 23rd, 2017 said that the Speaker must take "...into account the tone, manner and intention of the Member speaking; the person to whom the words at issue were directed, the degree of provocation; and, most importantly, whether or not the remarks created disorder in the Chamber."
I note that I have no jurisdiction over comments made outside this House or in the media.
I reviewed the unedited transcripts from Hansard from May 30, 2022. The Member for Tu NedheWiilideh used language that was strong, even inflammatory. Previous Speakers have decided that such language is not always a violation of the Rules of this Assembly.
however, the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh did more than use strong and inflammatory language.
On page 9 of unedited Hansard, the Member said "it is not appropriate to attempt to silence, validate criticism of their portfolio by threatening the integrity of the healthcare services in the community that I represent." The Member went on to say that the Minister was "even trying to gaslight patients who received unacceptable care into believing that it was their own fault for failing to advocate for their own medical conditions."
These two comments went beyond what is appropriate debate. The Minister has a valid Point of Order.
Rule 3.2(3)(h) makes it clear that it is out of order to make an allegation against another Member. In this case, the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh made two allegations against the Minister. Also, the Member's language was unparliamentary.
The Member accused the Minister of gaslighting patients. Gaslighting is a practice of psychological manipulation which is meant to make a person question their own version of events.
I note that on July 7, 2020 the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island found that an allegation of "gaslighting" was unparliamentary and out of order. I agree.
I expect Members of this House to conduct themselves appropriately. The language you use in the House should reflect this. While it is appropriate to share what constituents are saying to you, you must share those concerns in a manner that is consistent with the rules.
As I have found the Member out of order, I will now ask the Member for Tu NedheWiilideh to apologize to the House and withdraw the specific remarks found out of order.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for your comments and your ruling. At this point, Mr. Speaker, I represent my community, and I've listened to a lot of people speak and the issue that's in front of us that we're talking about is near and dear to a lot of people in my constituency and at this point, Mr. Speaker I could talk a little bit more about the issue but at this point I am not able to apologize. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Tu NedheWiilideh. I found your remarks out of order and will ask you again to apologize and withdraw your remarks. If you do not do this, I will be required to name you and ask you to remove yourself from the Chamber for the rest of the day. Thank you. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, again, I'm just representing my constituents, bringing their issues forward, and I will stand by my remarks. Thank you, I will not apologize.
Thank you. Mr. Edjericon, pursuant to Rule 3.4, it is my duty as Speaker to name you. Please remove yourself from today's proceedings for the remainder of this sitting day. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, whether a business is small or large, having a safe and healthy workplace is crucial for success. I am pleased to inform the House today that the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission is now accepting applications for a new Youth Safety Leadership Program.
This is an opportunity for young workers between ages of 14 and 24 in the Northwest Territories to develop as safe leaders within their communities and build skills that could lead towards rewarding career in the workplace health and safety.
The program includes online learning modules that focus on safety training, collaboration and leadership skills. In addition, the program includes volunteer projects within each participant's home community, and the opportunity to work with safety leaders and mentors from local businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage Members to share this opportunity with their constituents. It is an excellent first step for anyone interested in exploring a career in safety or for those simply working to ensure a safer future for themselves in any industry.
Applications for the program are now open for youth in all communities ages 14 to 24 on the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission's website.
I would also like to thank the staff of Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission for developing this training opportunity for our young people and our future employment across the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, wildfires are an important part of the boreal forest, and naturally occurring fires are essential to ensuring forests remain healthy and sustainable. Allowing forest fires to burn where possible allows forests to regenerate and help to avoid larger and more dangerous fires later. All wildfires in the NWT are monitored and managed to ensure they do not pose a risk or threat to people, communities, infrastructure, or other assets.
Mr. Speaker, wildfire management starts before there is even a spark.
The Government of the Northwest Territories works with our partners throughout the year to promote FireSmart principles within our forested communities. FireSmart means working together, from individual residents to neighbours to communities and all levels of government, to keep residents safe, to be prepared, and to be more resilient when wildfires strike.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages NWT residents to take steps around their homes, businesses, camps, and cabins to reduce the risk of wildfires, wildfire damage.
