Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions?
Carried
Motions. Member from the Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS Tabled Document 2720(1) is a petition signed by 1,077 people, including 396 residents of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS Tabled Document 2720(1) does not strictly conform with our rules to be submitted as a petition; and
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.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. To the motion.
Recorded vote, please.
Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So just for the public's awareness and the new Members, when these motions come forward and they ask for a response under 120 days, the government generally abstains so we will be abstaining. Thank you.
The Member from Sahtu. The Member for Yellowknife Centre. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Monfwi. The Member for Frame Lake. The Member for Great Slave. The Member for Mackenzie Delta. The Member for Yellowknife North. The Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
All those opposed? Those abstaining?
The Member for Thebacha. The Member for Kam Lake. The Member for Hay River North. The Member for Hay River South. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Nunakput.
Thank you. 10 in favour just hold on one second. 10 in favour. Zero opposed. 6 abstentions. The motion is carried.
Carried
Motions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the Order of the Northwest Territories was established in 2013 by the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act to recognize individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any endeavour benefiting the people of the Northwest Territories or elsewhere;
AND WHEREAS Section 21(1) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides for the creation of a Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council to review nominations and recommend appointments to the Order of the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS Section 21(2)(b) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides that the Council be composed of not more than five members of the public appointed by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the Board of Management;
AND WHEREAS Section 22(2) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides that the Members of the panel hold office at pleasure for the term not exceeding three years;
AND WHEREAS the Board of Management has considered a number of qualified individuals for appointment as Honours Advisory Council Members;
AND WHEREAS the Board of Management is tasked with recommending individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the 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: Their names are as follows:
Ms. Jane Arychuk of Yellowknife; and
Ms. Denise McDonald of Inuvik.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion carried.
Carried
Motions. Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS section 40.2(1) of the Public Service Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an Equal Pay Commissioner to exercise the powers and perform the duties set out in this Act;
AND WHEREAS the position of Equal Pay Commissioner became vacant in June of 2023;
AND WHEREAS the Board of Management was tasked with recruiting an Equal Pay Commissioner and has recommended an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Ms. Renee Caron be appointed as the Equal Pay Commissioner in accordance with the Public Service Act by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories as recommended by the Legislative Assembly;
AND FURTHER, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion carried.
Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is a wonderfully diverse place to live. My riding has many newcomer residents that have joined us from numerous countries of origin, and I am proud to represent them in this House. The territories' struggles include those of our neighbours in all their diversity. When matters on the international stage cause my neighbours to lose sleep with worry over their loved ones, I am humbled to speak to these matters and be their voice in this Chamber.
As Northerners, we stand with the citizens of Ukraine, those who trace their roots to Ukraine, and those who have joined us here in the territory since their country was invaded two years ago as of this Sunday or sorry, Saturday. Pardon me, Mr. Speaker.
Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and freedom reminds us that democratic values need to be protected. The recent death of Alexei Navalny, a courageous voice against authoritarianism in Russia, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed to those who dare to speak truth to power. Navalny's death underscores the urgent need for global condemnation of such atrocities and a resolute stance and support of democracy and human rights. In Ukraine, where the struggle for democracy has been ongoing amidst external aggression, the Ukrainian people continue to demonstrate unwavering resilience and determination. Here in Canada, we must continue to show our support for Ukraine and condemn any actions that undermine its sovereignty and democratic aspirations. I am thankful that the Canadian government is resolute and steadfast in their support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 18th year anniversary for the Bear River Bridge application from the Department of Transportation to the Sahtu Land and Water Board dated February the 22nd, 2006. It is a historic annual on the Sahtu determination. The milestones continue in collaboration between the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Government of the Northwest Territories on the $140 million infrastructure funding announcement dated June 2018.
Mr. Speaker, this determination continued by witnessing the April 2019 signing of the memorandum of understanding for both parties to champion the Mackenzie Valley Highway regulatory process.
