Mr. Speaker, Northwest Territories' residents want a government that is transparent and accountable. On March 3, 2016, for the first time in the Northwest Territories, Members of the Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a mandate for the Government of the Northwest Territories. The purpose of the mandate is to guide the work of the Government of the Northwest Territories over its four-year term.
Mr. Speaker, the mandate enhances the transparency of the Government of the Northwest Territories by clearly stating what the government commits to do to advance the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly. The mandate enhances accountability by ensuring that voters and Members of the Legislative Assembly can hold the government to account in fulfilling these commitments.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is required to report annually on the progress it has made to implement the mandate. In accordance with the Process Convention on Priority Setting and Reporting, later today, at the appropriate time, I will table the first annual report on the mandate.
In the year since the mandate was adopted, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made progress on a number of commitments in the areas of economy; environment and climate change; education, training, and youth development; cost of living; community wellness and safety; and governance. I am pleased to share with you some
of the highlights of the Government of the Northwest Territories' achievements in implementing our commitments.
Mr. Speaker, in the past year, we have been actively working to diversify our economy and ensure that our residents have the skills and experience to take advantage of new economic opportunities. In these pursuits, we are investing in transportation infrastructure projects to open new business development opportunities, such as opportunities for increased tourism. We have developed an agriculture strategy and a commercial fishery revitalization strategy, and we continue to implement the film strategy and a new tourism plan, all in an effort to build local markets, export goods, and expand the number of tourists. Our Skills 4 Success Action Plan will ensure our education and training system keeps up with the changing labour market. We are also attracting new skilled labour from abroad and investing in broadband infrastructure to further modernize the Northwest Territories' economy.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to achieve a sustainable environment that contributes to the economic well-being and quality of life of our residents. We are carefully working to modernize our laws for regulating land tenure, water use, and mineral development, as well as environmental conservation. The Government of the Northwest Territories is protecting biodiversity and ecosystem integrity through partnerships that reflect the vision set out in the Government of the Northwest Territories' Land Use and Sustainability Framework. As part of the Government of the Northwest Territories' commitment to addressing climate change and improving the affordability, reliability, and sustainability of energy, we have been conducting extensive public engagement to inform the development of an NWT energy strategy and an NWT climate change strategic framework.
Mr. Speaker, education is a key element to achieving our overall goals for a strong and sustainable territory. As such, we have made changes to the funding model for the Early Childhood Program; advanced measures to fully fund the cost of implementing junior kindergarten in all communities, including the 13 communities that do not currently offer the program; and strengthened French language education, as well as cultural, heritage, and Aboriginal language programming. Additional efforts are being made outside of the school system to support youth in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, our climate, population distribution, and distance from major markets result in a high cost of living and high costs of operating businesses in the Northwest Territories. In addition to constructing the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, we have secured federal investment for the Tlicho All-Season Road project, projects that will help to lower the cost of living for residents.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is working on programs and services for those who are homeless and to alleviate barriers to accessing existing government programs and services. The Government of the Northwest Territories has formed partnerships to find solutions to address homelessness and northern housing issues, including the City of Yellowknife's Housing First initiative and similar solutions in other communities. We have established additional local housing organizations and are participating in the development of a national housing strategy. Working nationally, we already secured an increase of 33 per cent to the northern residents tax deduction, and a federal commitment of $64.5 million over five years to expand Nutrition North.
Mr. Speaker, we are committed to working with families, community groups, police, courts, and schools to ensure the wellness and safety of our communities. We are making progress on our commitments to strengthen initiatives and partnerships to reduce family violence. One of these initiatives is the Domestic Violence Treatment Options Court, an option that is now available to offenders not only in Yellowknife and Hay River but also to those from Behchoko, Enterprise, and the K'atlodeeche First Nation. We continue to invest in five family violence shelters across the territory, in programming for children exposed to family violence, and in the development of family violence protocols and response teams for regions without shelters.