We have developed new resources for kids, adults, and businesses to provide information and tools. Our FireSmart presence online has been overhauled and we have invested in a targeted marketing campaign to build FireSmart awareness. We are working with communities on training, community protection plans, and preparedness, so we are ready for wildfires before they even begin.
This year, four communities took the initiative to plan wildfire community protection days. Activities took place in Fort Smith, Kakisa, Tulita, and Yellowknife, including along the Ingraham Trail at Tibbitt Lake. This is the most community engagement we have seen in the territory in any single year.
We encourage residents to take FireSmart steps at home, steps like keeping the area within a metreandahalf of their home or cabin free of material that can burn, as well as cleaning brush and branches from their yard.
Mr. Speaker, NWT fire crews, and a team of technical and operational staff, have supported them and have been busy preparing for this year's fire season. Welltrained firefighters are ready to go across the NWT, including many who are members of contracted crews managed by local Indigenous governments and businesses. Air tankers and other key wildfire management equipment are also at the ready.
We have 36 fourman crews to attack fires, and five air tanker groups ready to support fire operations wherever they are needed throughout the fire season.
Mr. Speaker, protecting NWT residents and communities is a top priority as we deliver these essential services. For the past two seasons, our wildfire teams were required to adhere to strict COVID19 protocols, and this summer we will continue to make adjustments so that we have healthy crews to respond to fires when needed.
We have hired additional staff in smaller communities to reduce the need to bring in firefighters from other regions, or outside the territory, and we will have access to additional air tankers to respond to fires when they are small. While we are ready to respond to wildfires when we need to, it is important that we continue to take steps this summer to prevent them before they start.
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that we all take steps to prevent humancaused wildfires. Experience tells us that wildfires caused by humans tend to happen closer to towns and often threaten homes and cabins. I encourage all residents to be safe this summer when you go out on the land, enjoying the natural beauty of the NWT. Make sure to properly manage campfires and burn piles and be careful with cigarettes. Let us do our part to prevent forest fires. That includes understanding the environmental conditions and the fire danger level before you go out. It also means avoiding campfires when the fire danger is high or extreme, unless a fire is necessary for cooking or warmth.
In closing, I would like to recognize the firefighters and wildfire management teams across the NWT for all that you do to keep NWT residents and families safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, Environmental, Social, and Governance, or ESG principles, have become more prevalent over the past few years in the mineral resources industry, with investors, demographic groups, and the general public, demanding stronger ESG investments from business and industry.
A global movement towards ESG investment and social consciousness is good news for the Northwest Territories because we are leaders in ESG measures and performance. We are, in fact, already moving toward advocating for the next generation of ESG through an Indigenous lens, or ESGI, an approach that breaks down barriers and ensures Indigenous people are at the decisionmaking table from the start.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories began its mineral resource industry with gold, then transitioned into the diamond capital of North America, positioning itself as an ethical stable democracy and a dedicated steward of the land enabling responsible resource development. While companies like Arctic Star and Mountain Province Diamond are currently finding kimberlites, we also have wellestablished critical minerals projects with NICO, Pine Point, and Prairie Creek that are nearing mine construction decisions. And with the Nechalacho Rare Earth Elements Project, the Northwest Territories has the first rare earths mine in Canada, with the potential for many years of production.
In the coming months, as we advance work on the NWT Critical Minerals Action Plan, ESGI standards and associated initiatives, we will engage with stakeholders and partners to ensure the Northwest Territories' collaborative spirit guides our work as we renew our focus on sustaining our mineral resource sector.
Mr. Speaker, next month I will be attending the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in Toronto, one of the world's premier mineral resource sector conferences. Before I share our message on that stage, I wanted to first remind colleagues, residents, and businesses about our leadership potential in this global movement. I want to especially highlight our ESGI strengths in our governing relationships and our regulatory approach.
The 2014 Northwest Territories Devolution Agreement established the Intergovernmental Council to allow the public and Indigenous governments to collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management while respecting the autonomy and authority of each government. This council is an important central figure as the Northwest Territories shifts progressively to an ESGI model.
