Good morning, Members. Every year on the last Friday in October, the Poppy Campaign kicks off to raise funds to support veterans and their families across Canada. Today at 10:30 a.m. marks the Pinning of the First Poppy Ceremony at the Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife. Pages will be handing out poppies to Members at that time, and I invite you all to wear them.
The poppy is a symbol of remembrance to commemorate and honour fallen veterans as we approach Veterans Week. I want to acknowledge that November 8th marks Indigenous Veterans Day, and Remembrance Day is on November 11th. While exact numbers are unknown, it has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people served in the great conflicts of the 20th century, with at least 500 of them sadly losing their lives. Indigenous veterans played a vital role within the Canadian military. Thank you, Members.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories stands with the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments against harassment, abuse, and unethical behaviour in sport. By being a signatory to the 2019 Red Deer Declaration for the Prevention of Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination in Sport, we commit to do our part to ensure a Safe Sport environment for all participants in the Northwest Territories. Canadian athletes and the sport sector have called on all governments to take action to address safety concerns in organized sports in Canada. Ministers responsible for sport answered that call with the Red Deer Declaration and have been leading efforts to develop and advance Safe Sport in Canada. Today I want to provide an update on the progress the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has made through collaboration with representatives of the Northwest Territories sport community.
In August I attended the conference of federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for sport, physical activity, and recreation. This gathering took place in Niagara Falls, Ontario, just prior to the Canada Summer Games. During this meeting, all ministers agreed to establish policies and procedures to protect athletes and to prevent harassment, abuse, and discrimination. This involved expediting a mandatory thirdparty independent process, including establishing procedures for the reporting and management of allegations for all funded sport organizations starting in 2023.
Also, we will continue to work with the sport sector and athletes to implement training and education on antiharassment and abuse.
Madam Speaker, since the Red Deer Declaration was endorsed, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has completed an environmental scan of current Safe Sport practices in the Northwest Territories. In November 2020, the department held a Safe Sport summit with stakeholders and partners and has since facilitated several information sessions with sport organizations. There is now an NWT Safe Sport Framework and a Safe Sport Implementation Plan is currently being finalized.
The NWT Safe Sport Framework provides opportunities for territorial and major sport organizations to adopt a series of Safe Sport policies that will address several areas, including code of conduct, discipline and complaints, dispute resolution, athlete protection, volunteer screening, and risk management.
We know that requiring a strong policy base is only the beginning. The department intends to work closely with organizations to facilitate open discussion and understanding of the Safe Sport Framework and include mandatory training requirements within the NWT sport system.
Madam Speaker, having an independent, confidential mechanism to report incidents of harassment, abuse, and discrimination is an important element of Safe Sport. Most provincial and territorial governments are either establishing their own third-party investigation services or are negotiating with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada to provide those services within their jurisdictions. The department is actively researching options that are best for the Northwest Territories.
In addition to Safe Sport policies, the department will require sport organizations to adopt a Concussion Awareness Policy and return to play protocols. This process will require a collaborative approach with our sport partners as we work towards the goal of implementing these initiatives by the end of 2023.
Madam Speaker, Municipal and Community Affairs is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive sport environment. We will continue to work with NWT sport organizations and our jurisdictional counterparts to make this a priority for our sport community in 2023 and beyond. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the federal government has the National Disaster Mitigation Program which provides communities access to financial support for risk assessment, flood mapping, mitigation planning, and investments in nonstructural and smallscale structural mitigation projects. Municipal and local governments, public sector bodies, private sector bodies, Indigenous governments, and nongovernmental organizations can make applications to this program.
Madam Speaker, apart from raising the road along Riverview Drive, little appears to have been determined on what mitigation measures, if any, will be in place to prepare the community for spring breakup. Residents who reside in the West Channel, Old Town, Corridor, and Paradise Valley are concerned and are asking what mitigation efforts and solutions have been identified for the area they live in. They are looking for answers and some form of communication from both the Town of Hay River and this government.
Madam Speaker, the flood damage to Paradise Valley was extensive. The only access road was compromised requiring a temporary one to be constructed. The embankment between the access road and river had trees and grass removed which further degraded the stability of an already unstable bank. This, along with drainage, needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Madam Speaker, the Corridor itself was not spared from flooding and will require some form of berm between the river and homes. The downtown core and Cranberry Crescent areas will also require some form of berm for flood protection. The West Channel area situated along the lake requires repairs to the berm between the airport and the residential area. In addition, there is an issue with a watercourse, known as the Oxbow, which allowed water to flow inland from the lake during high water. A flood gate should be installed as a preventative measure. The Old Town itself has minimal in the way of flood protection. Consideration should be given to raising the perimeter road to serve as a berm, along with restoration of the harbour and channel.