Progress has been demonstrated in a number of areas to reduce the burden of chronic disease, for example, through Healthy Living fairs, the Let's Talk about Cancer website, and facilitating the establishment of a territorial diabetes registry to monitor and measure related trends. One of the Government of the Northwest Territories' most significant accomplishments so far during the 18th Assembly is the creation of a single Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and regional wellness councils to give each region a say in how care and services are delivered. This transformation of the health and social services system will improve access, consistency, and cultural appropriateness of care and services, as well as improve accountability and performance.
Mr. Speaker, our government also made a commitment to focus on mental health and addictions, to ensure access to culturally appropriate programs and services, address gaps in services, and enhance treatment options. We brought forward the strategic framework Mind and Spirit: Promoting Mental Health and Addictions Recovery to set the foundation for systematic improvements and are now focused on areas requiring specific approaches, children and youth mental wellness, addictions recovery, and mental health services.
Mr. Speaker, as I said at the outset, one of our priorities is to improve accountability, transparency, and collaboration. In the first year of this government's mandate, we have been doing business differently, increasing public engagement and further embracing the principles of open government. The Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency is undertaking public engagement across the Northwest Territories to ensure that the development of an open government policy reflects territorial priorities. Cabinet has engaged directly with residents in several communities and listened to their concerns through well-attended open houses. Our government has also gone beyond the requirement of publishing an annual report on our mandate, to developing and maintaining a public website dedicated to tracking the Government of the Northwest Territories' fulfillment of its commitments in the mandate. We have made progress toward making information from government more available and more easily accessible.
Mr. Speaker, to understand how to better share and protect information, the government has conducted public engagement on updating the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Public engagement has also taken place on other initiatives, including the Recreational Land Management Framework and the modernization of the Fire Prevention Act.
A major priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories is to take further steps towards the recognition and respect of Aboriginal governments, and we have made a commitment in our mandate to work to resolve outstanding land, resource, and self-government agreements.
Alongside the federal government, we have appointed ministerial special representatives to talk to all parties involved in negotiations in the Deh Cho and South Slave regions, including the Dehcho First Nations, Akaitcho, and Northwest Territory Metis Nation, in order to facilitate the settlement of claims in these regions. The government has been implementing more flexible and adaptive approaches to negotiations with a view towards finding compromise and reaching agreements. We are achieving positive results from these efforts, as evidenced at final agreement negotiations with the Acho Dene First Nation of Fort Liard, where the parties have reached a point where key decisions involving land and governance lay before them. We are assisting with implementation of the Deline self-government agreement and are working with other Aboriginal governments on building administrative capacity.
Mr. Speaker, this represents just some of the progress we have made to date in implementing the commitments made in the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The mandate will continue to be an important tool for measuring the success of the government and the Legislative Assembly, and I look forward to reporting additional progress in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Transportation.
Minister's Statement 159-18(2):
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Infrastructure is committed to working in partnership with Canada to make strategic investments in highway infrastructure. Today, I am pleased to provide an update on our efforts to secure funding for various highway projects across the territory.
In 2015, the Government of the Northwest Territories received federal approval for its first bundle of highway capacity improvement projects submitted under the New Building Canada Plan. The bundle was cost-shared with the federal government, who provided $72 million, or 75 per cent, while the Government of the Northwest Territories provided the remaining $24 million, or 25 per cent of the total $96 million investment. As a result, significant upgrades to every highway across the territory and to the Detah access road were achieved.
A second bundle of highway capacity improvements projects was approved last June. This time, the federal government provided $60.7 million while the Government of the Northwest Territories provided $20.2 million. The total investment of $80.9 million in funding will allow the Department of Infrastructure to enhance several access roads and bridges that are critical components to the NWT highway system. Projects include upgrades to the Jean Marie River and Nahanni Butte access roads and the replacement of the James Creek highway maintenance camp.
Going forward, a third bundle of projects is being developed and will focus on the second phase of work on NWT highways and major roads in 2018 and 2019. Planning for the third bundle will be done as part of the capital planning process.
Mr. Speaker, these important investments in our transportation infrastructure help us connect communities to new social and employment opportunities, reduce the cost of living in the territory, improve the resiliency of our transportation system to climate change, and increase access to natural resources.
