Mr. Speaker, the last decade has seen our Great Slave Lake fishery hit hard by circumstances well beyond its influence and control. Commercial fishing in our territory has, as a result, declined significantly.
What has not declined is the number of fish in the lake, the quality of this food source, or the proven markets we can use to rebuild our fishery. They offer the opportunity to restore an industry that remains important and vital to our economy and to our territory.
Thanks to changes in our fishery support program, we have seen recent increases to our catch volumes, but there is no silver bullet that can fully save or revitalize our industry. It will require a concerted, coordinated effort by our government, the Government of Canada, and the men and women who make up our fishery. Mr. Speaker, despite obstacles and challenges, we believe in a viable and prosperous future for the Great Slave Lake fishery and we are making every effort to make it happen.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has led the development of a revitalization strategy that considers all aspects of our Great Slave Lake industry. It is the blueprint we will use to rebuild our fishing sector and to restore its contributions to our economy, and to the Town of Hay River in particular. I am pleased to advise my colleagues that I will be tabling this plan before the end of this session.
Our strategy was guided by the needs of our commercial fishers. Its completion reflects a collaborative effort across governments, including within this Legislative Assembly, and in partnership with the NWT Fishermen’s Federation and their Tli Cho Cooperative.
The government has identified strategic challenges and risk factors in the context of seven focus areas and has recommended 25 actions to advance four overarching strategic goals: increasing lake production; increasing processing in the NWT; growing the NWT market; and accessing export markets.
This strategy will move forward in support of a business plan developed by the Fishermen’s Federation and Tli Cho Cooperative. We have committed $1.4 million in funds to leverage investment in strategic areas such as the establishment of a new or refurbished processing plant in Hay River, training and new entrants programs, increased collection points around the lake, and restarting the winter fishery.
Our strategy will also see the current business model on the lake change dramatically. It will mean greater responsibilities for individual fishers, and it will include a new marketing relationship with the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation; but much like the model that we recognize in devolution, producers will ultimately see the benefits of having a direct say, and even ownership in their industry.
It will mean a thriving fishery and a renewed livelihood for fishers all around the lake. This will strengthen and diversify our economy, and over time, we will be able to replace imported fish products with a locally produced, healthier, and more affordable alternatives that will contribute to greater community wellness and a reduced cost of living for residents across the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, the completion of this strategy fulfils the first part of a commitment we have made to finalize and implement a Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy.
The business case for this work was first identified in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy. It remains central to our government’s efforts to diversify the NWT economy, create local jobs, and contribute to the availability of healthier and more-affordable food choices for residents across the NWT.
Revitalizing an industry doesn’t happen overnight, but this is a big step and it lays out a path for the rest of the journey. I look forward to working with my colleagues across all levels of government to build a thriving commercial fishery on Great Slave Lake for the benefit of our entire territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has implemented new initiatives and improved existing programs and services to help meet our mandate commitments to address the cost of living for NWT residents.
We all understand the importance of reducing poverty and providing our residents with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live healthy, productive lives. The work under way at the department supports those goals.
Actions in early childhood development, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, have been focused on developing and implementing meaningful programs and services for families with young children. We recently renewed our Right from the Start Action Plan, which will continue to guide the work we do and help inform areas that we need to continue strengthening.
Fulfilling the commitments in the action plan, ECE reviewed the Early Childhood Program, which included engagements with various groups in the early childhood sector. As Members are aware, this is the program that provides funding and support to licensed Early Childhood Program providers.
The results of the review led to the changes we implemented in October 2016 to streamline processes and provide more strategic support to these small business operators.
Mr. Speaker, we have increased the operating subsidy model for licensed childcare operators to reflect increases in the cost of living, and substantially increased the rate provided for the care of infants and children with identified special needs. Operators in government-owned buildings now receive 75 per cent of the daily rate, a significant increase from the previous 50 per cent.
These changes are in addition to the ongoing staff grants we provide for upgrading early childhood development skills and the scholarships for students registered in early childhood education programs. All of these improvements are intended to increase and improve supports for childcare operators.
