Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber. Welcome to all our guests in the Chamber today in the gallery.
Colleagues, on behalf of Members, I would like to congratulate Wendy Bisaro on being named the 2011 winner of the Ann MacLean Award for Outstanding Service by Women in Municipal Politics.
---Applause
The NWT Association for Communities nominated Wendy for this prestigious award. We are very pleased to see our friend and colleague honoured for her nearly two decades of outstanding service to her community. And, of course, she continues to serve Yellowknifers at the territorial level.
The Ann MacLean Award is presented annually by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to recognize women municipal politicians who have shown exemplary service to their community and constituents and to mentoring women who want to run in elected municipal office.
The Ann MacLean Award for Outstanding Service by Women in Municipal Politics was created in April of 2009 and is named in honour of former CFM President Ann MacLean and retired long-time mayor of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
Ms. Bisaro was first selected to the board of trustees for Yellowknife Education District No. 1 in 1988. She was re-elected three times and served as a board member for 12 years and also as a board chairperson.
Ms. Bisaro moved to municipal politics in 2000 and was elected to Yellowknife City Council for two consecutive three-year terms. She was chosen to serve as deputy mayor by her fellow council members during her second term.
Ms. Bisaro was elected to the 16th Legislative Assembly on October 1, 2007, as the Member for Frame Lake in Yellowknife. Congratulations, Ms. Bisaro.
---Applause
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to advise this House that a ceremony was held today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this territory have made to education.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment launched the Education Hall of Fame in 2010. We recognize that we all play an important role in supporting the education of our children and the Education Hall of Fame reflects the valuable contributions that people make as educators, volunteers, board members, administrators, and other community members.
In February 2011 we distributed advertisements requesting nominations be put forward for those Northerners who made lasting and selfless contributions to education. Nominations poured in from every region and seven people were chosen from across the territory. The 2011 inductees embody the commitment, diligence, creativity, and passion that we want education to inspire in us all.
Ms. Joanne Tetlichi from Fort McPherson is a custodian of 18 years at Chief Julius School and a coach. She takes great pride in her work and greets the students every morning, and opens her home to anyone in need of a safe place.
Mrs. Dorothy Beaulieu of Fort Resolution began her teaching career as a part-time classroom assistant in 1974, and over her 30 years as an educator she taught many subjects to all grades. After teaching Chipewyan for 22 years, Mrs. Beaulieu earned an Aboriginal Language Certificate and continued teaching Chipewyan until she retired.
Mrs. Ethel Blondin-Andrew of Tulita taught for 10 years across the Northwest Territories before moving to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment as a language specialist fluent in North Slavey. Ethel was involved in policy development for the preservation of Aboriginal languages and culture. In 1988 she became the first Aboriginal woman to be elected to the Parliament of Canada and appointed to the Privy Council and Cabinet. During her tenure as a Member of Parliament, she served as Secretary of State and then Minister of State for Children and Youth. Ethel now sits on the Aurora College Board of Governors and remains a tireless advocate for children in the North.
Mr. Ed Jeske began teaching at Sir John Franklin High School in 1958 and devoted his time and energy to his students both in the classroom, the heavy duty mechanics shop, and on the hockey ice. Even after retiring in 1989, he continued mentoring hundreds of youth on the ice as a hockey coach.
Ms. Lucy Lafferty spent her nearly 30 years in education as an educational assistant, teacher, principal, and director of education in the Tlicho region. She was instrumental in the implementation of many language and culture programs, including Community Teacher Education Program and Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program. Ms. Lafferty continues supporting education today as the culture coordinator for the Tlicho Community Services Agency.
Ms. Margaret Field passionately provided students in Fort Providence with an education balanced with both academic and cultural knowledge for 41 years. With positions such as supervisor at LaPointe Hall, classroom assistant, teacher, and later as community adult educator, almost every child in the community learned her lessons in academics, culture and Slavey, and some returned as adults to continue their education with her.
Mr. Garth Brasseur came to Yellowknife in 1989 to teach at St. Patrick’s High School and has since taken on roles of teacher, friend, confidant, advocate, taskmaster, coach, counsellor, tutor, drug and alcohol counsellor, taxi driver, lawyer and parent. His unconventional methods forged trust with even the most at-risk students, relating to them at their level as he works to affect change and see them through to graduation.
Of these distinguished people, some are with us today in the gallery, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, today we stand on the shoulders of giants. Without the dedication and hard work of these people and people like them, education in the North would not be where it is today. Just as they built upon the foundation laid by the many people who came before them, we must continue to build upon their efforts for strong minds and a strong North.