In addition to improving the existing highway system, the Government of the Northwest Territories has identified three new NWT transportation corridor projects with strategic significance in its 25-year transportation strategy and mandate: the Mackenzie Valley highway, the Tlicho all-season road, and the Slave Geological Province access corridor. That is why I am proud to say that, last month, two federal funding announcements were made supporting the development of new highway infrastructure in the NWT.
The first is for the construction of the Canyon Creek access road in the Sahtu Region, which represents another step toward replacing the existing Mackenzie Valley winter road with an all-weather corridor. The project will provide access to granular resources and traditional Sahtu lands, which may be used for recreation, tourism, and business development.
Mr. Speaker, another important milestone was realized earlier this year when the federal government announced conditional funding for the Tlicho all-season road to Whati. The 97 kilometre road will provide year-round access to residents of that community and will also benefit nearby communities by significantly increasing the length of operation of the winter roads to Wekweeti and Gameti and helping to address a key impact of climate change in this region. The all-season road will also help reduce the cost of living for residents and support economic development in the region by increasing access to mineral resources and boosting investor confidence.
The Department of Infrastructure will continue to look for new opportunities to increase investment in the NWT transportation system in collaboration with our federal counterparts. We expect additional details regarding funding opportunities for trade and transportation corridors may become available with the upcoming federal budget. We are prepared to make the most of these opportunities to address our infrastructure deficit and improve transportation services in every region of our territory.
Transportation infrastructure improvements result in a variety of economic and social benefits for Northerners and all Canadians. Ensuring proper maintenance and upgrades to our highway system increases driver safety and improves our resiliency to climate change. Enhanced intercommunity mobility means new business, employment, educational, and health care opportunities for residents. Finally, improved road access will enable us to unlock the North's full economic potential by providing better access to natural resources.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure. We are working to secure funding to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway, and we continue to undertake work to prove up the business case to advance a project that would see improved access into the Slave Geological Province. Our government will stay engaged with Canada on the status of our submissions and on any new developments in funding programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to announce that I have directed that a foundational review of Aurora College be undertaken.
The foundational review will help inform the government's long-term vision for Aurora College and position it to provide the necessary skills and knowledge our residents require to participate in and contribute to the social and economic fabric of the NWT for decades to come.
I am confident that this is the right time to undertake this review in light of our Skills 4 Success initiative and our detailed understanding of the future needs of the NWT labour market.
The timeline for completion of this review is fall 2017, with an implementation target of the 2018-19 academic year. The current strategic planning process under way at Aurora College will be folded into the foundational review. The strategic review will inform the foundational review. Valuable input has been received as part of this strategic planning process which will be utilized in the review process.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure this House that Members of the Legislative Assembly will be provided with multiple opportunities to contribute to the foundational review, including providing feedback on the terms of reference.
I am also pleased to confirm that the budget reductions related to the Social Work Diploma and Bachelor of Education Programs identified for Aurora College will be held in abeyance until the next fiscal year; however, there will be no new intakes for these programs.
The department and Aurora College continue to have an ambitious agenda ahead in fulfilling the current and new direction of the 18th Legislative Assembly. This direction now includes ensuring both the foundational review and the strategic plan are completed and ready for implementation beginning in Aurora College’s 2018-19 academic year. Informed by these two initiatives, we will also jointly develop new innovative funding and accountability frameworks to ensure we receive value for money in our significant public investment in post-secondary education.
Additionally, the Legislative Assembly will be introducing overarching post-secondary legislation during the term of this Assembly, which will create a process of accreditation that ensures the effective governance and quality assurance of any existing and future post-secondary institutions in the NWT. This includes Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning and College nordique.
I look forward to working with all Members as we embark on this change agenda to ensure that residents have access to quality and expanded post-secondary education that prepares them for the employment opportunities of tomorrow. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we often hear the terms "traditional knowledge," "Indigenous knowledge," and "local knowledge" used interchangeably, without really stopping to think what they really mean.
Local knowledge is everywhere, Mr. Speaker, even here at the Legislative Assembly. Every community in the Northwest Territories has local knowledge. Local knowledge comes out of what our daily practice is and is specific to the place and time that we live in. It is shared by a group of individuals who are united by the similar experience of living or spending time in a particular locale and is not specific to a certain culture or ethnicity.