Mr. Speaker, the junior kindergarten program is planned to be incorporated into schools across the territory in the 2017-2018 school year. If parents choose to enroll their children, they will save up to $12,000 per year in child care costs. This is a free, optional program in a safe school environment. Not only is it a good choice for healthy child development, it puts money directly back into the pockets of Northern families.
Another significant change we have made to ensure families have as much in their pockets as possible is the new approach to funding families with children through the Income Assistance Program.
Following the federal government’s introduction of the new Canada Child Benefit in July 2016, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment made changes to the way income assistance payments were calculated. This change resulted in more clients being eligible to receive income assistance and an increase in monthly household income. This is an investment in families.
Taking into consideration the new federal benefit and the rising cost of living in the NWT, we restructured the Income Assistance Program to ensure that income intended for children was no longer included in the calculation of income assistance payments.
As a part of the focus of raising NWT children out of poverty and providing more assistance to NWT families, ECE, in partnership with the Department of Finance, are proposing to increase benefits under the NWT Child Benefit to better support more low-and modest-income families with children.
We see this approach as helping families provide a better quality of life for their children, support their well-being, and give children opportunities to reach their potential.
We continue to work with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, to transfer income assistance clients from market rent accommodations into public housing. Efforts were focused on placing clients with high rental costs into public housing to more effectively transition these individuals into the labour force.
The department has also initiated a program that provides intensive labour market supports to income assistance clients that helps them with employment.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is a great place to live and raise our families. We will continue to work with all levels of government to improve our residents’ quality of life through partnerships, policy changes, improvements to existing programs, and new initiatives. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment will continue improving programs and services to ensure Northern residents have resources and opportunities to allow them to lead healthy, fulfilled lives and contribute to the growth of our territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Transportation.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation has made a commitment in its mandate to restore safe operating conditions in the Port of Hay River by strengthening connections with public and private sectors partners.
The Hay River Harbour remains an essential piece of infrastructure for the NWT marine transportation system. The harbour supports critical services such as those provided by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Department of Defence. As well, industry and communities up and down the river depend on the steady and reliable resupply of essential goods and materials shipped out of Hay River.
Low water caused by the buildup of sediment has long challenged navigability in the Hay River Harbour. This has had a serious impact on the safety and effectiveness of the essential marine services on which Northerners rely. Commercial fishing boats often touch bottom when entering the harbour, and Coast Guard vessels have trouble accessing their base.
That is why last year the Government of the Northwest Territories supported the establishment of the Hay River Harbour Restoration Group, led by the Hay River Harbour Authority with representatives from all impacted stakeholders. The restoration group provides a forum to discuss challenges and various technical matters regarding future restoration efforts. The group most recently met in Hay River in December and decided that DOT will work with the NWT Fishermen’s Federation to develop an informal request for a quote for dredging services from local contractors.
Over the past year, DOT has worked with public and private stakeholders to advocate for project funding and to acquire the necessary information to have this important harbour dredged.
In 2016, a military surveillance aircraft recorded imagery over the harbour and East Channel entrance. The Canadian Coast Guard also conducted sounding operations in the Hay River Harbour. The information collected during their activities is vital to determining the approximate volume of material that needs to be dredged.
Identifying funding sources for the dredging plan remains an important component of this project. We will continue to explore all possible funding options, including through the Oceans Protection Plan announced last year, and other federal programs.
Critical marine resupply operations for many communities start from the Hay River Harbour. The facility is also important to the commercial fishing industry on Great Slave Lake, which has the potential to help diversify the NWT economy. By restoring the Hay River Harbour to its maximum potential, we will continue to reduce the cost of living and provide jobs for Northerners in line with our Legislative Assembly commitments.
The Department of Transportation remains committed to working with all stakeholders to develop a reliable, long-term solution to restore the harbour’s full and unimpeded operational capacity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal ferry needs to be a higher priority. The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway will be finished later this year, opening the region to industry and bringing more traffic to the ferry crossing.
