Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in this Assembly we came together as Members to establish our vision, goals, and priorities. Members agreed we would not simply work for the status quo. Rather we would work collaboratively to achieve real progress for the Territory. Since then our government has used the vision and goals and priorities of the 16th Assembly to formulate our plans and actions.
Unlike the typical stovepipe approach to the way we worked in the past, Strategic Initiatives Committees have been formed to direct investments into the priority areas identified by Members. These committees involve a cross-section of Ministers and deputy ministers to benefit from the various departmental and personal perspectives they offer.
We have taken the unprecedented step of inviting Regular Members to participate on all of those committees. So far, Members have all expressed an interest in the new Refocusing Government committee, with two Regular Members currently participating in the work on issues like board reform and program reviews. We have established a committee to specifically address small community issues attended by two Ministers and small community Members. We are finalizing the terms of reference for a plan of change committee,
again with participation from Regular Members and Ministers.
Much attention has been focused lately on the displeasure of Members with the record of this government. I believe the people of the Northwest Territories expect all Members to work together and I believe that most people in the NWT have not lost faith in their government.
We cannot move forward as a government and as a Territory if we are constantly threatened with removal from office. Yes, Cabinet should be held accountable, but if the threat of removal is held over a Minister’s head every time we come together for session, it cannot be long before paralysis creeps in bringing our collective efforts to a grinding halt. Our Territory, the people we represent, and we ourselves deserve better.
When we talk about accountability of government we must be clear what we are talking about. I believe accountability should be measured by results and it’s hard to achieve results when we are working against each other.
We started with a conservative fiscal approach in our first budget, getting control of the growth in our spending. Some reductions were necessary to begin to achieve this. Yesterday Mr. Miltenberger delivered another good budget, appropriate for our time.
Our budget process is testament to the collaborative work of Members and Cabinet. Our first budget passed unanimously and so far comments on this most recent budget have been positive. This government believes that infrastructure is the cornerstone of the future success of our Territory. If we want to see roads to resources then we have to have the visionary approach to support it.
Yes, we have committed to the Deh Cho Bridge Project, an initiative of the previous Assembly. The partnership approach to this project supports the development of capacity and the economy in our small communities. It’s exactly the type of project our economy needs right now, just like other infrastructure projects in our other communities around the NWT; the road to source 77 Tuktoyaktuk, water treatment plant upgrades in Aklavik, tank farm upgrades in Deline and Fort Good Hope, the Adult Supported Living Facility in Hay River, school board replacements in Fort Simpson, runway extensions in Tulita and Fort Good Hope.
Changes to the Supplementary Health Benefits Program may have been rolled out prematurely, but we have promised to review the changes, consult with stakeholders and the public, and bring back a better revision to the program.
The lending of money from the Opportunities Fund is a necessary step in these economic times. Governments in other jurisdictions are supporting their businesses in similar ways and our government should be no different. The talk is generated by businesses that are an important source of revenue for the GNWT. Hundreds of jobs in communities are supported by this loan. We look forward to Members’ input on the future use of dollars from this fund.
When I look back on this Assembly so far I don’t see disappointment. I see progress. I see many good things happening that this government has already achieved with the collaboration of Regular Members. Going forward it is the type of progress we should all focus on as Members. A few examples:
We were one of the first jurisdictions to conclude an agreement with Canada under the Building Canada Plan for infrastructure projects in the NWT.
We’ve made changes to the capital planning process that will improve how the GNWT plans, acquires, and delivers its infrastructure projects, and developed a strategy to reduce our infrastructure maintenance deficit.
We’ve made significant progress with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and aboriginal governments on the NWT Water Strategy.
We have introduced a new Species at Risk Act, currently in the public consultation phase.
We continue with the implementation of the New Deal for NWT community governments.
We’ve established the Alternative Energy Program to encourage community governments, businesses, and NWT residents to implement alternative energy solutions like solar hot water heating, photovoltaic technologies, wind turbines, and ground-source heat pumps.