Traditional or Indigenous knowledge, on the other hand, is a subset of local knowledge. It is based on practices and is specific to a place, but it is the result of the sustained interaction of Indigenous people with their environment over generations. Traditional or Indigenous knowledge exists beyond an individual's lifetime. It is used by a specific community with a distinct cultural identity that is separate from the larger society. Unlike local knowledge, traditional knowledge or Indigenous knowledge is historical, culturally enriched and persistent over time.
It seems that the Government of the Northwest Territories has adopted the use of the term "traditional knowledge" or TK to refer to the specialized knowledge of Indigenous Aboriginal communities in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage the GNWT to use the term "Indigenous knowledge" instead, as this is consistent with what is being used at the United Nations and it also more accurately reflects what the GNWT is really referring to, which is the specialized knowledge of its Indigenous Aboriginal peoples.
When talking about the use of Indigenous and local knowledge, I also want to stress the importance of scientific research working in tandem with both sources of knowledge. The best way to protect the wildlife that sustains our northern people, for example, is for scientific research to be combined with the Indigenous knowledge of local harvesters. Mr. Speaker, the use of Indigenous knowledge, supported by other data and information, is the best way to improve the quality of outcomes for each region across the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker I want to talk about an important matter in the Yellowknife North riding. On Saturday the Ingraham Trail was closed again for about an hour because a haul-truck, on its way to resupplying the mines, caught fire near the Yellowknife River.
That was the fifth incident involving big rigs in just a couple of weeks. One was a roll-over, one truck went off the road, and three actually involved trucks catching fire. Thankfully, no injuries were involved in any of the incidents.
Mr. Speaker, when this many incidents occur involving trucks on our roads, it raises questions of public safety. The Ingraham Trail is used not only by truckers, Mr. Speaker. Residents of Detah, people who live further down the trail, and people who travel for aurora viewing, recreation, or hunting are also regular users of the trail. For these people, in case of emergency, the trail is their only way in or out, and their only access to assistance.
These people need to know that their safety is a priority of this government, Mr. Speaker. These incidents raise issues such as road maintenance, vehicle safety and driver training. All of these issues could affect any user of the Ingraham Trail.
Mr. Speaker, communication is key to ensuring public safety, and to reassuring people that, in cases of emergency, they will be protected and looked after. They need to be able to count on the authorities to have accurate information about the situation, and to share that information with residents who need it in a timely manner in order to make decisions.
Regarding the truck fire on the weekend, when a Twitter follower inquired with DOT whether the driver of the vehicle was okay, the DOT response was, "The firefighting department investigates these issues, not us." Surely as a government we owe residents better responses than that, Mr. Speaker, and better reassurance that their lives and safety are being protected.
I'll have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Last week, Mr. Speaker, CBC Radio -- Health and Social Services had wanted to work with the children and the children who are taken away from their home the way they had first starting working on there when they first came up here to work with the people and the kids that were taken away from their home and taken to the residential schools the way -- up to 2014 the federal government had a look at it and made a report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation ends]
CBC Radio reported that the Department of Health and Social Services will start requiring NWT Child and Family Services workers to take mandatory training on colonization and the impacts of residential schools.
This change is something we've been waiting for for a long time. It is one of the changes in business practices that is finally coming out of the Auditor General's 2014 Audit of Child and Family Services.
Less than 3 per cent of children in the Child and Family Services system come from backgrounds other than First Nations, Inuit, or Metis. First Nations children make up a full 71 per cent.
It is our reality, Mr. Speaker, this training is vital. In fact, it is well overdue. We've been waiting for a long time.
When the social development committee pressed the department for details on its response to the Auditor General, Members struggled to get good answers and indications of practical progress.
In its last annual report, Child and Family Services went as far as to call the Auditor General's findings into question, and told Members about data collection problems and "broken" audit tools. I understand that foster home "home studies" is one area where we're still failing.