Mr. Speaker, the Louis Cardinal is an old vessel. It's been sailing for close to 45 years. There has been talk of replacing it with the Merv Hardie ferry, Mr. Speaker, but the Merv Hardie is even older. Things have changed a lot in Mackenzie Delta in the last 45 years. Transportation technology is improving. Instead of retrofitting an old ferry, we could look at a new one, and we should, with increased capacity for passenger vehicles and B-trains hauling fuel and freight.
Mr. Speaker, we already see long lineups at the Mackenzie River crossing, especially when there are special events in the communities, like the Midway Lake Music Festival, for example. Vehicles could move across more efficiently on a larger ferry. We could also look at a vessel with efficient engines and other capabilities suited to harsh winter conditions.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' new air tanker fleet is a good example of how the government invested in new technology that will have measurable improvements and serve the Northwest Territories for many years to come.
Mr. Speaker, constituents in Tsiigehtchic raised the need for a new ferry at a recent constituency meeting. They want a vessel that could welcome tourists, have more fuelefficient engines as we look forward to being connected to the Arctic coast. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, barely two years ago the government released its long-term Transportation Strategy. Improving our ferry system is consistent with the strategy's priorities and actions.
Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Delta relies on the Louis Cardinal ferry. Before making reductions to this critical piece of infrastructure, let's consider where we want our transportation system to go.
Getting new capital projects is a slow process, Mr. Speaker. We have to take steps toward approving a replacement for the Louis Cardinal ferry now -- and if not a new ferry, Mr. Speaker, then I will be asking for another Mackenzie River bridge! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Laughter
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about the creative arts industry. I'm referring in part to our painters and storytellers, musicians and film makers, carvers and authors. They are the people in our communities who tell our stories. Through their art, in whatever form that takes, our creative artists give form and shape to our identity as individuals, as communities, and to this great territory.
It is also important to recognize that the North's creative industries go well beyond the performing and visual arts. The creative industry is very diverse -- advertising, architecture, crafts, design, fashion, television and film, information technology, and even museums, galleries, and libraries show that we are surrounded with an abundance of creative artists in a multitude of mediums. These mediums impact our everyday lives on many levels.
Mr. Speaker, creative arts contribute in very significant ways to our economy. This is an important element of our goal of a diversified economy, and that's also why I support investment by this government in the creative arts community.
Of course, artists and those employed in the creative industries make money, sell their wares, pay their rent and mortgages, and pay their taxes like everyone else. That's a significant factor in any local economy.
Beyond that, the performing and visual arts help to draw and retain people to our communities. An artistic community is a more welcoming, inclusive, exciting place to live and visit. Investment in the arts community can provide multiple economic spinoffs, including increased cultural tourism, more support for emerging artists, and increased investment from other levels of government and the private sector.
A vibrant creative community challenges creativity in all of us in all kinds of endeavours. New ideas encourage more new ideas. New creative experiences promote innovation in all fields. Canada is a leader in many creative fields like graphic design and architecture. In the North, we can build on that creativity in the areas that are significant for our own economic growth. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We can encourage Northerners to be innovative thinkers -- in business, on environmentally responsible resource development, on alternative energy, on transportation and construction. A thriving, creative community needs our support and investment.
In return, a thriving creative community pays dividends to our society in education, health and healing, stronger connections amongst our communities. Creative thinking fosters innovation. Innovation contributes to diversification and enhanced economic growth. We have identified these factors as mandate goals of the 18th Assembly. We must include the creative industry in that support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister of Health replied to the Budget Address and spoke to some of the comments that my honourable friends have made over the past week and a half. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that this is not the ideal budget for anyone on either side of the House, and we have not achieved consensus on this budgeting process.
What is equally clear is that there is some confusion over what both sides want to achieve with this. The goal is simple: the best possible budget that invests in Northerners and ensures that their future is a sound future and that they can have confidence that the same opportunities that they enjoy today will be able to be enjoyed the next five, 10, or 15 years, along with enhancement to those opportunities, as well.
Today also we are joined by students from Aurora College, students from high schools who were looking forward to attending Aurora College and participating in some crucial degrees and diploma programs that are now at risk of not being delivered on. These are why Regular Members have stood up and taken the definitive action to say: we need to do a better job.
