Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the key priorities in being successful with this type of work, and these types of programs, is certainly by working with the producers in how this would look going forward. But I think another really important area that we need to consider as a government is, you know, not trying to reinvent the wheel here. There are many programs across Canada and around the world that already exist to help us deal with some of these environmental waste items. So working and looking at what programs are out there that we could adapt that would fit within the context of the Northwest Territories would certainly be a way forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So how is the department engaging with producers who might make these types of products, distributors who are bringing them into the NWT, or even local businesses who are selling them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, you know, we want to work collaboratively with the producers in developing the regulations and the programs around this and ensuring that we're also engaging with the stakeholders through the segment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of ECC. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So if there's a local business or a non-profit that's interested in taking these products and -- or taking waste products and creating something new out of them instead of having them go into a landfill, is any startup funding available from either ECC or other departments to help them get a project like that off the ground? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm very happy to say yes, that there are a couple of funding options that I can currently reference right at this time. So ITI provides a SEED funding option that, you know, they're always anxious to support this type of activity and new entrepreneurial opportunities within the Northwest Territories. And there's also the waste reduction and recycling initiative through the Department of ECC that has funding available to support this type of activity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of ECC. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, NGOs have been advocating to me to not support the current budget as presented. They feel that, in their words, that they're getting lip service on their issues, their multi-year agreements are largely ignored, and inflationary cost issues continue to be a challenge and are not recognized for the merits that they're trying to explain.
So, Mr. Speaker, NGOs are worried. Ultimately the question for the finance Minister is is what is she demonstrating in this budget that we're meeting those particular needs and challenges that NGOs are facing and what message of hope is she expecting me to sell them? Thank you.
Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, going to bat to ensure that multi-year funding agreements are available is certainly something that I've already fought for and that is now quite widely available, and we'll certainly be dulling that down, that message, as I know my deputy minister already has with his colleagues at my request, that multi-year funding agreements are available. They've been available for the government for a long time. They come with the caveat that we only approve budgets here once a year. That applies to every department and everything we do, including the contribution agreements we have with NGOs. But certainly, to the extent that we can have programs, you know, that are funded -- or performed by an NGO, there's some that it's very simply obvious that they're very likely that they're going to continue to get support. There are those multi-year agreements. If it's federally funded, I have no control over that. Federally funded agreements, we can't have multi-year agreements because of the federal rules on that.
As far as, again, allowing NGOs to go and to speak to the department that provides them a contribution agreement, there too, there has been a change in the last government allowing there to be forced growth submissions on behalf of those providing these essential services. Individual departments will provide each of those agreements with their individual NGOs who are providing services on their behalf. So I'd like to know if there's one that hasn't seen that kind of an opportunity, then I can get to speak to them on a one-on-one basis or the relevant department can. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll provide that specific to the Minister. She's asked me who, I'll let her know. Mr. Speaker, she is in charge of FMB policies which are the overarching financial policies. Would the Minister open up a discussion with NGOs to ensure that our financial management policies do actually reflect their needs? So in other words, things like multi-year agreements are the standard unless, and that type of discussion with them? So in other words, would the Minister be willing to open up that type of discussion to the NGO groups? Because we met with them right after getting elected, and they're feeling largely ignored. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while I may be responsible for financial management board management, the Premier's office is responsible for the relationship with NGOs. And right now, in EIA's business plans for the next four years, there's a significant amount of work planned out to happen in this space to ensure that there's the advisory group that is formed to provide exactly the kind of feedback that the Member is asking and that the recommendations from the report of, I believe 2023, can be looked at towards implementation. Thank you.
Thank you, and I appreciate that. And the Minister didn't say away as in, hey, I'm trying to school you. The Premier -- I appreciate you pointing it out that, yes, it does involve the Minister. So I'm saying I recognize and appreciate her tone on the response. That said, though, she is in charge of FMB which is the overarching financial policies. That's why I directed the question directly to her.