Madam Speaker, I will expect this government to work with the Town of Hay River and Indigenous governments to identify and access funds under the national Disaster Mitigation Program to address solutions. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, for the benefit of Hay River and Katl'odeeche residents and businesses, there will be a meeting on harbour restoration and harbour flood mitigation with the Minister of Infrastructure tomorrow from 11am to 2pm at the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre. Please attend if you can. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Lack of housing in Paulatuk. I've spoken in the House before, simply not enough houses in Nunakput riding. My constituents living in the farthest north of the residents in the territory and yet some families, Madam Speaker, live in cabins or makeshift tents.
Madam Speaker, a young family in my riding in Paulatuk who have been waiting for the Minister to deliver on the commitment on our last visit to get them into a housing unit. The Minister of Housing visited Nunakput riding over the summer of 2020. At the time, the Minister met the young couple that had been taken off the waitlist. At the time, the couple was receiving CERB payments that the Housing Corporation considered income too high. I want to recognize that the Minister did fix the problem where the Housing Corporation was counting CERB payment as income. But the Minister assured the couple two years ago that they would be prioritized and be putting on the waitlist.
Madam Speaker, it's October 28th, 2022. Snow is falling. The ice is starting to form; it's formed already. The temperature's minus 14 and blowing snow. Madam Speaker, the couple's still living in a tent or a makeshift cabin since 2022. It's time where the they have a baby, and raising that baby and that with no bathroom, no proper facilities for cleanliness. They've raised this newborn in a community of the Arctic Ocean while they wait for the Minister of Housing to allocate a housing unit to them.
Madam Speaker, there's no private market housing in the community of Paulatuk, no options for housing for residents and the housing units are filled. The government survey showed 311 people in Paulatuk with 90 homes. Madam Speaker, we should be giving out all the extra like, the old webber units and giving them to the people of Paulatuk and then being able to put new units in through CMHC. Madam Speaker, how many people in Paulatuk are on the waiting list for homes? How many people are homeless? We need the Minister of Housing to work with our community leadership and the people on the ground to show solutions today. It's 2022. Our people are living in the High Arctic raising their children in tents, Madam Speaker. I'll have questions for the Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, within the mandate to increase employment in small communities, the GNWT states it will support small communities in developing skilled trades people. But, Madam Speaker, that is the best action this government can do to improve the lives of the residents in the small communities. Just for identifying and stating this objective, this government gets an A grade. Now let's do more in this area to get the A plus rating.
Madam Speaker, when I previously brought up a training program for all settlement maintainers in our small communities, I was met with opposition to the idea. Specifically, I suggested training in the area of maintaining heating equipment such as furnaces and boilers and other required training to do the jobs required of them, all with the intent on saving time and much needed dollars for the department in the long run. This will save Infrastructure thousands of dollars flying or driving someone into a small community from a large centre and most likely, as has been known, only to bleed a furnace.
Currently, Housing NWT is setting up a training program for their housing maintainers. They will do training in all aspects of maintaining a building, repairing components of the building, basic understanding of the heating systems, whether they be a furnace or a boiler system. That is exciting, and I am overjoyed for our Housing employees in the small communities. I really, really, really want to be excited for the Infrastructure department too. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members', the last I remember I identify as she/her, so Madam Speaker, adjust your speaking notes accordingly. Members' statements.
Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, to begin today I would like to respond to the answers the Minister of Housing NWT gave me during the question period yesterday.
Overall, the Minister did not give me actual answers to my questions. She told me that her department is examining the constituent housing files I referenced in my statement yesterday. She said there are many complex issues within my constituents' situations and that Housing NWT needs to be fair in their treatment to all clients. The Minister said she needed more time to get the facts straight.
Well, Madam Speaker, it's easy for any of us here in this building to say we need more time to accrue the relevant information. However, some of the people whom we were put here to serve don't have the luxury of time. Plus, there are so many channels and barriers for ordinary people obtaining assistance with government programs and services here in the NWT.
Sometimes I feel, as an elected official in this House, there are a couple on the executive side who use every excuse in the book to say no. Madam Speaker, it is very frustrating to see a lack of compassion given towards the suffering of people. I strongly feel that everything that is done by this government should be based on need, not means tested. We are such a small population base. Everybody knows everybody, so we ought be helping our constituents however we can whenever we can.
On another note, Madam Speaker, to end this session week, I'd like to recognize and thank all the leadership and constituents of Thebacha for their continued support in my work as their MLA. I thank them for all their feedback, ideas, and trust they have given me as their MLA. I'd also like to thank all the chiefs who called, that do not belong to my riding, and approached me this week to say hi or hello. I also appreciate remaining connected to my old colleagues and friends as a Member of this House. I seek unanimous consent to finish my statement, please.
