I will just add a final request is whether the Minister can commit to providing us with similar statistics on overtime costs from I would like it specifically for Stanton Hospital that show trends over the past decade from preCOVID to the present. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know, as a past manager I know that the managers get this, and it's highlighted, and so managers are as part of their regular variance review have this information. So I can get back to the Member on, like, just for Stanton and those specific details. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral questions. Member from the Deh Cho.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ECE. Mr. Speaker, can the ECE Minister explain what her department is doing to support Indigenous languages in the NWT? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Minister for ECE.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Member, first off, for reflecting on the fact that this is the only jurisdiction that has a whole month dedicated to Indigenous Languages Month, and so I very much appreciate that. The theme this month is Say It In Our Language, and I also want to thank the Member for speaking her language in the House here with us on a regular basis.
In addition to Indigenous Languages Month that's celebrated every February, Mr. Speaker, ECE continues to partner with seven Indigenous governments to deliver the mentor apprenticeship program. In 20232024, we had a record 56 pairs participant in the program and I had the honour of speaking with them last week, which I really absolutely appreciated their feedback. In addition, the department offers ten annual $5,000 scholarship for Indigenous languages revitalization, and I think it's worth noting that there was so much interest in this scholarship for 20222023 year that a record number of 18 scholarships were actually awarded to residents interested in that scholarship. And so the department's very dedicated to language revitalization.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, the department is currently exploring future development of a twoyear pilot program for Indigenous languages diploma program, which is another good news story for our territory. And ECE currently leads the implementation of the NWT Indigenous Languages Action Plan. This action plan has two overarching pieces to it. The first is languages revitalization and the second is access to public services from the government in Indigenous languages, which is another key component of language revitalization in the territory.
And then in addition to that, ECE negotiates and administers the CanadaNWT agreement for Indigenous languages on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for that. Mr. Speaker, with the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university, is the Minister aware of any plans for the new institution to bring back the accredited interpreter training program for Indigenous languages that used to exist in the 1990s? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are in a position now where the Aurora College is at an arm's length relationship from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. That being said, ECE does provide funding for interpreters to support training through the interpretertranslator funding program, and there's also connections with other jurisdictions to explore possible training options for future interpreters. And I think it's also worth noting here the Indigenous language instructor employment plan that is currently a pilot within the Beaufort Delta and the Deh Cho regions as well in the territory. And this pilot focuses on the recruitment of Indigenous languages instructors in the Northwest Territories and provides Indigenous language speakers with the opportunity to stay in their community while they're developing language skills to become successful language instructors. So I think that's another key program. And there's currently five pairs taking part in that program in the territory. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister assure the public that if and when interpreter services are required when accessing government services that interpretation services will be made available and provided in a timely manner? Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a really important question, and I can't assure the Member what she is looking for here today from me. But access to services in Indigenous languages are found in section 11(2) of the Official Languages Act, and that guarantees that people have the right to communicate with and access government services in Indigenous languages from their community area and also regional offices. So the Member reflected previously on the disbandment of the languages bureau in 1997. And since then, each Minister is now responsible for the delivery of programs and services of their departments in Indigenous languages, each of us individually and independently, and that that should be done in accordance with both the Official Languages Act and also official languages policies that all government departments are responsible and accountable to.
That being said, Mr. Speaker, Indigenous languages, service standards are currently under development within the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. And this will help employees of government departments understand the service delivery requirements for each of us, for each of our departments, and to provide specific direction, advice, and recommendations on various service scenarios and how that can look in practice across the government. And once that is done, once it's released, ECE will also provide training to government employees on their role within that service delivery model. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member from the Deh Cho.
Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Premier. Like before me, Mr. Fredrick Blake, before him was Mr. David Krutko, before him was Mr. Richard Nerysoo. They all lobbied for the services of Tsiigehtchic to get health services and police RCMP services for the community of Tsiigehtchic because they're on the highway system. They're easy access to drugs and alcohol and other crime. My question is will the Premier commit to start and continue the process of trying to get these services to Tsiigehtchic as soon as possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Mackenzie Delta. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking as the Minister of Justice, I can tell the Members that the conversations about resourcing in the Northwest Territories for RCMP are ongoing. There's always conversations happening. The RCMP are looking at their workload and bringing forward proposals to the GNWT. So that's always happening.
In the Member's region, we've added, I believe, RCMP every year since I've been Minister. So we have been increasing the number of RCMP in the territory, including at Fort McPherson, and that is the community that serves Tsiigehtchic. So while it's not a perfect situation and I understand that it's still, you know, a 45minute drive if everything goes well from McPherson to Tsiigehtchic, hopefully that additional officer in McPherson will help free up other members and so they can respond more quickly. But we are continuing to work with the RCMP. Where they see the operational need being the greatest, that's where we look to add resources. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I take note to the Minister's response. I don't think that is satisfactory to the residents of Tsiigehtchic. That's making more reference to the community of Fort McPherson.