Mr. Speaker, in early May, the Gahcho Kue mine received the prestigious Towards Sustainable Mining Excellence Award from the Mining Association of Canada.
Gahcho Kue's commitment and focus on community engagement and environmental stewardship is a reflection of the relationships and respect that exist between Northwest Territories' mining industry and Indigenous governments and organizations. This award, to an NWTbased project, highlights to investors the ESG and ESGI practices that set the Northwest Territories apart from other jurisdictions.
Founded in a firstclass regulatory regime under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act 25 years ago, our regulatory framework places environmental protection, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous rights at the centre of decisionmaking. It has flourished thanks to partnerships amongst the Northwest Territories' diamond industry, northern and Indigenous governments, and communities.
Mr. Speaker, our regulatory system is comprehensive and recognizes many of the issues that are important not only to our citizens, including environmental protection and Indigenous rights, but form cornerstones of ESG. That said, there is an opportunity for improvement in the timeliness, clarity, and certainty of our regulatory framework.
We are in a transition period. We are putting new, firstofitskind, modern mineral resource legislation and companion regulations in place, with features like formalized benefit agreements and online map staking. We continue to dialogue with partners to identify and advance operational improvements in regulatory processes for exploration projects. We have a wellestablished approach to sharing the social and economic benefits of mineral development with Indigenous governments. And we have begun the conversation to move our territory's land and water boards, the final piece of our regulatory process, into the hands of responsible northern governments.
Mr. Speaker, today's Northwest Territories mineral resource industry is innovative, collaborative, and focused on environmental stewardship and Northern benefits. It is guided, in part, by the pioneering and resourceful geoscientists who apply science and knowledge from the search for natural resources to mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change. It coordinates with the GNWT and Indigenous governments to enhance resources for capacity building and support resource revenue sharing across different levels of government.
The global industry is catching up to the Northwest Territories and our practices that we have honed over nearly three decades.
In the coming years of work on our regulatory processes, with our collaborative best practices and potential resources still untapped, we can set our jurisdiction apart as one that has great potential and investor confidence in our leadingedge environmental, social, and governance principles.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the flooding in Hay River, West Point, and K'atlodeeche has impacted businesses in the fishing, agricultural and tourism sectors. Mr. Speaker, these business sectors are not only important to those that participate in them, but also to those persons and businesses that purchase the products from those sectors.
The agricultural sector, which has several producers located at Paradise Valley, was significantly impacted by this year’s flood and may not be prepared, or be fully prepared, for this production season.
The fishing sector businesses, which are primarily located in the West Channel, West Point, and Old Town, had much of their equipment compromised which will now require not only cleanup but purchasing new equipment to replace what was lost or damaged. This may translate into a late start.
We have two tourism operators located on the shore of the Great Slave Lake, with one suffering severe damage to buildings and equipment for the second year in a row and will require major repairs.
The Wharf Pavilion, in the Old Town, allows vendors to cater to residents, visitors, and tourists, suffered flood damage and will require cleanup and repairs. This is expected to delay its opening this season.
Mr. Speaker, the effect of this flood goes beyond damage to property. It affects the seasonal livelihood of many business owners, their employees and customers. Some of the flood damage in these sector businesses may be covered by the Disaster Assistance Policy. The question is, does the Disaster Assistance Policy compensate for loss of revenue and wages a question asked by business owners.
Without revenue and wages, these business owners, operators and workers, may step back and look for alternate employment that will provide immediate income to put food on the table while they rebuild. That, along with waiting on funds to repair damage, or replace damaged equipment, may result in a lost season for some business owners and operators.
Mr. Speaker, this government has made major investments in each of the fishing, agricultural, and tourism sectors in Hay River. We have a $15 million fish plant being constructed in the hope of revitalizing a commercial fishing industry, which industry has now been delivered another blow by flooding. We have seen contributions and supports provided to the agricultural sector to build infrastructure which is now compromised and damaged. Tourism operators and facilities are situated in floodprone areas and continue to be impacted year after year with no resolve.
