Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today on a point of privilege. Yesterday in the House I clearly heard and saw the Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger, threaten me and members of my family. I feel that my privileges have been breached because all Members have the right to sit in this Legislature and carry out their duties free from threats, intimidation, obstruction or interference. The Minister’s words and gestures, in my mind, constituted a threat to my wife and my brother’s livelihood. He pointed his finger squarely in my direction like this and said quite clearly, "your wife, your brother" and gestured with his hand like that, Mr. Speaker. I find this breach extremely disturbing in the sense that my wife and my brother cannot defend themselves nor are they protected by parliamentary privilege.

In my 10 years in politics, Mr. Speaker, at both the municipal and territorial levels, I have never witnessed such a gross breach of conduct. The Minister, in his attempt to explain his remarks, at page 690 of the unedited Hansard stated: “However, my intention is not to threaten the Member. It’s to make a point to reflect those facts. If I have caused him discomfort or caused him any unhappiness, then I would be very happy to withdraw that particular comment as it may be recorded in Hansard. My intention is not to drag his spouse into this, but just to point out that there is a clear connection.”

Those very comments of the Minister constitute an unjust damaging of my good name and act as a further impediment to me in carrying out my duties as a Member, and they prevent me and any Member from speaking freely in this Chamber. I truly believe this is paramount to our privileges as Members, that we are able to state our views and those of our constituents free from intimidation and threat, Mr. Speaker. I await your ruling on this very important matter. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Ramsay has risen on a point of privilege, which is a very serious matter. I will, therefore, allow some debate on the point of privilege. To the point of privilege. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House, I made reference to two individuals. This was a conversation, as I sat in my chair, as Mr. Ramsay was talking. Those

comments were not on the record, but when he called the point of order I recognized, very clearly, that I had caused him some unhappiness, that I had spoken inappropriately to the point where he wanted to call a point of order.

I thought it would be incumbent upon me to do the right thing, which is stand up and acknowledge that, yes, there were comments made and that I was prepared to withdraw them. Those comments referenced two individuals. As a long-serving Member of this House, I should have been more aware that my comments were not only inappropriate, but potentially hurtful.

I recognized that fact when I stood up to withdraw them when the House broke. I also went up to find Mr. Ramsay and to personally apologize for those comments. In the heat of political battle, Mr. Speaker, and debate, we can sometimes be guilty of using words against those who cannot defend themselves. Mr. Ramsay has the right to stand and defend his family, and I believe Mr. Ramsay and I share deeply the belief that family is the most important aspect of our lives. I say that as a father and grandfather and a man who has been married for nearly 32 years.

I would once again like to apologize to Mr. Ramsay and his family for any distress my comments have caused and I, of course, deeply regret using a personal comment to address a political issue. Once again, I indicate I would, without reservation, withdraw those comments.

I would also like to assure my constituents that I will work harder than ever to ensure that your interests are represented and that, as a Cabinet member, they can be proud of my work ethic and my commitment to the people of the NWT. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the Members of this House accept my apology offered with no qualification and unreservedly, and be very well assured that I am aware of the distress my comments have caused and I deeply regret that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  Political life is something that we all enter into because we seek to do something for ourselves, for our communities, for our families, and it can be tremendously rewarding and satisfying when things go right. Good things in life and the satisfaction and the respect that can come from engaging in this does not come cheap. There is always a price to pay. We all walk a fine line every day, depending on the issues or the subjects or the problems that are before us, and we do what we think is right. Of course, that does not always work with everybody, so there are consequences to this kind of thing, to our own reputations, sometimes to our own sense of self-worth and self-respect. You know, we are constantly asking ourselves did I do the right thing that day, that time, that moment.

Mr. Speaker, along with that goes a level of, I guess, risk and faith and trust and belief from those who are closest to us, our families, our colleagues, our friends in our communities and in our neighbourhoods. They, too, can sometimes be drawn into this because of their affiliations with us. They endure perceptions that may not be correct. They, I think, are sometimes under degrees of suspicion and sometimes exclusion from what they might otherwise enjoy in a community, because of their affiliations with us. We all know that, I think, when we get into this game, and our families should too.

But it is something that we have to be very vigilant, very mindful, that when in formal session and on the record in chambers like this, that connections or aspersions are made to families, that it is absolutely inappropriate. One of the things that I think this House, this Assembly, has been vigilant on is not to allow that to happen. And when it does, as it did yesterday, it is something that we need to bring out, we need to deal with, and set the standard that works not only for us, Mr. Speaker, but everybody in all elected fields of life in the Northwest Territories; municipal councils, band councils, these people also and their families take this same risk.