Mr. Speaker, again, perhaps maybe I can approach it this way: NGOs don't feel they're being recognized in this budget, and they feel that they're being overlooked. And I guess my question comes down to is when do we ask ourselves the tough question, through Finance that is, is why are we using them if they don't feel appreciated? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are a great many struggles across this Northwest Territories right now, whether it's the public service that's struggling, whether it's NGOs delivering services that are struggling, whether it's residents who are struggling, residents in the Sahtu right now are struggling. So it is difficult to have a line item or an announceable in a budget that addresses every single one of the struggles that we are having in the territory right now coming off of four years of struggle. There's a lot of struggle. No, there is not a line item that says, this NGO. There's not a line item for individual NGOs. Individual departments must go and work with those providing essential services on their behalf. It is recognized in the sense that it's recognized in the business planning process. Significant attention is put to this regard because it now sits at EIA, which is the coordinating body that essentially coordinates every single other department so that when departments are out there working with NGOs, working in that space, it's front and center for the government right now. It really is -- again, it's really in the purview of the Premier's office, which is the highest office that it could possibly be in for this attention.
So there's not a line item, but I've spent a lot of time trying to say that in a budget of $2.2 billion, 95 percent of that work will not get an announceable in the budget speech. 95 percent of that work won't have a line item. It's done by the departments. It's what we do every day. I'm happy to have the chance to speak about NGOs. I have a lot of residents in my riding that are very involved in NGOs. Not getting specific callout in the budget doesn't mean they're not valued. It doesn't mean departments won't work with them. And that's why the Premier's office is leading it. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister of Finance. Final supplementary. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just quickly back to the policy issue about revisiting our having a discussion, can we get a sense of when maybe the finance Minister could have that type of open dialogue so we can -- again, I'm trying to send a message of hope here and I'm looking for a little inspiration, so if she could kind of help me guide them and say, you're going to have valuable input on core funding inflationary issues and multi-year agreements that we'll carve into stone so we can move forward as the format, and I'm hoping she can give me that hope and inspiration. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, something that I started doing last government, and then very much looking forward to getting back into when we're not in post-election budget cycle, is to do budget dialogues. The budget dialogues was an opportunity to sit down with NGOs, for example, and it was actually out of that that was first the notion of getting to a place where we could have forced growth submissions for NGOs came from, and then it was then supported and driven by MLAs. So it is was an example, firstly, of success from the budget dialogues and frankly success from the consensus approach to budgeting. So looking forward to getting back to that process this spring in advance of the 2025-2026 year. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 187-20(1): Costs to Access Land Titles and Red-Tape Reduction; and, Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 203-20(1): RCMP Response to Addictions Related Calls. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to introduce a motion. Increasing RCMP Responses in Hay River.
WHEREAS the use of drugs and related violent crime is on the rise in the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS the road system transports drugs into the Northwest Territories and Hay River is becoming a hub for distribution of drugs throughout the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS police reporting in Hay River demonstrates that there is a rise in mischief, assault, drug trafficking, and theft under $5000 in the community;
AND WHEREAS many residents of Hay River and other South Slave communities fear for their safety;
AND WHEREAS the mandate of the 20th Legislative Assembly is to work with law enforcement to create and strengthen tools that can be used to disrupt and combat the drug trade and associated criminal activity;
AND WHEREAS a canine unit was previously deployed in Hay River but ended in 2018, and the only canine unit in the Northwest Territories is located in Yellowknife;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Member for Deh Cho, that the Government of the Northwest Territories reinstate the Royal Canadian Mounted Police canine unit in Hay River;
AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collaborate and respond specifically to the rise in crime in Hay River;
AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a respond to this motion within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. To the motion. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the violence and the rise of drugs in small communities and throughout the Northwest Territories. We know the most important -- or the most often drug are transported in the NWT by road from the provinces. Fort Resolution is just a hundred kilometers from Hay River. N'dilo, Dettah is right next door to the city of Yellowknife. And Lutselk'e is just down the road.