Before we lose these sectors, we must provide those business owners and operators with some immediate financial supports to supplement the Disaster Assistance Policy funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is the last day of the Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Canada, and I recognize and pay tribute to all the victims of sexual violence. We must raise awareness of the devastating impacts sexual violence has on a person, their family, and their community.
Mr. Speaker, every day in the territory someone is the victim of sexual violence. Sexual violence is verbal harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual assault, and rape. The Northwest Territories has the second highest rate of sexual assault in Canada. This is 7.3 times higher than the national rate, Mr. Speaker. These are shocking numbers and are affecting all of our residents.
Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories, women are three times more likely than men to be victims of sexual assault. In other words, women are being victimized at a much higher rates than men. This is genderbased violence happening here in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that extreme intoxication could be used as a defence in criminal cases of assault, including sexual assault, Mr. Speaker. This is appalling. It erodes the rights of victims of sexual violence; in particular, women, who are victimized at a much higher rate than men.
Mr. Speaker, many victims of sexual violence are already reluctant to come forward and report what happened. Many people have mistrust of the RCMP, legal systems, and legacy of colonization and residential schools where abuse was rampant. This affects Indigenous women, children, and those who identify with the LGBTQ2S+ community especially. The recent ruling makes it even more difficult to report with confidence that they will be taken serious or get any justice.
Mr. Speaker, the justice system was set up to hold people responsible for their actions. I stand with the survivors of sexual violence. I encourage all of my colleagues and residents of the Northwest Territories to support and advocate for survivors of sexual violence and to address genderbased violence as unacceptable. The safety, health, and wellbeing for all women, children, and those in the LGBTQ2S+ community, and all members of our communities, depends on it.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout this Assembly, I have done several Member statements about the RCMP and the need for improved and more accountable policing within the constituency of Thebacha, and across the NWT. Today I want to continue highlighting some of the concerns I have seen and heard about the RCMP as of late.
Mr. Speaker, because of the effects of the pandemic on mental health and the serious incident in Fort Smith in March, I am concerned that the RCMP does not offer casual replacements to ensure the community is fully served by eight members. For safety reasons and for all the reasons regarding enforcement, drugrelated problems, mental health issues, and a sense of peace in the community after such a turbulent year, from what I see the RCMP have an empire here in Yellowknife and I think it's time the commander steps up, shows leadership, and shows respect to the community of Fort Smith and ensures that the manpower is shared with the staff out of Yellowknife if needed.
There's a lot of RCMP staff here in Yellowknife but I must ensure that Fort Smith is looked after in a safe and proper way so community members can feel at peace in their community at this time. There are only four RCMP members there right now and one that is a temporary officer from another jurisdiction. They are trying very hard to serve Fort Smith, but how can only four RCMP members serve a community of 2500 day and night?
This is a very stressful time for the RCMP right now as I'm sure their workload is very high. I appreciate all the work the four RCMP members in the community are faced with, and I want to thank them wholeheartedly for their efforts to keep the community safe and hopefully we can address the staff shortage issue until the permanent staff arrives.
Mr. Speaker, I attended a leadership meeting in Fort Smith two weeks ago where the issue of RCMP staffing levels was talked about. In that meeting, I discovered that Fort Smith is experiencing a shortage of RCMP staff right now. Fort Smith is supposed to have eight RCMP officers; however, there are currently only four officers stationed there. This is very concerning from a safety and readiness standpoint in case of emergencies and for general response time by RCMP as well.
Given this information, I am questioning if the level of public safety for community members in Fort Smith is adequate in addressing all the law enforcement issues in my community. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, it is not okay and it is unsafe that my community is facing a shortage of law enforcement personnel to protect and serve the people of Fort Smith. It is not fair that the capital has all or most of their RCMP positions filled all the time when the small communities and regional centres are left with a shortage of RCMP staff. As MLA for Thebacha, I am looking to ensure my community is properly looked after and is up to par with the capital in terms of public safety.
I will have questions for the Minister of Justice later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oh, not one of those days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, my prepared statement today is about the recent announcement regarding the proposed development on Tin Can Hill. Since the information became public, I've had nonstop communications from my constituents who are as surprised as I was to find out the city and ECE have been discussing this option for a while now with no input from residents. However, Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that instead I stand up today and speak in support of my colleague from Tu NedheWiilideh as I too know what it is like to deal with the ramifications in this House of trying to speak up for what you believe is right.