One thing I want to make perfectly clear is we have not taken any hard lines, Mr. Speaker. We have always been open to negotiation. Today I want to reiterate that we are open to discussing with our Cabinet colleagues the subject of the 2017 budget and make sure we can resolve this impasse.
The only clear intention that my honourable friends have taken is that we need assurances that this government is listening to our constituents and to the people of these Northwest Territories. We are not shutting down discussion, and we are certainly open for debate.
I welcome the comments we heard yesterday. I hope we have more fulsome debate in this House, so we can get a very clear picture of what both sides are trying to achieve and what the priorities of this House really are. Mr. Speaker, mine will always be serving my constituents and ensuring we have the best possible future for everyone in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am going to return to a topic I raised during the last sitting, as I have had another constituent bring another case of injustice to my attention.
The issue is records of non-conviction, the reports that are produced by the police when a criminal records check is requested. These reports may contain records of a person having been questioned by the police and not charged, or charged and the charges were later dropped, or charged and the person was later acquitted. In the latest case of my constituent, the person was charged with assault in 1990 and received a conditional discharge, which does not result in a criminal record. My constituent has kept the peace these past 26 years, and after graduating from Aurora College as a personal support worker, she has repeatedly confronted obstacles to employment.
She is not alone. National research by the Toronto Star shows that more than 400,000 Canadians never convicted of any offence have records in police databases. Some are recorded under the notations, "attempted suicide" or "mental instability," which show up under the generic indictment "adverse information on file." As I have said before, I will say again, this is outrageous.
In opposing the use of records of non-conviction, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association points out there is no evidence that broad use of these checks materially reduces the risk of crime or violent offences in the workplace. The CCLA points out that systemic barriers to employment undermine the significant efforts and resources put into reintegration and ultimately prejudices community safety.
Mr. Speaker, in our jurisdiction, with its higher rates of mental illness, policing much closer to the population, and the higher concentration of jobs in a few major employers, the injustice of these records can be even more exaggerated.
Again, I come back to the fundamental test of our justice system: you are innocent until proven guilty. If you are not proven guilty, you should not be made to suffer as a result of legally unfounded accusations, mere contact with the police or, in the worst cases, having suffered from mental illness. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, these records of non-conviction are used nationally. There is a growing backlash against this injustice. Last sitting, the Minister of Justice said he would not seek a change in this practice. I don't think that is good enough, and I will have questions. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about difficult times families are facing when it comes to impacts of drug and alcohol on youth.
[Translation] The way the kids are drinking and using drugs, that is what I would like to talk about. The way our relatives are having problems and still drinking today. There are kids -- it gets very expensive and all the money is spent on -- [translation ends] struggle with alcohol and drugs, the added burden on mothers, fathers, and grandparents and siblings is huge. It is a wide ranging issue, from not sleeping properly to constant worry and financial pressures.
The financial burden on just one youth-in-crisis is tremendous. We know all about addictions, what addiction does to a person. When it comes to vulnerable youth, it can consume a youth's life. A youth with addictions has no regard for the family's financial issues or health. A youth in the throes of drug and alcohol only cares about the next fix or drink.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to touch on some of the issues related to youth aside from their own families, because addiction impacts the whole community.
In the NWT, the most common property offence is mischief, typically linked to abuse of alcohol and drugs. Our high crime rate is driven by abuse of alcohol and drugs, which in itself is often linked to the traumatic impacts of residential school.
When it comes to the law, a youth is somebody under the age of 18. I don't dispute that law, but when it comes to programming outside the justice system, like treatment, prevention, and employment support, the range expands. The United Nations considers anyone ages 15 to 24 as a youth. When it comes to Service Canada, the youth internship program welcomes a range of 15- to 30-year-olds.
You see, even crime stats don't show the whole picture.
In 2012, a report from Health and Social Services told us that 53 per cent of people between the age of 15 and 24 are likely to have five or more drinks on one occasion, 26 per cent are described as heavy drinkers. Residents in small communities are twice as likely as Yellowknife residents to have tried cocaine.