Some of our own capital projects, like the North Slave Correctional Facility, Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, K’alemi Dene School, and St. Joseph School, are using wood pellet boilers.
We’ve signed an MOU with NWT diamond mines to increase efforts to get more NWT residents working at the mines and bring more mine workers to live in the NWT.
We’ve established a new policy and program for support for entrepreneurs and economic development.
We continue to move ahead with the full implementation of the framework for consultations with aboriginal governments and organizations.
We’re moving closer to realizing the Mackenzie Gas Project.
And we’ve submitted a proposal to Canada to bring resolution to the devolution file on our terms.
On the ground, in our communities, we’re doing things that make a difference in the lives of our residents.
We’ve reached an agreement with the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors for the construction and operation of a Territorial Dementia Centre.
We’ve introduced ice-spraying technology to speed the opening of ice roads in the Beaufort-Delta resulting in opening for the Dempster Highway Peel River crossing and Arctic Red River crossing approximately three weeks earlier than usual.
We’ve partnered with Canada to upgrade water treatment and sewage projects in Fort Smith, Hay River, and Fort Simpson under the Canada-NWT Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
We’ve successfully implemented the Affordable Housing Initiative, with more than 450 units built to date, with more units to build during the 2009-2010 construction year.
We’ve received greater than our per capita share of new federal housing investments, evidenced by recent federal announcements of a second $50 million investment in NWT housing, and our share of the $1 billion fund for public housing renovations.
We’ve increased investment in the quality of our housing stock through investments in CARE and renovations to public housing.
We’ve opened victim services offices in Aklavik, Paulatuk, Behchoko, Gameti, and Whati, with a new Sachs Harbour outreach position in Inuvik.
We’ve re-opened the Sachs Harbour RCMP detachment. Officers have been hired to police Gametì and Wrigley from nearby communities while infrastructure is being put in place.
We’ve taken innovative approaches to our fuel purchase and transportation requirements that allow us to reduce fuel costs in our communities, as Mr. Miltenberger announced yesterday in the budget.
I believe it is too easy to send the wrong message to ourselves, to our constituents, and to the rest of the country. Not everything we do will find favour with everyone, but it is incumbent on us as elected representatives of our residents to determine the best course forward for the Territory.
There are good times ahead for our Territory, despite the current economic turmoil. All Members need to re-commit to the initial spirit of collaboration we expressed at the start of this Assembly to achieve the best for our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
Mr. Speaker, rare earth elements are being increasingly sought for their importance in the development of green technologies.
It is rare earth elements such as dysprosium that allow electric motors to remain lightweight and small, yet deliver the efficiency and power required for modern vehicles. Europium is used in florescent lighting which cuts energy use by 75 percent compared to incandescent lighting. Terbium is used in energy efficient fluorescent lamps. Yttrium is used in almost every vehicle on the road. Yttrium-based materials improve the fuel efficiency of engines.
Despite continued challenges for the mineral exploration industry, Avalon Ventures Ltd. continues to be diligent in advancing their Thor Lake Project in the NWT, a rare earth element deposit located 110 kilometers south east of Yellowknife.
For the NWT, the importance of this project cannot be overemphasized. Rare earth elements represent another market for products from our resource-rich Territory. It is one that we anticipate will grow significantly in coming years, particularly in light of statements by U.S. President Obama that he would like to see U.S. manufacturers focus on developing more efficient cars that cause less pollution and will contribute to U.S. efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Avalon’s ongoing presence in the NWT, along with similar exploration and development activities in our Territory, is an indicator that our region is recognized as a source for these rare and important resources.
The development of rare earth elements in the NWT will provide us with yet another opportunity to maximize the benefits from our Territory's resource development and to promote growth in our economy. Ultimately, the advancement of world-class deposits such as Avalon's Thor Lake Project will mean jobs for our people and the potential for new, exciting and diversified industries.