So I want to conclude, Mr. Speaker, by saying I, too, observed Mr. Miltenberger make these remarks and these gestures yesterday. I find it inappropriate, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, observed the proceedings of yesterday and I was very gravely disturbed that the rights of another Member may be even threatened, or even perceived to be threatened, Mr. Speaker, and that's one of the foundations that I find of having the honour and privilege of working in our great Legislature, is that we're free to say and do what we can on behalf of all our constituents, and especially giving up our public life for those that we love and those that share their love with us, Mr. Speaker. They're giving up a lot for us to be up here doing what we have to do on a daily basis, and the last thing a Member needs is to be worried about them and their security.

So I observed that that happened, and I perceived it to happen, as well. And that's a big distinction here, as well, Mr. Speaker. I, too, cannot accept that kind of behaviour from any Member whatsoever. Mahsi cho.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak to this point of privilege in the House today. I've been here for a little bit longer than some of the Members on this side of the House and I think I've pretty well seen it all when it comes to different forms of intimidation, threats, I think since I've been here. I take it very seriously, because I think since I've been here I've had my business threatened, I've had my family threatened, I've been threatened. As a matter of fact, there was even an RCMP inquiry had to made into a threat that was made, that somebody actually physically wanted to harm me in my service and in my standing to represent my constituents in this House. That goes back a long ways and I have no intention of standing here and dredging up history; however, I think we have a responsibility to uphold a high standard of integrity and accountability in this government.

It's very unfortunate the events that happened yesterday. I also saw the gesture and I did hear the words. Mr. Miltenberger knows that certainly I think he is one of the hardest working Members on that side of the House and certainly makes a very, very valuable contribution. But having said that, I guess we're all human, we're all susceptible to making errors in judgment, saying things that we wished we hadn't said and doing things that we wished we hadn't done. But when we begin to compromise on the responses that we have when these sorts of things happen, I think we embark on a downward spiral and we lower the bar, and I think that is a dangerous thing for us to do.

It is not always easy for people outside of this Chamber to know all the nuances, and all the workings, and all the different things that go on in the exchanges in this House. Sometimes people say, well, you know, let's just talk about positive things, let's just be constructive. You know, sometimes we have to stop, correct the course, deal with a matter, and then move on.

So I wanted to stand and speak to this today to confirm that I did see the gesture. It was extremely unfortunate and I believe we have to have a very low tolerance for anything that is perceived to intimidate or obstruct Members in the performance of their duty on behalf of their constituents. It is an extremely honourable and high calling and it must be treated with the greatest of respect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Legislative Assembly is highly regarded as a very respectful place with the people of my own region. They expect a high degree of integrity standards from me as an MLA representing my people. It's an institution that's revered by many people in my region; sometimes not so revered because of the way sometimes we come across in the media and how we say things or do things, or not quite understanding the process of the bureaucracy or the management of certain programs and services. Somewhat, Mr. Speaker, we have a role model. We're playing a role model for people in our communities. We are in a fishbowl, so to speak. Even though we don't want to be in it, we're still in a fishbowl. People make remarks, too. Some are good and some are really, like Mrs. Groenewegen said, are very hurtful. You know, when you walk down any street we're very under the microscope, I could say, and especially in this House here. So there is a lot of respect for Members. Even though we don’t agree sometimes, we still agree to be respectful to the Member across you or sitting next to you. Sometimes we bite our tongue to say something, and sometimes we slip on this. That’s part of being human. We’re not a machine. We’re part of being human. I said to my colleagues that any reference or threat to my family I will take it very seriously. As Mr. Miltenberger has said, he is a father and grandfather and he wants to say to Mr. Ramsay that family is number one important in our life first. They are the ones that help us get to this position here.

So, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you consider the institution as a whole; the integrity is bigger than we are. It must be carried forward, and the institution must be upheld to a high degree of standards and integrity and respect for everyone. That’s a real big word for us in our language; respect. Sometimes even I need to continue learning about the word respect. Sometimes I get told by my own people, and to put it back in the face of respect and sometimes I don’t think it’s the way they should be going, but my people, the ones who put me here, I have to listen to them and be respectful to their concerns and their thoughts, Mr. Speaker. That is the degree of leadership that we, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, need to carry out either in this House or in the other meetings that we tend to. I want to say that on the point here that you were speaking about is the word respect and feeling safe.