Many of our youth are living with addictions and are also harming themselves. Some die while they are doing drugs or consuming alcohol. They are at risk of freezing to death, dying in vehicle accidents, or committing suicide. Mr. Speaker, I wish to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Thirty per cent of NWT youth reported that they had been harmed in some way by their own drinking in the past year; 56 per cent reported that they had been harmed by somebody else's drinking.
However, Mr. Speaker, there is hope. I compliment the Department of Health and Social Services for the work they are doing in this area. When a person looks for help, the help is available. The problem is it is not available to all and it is not available everywhere.
As we go through the budget, I will be asking the Ministers to spread the magic of HSS through the NWT to all youth in crisis.
Our youth are desperate, Mr. Speaker. As they reach out for help, we should be in a position to provide it. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member from Kam Lake said in his Member's statement, I would like to thank the social workers and the education students and the union workers for coming and presenting their concerns to us, as a government, about the budget.
Mr. Speaker, during my time leading up to our session here I had the opportunity to not only visit the communities but go into the schools and meet the students in each of the schools. They addressed a number of concerns to me, and I would like to address some of the stuff that students at Thomas Simpson Secondary School said to me. It was really interesting.
Their first thing was: what about us? We are the future. Why aren't you guys listening to us? So it was very troubling to hear that the first question they asked was: where are the support and recreation positions in the government? What are they doing? There are people in the system, but there are positions that are not filled. They asked about this, and I have asked the Minister in the House about that.
Mr. Speaker, then they went on to inclusive schooling, junior kindergarten, mental health workers and counsellor positions in school, and summer school opportunities. The students are asking for help. They are wishing that this government listens, and I am talking about us collectively, the 19 Members. They talked about inclusive schooling and the importance of having mental health workers, which is our social worker program that is going to help us. It is not helping right now, and it is disappointing.
They go on to talk about the turnoffs. Yes, it is not important as it seems sometimes, but these turnoffs are vital to our region. They give them the opportunity to stop and rest, relax, maybe even go to the washroom, but they are not maintained properly. If we want to promote tourism, these should be looked at and fixed.
Mr. Speaker, then they talk about jobs, the importance for them to come back to something, whether it is summer students or internships. The government is working on that, but it is not enough. They want the government to work for them. Mr. Speaker, can I seek unanimous consent to finish my Member's statement? Thank you.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. I could probably go on for about 20 minutes, so I will try to summarize it as quickly as possible.
They talked about jobs, that it is important, about working, whether it is them or their families, to not only get off social income but work.
Mr. Speaker, they went on to talk about housing and how some friends and family members live in houses that are not suitable, and some of the challenges that they face. They are asking about that. They talked about homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, I had individual students come talk to me afterwards, and they wanted to talk about activities for after school and what is the government doing for small communities. We have to understand, small communities have a voice and they should be treated equally. That is what they are asking for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to talk about the current energy strategy and climate change strategy coming onstream for a 10year plan here in 2017 developments.
Now that the gas is turned off in Norman Wells, we must seek alternative energy options for supply to the residents, commercial customers, and the community. Both Tulita and Norman Wells have potential for alternative energy sources.
Colville Lake has taken the lead with their solar panel project, which is proving to be quite a vital operation and is a prime example that there are alternatives and initiatives out there, funded jointly between the federal and territorial government.
Mr. Speaker, we must also look at some of the previous studies to collectively substantiate and justify best value for dollar. Back in April of 2010, there was a study done by ENR saying that there is potential down the Mackenzie Valley corridor, in the areas of Deline, Tulita, Norman Wells, and Fort Good Hope, that could supply geothermal heat for the buildings above. Later I will have the appropriate questions for the appropriate Minister. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am continuing with my Member's statement from yesterday. I want to talk to you about the Aboriginal Head Start program.