Yesterday, Mr. Bill Mercer, vice-president with Avalon Ventures Ltd., joined members of this government in celebrating the launching the Mine Training Society’s Surface Diamond Driller Helper Training Program in which Avalon Ventures is an important partner.
This is the first time that the exploration industry has partnered in a Mine Training Society project. It is another example of our government’s priority to invest in partnerships for the future and to maximize opportunities by investing in education and skill development.
More importantly, it is a testament to the commitment of Avalon Ventures to our Territory and to the potential that exists for our communities, our people and our economic future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Justice, Mr. Lafferty.
Mr. Speaker, this winter the federal government implemented a savings plan to assist persons with disabilities and their families.
The Registered Disability Savings Plan, or RDSP, is a tax-free investment to financially support persons with disabilities. For every dollar invested into an RDSP, the federal government also provides a contribution in the form of grants or bonds, which are based on the beneficiaries’ annual household income.
When withdrawing RDSPs, beneficiaries will receive a combination of the accumulated contributions, grants, bonds and income. Upon withdrawal, beneficiaries will only be taxed on the grant, bond and income.
Withdrawals from RDSPs will not affect federal income-tested benefits and credits, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit, the Goods and Services Tax Credit and Old Age Security benefits.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to confirm today that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment will fully exempt both the RDSP asset and RDSP withdrawals from consideration in the assessment process for all ECE income security programs.
The Government of the Northwest Territories supports the federal government’s plan for persons with disabilities. This program supports our vision to give NWT residents the opportunity to become self-reliant as individual capacity allows, to participate fully in community life, and to share in opportunities available to them in their communities. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A society is measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable in its society from the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, the widows and the people who are living in poverty in our small communities. Mr. Speaker, a lot of programs and services totally undermine the fundamental basics of society that really cares. Mr. Speaker, without communities, policing, nursing, the fundamental services of mental health workers, alcohol and drug workers, income support systems that totally exclude people from the fundamental basis of having someone live with you, elders who are basically not able to access fuel subsidies to heat their homes where they have to use their pensions…(inaudible)…excluded them because they had outstanding arrears with government some 15 years ago.
Mr. Speaker, a government that undermines the fundamental basics of protecting the vulnerable in our society clearly shows that the government does not care. Various Members of this Assembly passed a motion several times unanimously to change the income support system and make it fair and accessible to all people in the Northwest Territories. What we have seen, Mr. Speaker, is the opposite of this government going full speed ahead doing whatever it wants, telling everybody where there are deadlines, April 1st or before September 1st, seniors health supp is going to be implemented. I am sorry; you can have all the consternation in the world, but that tells me that they are going to continue to go full speed ahead and undermine the people of the Northwest Territories with the attitude of this government. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
...(inaudible)...the village of Fort Simpson and the Fort Simpson Fire Department have told me that they need a highway rescue vehicle to respond to emergencies of travelers on highways. They need a highway rescue vehicle because it includes specialized equipment to cut and safely extract people from their vehicles after an accident. The closest vehicle with this type of lifesaving equipment is only 400 kilometres away in Hay River. We also need a highway rescue vehicle because now, when there is an emergency on the highway, the village is left without an ambulance sometimes for the greater part of the day to look after its own emergencies.
Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs are supposed to be working on a plan including highway rescue services. I haven’t seen results from that work and I haven’t seen anything in the budget. I would like to hear from the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs on this important matter. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was talking about the loan from the Opportunities Fund to Discovery Air. I just wanted to stand up in the House today and make a short statement. It wasn’t my intent yesterday to speak of Discovery Air or their shareholders in a negative light. I appreciate and welcome the contribution that Discovery Air provides to the economy in the Northwest Territories and everything they do for our residents.