As Members on this side here, who are in the opposite of Cabinet, that we can talk freely, we can say what’s in our heart, what’s on our mind, without any type of perceived or any type of repercussion on our families, our communities, or in our role as a region. We have to talk on behalf of our people. It is not us personally, and that’s what the elders said. You speak on our behalf, so do not be afraid to say what you have to say, you know? But sometimes the balance, and I don’t quite know the balance. Is it me or is it my people sometimes speaking? Sometimes I may not come across very clear or in a way that the Ministers understand it, but I’m also learning, too. I’m grateful that they’re respectful enough to answer some of my questions. Trying to figure out, well, this is what he’s saying.

So I wanted to say that the House here, Mr. Speaker, that I have lots of respect for the Legislative Assembly and for the honourable Members and I think that we need to continue and show that to our people back in our communities that we represent. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think what happened yesterday is really important in regard to what happens in the Assembly here. I, too, did hear and see the Minister point to Members on this side, especially to a particular Member here, and I find that very disappointing and appalling. You know, we’re all sitting here as Members to represent the people of our constituency and the NWT. I think it’s only fair that whether you’re sitting on this side of the House or sitting on the other side, that we have respect for all our Members and families. To hear a Member on the other side doing something like this, you know, I think to the people of the Northwest Territories, it shouldn’t happen.

I respect my colleagues here. Like some of the Members said already, that, you know, I do represent the people of Nunakput and I also represent people in the Territories as a whole as we sit down in this Assembly.

So just having said that, Mr. Speaker, on the point of privilege, I think the Minister’s comments that came out yesterday and the gestures shouldn’t be tolerated in a place like this. So I’m very disappointed. It shouldn’t be tolerated and I think we should move on from there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today we’re talking about the point of privilege that we’re faced with of what happened yesterday. What happened yesterday is a very serious issue that we’re faced with. We’ve all seen it. Some of us heard it, of what took part. Here we may have rules like gesture equals recording. We’ve seen it and we’ve heard it and it’s uncalled for. As Cabinet Members, you know, there’s accountability. We’re accountable to the public, the general public at large, and also our constituents, 43,000 people living in the Northwest Territories. My fear is that if it happened yesterday, is it going to happen again tomorrow or today? We must prevent that from happening again. We have to show respect, from over there, across the table here. There’s no need for this gesturing or passing notes, getting each other frustrated or mad, whatever it may be. But we have to hold on to our profession. How we deal with issues, we may be frustrated at times, mad, on dealing with certain issues. Especially Mr. Minister that has one of the biggest portfolios, we understand his situation, what he’s going through but, at the same time, dealing with issues has to be at a professional level.

Family, again, comes first. I fear for my wife as a teacher. I fear for the kids in the community. I fear for those that are going to be nurses in the communities, lay dispensers, community health reps. They’re not here to defend themselves. Even though it’s remarks let’s say to Mr. Ramsay from Kam Lake, are remarks to all of us sitting around this table. It’s remarks to CHRs, lay dispensers in the communities.

So I take a real offence to this, that this came out. I’m very disappointed in this government that we’re faced with. So I’d just like to show my disappointment and that we must show respect. As Norman Yakeleya indicated earlier, our elders have always showed us respect; respect for one another. So I’d just like to elaborate on the point of privilege that was put forward. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to add my comments to the point of privilege being raised by Mr. Ramsay. He stated some of the circumstances related to this yesterday when he raised a point of order and at the time we didn’t have the records or more objective evidence as to exactly what happened. But I think listening to the comments being said today and also the statement that the Minister made yesterday, and the fact that we do have witnesses in Mrs. Groenewegen and Mr. Pokiak and some other Members, I think that there’s enough statements on record that suggest that there is no question about what happened. Something did happen and what happened is a threat on the part of the Minister to the economic security and well-being of the family members.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to say that I believe that the Minister is very sincere in his regrets and apologies, and although I think some of my constituents might not agree, because there’s, in the Minister’s job you can’t make everybody happy. I’m sure there are many who feel that the Minister might not be, might not have done the greatest job, but I have to tell you, in watching his work day in and day out here I don’t think there’s any dispute that he’s a hardest working Member and he’s one of the better performing Ministers. So I don’t think there is any question about his performance as a Minister. But I think he’s also aware of the seriousness of the Members being threatened in this House for doing what we have been elected by the people to do.