Mr. Speaker, I'm proud of MLA Edjericon. For someone who didn't start this year as an MLA, he has quickly caught up with the rest of us and has become a strong, badlyneeded voice for his constituents. His long history of being involved with his people in his communities shows that while he may be new to this building, he is far from inexperienced when it comes to leadership and politics. In fact, I'd argue he has more qualifications than many of the people in this building, including myself. And I respect him for the efforts I've seen since he first set foot in this building to elevate the concerns of his people and be heard.
Sometimes, Mr. Speaker, when you stand up for what is right, you find yourself standing alone. And I want MLA Edjericon to know that is not the case in this instance. Thank you
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Just so I know there's a lot of new Members here, but you can't question rulings made in the House. But for the future, just so Members are aware. Thank you.
Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today the Office of the Auditor General is in the Legislative Assembly to deliver a report on how the Government of the Northwest Territories is providing mental health and addiction services to residents. Mr. Speaker, these reports are excellent opportunity to follow up on progress made by our government.
Two years ago, the auditor general found deeply concerning flaws in the NWT education system. The auditor found huge gaps in the educational results between small and larger communities. The OAG report says this is a huge issue. Graduation rates in small communities are much lower than in Yellowknife and regional centres.
Mr. Speaker, not only are students in small communities less likely to graduate from high school, they also learn under more difficult conditions than their peers in regional centres. Students in small communities face numerous challenges that depend on the size of classes, teacher/student ratio, and overall living conditions. The situations may be different in each small community.
The auditor general recommended that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment "should identify what is required to provide equitable access to quality education for all students and take actions."
The auditor also noted that this action should include providing additional support to principals of small schools and teachers in multigrade classrooms.
Mr. Speaker, the department committed to large initiatives and investments in small communities in its response to the auditor general. Last year after reviewing the auditor's report, the Standing Committee on Government Operations recommended that ECE bring forward a plan to better support schools in small communities.
ECE's response does not do much to fix the problems that the auditor general identified. ECE "committed to working with education bodies" and is scanning the country for more evidencebased practice. This response is just a plan to make a plan. ECE does not need another work plan. It needs to take action.
Mr. Speaker, the problems with our education system cannot be fixed with legislative change alone. Many people have told ECE that already, including the Tlicho region. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
ECE should stop working on making plans to make plans and focus on what action they can take today. GNWT needs to stop trying to fix the symptoms of the problem and address the real issues in communities. The biggest problems facing small communities are social and economic ones like housing, mental health and addictions, and lower average income levels.
Mr. Speaker, this is very simple. Communities with poor housing, high rates of addictions and low average income, have lower educational achievement. GNWT needs to get serious about fixing social and economic conditions in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, I am very disappointed in ECE's response to the OAG recommendations. ECE needs to spend a lot less time planning and a lot more time taking action. Small communities need more support and resources.
Having worked in education for over 20 years, I can say frontline staff feel like ECE is taking more and more control over operations. ECE needs to listen more to the real experts in communities. ECE needs to start listening to the people who work every day educating children. ECE needs to take a different approach to problem solving. GNWT cannot continue focusing on NWTwide standardization at the cost of creating disadvantage for small communities.
Every one of our 33 communities is special and unique. Our communities come in all different sizes, and each has its own culture and belief.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Just a reminder to Members when you seek unanimous consent to conclude your statement, it's to conclude it. That was like two statements there, but in the future keep that in mind. Be mindful of your colleagues that still need to go as well.
Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Mr. Speaker, in February 2020 I told this House a brief story. It was a weeklong conversation about one Northerner's challenge to access support services. Today, over two years later, Avery would still find the same barriers. Mr. Speaker, too many Northerners are falling through the cracks with the government's siloed approach to service delivery at the cost of residents' mental health, ability to thrive, and the government's bottom line.
We hear over and over again that the answer is integrated service delivery. But we also hear from the GNWT that we are years away from actually implementing integrated service delivery.