Mr. Speaker, as the drug trade, assault, crimes and violence increase, for example in Hay River, we see the same trend in Fort Resolution and throughout the NWT. Assault, possession of firearms, and drug trafficking are becoming more common occurrences in small communities and in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, monthly police reports for the community of Hay River shows mischief and assault are very common. Since December 2022, there have been an average of 53 calls a month related to mischief, over 1.5 calls every single day in Hay River related to mischief. During the same time, there were nearly 7.5 calls about assault per month.
Mr. Speaker, almost two assaults are being reported to the RCMP every single week in Hay River. For one example, we have 33 communities in the Northwest Territories, and this is out of control. In December 2022, there were three drug-related trafficking occurrences. In April 2024, this number jumped to 16.
Mr. Speaker, this is four drug trafficking occurrences happening every week. Before the evacuation last summer, there were 16 reported theft under $5,000 in June. This jumped to 21 thefts under 5,000 in October. The police states that there -- since the return of the evacuation, there has been an occurrence of a property crime, which is suspected to be linked to the illicit drug trade.
For residents in the South Slave region and throughout the NWT, it is beginning to feel like the drug trade is out of control. Where are these drugs travelling? We see more drugs and weapons like brass knuckles being used in small communities in the NWT. This is why today I bring forward a motion, second by the Member from the Deh Cho. I also bring in issue to the social development committee as an issue for my riding and residents in NWT.
This issue should be brought up with the Minister of Justice in the social development committee and to ask the question today to restore the K-9 unit in Hay River. This unit to exist is a tool that the police enforcement can use to transport them to dismantle the drug trade in small communities in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, in the 20th Assembly, we put forward four priorities. The fourth priority is safe residents and communities. Specifically, Mr. Speaker, we need to protect our residents in the NWT and do whatever we can so our communities, and especially our elders and vulnerable children, feel safe and want to remain in small communities. This is why I bring forward this motion today, Mr. Speaker.
And, Mr. Speaker, we are all impacted by the drug trade here in the Northwest Territories, especially in the small communities. I get calls daily from residents very frustrated. And at the same time, the RCMP's hands are tied because of policies. And right now as it is, I've experienced calls from young people that are looking at how to get out of it, and sometimes there's just no help.
So, Mr. Speaker, as a former leader in my community, the drug trade is alive and well. It's running rampant throughout the Northwest Territories. And as my colleague mentioned earlier from Monfwi is that it's out of control. And we got to figure out a way how we could give the tools needed to the RCMP to combat this issue. And this is just the beginning. I don't expect this thing to happen overnight, but I think if we are able to start looking for solutions, this is one of them. So, Mr. Speaker, I will introduce this motion today, and I ask for the Members' support on this. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. To the motion. Member from the Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I, too, concur with everything that the Member for Tu Nedhe said about the safety in the communities. My community too is affected. All my communities in my riding are affected because they're along the highway. This motion is important for the safety and well-being of residents in my riding, and this motion also falls within the priorities of this government.
In my community, there's the increase of crimes, assaults, thefts, break and enters, and these are all attributed to drugs that are coming into our communities. Having a K-9 unit available to the RCMP in our community with help with combatting the drug issues that we're facing in our communities. So with that, I will be supporting -- I am supporting this motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. To the motion. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to stand and support this motion, and I thank the Member for bringing it forward. This is -- as he stated very clearly, this is not one community's issue. It is not a small community issue; it's not a Yellowknife issue; this is an issue for everyone. Everyone in the Northwest Territories, regardless of where they are in -- which is shocking when you consider how far-flung and remote some of our communities are. When it comes to this K-9 unit, this is a very specialized unit of police that serves an essential role in helping combat drug trafficking and helping tackle drug crimes in communities.
There used to be a unit in Hay River, and it was moved to Yellowknife. And my understanding is now that is -- Yellowknife allows it to be mobile, Mr. Speaker. But I understand where the intention of this is. So it is deployed throughout the Northwest Territories, but I think more of this specialized type of work is important. It's important to have these resources, especially as Hay River is the hub of the North, and it is a place where it's the first port of entry for many people. And, unfortunately, that includes drug traffickers and gangsters. And having these resources close to the hub, close to the border, is only going to help us fight against these predators and take back our communities. So I support this 100 percent. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. To the motion. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh bringing this motion. I think it's a wise -- it's a very targeted motion, which is in other words of saying here's a problem and here's a straightforward solution, and I recognize his work and advocacy on this issue, and I think the community -- his communities are lucky to have him. I also want to thank the Member for Deh Cho for speaking passionately about this issue. I mean, without her support on this, you know, I mean, it's nice to see great support, you know, to get on this particular topic. Again, good Members all working together.