Mr. Speaker, on many occasions as a Member here in my time of seven years, I have raised points of privilege on my right to be a Member and do my job and to have the freedom to speak. There is a long tradition in our parliamentary tradition to put mechanisms, laws and rules in place to protect that. There is a reason why the Members cannot be sued for things we do say in this Chamber. We have a wide room for privilege, so we do have the right to speak on behalf of constituents. There are consequences of us doing our job. We are threatened. I have been personally threatened by supporters of Ministers. My family members have been threatened. There is a daily intimidation going around because sometimes what we do here and the laws we make or the questions we ask could cost people jobs. I don’t mean…Policies could affect people’s businesses and people come and do express and sometimes we feel intimidated by doing things we are sent here to do.

It is a very unfortunate moment. I regret that this has happened. I don’t know what happened yesterday. It was one of those moments in time, things that the Minister regrets and that the Minister should not have done, but when it comes to the freedom of Members to function fully, in order to speak for people who cannot speak for themselves, whether they are employees, businesses or people on the street, sometimes they are scared of coming and telling us what they want us to bring up. The last thing we need in the well-being of democracy that we value and the system of government we value, we have to be very careful when the right of Members to speak on these issues are in any way intimidated.

I am sure, Mr. Speaker, you will use your resources to look at the very well established precedence in this regard. I don’t think there is a question about the facts of the case. I await your ruling on this, but I do have to say this is a very serious issue, very regrettable, and it is very unfortunate that it happened, but it is something that we do have to stand up and be accountable for. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. To the point of order. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we take great pains sometimes in refraining from speaking about some parts of the government because everybody, I am pretty sure on this side of the House and probably on that side, have someone they know working within the government. We feel that we can’t ask questions or make comments on certain parts of the government for fear of something like what happened yesterday. You can talk about our ability or inability as Members and the way we present ourselves here, but I believe, Mr. Speaker, when you mention a person’s family or you perceive to be making threats towards a person’s family, you cross a fine line. I back Mr. Ramsay up 100 percent in bringing this forward. Anybody who would like to protect their family wouldn’t stand for anything like this.

So, Mr. Speaker, I think it’s an unfortunate incident, but I can understand where my colleague is coming from and I commend him for it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Villeneuve.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also have to express my dismay at what happened yesterday here in the House. I know everything here spoke in this room is public and any gestures that are made in this House are made to the public also and not just to Members sitting here today. Just on that point, Mr. Speaker, if something like that takes place in this House, which is obviously not allowable, what kind of message is that going to send to the public when people that actually have concerns with government operations, government programs and the delivery of services, when they write a Minister a letter concerning a friend, relative or family member who is employed in that same department that they have concerns with, what kind of message is that going to send to them? They are going to say I don’t want to write that letter because I have family members that are actually working there. Even though I don’t like the service, I don’t want to get them in trouble. That was shown to us here yesterday of people who are actually going to start thinking like that because they don’t want to raise the concerns with anybody anymore, especially in this department, because of my family works there. They are employees and they have some kind of connection to that department. I think that will send a bad message out to the people of the NWT.

I know the ability for us to distance ourselves from issues that may seem too close to home is a trade in itself and it’s a real privilege to be able to stand here and be able to walk on that fine line which allows us to bring issues that we discuss in our own living rooms with our own family members about how government operates. These issues are sometimes, nine times out of 10, overshadowed by the fact that we are a small territory. Every issue that we do raise, there is some connection; some connection that is not at arm’s length for everybody. This government has been in operation for 40-plus years. We all know the dynamics of how the issues are brought forward and how they should be dealt with. I think that whole dynamic and all the things we have been working to achieve has been breached yesterday. It has kind of knocked us back into the dark ages of diplomacy and consensus government. Therefore, I can’t help but offer my support to the Member that is bringing this point of privilege forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This situation reminds me of the old saying that you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. Mr. Speaker, the public picks us, our friends pick us, our families pick us to all come to this Assembly as a family and to work together. Like many things, events in real life, things happen that we regret. I can personally tell you that I regret seeing what happened yesterday. I can feel the concern that Mr. Ramsay has. You can hear it in his voice.

That said, I also feel the sincerity from the Minister of his regret, because he made it quite clear, without restriction and without any qualification, he truly withdrew his comments. I can see it. He is a good man and I can see that he truly meant his apology. I certainly hope that we can all work together beyond this point. I really felt that, so I want to acknowledge that.

I can personally tell you, Mr. Speaker, that sometimes when unfounded suggestions are played out, sometimes even in the public, it is really distressing on the family. Again, whether you are completely found innocent or unfounded of any suggestion, your family takes quite a thrashing regardless of how it’s been drawn out and spit out. They are the backbone and they prop us up every day. Sometimes it’s when you kiss your kids on the way out the door, you just can’t wait to get home to see them again and you say I just can’t believe I got through this day.