My question is will the Minister engage with his federal counterparts and local Indigenous governments to find a process where we can find services for the community of Tsiigehtchic? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And like I said, we're always having those conversations. The RCMP, they are a federal entity, but they are contracted by the GNWT, and so an increase in service in one area is it goes through the GNWT, so. And I think that if we work for the RCMP and we wanted additional officers in there, that's what was deemed necessary, then we could do that without the federal government. But I'm always having conversations with Indigenous leaders and communities about justice, access to justice, drugs, and the RCMP, and I'm happy to continue those.
I'm sorry, I don't have a better answer for the Member. I know that, as he mentioned, this has been ongoing through many, many MLAs, many who have served multiple terms, and so this is not a new issue. But and I'm you know, I feel for some of the stories I've heard the Member tell and others tell about a lack of services in Tsiigehtchic and what that results in, and it is concerning, and we do continue to try and provide services in the best way that we can knowing that we don't have unlimited resources. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the new polytechnical university being proposed in the future, would there be in partnership with the education department, will they be able to implement some paramedic courses or some special constable or security courses to be implemented into this polytechnical university to help alleviate some of these problems within Tsiigehtchic? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so as was mentioned earlier, the polytechnic or the Aurora College is now arm's length, and it is governed by a board. That being said, if there is a case for a program and there's money attached to it, then the college can always look at delivering that if we have a funder. I will note that the RCMP, they do try to recruit Northerners. They have a program, a threeweek program in Regina, at depot, where Indigenous potential recruits can go for three weeks to see what they think of the program. Right now, there is I believe there is a few residents in the territory who are looking at attending that. There's a couple residents who are in depot training to be RCMP officers. There's a few more who are partway through that process of making their way to depot, and there's another half dozen who are at the beginning of that process. So there are opportunities for Northerners to train to be RCMP officers, and the RCMP proactively go out and hold information sessions and try and do outreach to let people know about those. And so, yes, there is a possibility at the polytechnic. That's something that could happen. But in the meantime, there are efforts underway to train Northerners to be RCMP officers, and I encourage all the MLAs to let their constituents know that is an option for people in the territory. I'm getting the wrap it up sign, so I'll stop it there. Thank you.
Final supplementary. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, colleagues. I think everybody should enjoy the thanks. And clerks table too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I want to return to the GNWT fiscal sustainable strategy released. And, Mr. Speaker, this release is not an options paper. This release is not a discussion paper. It's a manifesto for the 20th Assembly. They clearly outlined that this strategy is looking at our financial situation, and they clearly state that proposed changes resulting in this review will be reflected in the upcoming budget that we'll see in days. Not weeks, not months.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier, if he has the ability to answer this question, I certainly hope he has the courage to answer it, is this the new policy to not have fulsome discussion and debate with committee members on major shifts like this? Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Premier.
Of course not, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm going to say thank you to the Premier for that. At least it's direct, it's honest, and it's straightforward.
Mr. Speaker, in their policy release, that strategy, they talk about consulting with employees, not Members of the such as us as the MLAs. They talk about the the Finance Minister mentioned she had crushing public pressure and outcry to make decisions. My question for them is why are they going to employees through an internal survey that they can be individually identified to act like a rat squad to tell the government where to cut and save money? Because the employees are feeling nervous and threatened. Thank you.
Please be politically correct. Minister.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As that's not in my department, I'm going to have to take that on notice. Thank you.
Premier has taken it as notice. Time is up for oral questions.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a petition to demand a public inquiry into the Hay RiverKakisaEnterprise wildfire. This petition does not strictly conform with our rules to be submitted as a petition, so I am submitting it as a tabled document. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following four documents: Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 20232024; Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024; Restoring Balance: A Fiscal Sustainability Strategy for the 20th Legislative Assembly; and, Evacuation Support Program Data as of February 14th, 2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of finance. Tabling of documents. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the document entitled Priorities of the 20th Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the Member for Deh Cho, Sheryl Yakeleya; and, the Member for Sahtu, Daniel McNeely, are hereby chosen to be the deputy chairpersons of the Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Notices of motions. Member from the Deh Cho.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, second by the Member for Yellowknife North, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to Tabled Document 2720(1) and table it in this House within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member from the Deh Cho. Notice of motion. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, I will move the following motion:
Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the following persons be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment to the Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council effective immediately for a term of three years:
Ms. Jane Arychuk of Yellowknife; and,
Ms. Denise McDonald of Inuvik.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