In achieving this, Mr. Speaker, Sahtu determination seen the submission of the DAR, or Developers Assessment Report, October 12th, 2023. This submission starts the Mackenzie Valley Highway project environmental assessment. Mr. Speaker, the Sahtu determination continues with enthusiasm to complete and resubmit the Great Bear River Bridge permit application.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, critical to project's fruition is permitting and funding. In recognition, this project has a preequity position. Projects are essential to public transit while creating a disposable economy. Mr. Speaker, in tribute, the Cece McCauley legacy continues. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member for the Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to talk about the vital role of Indigenous governments. Mr. Speaker, in November when Members delivered round table speeches, the Premier said something. He said that we need to recognize in 50 years the territory will look much different than it does today. He also said that since Indigenous governments are taking on more responsibilities, there is a greater need to work closely with them to ensure that any new legislation, programs, policies are developed in a manner that is comfortable for Indigenous governments so they can at some point take on those additional responsibilities to administer themselves.
Mr. Speaker, that vision by the Premier is something that all Dene, Inuit, and Metis people have been envisioning for themselves for the last 50 years, or going back as further as 150 years since Europeans colonized this country.
Mr. Speaker, as an Indigenous person and people, deciding our own destiny and being selfsufficient and economically selfreliant on our own lands are all things that Indigenous people have strived to achieve for generations. Dating back to 1969 when the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT was formed, it was always the intention of Indigenous people across the NWT to take on governance responsibilities for ourselves. That includes developing legislation, programs, and policies to administer ourselves on areas of settled land claims, settlement agreements, and treaty lands.
Mr. Speaker, that vision outlines new from that vision, numerous documents were presented were published. For example, by Dene Nation, over the last 50 years or 50 years ago they publish a book, a Public Government for the People of the North with a discussion paper. That was for that document in 1981 was not only
Member from Monfwi, your time is up.
Unanimous consent granted
(audio) still. Okay, much of what was written in that document was later used as the basis for selfgovernment and other land claims negotiations.
Mr. Speaker, the days of Indigenous government being controlled by settlers or newcomers or nonIndigenous politicians in Yellowknife or Ottawa are over. My way or the MacKenzie Highway or no deal has to stop. What we need is a collaborations to work with Indigenous people to move forward. Thank you.
Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know all the communities in my riding were hardest hit from the wildfires last summer. Deh Cho region residents, like other South Slave communities, fled on a moment's notice as the fires burned out of control towards our communities. Mr. Speaker, K'atlodeeche First Nations was evacuated twice during the summer of 2023 for a total of 61 days. That community lost 18 homes, their band office, and Dene Cultural Institute was burned. Enterprise was completely devastated losing roughly 90 percent of their entire community with only about eight houses left standing. Overall, Enterprise was evacuated for 41 days, and Kakisa was evacuated for 24 days.
Mr. Speaker, on August 13th, Enterprise was hosting a community event. It all seemed well that day. Everything was going good. People were enjoying themselves. And then the wildfire smoke began getting closer. Little did residents know that a vastly expanding fire was barrelling towards them fueled by wind speeds that reached upwards 80 kilometres an hour. That is an extremely fast moving fire that left very little time for people to pack up and evacuate. In fact, by all accounts the evacuation of Enterprise was chaotic and caught everyone, including the mayor, completely off guard.
Mr. Speaker, this is where my constituents feel forgotten because nobody from the GNWT contacted Enterprise residents or leadership to warn of a wildfire heading their way fast. It was only thanks to the chief, April Martel, of K'atlodeeche First Nation, who informed the mayor of Enterprise in an emergency management organization meeting taking place that day. Then to make matters worse, later that night the wildfire took down telecommunication services, taking out internet, cell and land line phone services in several South Slave and Deh Cho communities for days. That left Enterprise, Fort Providence, Kakisa, and Hay River almost completely in the dark in terms of communication for five straight days during a territorial state of emergency.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents are understandably
Member from the Deh Cho, your time is up. Thank you.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are understandably feeling angry, hurt, and abandoned by our government as a result of the wildfires and its after math. I will have questions for the Minister of ECC later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from the Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is evident that the NWT health department is having trouble recruiting dental services for the residents of the Northwest Territories. In the year 2023, there was a total of 242 patients from the Mackenzie Delta region alone who were referred to Yellowknife to see the dentist. Another 33 were referred to Edmonton.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of these patients to travel from Inuvik to Yellowknife back to Inuvik is a modest $387,200. I say modest because cost factor does not include travel from their respective communities and for accommodations while in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be reasonable if the department looked at contracting dental teams to travel to Inuvik for one or two weeks every three months or so. This may cut the expense on the department down to a reasonable number. The residents of the Beaufort Delta region would definitely take advantage of this opportunity with patients not having to travel to Yellowknife and not having to take time off work from their jobs and/or be away from their families for an extended period of time. The Beaufort Delta region requires the services of dentists like the rest of the residents of the Northwest Territories. If not a permanent dental team, then I hope the department can provide an interim solution. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Return to oral questions.