Mr. Speaker, this is our second group of inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. They are truly impressive people who inspire thousands of us to do more, be better and believe in ourselves.
Healthy, educated people is one of the goals of this Assembly, and I hope all Members of this Assembly will join me in honouring the inductees in the Education Hall of Fame and thank them for dedicating their life’s work to the students of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan. The action plan outlines how the Water Stewardship Strategy will be implemented and reflects the needs and interests of NWT residents. Implementing the plan will address this Assembly’s priority to ensure an environment that sustains present and future generations and protects our water supply and quality.
The action plan builds upon the multi-year, multi-million dollar Water Stewardship Strategy, and is the result of multiple water partner meetings, public input and multi-agency workshops. It represents the interests of the GNWT, Aboriginal governments, environmental non-government organizations, regulatory bodies, industry, federal government departments, NWT residents and interested parties across the North.
The action plan was developed by the GNWT, the Government of Canada and the Aboriginal Steering Committee, with active input from NWT residents. Water partners worked with Aboriginal governments to ensure Aboriginal and treaty rights as well as spiritual and cultural values are well respected. Both scientific and traditional knowledge continue to play a crucial role in informing decision-making and water stewardship by all users and regulators of water in the Northwest Territories.
The action plan identifies the key components central to the successful implementation of the strategy such as transboundary water agreement negotiations, community-based monitoring and a collaborative partnership approach to all implementation.
Mr. Speaker, the successful implementation is contingent on water partners working together. Many of the strategy’s actions address the means to routinely share information and work together with multiple agencies to plan priority actions and establish partnerships. Our partnerships with Aboriginal governments and the Government of Canada will ensure ongoing dialogue, and interagency collaboration continues to benefit all water partners.
Protecting our territorial waters remains a strong priority for this government. The action plan outlines the actions we will take to maintain and sustain our watersheds for the benefit of current and future generations. Development activities have the potential to alter the equality, the quantity and the timing of water flow. These changes can affect aquatic ecosystem health and, as a consequence, affect how we can rely on these water sources.
With increased pressure on our water resources being felt from both within the Northwest Territories and upstream in Alberta and British Columbia, we must ensure our rich natural resources are protected. It also requires a willingness at the political level to make change.
We believe the Water Stewardship Strategy and this action plan represent such a change. The collaborative, inclusive approach we’ve used to develop these initiatives should be seen as a model for how we, as a government, plan on managing water and land resources when responsibility is devolved.
The action plan will address a number of issues including the rapid pace of oilsands and hydroelectric development in the upstream reaches of the Mackenzie River Basin. It will also serve as a foundation as we continue negotiations on a bilateral transboundary water agreement with Alberta.
During the past fiscal year this government has helped form the Slave River and Delta Partnership that includes the GNWT and 15 different organizations as water partners working towards a community-based water quality and fish monitoring program. An expert was also contracted to assist in developing a source water protection model that will assist all communities in the NWT in developing their own personalized plan.
As water partners we must continue to show strong leadership in water stewardship to ensure the sustainable use of this valuable resource. Decisions on how the waters within our watersheds are used have the potential to affect many ecosystems. With this action plan, we can develop and execute sound and effective water management policies. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation continues to work with the local housing organizations (LHOs) in their rent collection efforts under the Public Housing Program. This work is intended to increase collection of rent and rental arrears. These funds are reinvested in community housing.
Mr. Speaker, the success of the Public Housing Program depends on a partnership between the Housing Corporation, LHOs and tenants. If each does their part, it contributes to the sustainability of the program and reduces the cost of living to Northwest Territories residents and it also contributes to the overall sustainability, vibrancy and safety of communities, one of the goals of this Assembly.
As Members are aware, public housing arrears have accumulated over a number of years. They are now a significant challenge to us and to communities in our efforts to address housing needs.
We recognize that the long-term solution to housing relies on partnerships with communities and individuals, and an understanding that addressing arrears is a shared responsibility. We also believe that our approach must be fair and equitable, recognizing that many of our public housing tenants have faithfully paid their rents for many years. We work closely with tenants so they can stay in their homes. We counsel them and help them to develop repayment plans.
Local housing organizations are doing excellent work in delivering the Public Housing Program. Although some LHOs continue to face challenges, the NWTHC and LHOs are working together to ensure a common and consistent approach. Most LHOs have improved their assessment and collection rates. In just the last year, monthly assessments have increased from 65 to 90 percent. We also have approximately six LHOs that have a collection rate of over 100 percent, reflecting collections of both monthly payments and arrears. We expect that our year-end financial statements will show a strong correlation between improvements in rent assessments and collections.