There has been a lot of information flying around the House, so let me give you a quick refresher. Aboriginal Head Start, or AHS, is a federally funded program with the mandate to serve preschoolage Aboriginal children. It was founded in the belief that children are a gift from the creator, who have the right to live proudly as Aboriginal people in the land of their ancestors. In 1995... [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, how does this relate to junior kindergarten, a GNWTrun program?
As it stands now, ECE's proposed rules would see schools get the option of either halfday or fullday junior kindergarten, with the other halfday meant to leave room for AHS. ECE has also suggested that AHS redesign their programming for children aged three years or younger.
For some communities, this partnership works well, with strong results.
For others, Mr. Speaker, it doesn't.
When we passed a motion on junior kindergarten back in October, we affirmed that a onesizefitsall approach doesn't work and that ECE should accommodate existing programs. In Yellowknife and the other regional centres, that means working with the existing daycares and preschools. In our small communities, that means working with AHS.
Unfortunately, talks between ECE and AHS are moving into a non-productive "us versus them" stage.
I am not here to lay blame, Mr. Speaker, but instead to highlight the questions and concerns of my constituents. This must not be lost.
Supporters of AHS, including parents and educators, are worried. They are worried about changes to existing programs, they are worried about quality programs for Aboriginal children, and they are worried about AHS' survival when its federal funding ends in 2020, especially if fouryearolds are enrolled in junior kindergarten instead. Program changes to support younger children would not be easy or cheap, or even desirable. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Like I said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, the confusion we have seen in the House doesn't address these worries.
Regular Members are still waiting on the government's response to Motion 2618(2), including a fully costed implementation plan. Meanwhile, parents are trying to plan for their children's education this fall, while schools are rapidly approaching their budget deadlines.
We can chart a course through this confusion, but we must all be upfront, and we must be all on the same page. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, monsieur le President. People in the Northwest Territories who want to choose cremation of human remains that is currently about 30 per cent of all deaths cannot access this service from a Northwest Territories supplier. A local funeral home would like to expand to provide this service, and it's just down the road from me, Mr. Speaker; but in seeking a way to support the expansion of our economy and of services for our residents, road blocks have been encountered.
All Canadian jurisdictions except the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have legislative regimes for cremation. In the Northwest Territories there are a variety of laws touching upon the legalities of cremation, but no single law overseeing or enabling cremation.
A review of crematoria legislation in other jurisdictions found that a comprehensive framework for cremation services is the preferred approach. Typically, health departments regulate such matters as sanitation standards and air quality. The Public Health Act would likely govern these matters. The Vital Statistics Act outlines the requirements for issuing a permit allowing disposal of human remains by any means. More work needs to be done to ensure that there is no legal prohibition under the current legislative framework to prevent cremation services here in the NWT. That includes determining what other public health concerns may exist.
An important outcome of this internal review was the observation that the commercial operations of crematoria are typically regulated by community affairs departments.
I approached Municipal and Community Affairs -- and that's where progress seems to have come to a halt. I was told by the Minister that development of this legislation is not on the priority list for the department, primarily due to other pressing needs. It's not clear what these other pressing legislative changes are and how regulation of cremation will fit in or not.
We're almost into the bottom half of this Assembly's term. Again, I have to question this government's ability to move legislation forward. After all, we are supposed to be a Legislative Assembly. Here's an opportunity for local economic expansion, an improvement of services and reduction of costs for our residents, an increase of the tax base. It's all wins, Mr. Speaker, and there is proven law across the country to start from and shape to meet our needs. I'll have questions for the Minister on how to move forward on the issue of regulation of cremation. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.
Member's Statement on
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Members of this Legislative Assembly have committed to improving government transparency and accountability as one of our top priorities. This commitment came about in part because of an historic election in which 11 first-time Members were elected. Residents of the NWT were clear that they wanted a change in the way business was done.
In response, Premier McLeod created a Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency and bestowed that title upon the honourable Member from Thebacha. The Minister is developing an open government policy and strategy to set consistent direction that will apply to all government departments.
To help develop the policy, he is holding public meetings around the territory. This Monday, February 13th, the Minister will be in Hay River to hold a public meeting to gather input on what this strategy should look like. This gives residents a chance to have a hand in changing the way the government does business without having to wait until the next election to do it.