It’s difficult standing here in the sense that it makes me think of how important my family is and how distressing it is, because they carry stress as much as we do, but again their hands are tied by the situation. It gives them no chance to help us defend our causes. I asked myself then, what happens when it’s not my name being thrashed around by the public, either by the press or other Members? What happens if it was my family’s name? I am going to have to stand with my Members today. I underscore that I honestly feel the Minister’s apology. I don’t think that should ever be forgotten that he does sincerely apologize, but unfortunate events have happened and we will have to see how the House proceeds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. To the point of privilege. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would really like to sincerely thank my colleagues here on this side of the House for their courage and conviction to speak to this very important issue. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to your ruling on this important issue. Thank you. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, for the record, I would like to stand before this House and unreservedly and in an unqualified way withdraw comments. I apologize to the Member and this House for those comments and indicate that I am sorry for any distress that I have caused to him or his family. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I presented my budget to this Assembly in February I spoke about a need to develop a broad macroeconomic policy for the NWT. Today I want to talk about how we will accomplish this.

We have all heard the statistics about the tremendous economic growth the NWT has experienced; 71 percent growth in gross domestic product since 1999, the highest employment rates in Canada and higher levels of income for workers. Much of this growth has come from investment in the construction of diamond mines and from exports of diamonds, with some growth associated with oil and gas exploration activities. Spin-offs from this growth have been experienced more strongly in the construction sector, manufacturing, and in the area of professional and technical services.

The labour market in the NWT is operating at close to full capacity. Higher incomes have resulted in increased consumer spending. The NWT retail sector and even our population has grown since 1999, but at a slower rate than the economy as a whole.

Despite a healthy economy, the linkages between the key economic drivers and the rest of the economy are still not well established. The local impacts of economic activity in the NWT are lower than would be seen in other parts of Canada.

Economic activity in the NWT over the next decade is forecast to continue to be strong. Expansion of the diamond mining industry, the construction of the Mackenzie gas project, and other potential projects all contribute to a positive economic outlook.

As I stated in the February budget address, the Northwest Territories faces important questions as we proceed with economic development. What do we want the NWT to look like in five, 10 or 20 years? What does this mean in terms of the types of economic development we should encourage? Do some types of economic development provide a better return to NWT residents than others? How do we address labour force issues? What key strategies and actions are needed to meet our goals? What government expenditure and taxation policies will best help us achieve our objectives?

We know we need to make investments in our economy and in our people, but our resources are limited. We will need to make choices and set priorities. We need a policy framework that will help guide us in setting these priorities.

Over the next few months we will be seeking advice from northerners on what this framework should look like. These questions will be presented to NWT residents, aboriginal and community leaders, business leaders, and other organizations. Advice from recognized experts will be sought to complement the research and analysis of our own staff. Guidance from the Members of the Legislative Assembly will be an important element of these consultations. We will solicit views through public advertisements, by writing the key stakeholders and organizing a number of roundtable discussions. This process has begun. People will be receiving materials and information soon, and two roundtables are scheduled to take place in Yellowknife and Inuvik in November.

When I present the 2007 budget next February, the Assembly will be presented with a document that summarizes the consultation results and presents proposals for next steps. I plan to seek further advice after that before coming back with a final paper with answers to the questions posed earlier.

That, of course, will not be the end of the process; it is only the beginning. Over the coming years, as we need to make choices, those choices can be analyzed and examined to determine the net economic benefit to the NWT, and recommendations can be made in light of the priorities that NWT residents have identified.

Mr. Speaker, I have been told by people in southern Canada that the message they hear from the NWT on development is foggy. Do we want development? It is not clear to those who view us from a distance. The answer may be yes, we want development, but we want it to happen in a way that will provide long-term, sustainable benefits for the NWT. To ensure this occurs, we, as NWT residents, need to be clear about our goals and priorities and what choices we are prepared to make to achieve them. A macroeconomic policy will help provide that clarity and direction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week across Canada.

Every year for the past 27 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada has championed Small Business Week to pay tribute to the contribution that small and medium-sized businesses make to our economy.

Approximately 90 percent of businesses in the NWT are considered to be small businesses. These businesses are the foundation of our most vibrant sectors and have been key components in our emergence as a leader in resource exploration and development.

In the NWT, it is small business that provides the energy and innovation behind our increasingly competitive and prosperous northern business environment. Our tourism industry, for example, is a sector built almost entirely on the commitment, hard work and endurance of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In celebration of Small Business Week, Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to have the honourable Member from Thebacha join me on Wednesday in showcasing a new videoconference facility now available at Canada Business NWT here in Yellowknife and also in Fort Smith. Together, my colleague and I were able to talk face to face with the general manager and representatives of the Thebacha Business Development Services in Fort Smith.