But it is still a challenge in some communities. We need to make sure that all of our tenants are aware that their rent is an investment in their community.
Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging to see that more and more tenants are choosing to work with our LHOs in order to succeed and remain in their homes. The majority of tenants pay their rent on a regular basis and I want to thank them for continuing to work with their community LHOs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The time has come again where representatives from Statistics Canada have fanned out across the Northwest Territories to complete the national census.
The Government of Canada is required to conduct a census of the population every five years. Historically, the census has been composed of two mandatory parts. The “short form” questionnaire which includes questions on a number of people in the dwelling, their age and gender, and information on languages, and the “long form” questionnaire which looked at more detailed subject areas such as Aboriginal identity, education, housing and employment. For 2011 the federal government has eliminated the mandatory long form for the census and replaced it with a voluntary survey called the National Household Survey.
It is important that residents of the NWT complete both the census and the National Household Survey for a number of reasons. Many national and territorial programs use population estimates based on the census to distribute funding, including the territorial financing formula. Since each person counted in the NWT yields approximately $28,000 per person per year from the federal government, it is important to all Northerners that every person is counted in the census so that we can continue to deliver programs and services. NWT residents need to ensure that they include all members of their family in the census, including those who are away at school or working in the mines or anyone else staying with them with no regular home.
Completing the National Household Survey is also important as it helps us understand how our communities are doing with respect to education levels, employment patterns, housing conditions and income. These statistics are the foundation for community planning, monitoring programs, developing policies and identifying emerging issues.
I want to take this opportunity to encourage all residents of the Northwest Territories to complete both the census and the National Household Survey, and I ask my colleagues to promote this important initiative in their constituencies.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of the Northwest Territories for participating in the census and the National Household Survey. These important sources of community information would not be available without the cooperation and goodwill of our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 12th, during question period, I indicated that I would share with committee the report and recommendations, and I will do that on a confidential basis. I am prevented legally from sharing the report. Subsection 15(4) of the Evidence Act prevents any person with whom the report is shared from disclosing it unless it is for the purpose of medical research or medical education. It can also be shared for the purpose of other quality assurance committee activities which are carried out by quality assurance committees.
I wish to clarify that, as I stated previously, I will provide Standing Committee on Social Programs with any recommendations that result from the review of the incident and that I will also share those recommendations with Mrs. Leishman.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent of this House to proceed and advance to recognition of visitors in the gallery under today’s agenda item number five.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to highlight the inductees for 2011 Education Hall of Fame that are here with us: Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Lucy Lafferty, Ed Jeske, Margaret Field, Dorothy Beaulieu and Garth Brasseur. Congratulations.
[English translation not provided.]
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize constituents of mine in the gallery today: Mrs. Dorothy Beaulieu and Mr. Angus Beaulieu, her husband.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour today to recognize Mandy Day, part of the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre in Inuvik.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the Grade 5 class from Sissons that’s here today in the gallery and has been visiting the Assembly. The students who are visiting us here today are: Kienan Ashton, Aliya Aumond, Nicolas Bennett, Grace Clark, Sophie Clark, Daniel Enge, Noah Hache, Delilah Hashi, Sean Irwin, Jack Panayi, Jacob Schubert, Lauren Seabrook, Jesper Sorensen, Niva Stephenson, Sarah Taggart-Miles, Anne Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, and their teacher, Monique Marinier.
Finally, I would also like to recognize Mr. Ed Jeske, a worthy recipient of today’s Education Hall of Fame Award, and of course the lovely Ms. Vivian Squires, executive director of the YK Seniors’ Society.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to stand today and recognize Ms. Tina McNeill from the Uncle Gabe’s Friendship Centre in Fort Smith.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize all of the recent inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. In particular, my old friend and teaching colleague, Mr. Ed Jeske. I’d also like to recognize Mr. Garry Hubert, who is the executive director of the SideDoor Ministries.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the gallery a good constituent of mine, Mr. Amir Suliman. I would also like to welcome all the participants of the youth centre’s conference that’s going on here in Yellowknife. I’m sure their MLAs will stand up and recognize them, but we have I think four or five of them up there that are not from the Northwest Territories and I’ll use this as an opportunity to recognize them: Josy Labbe from Youth Centres Canada, Dale Pearson from Youth Centres Canada, Kevin Morris from Youth Centres Canada, Benjamin Leikin from the City of Ottawa, and Colby Tootoosis from the City of Saskatoon. Welcome to the NWT and welcome to the Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize constituents of Nahendeh in the gallery here: Mr. Aaron McNabb, executive director of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre in Fort Simpson; Ms. Breagh Ingarfield from Nahanni Butte; and Ms. Shaylene Moses out of Wrigley. Mahsi cho and welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to welcome everybody here today. I want to especially recognize an inductee to the Hall of Fame, a well-known educator from Fort Providence, Ms. Margaret Field. She’s been working for many years at the school and more recently as an adult educator. She was here as a senior parliamentarian and did a very good job. I want to say congratulations to her. I also wanted to congratulate her on her most recent addition to her clan, her recent grandchild that was born about a month ago.