My big issues yesterday, Mr. Speaker, were with the lack of a process that saw that loan approved, the lack of any meaningful discussion with Regular Members prior to the policy change, that saw the Opportunities Fund go from a passive investment vehicle to a high risk loan fund, and the fact that both the Minister of ITI and the Minister of Finance showed up for two consecutive meetings without any backup information pertaining to the loan or pertaining to Discovery Air.
Again, my apologies if I have offended anybody at Discovery Air. I do think that they are doing a wonderful job here in the North and I welcome again the contribution that they provide to our economy. My issue is with the government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
Mr. Speaker, as I listened yesterday to the territorial government budget address, I was very sad to hear that our region in terms of programs and services hadn’t been mentioned. A case in point: the hydro initiatives. I understand that Lutselk’e and Whati were mentioned but Deline has been working for many years on the mini-hydro project and they see no support on Deline being mentioned in terms of this project.
That is why I am very frustrated with this government in terms of things that are very high for us in the Sahtu region and other areas, the cost of living, energy, infrastructure… I can name so many things that we do not seem to get the attention as other areas are getting millions in terms of improving their standard of living, reducing their cost of living, that our community seems to be overlooked because our infrastructure is not put in place. We have been asking for so many things in our region. Number one, again, to me is the hydro project. Believe in the people in Deline when they say they have a solution that could work. It may not work for this government or by the board of directors of NTPC and the staff at NTPC, but the people in Deline believe it and I believe in my people. This will help the community. This will help the region. That is where I have issues with this budget here. My people need infrastructure desperately.
I look forward to the details in this budget in terms of what type of health care can my people expect in terms of a regional wellness centre or some sort of hospital. There is no indication from this government that they’re even going to look at it. They have good answers in terms of why we don’t have it right now today but planning for it. But right away we get $15 million for the Territorial Dementia Centre in Yellowknife over the years. My people are sick and tired of jumping on small aircraft with 2010 rules and regulations coming from Transport Canada to come to a larger centre for health care. They want to stay home...
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest again this morning as our Finance Minister was on the radio talking about the blind ambition of particularly myself, political ambition to sit on this side of the House. Mr. Speaker, let me tell the people again of the Northwest Territories that I did sit on the other side of the House at one time. I believe it was two governments ago. In 2000 I sat in this House on the Cabinet side and as a result of some things that occurred, which were highly publicized at the time, this House decided to strike a committee of inquiry which determined that as a result of a tape recording of a statutory officer, that I should resign. I did not put it to a vote on the floor of the House. I did what I thought was the right thing after the findings of that inquiry and I voluntarily resigned. Mr. Speaker, might I suggest that I then returned to the Regular Members’ side of the House and I continued to do my work, honoured the work, as an honourable Member for my constituents. I was subsequently elected two more times to this Legislature.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity this morning to read an excerpt of a report that was signed off by Mr. Miltenberger and Mr. Roland at the time of the conclusion of that inquiry, because I think it’s very relevant to the situation we find ourselves in today and why, in my opinion, the Premier should have resigned and done the honourable thing a long time ago. I quote: “It is in the view of the committee, a poor measure of the moral standards of this government and it reflects on all those who are associated with it, be they as elected Members or staff. Mr. Speaker, the measure of moral conduct is not that which occurs when the world at large may be watching. The measure of moral conduct involves taking the right action even when only those directly involved are privy to the circumstances. Ethical behaviour is not behaviour that is undertaken for demonstration purposes, it is undertaken because it is right.”
Mr. Speaker, that statement was signed off on by this Premier on my lack of a moral compass for tape recording a statutory officer for which I took responsibility and resigned from Cabinet.
