Education, Culture and Employment make the guidelines for ensuring LGBTQ+ equity, safety and inclusion in the Northwest Territories schools training mandatory in Northwest Territories schools.
"Youth know what they need, and they know what they want." AYDA Women Youth shared what they want in a youth centre:
Physical spaces that are free from drugs, alcohol and any forms of violence;
Environments that are inclusive, positive and uplifting;
Consistent, healthy and fun programming and activities that give youth meaningful things to do;
Indigenous youth want cultural and language programming and activities with elders and knowledgekeepers. Some examples include elders’ stories, cutting dry meat, making a tipi, igloo or sod house, learning how to trap, singing Indigenous songs, etc.;
Leadership opportunities including youthled programming;
Celebrating success and success stories with people who have similar life experiences; and,
Dedicated staff who truly care.
Youth centres are important places in the community. They are safe spaces where youth can gather with friends and have healthy outlets for their emotions. Diverse programming and activities give youth opportunities for learning and skill development and building confidence and resilience. Indigenous youth's identities are nurtured and empowered with culture, language, and on the land programming. Connections in the community are strengthened. Youth shared that these spaces, combined with the factors of success described above, and what they want, are directly linked to suicide prevention. Committee therefore recommends:
Municipal and Community Affairs increase funding for the youth centres’ initiative to a maximum of $100,000 for each recipient to ensure that youth have a positive and safe spaces to be free of alcohol, drugs, and violence.
I'd now like to pass this over to the Member for Kam Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this concludes the Standing Committee on Social Development's Building Resilience, Strengthening Community Supports: YouthLed Recommendations on Suicide Prevention Report.
Committee looks forward to the Government’s response to these recommendations.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to this report in 120 days.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to give thanks, and once again acknowledge and say thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts, ideas, perspectives, experiences, knowledge, expertise, and stories, with committee to inform the report and its recommendations, including:
AYDA Women;
Dene Nation Youth Council;
Community Building Youth Futures;
Donald Prince;
Home Base Yellowknife;
Northern Mosaic Network; and,
Supporting Wellbeing.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Great Slave, that Committee Report 5019(2), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Strengthening Community Supports, Lifting Youth Voices: Recommendations on Suicide Prevention, be received by the Assembly and referred to Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried. Committee Report 5019(2) has been received and will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.
Carried
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following three documents: Additional Information for Written Question 6119(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Sole Source Contracting under Procurement Criteria 1.8.2(a); Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Corporate Plan, 20232024; and, Northwest Territories Innovation Action Plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Justice.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Followup Letter for Oral Question 142319(2), Nunakput Court Travel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Followup Letter for Oral Question 136719(2), Health Care in Small Communities; and, Followup Letter for Oral Question 143519(2), Dental Hygienist Regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 80, Dental Hygienists Profession Statutes Amendment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 81, An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Justice.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 82, Legal Profession Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I will give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 83, the Liquor Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 84, An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Madam Premier.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, I will present Bill 85, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I move, second by the Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, Bill 76 amends the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to
Establish a Commission within two years of the 2023 general election;
Expand the size of the Commission;
Broaden the eligibility to serve as chairperson of the Commission;
Add geographic and place names to the relevant considerations of the Commission; and,
Modernize language, including by using genderneutral language.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. Colleagues, we'll take a short time out.
SHORT RECESS
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Member for Hay River North, that Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Act, be read for a second time.
Mr. Speaker, Bill 76 amends the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to
Establish a Commission within two years of the 2023 general election;
Expand the size of the Commission;
Broaden the eligibility to serve as chairperson of the Commission;
Add geographic and place names to the relevant considerations of the Commission; and,
Modernize language, including by using genderneutral language.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried. Bill 76 has had second reading. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 8.2(7) and have Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Act, referred directly to Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 8.2(7) and have Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Act, referred directly to Committee of the Whole for consideration later today. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Member for Thebacha, it's referred to Committee of the Whole later today.
Carried
Second reading of bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters, Bill 23, 29, 60, 61, 63, 66, 67, 68, 73, and Bill 76, Committee Report 4019(2), Committee Report 4219(2), Committee Report 4319(2), Committee Report 4419(2), Committee Report 4719(2), Minister's Statement 26419(2), Tabled Document 68119(2), Tabled Document 69419(2), Tabled Document 813, 881, 882, and 88319(2).