Unanimous consent granted
In addition, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you and I would like to thank Speaker Blake for making this Chamber lighthearted and fun at times as we go along. That type of attitude is much needed in this building sometimes, since we work through some tough, heavy, and challenging issues. I'd also like to thank all of the staff of this Assembly for their help through this term. I would also like to thank any CA Pascal for all the help and support he gives to me. Lastly, Madam Speaker, I want to wish all my constituents, along with all the people of the NWT, a safe and Happy Halloween. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Madam la Presidente. One of the bills passed during the legislative avalanche ending the last Assembly was a completely new version of the socalled Environmental Rights Act, the first time this legislation had been reviewed in 29 years. The standing committee of the day worked very hard to improve the bill with 14 successful amendments.
One of the new features of this littleused legislation was supposed to be a statement of environmental values. The NWT is the second jurisdiction in Canada to develop such a statement. This means the GNWT is supposed to consider the principles and provisions set out in the statement when making decisions that may have a significant impact on the environment. Those principles include the precautionary principle, polluter pays, ecological sustainability, intergenerational equity, and Indigenous rights. The problem with the bill was that there was no way to define what might be meant by "significant impact on the environment" and no responsibility for implementation and reporting.
I tried to bring forward reasonable amendments both at committee and Committee of the Whole to address these problems, but they were defeated. Unfortunately, Cabinet did not address the same concerns again when they were brought forward during the review of the draft statement of environmental values that took place earlier this year, or in the apparent approval of a final statement of environmental values on June 7, 2022. Recently I asked officials with three departments Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Finance, and Environment and Natural Resources, what is meant by "significant impact on the environment" and who has responsibility for implementation and reporting. And guess what? No one knows.
The way the statement has been crafted is totally discretionary, with deputy ministers responsible for its application in setting government priorities; of the development of policy and legislation; and of the development, design, and delivery of programs and services. There is absolutely nothing about use of the statement or principles in Cabinet decisionmaking, tracking, reporting, or evaluation. You can’t even find a signed and dated version of the statement of environmental values on any GNWT website.
What a disappointment and a clear indication that this Cabinet is not prepared to change anything with regard to its "business as usual" approach to the environment. I'll have questions later today for the Premier who according to the Statement is, quote, "accountable to the Executive Council and the residents of the NWT for the implementation of the statement". Mahsi, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, other the last few years, nurses have shared the impact of unsupported work environments and critical staffing shortages on their morale and incentive to continue working in the North. And when our healthcare workers suffer, our residents suffer. Residents experience decline in healthcare, long wait lists, and reduced program availability, which all have direct negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of residents. This is felt especially by those people who live in remote and small communities who already receive inequitable healthcare.
Madam Speaker, our existing loyal healthcare staff are honest about what they need for retention, and this includes the appropriate complement of staff to reduce overtime burnout, ensuring safe work environments, and prioritizing work/life balance by making job sharing and annual leave possible.
Achieving this relies on people. Last week I asked the Minister of Health and Social Services to trade nursing education for return of service. This recruitment tactic, in the wake of global financial strain, secures a minimum of eight years of residency from southern nursing students, increasing our number of nursing graduates, and has a 100 percent rate of return on government investment. I was very happy to hear that the department is extending nursing bursaries to Indigenous and northern students, but this does not go far enough. We have longtime residents interested in nursing careers who would not be considered northern students. I am asking the department to extend nursing bursaries to nonpriority students for any remaining spots in the Aurora College nursing program.
We have 30 spots in the nursing program, and an established bursary program that already has a priority level on it. So why isn't the goal of the department to ensure that the program is fully subscribed every year?
Our current healthcare system is crumbling by design. We cannot be neutral and safe with our ideas to address this. Our system needs intentional, sustainable, longterm planning and funding. All of this starts with people. We need to prioritize public health. We need to listen to and respond to what healthcare staff are asking for. And we need to fully commit to training new healthcare staff by ensuring Aurora College programs are fully subscribed. The key to strengthening our northern healthcare system starts with listening to our existing healthcare professionals and incentivizing healthcare education. My suggestion, Madam Speaker, accomplishes both. Thank you.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, The Supplementary Health Benefits Programs will create a publiclyfunded supplemental health benefits program for lowincome residents. This program replaces the current specified disease condition criteria, with a needsbased, incometested model, where changes will be phased in over time while leaving senior benefits as is. The creation of a new program is to include essential dental services and treatment, medical supplies, equipment such as hearing aids and walkers, and prescription eyewear. Access to the program will be incomebased and residents must apply annually.
Madam Speaker, the proposed lowincome thresholds are too low, particularly for individuals living alone, which is already more expensive. A working individual making $40,000 annually, living alone, and paying $20,000 in rent, is not going to be able to cover big items. Residents are assessed against household income, according to their CRA income statements.
Given the housing shortage, many people are forced to live together in one place, often in multigenerational situations. This is not out of choice but out of need. If they all work and the overall household income is high, they will be on the hook for paying more of their medical needs. How do we avoid penalizing those who can't get, or pay, for housing, and are now not eligible for benefits due to the higher overall household income?