Take the example of integrated service delivery for child and family services. In 2019, this Assembly made it a mandate goal to develop an integrated service delivery approach by fall of 2021, but the business plans are only aiming to establish integrated service delivery demonstration sites in at least four communities by the end of this Assembly. And presumably other communities will have to wait even longer for an integrated child and family services.
But one of the most significant integrations, Mr. Speaker, is the siloed approach to income support and public housing.
The pace to actually implement integrated service delivery is deeply frustrating, and it causes huge challenges for effective program delivery and difficulty accessing supports. The GNWT currently spends over $700 million annually on social programs through Justice, Health, Housing, and Education, Culture and Employment. Each of these departments addresses a different aspect of a person's challenges but the siloed service delivery causes program duplication and the frequency and duration that the individual cycles through public systems of care. It means residents are not receiving personcentered care and the government is spending more down the road through cyclical and costly use of resources, and this decreases the window of opportunity an individual will permanently or successfully exit the system of crisis services.
I want to urge the government to prioritize and accelerate work to implement integrated service delivery. We need to at least connect Housing and ECE supports in the life of this Assembly to create more stability for Northerners struggling with access to basic human rights. Integrated service delivery meets northerners where they're at and brings together the social program departments and their frontline staff to coordinate plans of care and support residents with their actual needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When this House first made it a priority to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, I think there was varied understandings of what that meant. And how could there not be, Mr. Speaker? It is a very aspirational document with many sections and many different areas to cover.
However, Mr. Speaker, I think all of us meant it would be doing something in this House. And to date, we have not seen any work to actively implement the UN declaration. Some of us thought perhaps we would just pass legislation similar to BC or the federal government which requires an action plan. Perhaps some of us thought we would see an action plan and it would tweak some programs and services and some internal functions of the GNWT. Perhaps some of us thought it would transform the nature of consultation to truly be pre, prior, and informed consent so that the NWT can be the first jurisdiction to take a step beyond endless, sometimes hollow, consultation and require true consent from Indigenous governments.
I think many of us thought it meant we would settle numerous selfgovernment agreements and truly devolve powers like was the promise of devolution. However, Mr. Speaker, more specifically back in the spring, I was informed in this House during Committee of the Whole that there was an internal inventory being created to assess where all GNWT programs aligned or misaligned with the principles of UNDRIP. This inventory was then going to be used to help discussion with the Council of Leaders and eventually lead to an action plan.
Mr. Speaker, I have asked for this action plan or inventory on multiple occasions now, and still have not seen nothing.
Mr. Speaker, when I raise this, it is said that the work is currently being done at the Council of Leaders. The Premier speaks proudly of the work being done at the Council of Leaders yet, Mr. Speaker, if we don't see any of that work and it doesn't result in any meaningful change, it is not something to be proud of.
We presently have 14 negotiating tables, Mr. Speaker, with no real progress. I'm not sure that adding one more to this Assembly is what we meant when we said implementing UNDRIP.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I recognize that we have to work with the Council of Leaders and we have work with Indigenous governments to get something to implement UNDRIP. It would defeat the purpose to do it unilaterally; I recognize that. But if we don't get anything done in the life of this Assembly, what is the point of making it a priority for this assembly.
I will have questions for the Premier about realistically what is actually going to be done to implement UNDRIP in the lifetime of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. It’s been almost six months since the signing of the federal territorial agreement promising $10 a day child care for parents across the Northwest Territories. In reviewing the issues of implementation and delivery of benefits, I regret to say that a lot of progress still needs to be made.
The biggest issues remain putting money in the hands of parents who continue to pay for child care after the deal was signed and creating enough spaces to meet demand. The rebate money has to flow through the child care providers to the parents, and that can only happen when providers opt in to the conditions of the program. The deadline for that opting in was April 15, and according to media reports and communication from parents and providers, there are still a lot of questions and uncertainties.
I will be asking the Minister for the status of service providers opting in and how he plans to deal with providers who have not.