Some people may be asking: what is an open government policy, and why should I care? To me, open government is a way to allow citizens to hold government accountable by making government data and information accessible and easy to understand.
As an MLA, I can attest to the importance of access to data and the need for this policy. I have to make decisions based on the best information I have, and it's a constant struggle and time consuming for me to find that information.
Just imagine if you wanted to know how much infrastructure money flows to Inuvik or to Fort Smith. An effective open government policy would allow you to go onto a website and pull up that information. Then, you could send that information to your MLA to hold up on the floor of the House and question the Ministers about why there seems to be such a disparity between funding to regional centres. That’s just one example, and there are many more.
I encourage all residents of Hay River who want to change how the GNWT does business to attend the public meeting this Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Ptarmigan Inn. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move item 11 on the orders paper, replies to budget address. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, to start, I'd like to take you on a virtual tour of life in the Mackenzie Delta.
Say you were from Aklavik, Fort McPherson, or Tsiigehtchic. You'd likely be Aboriginal, often Gwich'in or Inuvialuit, and chances are you were actually born in Inuvik, where the closest hospital is.
Life wouldn't be cheap, Mr. Speaker. Maybe you'd be one of our residents making less than $15,000 a year. That's 41.9 per cent of people in Aklavik, 33.3 per cent of people in Fort McPherson, and 36.4 per cent in Tsiigehtchic.
If your family income hovers around the local average of $70,957 a year, that's still little more than half the territorial average. Your parents might get worried, thinking about expenses. For food bills alone, for every $100 they might have spent in Yellowknife, they'd spend $158 to $170.
As you grew up, Mr. Speaker, you'd start to learn the language and traditions of your people.
When the time came to enter daycare, your parents might have options, like the Aklavik Childhood Development Centre, or they might not. If you were in Fort McPherson, you might join Aboriginal Head Start. Come this fall, you might enroll in junior kindergarten. One thing's for sure: like all NWT children, you have the right to quality education and a safe place to learn and grow.
Next, you'd make your way through the education system. Thanks to government investment in the Beaufort Delta e-Learning Program, students can access a wider range of course options, though you'll still have to be a strongly motivated self-starter. Last year, the Beaufort Delta Education Council reported that high school attendance had reached a "critical" low.
On the subject of education: have you ever heard of the organization Cuso International, Mr. Speaker? This non-profit sends volunteers all over the world to improve the lives of people living with poverty and inequality. I mention them because Cuso International is looking for volunteers to serve in schools in the Beaufort Delta and the South Slave.
Mr. Speaker, we need to take a long, hard look at our priorities if we want to make reductions to a K-to-12 system that's drawing the attention of international aid workers.
Back to our virtual tour. Remember, right now, you're a student in the Delta.
In the evenings and on weekends, you might be out on the land, learning from your elders, or you might be back at school. Because like I said yesterday, our schools aren't just schools -- they're also important shared spaces where people of all ages gather for public meetings, talks, feasts and dances, games and movies, and sports competitions.
Without a high school diploma, though, your chances of finding a job later drop. Adults have a hard enough time right now. Tsiigehtchic has our highest employment rate at just 49.7 per cent, compared to an NWT rate of 65.6 per cent.
Time flies, Mr. Speaker. Now you're an adult, working and raising a family of your own. Long waiting lists keep you out of public housing, while condemned units block new construction. You're also trying to take care of your elderly parents. Fortunately, new investments from the Housing Corporation mean they'll have grants to renovate their homes for safety, and dedicated seniors' units, too.
Because you're a Mackenzie Delta resident in this little exercise, Mr. Speaker, that means I'm your representative.
To prepare for today, I considered the concerns and priorities of my constituents. I listened closely to the replies of my colleagues. I thought back to the work we've done in committee and to pass budgets.
First, I'm going to draw out a few highlights. Then I'd like to go over a few places where there is still work to be done.
When it comes to our economy, we are dependent on the federal government. That is a simple fact. Outside that, our major employers right now are government and the diamond mines. When we face these facts, we can start to make real progress.