The technology we were demonstrating will allow Canada Business NWT to deliver an expanded menu of small business information, training, and services through the Alberta Business Link to our northern entrepreneurs. For business owners, particularly in Yellowknife and Fort Smith, it’s a venue through which to network with southern counterparts and those interested in and dedicated to small business and its development. We’re working to expand this service to several other NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, through its support of the NWT Business Development and Investment Corporation and Canada Business NWT, is committed to supporting small business as the primary driver in the development and diversification of our rapidly growing northern economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of National Foster Family Appreciation Week, October 15th to the 21st, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the contributions our foster families make in the lives of many children and families in the NWT.

For the past several years, over 400 foster families have provided a safe, caring home for over 600 of our most vulnerable children who require this service. Some of these foster families provide short-term care in emergency situations, while others have been providing a service to the same children for many years and thereby creating permanency and stability in the lives of those children.

I am pleased to report that the majority of foster homes in the Northwest Territories are either extended family or provisional homes that means that the foster families are known to the children and their families. It is our intention to continue to promote families helping families within their own communities.

Every day our foster parents provide safe and loving homes to help children and their families overcome hardships. Becoming a foster parent can be a sacrifice and an act of true selflessness. It is important to recognize that fostering involves the entire family and not just the parents. As such, I would like to say a special thank you to the children of our foster parents as they too open up their homes and hearts to other children in their community who require an alternate home during a period of crisis within their own family. The commitment and compassion shown by the foster parents and their families will not be forgotten, especially in the memories of the children they have touched.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to report that the Department of Health and Social Services, in consultation with key stakeholders, is currently reviewing foster care rates across the territory. We are currently finalizing recommendations that would allow for an equitable and standardized foster care rate system for all communities in the Northwest Territories.

Foster parent recruitment and retention continues to be a challenge in some communities. It is essential that our children be provided with services that they require while continuing to recognize the importance of family, community and culture in their lives. Our goal is to address these issues through continuing to provide support, to provide standardized training to all foster parents, and to adequately compensate foster families by recognizing regional cost of living differentials across the Northwest Territories.

This week, activities are happening all across this territory to recognize the contributions of foster families. Acknowledgement in local newspapers, radio stations, dinners and gifts of appreciation are some of the examples of how our regional authorities are demonstrating their appreciation to our foster families.

I would like to highlight that in one particular community, Aklavik, the community social services workers and community wellness workers hosted a community radio show with generous support from the community. The radio show was both informative and entertaining, with local musicians giving of their time to recognize the important contribution of foster families in that community.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I wish to convey my appreciation to the foster families in the Northwest Territories for their continued dedication, commitment and compassion that they demonstrate in such practical ways to support the children, their families, their extended families and their communities. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year this Assembly was the first government in Canada to fully support May 26th each year as a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation for residential school survivors and impacted communities. Mr. Speaker, I was very proud of the honourable Members and this government to demonstrate to all of Canada and, more importantly, to the residential school survivors in the Northwest Territories, that we believe that the message was that we believe in them and we offer our support to them in their healing and their forgiveness.

Mr. Speaker, the devastating impact of living in one of those residential schools have profoundly impacted our family lives and destroyed our way of life in the northern communities, life for the Dene and the Metis and the non-aboriginal people. We even had the non-aboriginal people live with us. They were like brothers. But residential school had no discrimination. It impacted everybody in that institution.

Mr. Speaker, only now we are truly beginning to see the serious injustice that happened to the nation of people and the price that was paid for being taken away or forced to attend these residential schools.

Mr. Speaker, it is said that we, as aboriginal people, are a patient people, we’re an understanding nation of communities and that we are survivors to whatever comes our way. We seem to adapt to changes, be they in the education system, learning a whole different way of life, just to make a living. Mr. Speaker, we are reminded that we are the fastest nation in the healing movement to get away from the abuses of the residential school. Given that only in the late 1950s that we as a nation of people were allowed to vote in this great democratic society called Canada, that’s just over 40 years, and were still considered wards of the state under the Indian Act of 1876. Childlike characters, as we were once referred to.

Mr. Speaker, what does this have to do with the residential school? It speaks to the very core of who we are now and who we are as we were characterized by other people. Mr. Speaker, our people are healing from very painful, shameful, and hurting parts of our lives, and the toughest part is that you have to live each day, to reconcile with people in institutions that supported and implemented the residential school policy.