Mr. Speaker, this Premier was sleeping with the committee clerk of our committee for six months and did not find it necessary to disclose that to us while she sat through all of our confidential briefings, in camera meetings, and did not think it was necessary on his moral compass to disclose that to us. He is the one who should be resigning, Mr. Speaker, and he should quit trying to blame others for his immoral and unethical behaviour. Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to talk about strokes and possible solutions for them for northern residents. Stroke is an injury to the part of the brain. It happens when something goes wrong with the blood flow to the brain. Blood vessels, called arteries, carry blood and nutrients through the body. One way the brain may be injured is when an artery of the brain becomes blocked and the blood supply is cut off. Without a supply of blood, the brain does not get the oxygen and nutrients it definitely needs. The patient will suffer permanent brain damage if blood supply is cut off for more than a few hours.
One treatment that can be offered to patients within a couple of hours within the onset of a stroke is called TPA, which means Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator. TPA, in short, Mr. Speaker, is a clot buster. This clot buster is used to break up the clot that is causing the blockage and destruction in the flow of blood to the brain and the blood flow to the area of the brain that has caused problems. This is given through intravenous. In order to determine whether the TPA treatment can be offered, a CT scan of the brain must be done as quickly as possible. This is to find out if this is that type of stroke that TPA can help. If bleeding into the brain has caused the stroke, TPA can increase the bleeding into to the brain. If this is the case, TPA cannot be used for the treatment; it will cause more harm than good. A blood test may also be taken if there is a bleeding condition. If the CT scan shows no bleeding in the brain, then the clot-dissolving drug, TPA, can be used as a long and positive solution to meet their needs. TPA treatment has risks. There is a chance if the bleeding into the brain happens after TPA is given it may cause the patient’s stroke symptoms to be worse and could even result in death. However, the death rate is the same, Mr. Speaker, with or without TPA. There is a greater chance of recovery if this drug TPA is used in the treatment of people with strokes.
Mr. Speaker, the best chance for a full recovery of stroke caused by blocked arteries is the use of TPA. I encourage Stanton Hospital to consider this type of treatment for strokes.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions later today for the Minister about making sure that the TPA drug, the clot busting drug for strokes, becomes one of the tools that helps to save Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize a constituent of the Great Slave riding, Mr. Christopher Dahlberg and his wife, Kimesha. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Chuck and Muriel Tolley up at the back there, constituents of Yellowknife Centre. I believe I see Jenna Jones. There she is; she’s waving there. It’s a pleasure to have visitors from Yellowknife Centre here. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.
I’d like to recognize Mr. Bill Mercer, vice-president, exploration, Avalon Ventures Limited and Mr. David Connelly with Ile Royale Enterprises, which is Avalon Ventures’ local representative. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Mr. James Boylan, who I can’t see up behind me but I know he’s there. If there are any other constituents of Frame Lake, welcome to the Assembly. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize Annemieka Mulders and Lorraine Phaneuf from the Status of Women Council of the NWT, and, sorry, Heidi-Ann Wild from the Public Service Alliance of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize Loretta and Dick Abernethy and suggest they get an award to paying the most attention to this House.
---Laughter
I’d like to recognize Blake Rasmussen, another constituent from Weledeh. As well, David Connolly, I’d like to recognize him. I believe he’s here with colleagues from Avalon Ventures. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Harriette Paul, originally from Behchoko and the Tlicho announcer on CBC. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to recognize a few folks from the UNW: Gayla Wick and Ms. Barb Wyness. I see Norm Smith up there as well. Again, I wanted to thank them for all their work they’ve been doing on the supplementary health benefits petition. As well, I’ve got a constituent up there on the camera, Mr. Amos Scott. Welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to send condolences to the family of Ms. Susan Lafferty. Ms. Susan Lafferty was a long-time resident and educator in Fort Simpson who will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family and I regret that I am not available to be part of her funeral today. Mahsi cho.
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the lead Minister on the Energy Coordinating Committee as to his...My apologies, Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance on the budget address in terms of...I don’t know if it was done by accident or mistake as to why the Deline mini-hydro wasn’t mentioned as to why the hydro stuff that we talked about in previous government such as Lutselk’e and Whati. Why wasn’t the mini-hydro for Deline mentioned in terms of continued support from this government?