Mr. Speaker, the motion speaks for itself. It's connected as a solution to help address and deter, stop in any way possible, drugs and the crime that comes with it. I don't want to dwell; in other words, I don't want to speak too detailed. But, I mean, we've seen the impacts even in the South Slave on how drug crime can lead to terrible, if not horrific things, as we remember what happened in that tragedy so many years ago. You know, that wasn't just a terrible accident of circumstances. That was a reflection of violent terrible crime, Mr. Speaker. Could a drug dog have solved that at the time? I don't know. But I can tell you all I can say is this: Drug crime is getting worse in the Northwest Territories and we need to use every tool in our toolbox and find more tools to put in our toolbox and go to anywhere we can do any work, Mr. Speaker. This problem isn't isolated in the South Slave but that said, we got to start somewhere, and we shouldn't be afraid to say, hey, there, maybe then we can look at moving one north or establishing one north in those communities. Again it's not a reflection of the communities themselves, it's the fact that this is the pressure and response they need because they're being weighed down on this, Mr. Speaker.
So I will support this motion without any hesitation, and I want to clearly articulate whatever money needs to be done to address this particular issue, I fully support. Bring forward a supp, and I'll be championing it amongst anybody who wants to challenge it, I'll say, no, this is wrong, and this is what we need to do to respond. So I say bring on the money. I'm behind this initiative. Good job to my colleagues on this side of the House. Again, demonstrating and meeting the needs of regular people, including our communities. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. To the motion. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too will be supporting this motion. For all I've said in this Chamber and outside of this Chamber, direct to the point, let find solutions and move on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. To the motion. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too will be supporting this motion. You know, it's hard to see your people suffer, your family members, your community members. It's hard to see them suffer. And trying to find a solution to this ongoing problem, it's hard. I hope this motion will start the process. We've tried every avenue. We've met with the RCMP. We've met with Indigenous leaders, governments. We're just having a tough time dealing with this ongoing battle. Like I stated, it's hard to see your family members suffering. They don't know how much they're suffering, and the drug dealers from southern Canada are the ones that are imposing this undue stress on our family members. They come up here, and they take the lives of our loved ones. We have a lot of educated people, members in our communities, that are lost to this drug. I know a lot of family members who are well educated, had good jobs, went to college, but now they're actually fighting for their lives. They don't know how much they've impacted their immediate family, their children. They don't know how much they've impacted their community, all the resources that are trying to help them. We just need help, and I hope this motion will bring forward some security. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. To the motion. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can't say that I disagree with much of what has been said today, and I've heard much of this from my MLA colleague from Hay River, the MLA for Hay River South, as well as the previous MLA for Hay River South, as well as myself as MLA for Hay River North. So I definitely recognize the scope of this issue. The government will be taking our time to formulate a response to this, so we will be abstaining from this vote, but we'll come back with a response in 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh to close.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I keep thinking about the people in the small communities that this issue has impacted. I have family, friends, relatives, like my colleague from the Mackenzie Delta talked about. You know, this motion I will say be for them and also for the ones we lost.
So I want to thank my colleagues. And I look forward to working with Cabinet on this issue, and my colleagues are also looking at supporting this, a way to make this thing happen. So, Mr. Speaker, I just want to say mahsi to my colleagues and to my friends as well, this is for you. Mr. Speaker, I want to ask for a recorded vote. Mahsi.
The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Member for Deh Cho. The Member for 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.
All those opposed, please stand. Those abstaining, please stand.
The Member for Thebacha. The Member for Yellowknife South. 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.
Colleagues, those in favour, ten. Opposed, zero. Abstentions, seven. The motion has been passed.
---Carried
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, I will present Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act 2024, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