I also wanted to, since I don’t get very many visitors here, recognize a former resident of Fort Providence, Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew and her husband. I want to say welcome to them, too.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the delegation of youth at the Tree of Peace conference: Sheena Kochon from Colville Lake, Gloria Gaudet from the community of Deline, Freda Kelly from Gahcho Kue Dene Fort Good Hope community, and Myles Erb, one of the Canol trekkers from Norman Wells.
I also want to recognize Ms. Ethel Blondin-Andrew and her husband Leon, and to congratulate Ethel on her achievement of being a Hall of Famer in education.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to start by recognizing some members of Weledeh in Ms. Marinier’s class. I’d like to start with Miss Sophie Clark and Miss Grace Clark, Miss Niva Stephenson, Master Kienan Ashton, Master Jack Panayi. Welcome to the House.
I’d also like to add my congratulations to all of the recent inductees into the Education Hall of Fame and thank them for their tremendous work.
I see Father Don Flumerfelt who used to be of Yellowknife -- I’m not sure where he is these days -- in the House. I’d like to recognize him.
Perhaps most importantly I’d like to recognize my mother, Barbara Bromley, resident of Yellowknife and Weledeh and with a bevy of old-time Yellowknifers including Jan Stirling, Ed Jeske and Vivian Squires.
Finally, I’d like to recognize some old friends from Rendezvous Lake: Billy and Eileen Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize all the nominees to the Education Hall of Fame. In particular I want to recognize Ed Jeske. I’ll have to bow to him every time I see him now with all of his nominations.
Also Ethel Blondin-Andrew, a fellow student at Grandin College for many years, and her husband, Leon Andrew.
Margaret Field, another Fort Providencer from way back.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a couple of constituents from the Great Slave riding. First I’d like to recognize Ms. Jan Stirling. I’d also like to recognize Mr. Mark Bogan.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it is an honour of mine to welcome my uncle, Billy Jacobson and my auntie, Eileen, from Rendezvous Lake in Tuktoyaktuk.
I’d like to welcome Annie Smith, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, and Leon. It’s good to see them.
A constituent from Paulatuk, Lanita Thrasher; and from Sachs Harbour, Jolene Donovan. Welcome to the House.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. It gives me great pleasure today to recognize my wife, Davida, in the gallery today. It’s not very often I get to introduce her. Also with her is my executive assistant, Sue Tkachuk.
I would also like to recognize Father Don in the Chamber today. He’s the parish priest from Hay River. Welcome.
If we’ve missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the Chamber. I hope you’re enjoying the proceedings. It’s always nice to have an audience in here.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Today I wish to talk about the problem with dust in the Tu Nedhe communities. In Fort Resolution the hamlet council plans to have the community chipsealed this summer. I understand they have put the money into the plan to chipseal the community. I believe they are looking at the economies of scale and will be working with DOT to have the community chipsealed while Highway No. 6 is being done.
In Lutselk’e the situation is quite different. In Lutselk’e the community plan on paper does not match the actual siting of the residential houses in the community. However, the community does not wish to relocate the houses and would rather have the plan redrawn to match actual sitings of the houses.
In the summer months there is a cloud of dust sitting over Lutselk’e as long as there are vehicles moving around the community. Lutselk’e has just become responsible for the municipal services in the last two or three years. I feel that they could use the support from this government to make it possible to put some dust suppressant on the road this summer or fall.
The Department of MACA must continue to provide support and the logistics of actually getting the product into Lutselk’e and some technical support to apply the product. I have spoken to the SAO and he advises me that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to get the work completed this summer without the support of the government.
MACA should not be taking the position that they are no longer responsible for completing capital projects in the communities. What will it take for MACA’s staff to ensure that this project gets completed? The project is very important to the whole community. The community needs the project completed this summer. They have the funding and they need the assistance in the technical aspects of the project, such as the amount of material needed, what preparation work is needed, and the marshalling of the materials and equipment into the community.