Mr. Speaker, we are once again faced with the various attitudes…

Mr. Yakeleya, your time for Member’s statement is expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, honourable colleagues. …faced with various attitudes by people that want to keep our hearts buried and so in sufferance, Mr. Speaker, I am proud of this government to fully support May 26th as the national healing and reconciliation day. I am one of the residential school survivors. Hundreds of them are in the Sahtu region and I will not go back to the dark places of don’t talk, don’t feel, don’t trust. We need to free our people, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Mr. Roland’s fiscal update yesterday to the people of the Northwest Territories, there were two potentially positive announcements that could have a positive impact and a serious effect on our capital infrastructure in the Northwest Territories. The first was the $18 million increase in the operating surplus for the last fiscal year, and the second was the commitment by the federal government to respond to a request to remove the $300 million debt limit by the end of this year.

Mr. Speaker, two things arise out of this. The first one is, I’m definitely concerned that we may be overtaxing our citizens in an unnecessary way to have such a large surplus. The next one is, well, now that we have the money, what are our plans to do with it, this un-projected windfall?

The reason I raise this, Mr. Speaker, is there’s a capital infrastructure project in Yellowknife that definitely needs serious attention from this government, Mr. Speaker. Of course, if anyone hasn’t figured this out yet, I’m talking about the territorial dementia centre to be built here in Yellowknife in partnership with the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors. This would be a great godsend to the people of the Northwest Territories and Yellowknife that are struggling to care for their loved ones with these types of diseases.

Our present hospital and long-term care facilities do not have the equipment to deal with the demands that have arisen because of these problems. Advanced dementia in the hospitals and the costs associated with them are a difficult course that we follow and it’s difficult to pay for those and treat folks in a proper and fair way.

Mr. Speaker, what I’m really saying is, we need a dedicated dementia facility today and we have heard yesterday that we have, potentially, the funds to do this. Mr. Speaker, we need this facility because our residents with these advanced cases of dementia need to be cared for in an environment appropriate to their specific medical needs and we cannot treat these folks in the manner that we are.

I know the government has to make tough choices, Mr. Speaker, and sometimes we have to advance projects over others, but now we have possibly identified a source to get this project moving. So I believe, as many of my colleagues do, that this was positive news yesterday. So let’s do something positive with it. We have a territorial dementia facility plan. We have a group that wants to work in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, or Government of the Northwest Territories, in a positive way to do constructive things for our citizens.

So, Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will have questions for the Health and Social Services Minister later today to expect some decisive action about ways we can help solve these problems. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to address the limited availability of housing in Fort Liard. Many of our 27 small communities experience these problems. Fort Liard’s situation is critical and requires immediate attention by this government. Time after time I have stood before this House and requested action to address the housing crisis in Fort Liard, Mr. Speaker, and very little has been done. For the past two years there has been only two houses built there and no one is living in them because of deficiency issues. This year alone we have five scheduled homes. These are replacement homes. It doesn’t add to the community; it merely moves eight people out of a mouldy home into a new one without mould.

My leadership have been telling me that they have heard ideas and commitments from territorial and federal governments time and time again with no real action. We must not allow this cycle and circle of political merry-go-round to go on any longer. A new North has arrived, said the Prime Minister. Now let’s complement this with new and decisive actions.

The availability of housing and the unsafe housing conditions, such as indoor mould, affects the community’s ability to even recruit and retain professional staff, Mr. Speaker. How can we expect teachers and professionals and their families to live in motels for months at a time and still teach effectively, or, more importantly, to stay in our communities?

In the Nahendeh community of Fort Liard, the housing condition is at a critical point and we, as an Assembly and as a government, must take leadership and address these issues. Today we must take care of these needs, Mr. Speaker, not tomorrow. Mahsi cho.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I’m going to outline the convoluted process that our constituents who live in social housing must go through when attempting to pay their rent. These are the actual experiences of one of my able-bodied constituents in Hay River and does not take into account the additional struggles that are faced by the elderly, handicapped, or those who do not live close to the downtown core.