Because we have made progress with this budget, thanks to the hard work of Regular Members challenging some proposed reductions, and the hard work of Cabinet incorporating some of these changes into the main estimates.
I am pleased to see continued investment in the Community Access Program. Projects under this program create valuable jobs and real benefits for communities.
I'm also pleased to see new investment in the Small Community Employment Support Program. Regular Members were champions of this program in the last Assembly, and it shows sound judgment to build on that legacy. Jobs mean food on the tables, fuel in tanks, and clothes on backs. It's as simple as that.
The progress we have made together on junior kindergarten is a good start. There are still some wrinkles to iron out, but we're on our way.
When it comes to working together across the floor, I'm glad the Premier has suggested the joint committee on rural and remote communities.
Infrastructure projects are also key. I'm looking forward to the Mackenzie Valley fibre optic link, and I'm hoping that increased traffic through Inuvik, thanks to the expanded satellite stations, will spread benefits to nearby communities. People in my riding don't want to wait any longer for real opportunities for the Gwich'in contractors.
Moving on, Mr. Speaker.
Yesterday, the Member for Great Slave said that while the budget was not "the best," it was "good."
Well, it's my view that good is the enemy of great. All Members have been working for months. Wouldn't it be a shame to call it a day, after all this work, simply because we'd reached "good enough"?
---Applause
There are a lot of positive things in this budget. I've highlighted just a handful, but there are also several issues that we still need to address.
When it comes to transportation, we want to be more connected, not more isolated, dependent on outside workers and supply lines.
It troubles me greatly that this budget proposes to eliminate two well-used ferry services at two points in the Mackenzie Delta during winter months.
Cuts aren't as easy as just lining up the numbers, trying to make up $150 million or even $100 million. They have serious ripple effects. Residents of the small communities rely on access to Inuvik for food, fuel, and other supplies, as well as medical appointments and skilled labour. Frankly, a lack of access would put communities, including Inuvik, at risk.
To me, it is an opportunity of growth not for cutbacks. When the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway is completed, our fellow Canadians -- not to mention international visitors -- will come. Cutting off easy access to the Mackenzie Delta hardly seems the way to encourage connections or investment.
In fact, this ties in with the Mackenzie Valley Highway project. In the 17th Assembly, we talked about that road extending all the way to Inuvik. For now, that dream is waiting.
Now, a few words about position reductions in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, nobody wants to see positions cut. I believe the government has tried to protect current employees from its reductions, transferring them where possible.
That's important, and it is appreciated, but preserving an individual's employment status is not the same as protecting a position, and the government's actions have led to uncertainty. Members of the public service don't know if their jobs will survive. Parents are uncertain of junior kindergarten and when it will start and how it will impact existing programs, and how we will pay for transportation, after-school care, and inclusive schooling needs.
The Aurora College -- I know we have students in the gallery today -- students aren't sure if they'll be able to pursue the teaching and social work careers they've dreamed of. Three young Gwich'in ladies in my riding worked hard to earn their certificates in early childhood education. They wanted to give back to their community by working for Aboriginal Head Start. Now they're not sure what's going to happen with Aboriginal Head Start.
We can't blame Northerners for wondering just what is going on.
While the government's $150 million reduction target has gone down to $100 million, it was already the basis of past reductions, including some spread over multiple years. Its impacts still linger.
At the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, MLAs are sent here by our people to represent those people and to serve their best interests. We have heard concerns about hard lines drawn between Members. We have seen news articles about conflict and head-butting, but the reality is that we agree on 98 per cent of this budget.
That's right. The programs and services Regular Members are pressing for -- like truly fully funding for junior kindergarten, essential ferry services, youth suicide prevention, homecare services, and minimal position cuts -- represent 2 per cent of the overall budget. We're a small territory with a small population: small investments can make a big difference.
Today is the last day for replies to the budget address, but we're heading into the first day of budget review -- the days that will determine the fate of that 2 per cent.
My colleague described the budget preparation as a marathon. Well, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for their endurance and their dedication. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