All household members must provide their Canada Revenue Agency income statement with the new proposed costsharing model deductibles. For low to moderate income, it would be a contribution of 30 percent of the cost. Why not 20 percent or even 25 percent? Again, the $53,000 for the individual, or base income, is too low. These are residents living paycheque to paycheque, already on the fiscal edge the working poor.
I applaud the inclusion in the proposed supplementary health benefits to provide financial assistance to offset costs for essential dental services. Preventative, restorative treatments to maintain good oral health will be covered. That includes exams, xrays, cleaning, fluoride treatment, extractions, treating infection, pain or gum disease, and dentures. This is a positive step forward and we need to ensure that we are being realistic on who we allow to qualify for them. It's time that we stop crippling residents with an unrealistic cost of living and show them that their health is important to us. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment informed this House last session that work to change the name of Great Slave Lake was well underway as well as I'm expecting that same Minister to hopefully table some changes to the Official Languages Act which will stop using the term "North and South Slavey", but I do think probably the easiest change we could make to stop using what history have gone over, and many agree is a colonial name, would be to change the name of the North and South Slave region. This actually could be done overnight; it does not require legislative changes. These are just administrative names we use for our regions. I think also in doing that, there would be some justification for creating a new region for the Tlicho region. I think often their concerns get kind of lost in the capital and the North Slave, and perhaps it would justify some new superintendent positions being placed in their communities. I'll have questions for the Premier about whether we can make this change and finally stop using the term "slave." Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Florence "Gomo" Hardistry was born on August 25th, 1943, to George and Lucy McPherson in Fort Simpson. Florence was one of 14 children they had. She grew up with her parents and family until she attended school. Florence attended the federal day school in Fort Simpson, then she went to Grollier Hall in Inuvik, and then carried on to Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife. After she left school, she returned home.
Florence met her love of her life, Ernest, in Fort Simpson where they started their own family. They were married on December 31st, 1966 six days after their son Noel was both. They had nine children. In the 1970s, they moved to Jean Marie River and this is where they raised all the children.
Florence was a homemaker most of her life, where she provided so much love to her husband, children, and their home. They managed Sambaa Deh Falls campground for multiple years. This is where they made friends with many people as the world. As well, she did work at Louie Norwegian School as a janitor for seven years.
Florence was known as Gomo in Jean Marie River. Yvonne and Douglas’s children started calling her "Gomo", meaning mom, and the nickname stuck with her. All the children in Jean Marie loved being around her. She loved all the children as if they were her own. Her heart was pure gold and this was shown by presence she showed when she was around others.
Madam Speaker, Florence would often pick berries, spruce gum, and wood with her late mother–in–law Sarah and Yvonne. Sarah would always teach them about traditional ways and practices. Florence used to sew doilies and took great pride in them.
Florence developed dementia in late 2012. In 2013, she started requiring more care than her husband could provide for her in their home. For the past nine years, she was cared for in the Fort Simpson elders home care. The family is forever grateful for the staff, their care, and love provided to their wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. Florence always told her family, friends, and those around her that she loved them. She continued to do this up to the day where it became hard for her to talk. The family asks that you continue this with your loved ones as well. The family would like to thank everyone for their kind words, support and comfort during this difficult time. Madam Speaker, she will be sadly missed.
DEPUTY SPEAKER:
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to be joined today by a page from Yellowknife Centre, Sophie Shen. I'd like to welcome her to the House. Thank you
Welcome. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I'd like to recognize Mary Jane Cazon, one of our translators here. She does an amazing job, and I thank her for continuing this. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm really pleased to have a page from Range Lake here today, Ms. Bethany Fenwick. I'm so glad to have them in the House. We couldn't do our work without you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'd like to recognize Ms. Kya Wickens, a Yellowknife North page. Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, apparently, I jumped the gun when I recognized my page the other day; she wasn't here. So I would like to recognize Carys Lyall who is a page from Great Slave riding. And as I said, I really enjoy having the pages here and thank them all. Thank you.
Thank you recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just want to recognize the North Slavey interpreters. With me here today is Theresa Etchinelle and Sarah Cleary. Thank you so much for your work in translating our work so the residents of the Sahtu can hear what's going on in the proceedings in the House. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Monfwi.
Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Jonas Lafferty of Behchoko and Mary Sundberg of Dettah for doing an awesome job as our translator. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we did a tour two years ago, and with the Minister's committed in a public meeting that we'd be working with a family to get them into a House. And to this date, I guess we could blame COVID, I guess, in not getting it done.
Madam Speaker, will the Minister commit today in putting a couple in Paulatuk who are living in a tent with a baby in a home before Halloween? I guess it said Christmas, but I want it ASAP. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Minister for NWT Housing.