Mr. Speaker, first you have to go to Northland Utilities and pay your power bill, as proof must be submitted at the time your rent is calculated. Then you have to walk over to the ECE office with your pay stubs and have your rent calculated. Unfortunately, the employee who calculates the rent is not always there, so it can take up to two weeks to have your rent calculated. The ECE office is then supposed to fax the rent calculation over to the housing office in a timely fashion. But this does not always happen. However, Mr. Speaker, my constituent did tell me that the housing authority is at least very timely in sending you reminder letters that your rent is due on the first of every month and when you cannot get your rent calculated by ECE, when you figure that the information may have been sent or when you have confirmed the receipt by telephone, you can then walk down the street a couple of blocks to the housing office and if you’re lucky the information has arrived from ECE and they can tell you how much your rent is going to be that month. Unfortunately, since the housing office doesn’t accept cheques or have a debit machine, a person must then be prepared to pay cash on the spot, get a money order, or make a trip to the bank. If ECE hasn’t managed to get the required information to the housing association, the only way that you can stay out of arrears with housing is to pay what you paid the previous month and do an adjustment later when the rent calculation information finally arrives from ECE.

Mr. Speaker, this is a monthly source of aggravation to our constituents in social housing. I realize that there are growing pains associated with the transfer of any program, but if a program does not work in the second largest community in the Northwest Territories, I cannot imagine what is going on in the rest of the Territories and in the small communities.

Clearly, Mr. Speaker, there is a need to streamline the process and make it more user friendly. For example, just installing debit machines in the housing authority offices would make it somewhat easier for the clients. Having the ECE office attended on a regular basis would make it easier for the clients.

Since my constituent’s case…I don’t know what that means, but anyway. The bottleneck appears to be with ECE and I will have questions for that Minister at the appropriate time today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s truly an honour to acknowledge and recognize the NWT soccer records set by under 19 boys soccer team. For the first time ever, Team NWT won gold medal at major international outdoor soccer tournament, Mr. Speaker.

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Team NWT, 2 to 1, won over Team B.C. We have two previous bronze medals. Also, the first ever in NWT soccer history at major international outdoor soccer tournament in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in 1993. Most goals ever scored by Team NWT at major international outdoor soccer tournament, 22 goals in total. Mr. Speaker, most goals ever scored by Team NWT in one game at major international outdoor soccer tournament, 17 goals in total. First ever shut-out earned at major international outdoor soccer tournament, Donovan Bishop earned one zero-shut-out to win against Team Manitoba, Mr. Speaker. First time ever Team NWT beat Team B.C., two to one. First time ever Team NWT beat Team Alberta, 17 to 1, Mr. Speaker.

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Most goals ever scored by a single player in a single game, record set by two players, Marvin Migwi and Tyrone Fish. Each scored five goals apiece against Team Alberta.

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Youngest player ever on Team NWT to score one or more goals at major international outdoor soccer tournament. Tyler Sage scored two goals against Team Alberta. First goal ever scored by Team NWT against Team B.C. First goal ever scored by Team NWT against Team Alberta. Youngest team ever to represent Team NWT at a major international outdoor soccer tournament; three-quarters of the team was between the ages of 14 and 17 years of age playing in the under 19 age category, Mr. Speaker. Youngest goalkeeper ever to play for Team NWT at a major international outdoor soccer tournament, David Junior Wedzin was only a fresh 15 years old when he played against Team Alberta, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, congratulations Team NWT. You have proven yet again another success story to cherish and share. Mahsi.

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Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I just want to talk about the great elders’ facility in Deninu Kue. Currently, there are no elders living in the main building that is designed to accommodate up to four residents or elders. The community is well aware that this facility is not a long-term care facility, but they do support the options proposed in the review of the memorandum of understanding and the possibility of the reprofiling of a facility to better meet the needs of the community.

Mr. Speaker, the issues brought to the Minister’s attention about the proposed uses of the facility are not issues that are specifically related to the need to have the facility full of seniors at all times, but these concerns are just about the management and the authority, or lack thereof, of the community organizations respecting the use of the building. One of the main concerns is the fact that the Housing Corporation that owns the great elders’ main building or the facility in Fort Resolution has more say than any other community organization when it comes to what the allowable uses of the facility are and could be. I don’t think that the Housing Corporation consults with the Deninu Kue First Nations or Fort Resolution’s Metis Nation, the Deninu Community Council or any residents when receiving requests from these organizations and residents alike on possible uses or even temporary ones.

The requests such as having wakes for deceased residents and elders and their relatives held within the main building or perhaps providing temporary shelter to victims of domestic abuse within the community. Also, temporary residents for possibly the homeless or some seniors who are still living at home but are waiting for emergency home repairs. These are just some of the ideas that always seem to fall on deaf ears, Mr. Speaker, when they are brought to the proper authorities to seek permission and gain access to the building, which, in turn, always results in residents becoming frustrated with protocol and with the lack of compassion shown by this government and its officials toward community requests to use the main facility, which is usually empty, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the next Health and Social Services…