Member from Yellowknife Centre. We'll go back to Members' statements.
That's very gracious of you, Mr. Speaker. Your kindness knows no bounds. See, that's how you do it. Work with the Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, cuts here and cuts there, Mr. Speaker. We're hearing from the Finance Minister how they're unilaterally picked this number of $150 million; that's 50 a year, 50 a year, and a 50 a year before we end this government, Mr. Speaker. $50 million without having a general, good, thorough discussion with Members' perspectives on this side of the House. No, they do public they do policy by public release, Mr. Speaker.
So knowing that, this government should be thinking about its cuts in a way of, well, let's reverse the attitude and say how do we get more money into the government or how do we do business better? And that's what brings me to my point, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes the low hanging fruit is the obvious.
Mr. Speaker, there are over 300 people who leave Yellowknife airport, okay. It doesn't mean they're from Yellowknife. At the Yellowknife airport, they travel to Edmonton to get rheumatoid arthritis support. Now when you add that up, close to $2,000 a plane ticket and return, and that's not just the full cost but the point is that 2,000 we're talking over $600,000 spent on that service alone in the Northwest Territories just based on plane tickets. No different than the point made by my good colleague from Mackenzie Delta. If we want to start doing business better, we have to start thinking it through quite simply. Why are we flying people and driving people and sending them all these places when we can send a dentist to Inuvik? We'd be saving thousands of dollars. Why are we flying people to Yellowknife from Yellowknife to Edmonton for rheumatoid support when we could bring someone to the Northwest Territories at a fraction of the cost.
Mr. Speaker, I looked up online the average cost to pay a fulltime person, who's a doctor, and a specialist in rheumatoid arthritis is in the range of $270,000 a year. That's a pittance compared to what it costs just to buy plane tickets.
Mr. Speaker, if the Simpson government was really serious about looking at the bottom line, they look at how we could save money, not butcher it away at the budget. So I encourage them to use a scalpel, not a butcher approach, Mr. Speaker. And I will have questions maybe today, maybe tomorrow, we'll see who's the lucky Minister this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change explain why the GNWT failed to contact the community of Enterprise on August 13th to inform them of an impending wildfire that was being pushed towards them very quickly due to high winds? Thank you.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can assure this House that the wildfire that went on to impact the community of Enterprise was initially attacked on the first day it was detected on August 2nd and was actioned consistently prior to the tragic event of August 13th. The fire crews actioned the fire was actioned by crews and aircraft that were allowed but the extreme fire conditions and extreme fire behaviour made fighting the fire very challenging.
The incident commander had daily contact with the regional emergency management organization. On August 13th, ECC officials contacted MACA twice, first about preparing for the evacuation alert, then about upgrading the evacuation alert to an evacuation order of Hay River and Enterprise, and a virtual meeting was held. At this time, the fire was approximately 30 kilometres away from the community, and there was a participant from the hamlet of Enterprise on the call. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, and thank you to the Member for that the Minister. Mr. Speaker, I understand that this ECC Minister was not Minister on August 13th last year, but can the Minister explain if the department was aware of the level of risk that Enterprise was in that day when they were forced to evacuate the community? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, ECC was aware that the communities in the area were at risk, and that is why the evacuation notice and then upgraded to the evacuation alert before finally being put on full evacuation. ECC and MACA have a wildfire event notification protocol advertising on what level of risk a wildfire may pose to a community. The protocol determines when and how ECC will advise MACA of the threat level to a community and when evacuation is recommended. The fire was between 25 and 30 kilometres to the north and west of the community at noon on August 13th, and the fire activity on the east side of the fire had been quiet. Control efforts on the east and north flanks, the closest to Enterprise, had held for the days leading up to August 13th. Weather and fire behaviour modeling predicted that the fire would spread northeast towards Great Slave Lake and possibly Hay River. However, late in the day, the wind switched direction spreading the fire directly toward Enterprise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain if ECC has in place any sort of early warning detection system for natural disasters to help protect communities in an answer safety to disasters? Thank you.