A big decision point in whether or not providers opt in is the cap on increasing fees in the future to deal with increased costs. The Minister has confirmed there is a 2.3 percent ceiling or cap on cost increases providers can charge if they opt in, unless special approval is given for a higher increase. Even at the time of signing, we knew Canada was in for a period of inflation, and it’s now running at 6.7 per cent nationally, and 7.1 percent in Yellowknife. This agreement handcuffs our operators to increases 4 points below inflation, and I wonder why Cabinet agreed to such a cap.
Then there’s the question of creating additional spaces and the allowable use of the agreement funds. For operators, questions remain unanswered on whether funds can be applied to training and staff development, or to wage subsidies for marginallypaid workers. Crucially, can the funds be used to meet the costs of infrastructure that must be built if we are to expand capacity and access? $10 a day child care is meaningless if there are no spots available for care in all our communities. There are at least 10 communities that lack any child care at all, a huge handicap to the development of local economies as well.
I will have questions for the ECE minister on the status of this agreement and its implementation that lie ahead. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in April, we lost an outstanding son, husband, father, officer, manager, mentor, and friend much too soon.
Adrian Lizotte was born in Fort McMurray on June 20th, 1979. He came to the NWT in 1990, late 1990s, and his appreciation for the beauty of the growth, northern growth. He loved to get out on the land, participate in traditional activities, and spent much of his time hunting, fishing, and camping with friends and family.
Adrian carried that love for the land with him into his work as well. He started his career with the GNWT as a corrections officer and then joined ENR as a fire tech summer student in 2008.
As life took him down the ENR path, he became a renewable officer, finally to manage our wildlife and environment in the North Slave region. He committed 23 years of his life to the GNWT and the people of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Adrian had a pivotal role in the wildfire management programs. I can say he was a natural leader, colleague, mentor, supervisor, and friend to many people who have worked with him. He was wellrespected in the community and took pride in work with people sharing his passion for wildlife and keeping people safe.
Adrian received the Premier's award as part of the team that responded to the largest outbreak of anthrax in wood bison in 2012 and was recognized as the ENR Manager of the Year in 2017.
Mr. Speaker, Adrian, just as Adrian served the public at work, he also was a very active member in the community in the evenings and on weekends. Everyone who spent time at the rink in Yellowknife in the last ten years would have been hard pressed to miss Adrian. If he wasn't coaching young hockey or watching his kids play, Boomer was on the ice as an accomplished wellliked and respected player. He was an avid sports fan, and he was always a team player.
As proud as Adrian was of being an officer and a manager at ENR, Mr. Speaker, his real pride and joy was his family. He and his wife Amy met through a friend who introduced them in Yellowknife and quickly fell in love. Together, they had three children Wesley, Cole, and Sophia, and the centre of their lives. Adrian was a very proud father who would do anything for his kids to be happy and successful, succeed in life.
He instilled in them the same love of the land, tradition, and community that were so important to him. Among of the many contributions Adrian made in his 42 years, there's no doubt he holds raising his children above all.
After his passing, there was a flood of memories and tributes for Adrian from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances from across the NWT and beyond. To paraphrase one of those tributes, may Adrian's kind spirit travel across the land, among the animals he protected over the years.
I'd like to extend my deepest condolences to Amy, their children, and extended family, friends and colleagues, and the countless others he touched over the life. Adrian's passing is a monumental loss for us all. He is and will be missed, Mr. Speaker, and he will always be remembered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and his fellow colleagues. I know he will be deeply missed, mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are three officers here that were colleagues of Adrian here. So I'd like to recognize Lee Mandeville, Lorne Hudson, and Daniel Bouvier Junior. Thank you very much for being here today. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to also recognize the officers that are here in respect, but I also want to recognize Lorne Hudson who I believe is a constituent of Range Lake, so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Range Lake. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Well, if the Premier's going to do it, I'll do it too. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize a Yellowknife North constituent Lee Mandeville, a friend and colleague of Adrian Lizotte, and one heck of a fiddle player as well, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
I too would like to welcome Mr. Lee Mandeville, famous throughout the Northwest Territories for his fiddle playing. I was just thinking oh, it would have been nice to have a good square dance in here one day, but. Welcome to the Chamber. It's always good to have an audience. And also if there's anybody else that we missed, welcome to the gallery. I hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Mahsi.