The introduction of these new training requirements and long-needed updates to foster parent screening go a short way to easing my mind, Mr. Speaker. Meaningful decolonization and awareness training is definitely a step in the right direction. Still, this is a problem area, and it impacts our most vulnerable residents.
In 2015-16, the need for financial assistance made up 8 per cent of all Child and Family Services referrals. This means that the reason those children's files ended up on a social worker's desk didn't fall under the other categories we track: abuse, family violence, alcohol, and drugs. It was a lack of income. It was money. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. It is my belief that a family's household income directly affects many cases beyond that 8 per cent.
Mr. Speaker, it is violence, too: violence that is not within the family or within the home, but instead, violence that is done to Northerners, when their government isn't prepared to step to the plate and make it a top priority to alleviate brutal poverty.
I will have questions on the impact of household income on families engaged with child and family services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with just one week left in this sitting, I want to look ahead to some important work Regular MLAs will be doing during the break. The Standing Committee on Social Development will be reviewing Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Education Act. Specifically, the members of this committee, including myself, will be looking at the proposed changes to instructional hours.
It has taken close questioning by my colleagues on this side, both in the House and at a public briefing, to understand the rationale for these changes and, specifically, to allay parents’ and students’ concerns about instructional hours in high school. It is my understanding now that students will continue to receive the same number of hours that Alberta students receive, and the content of the curriculum will remain the same.
That is important because NWT students are taught the Alberta curriculum and write the same departmental exams. What is not clear to me is why the department didn't come out with a plan that stated high school instructional hours would be maintained on par? It would have saved parents and the department a lot of grief.
There are still some significant loose ends in this initiative. First, why are reduced instructional hours being piloted in every single NWT school, and why is the change in instructional hours being legislated before the pilot begins? Make no mistake, this change is not a pilot project, but an across-the-board change. Usually, a pilot project is a trial. Strengths and weaknesses are identified, and then the program is rolled out everywhere. That is not what is happening here. Is the department prepared to reverse this change, if the three-year test period isn't successful?
Another important question is: what is success in this context? How will this change be evaluated, in terms of student outcomes? The department's information shows that graduation rates have improved since 2010-11. Looking at the data from other Canadian jurisdictions reveals there isn't a consistent cause and effect between instructional hours and graduation rates. Will graduation rates be the sole measure, or are there others that make sense, such as attendance or Alberta achievement test scores?
Another reason given for this change is to improve teacher well-being. Teachers measured their wellness by reporting on how many hours they work. They said they worked 52 hours a week, but the sample size is very small, because only 15 per cent of teachers took part in the survey. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. As I was saying, the teachers said they work 52 hours a week, but the sample size is very small, because only 15 per cent of teachers took part in the survey. Surely there are more effective ways to measure teacher wellness, including their sick days, long-term disability, and retention in the profession. It would also be useful to see data on these points from jurisdictions with fewer instructional hours.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister has yet to produce a solid evidence-based rationale for these changes to instructional hours. I am challenging him to go back and do his homework before we start reviewing Bill 16. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In an effort to promote discussion about the economic future of the Deh Cho region, Dehcho First Nations and the Dehcho Economic Corporation have joined forces to hold a conference in Fort Simpson.
Dubbed the Dehcho Economic Readiness Forum, the conference will run from March 27 to 30, and aims to bring together community leaders, youth, and Aboriginal businesses.
The goal of the Dehcho Readiness Forum is to evaluate, educate, and strengthen our communities, and the Dehcho region's business knowledge, for current and future economic opportunities and growth. Development of the forum’s agenda is almost completed, and will provide opportunities for participants to hear presentations related to the Deh Cho's state of the economy, and to explore prospects for community-driven economic development. As well, there will be business training workshops held at the forum that will teach practical skills and knowledge required for successful business development.
According to the Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief, Herb Norwegian, the forum is a way to look forward to the future of the region, and was promoted by community leaders wanting to "get ready for the inevitable."
He said once the Dehcho process comes to a close, there will be opportunities for communities and businesses to actively move toward developing an economy for the region.
The Grand Chief hopes that, by being able to hold roundtable discussions with business leaders, people will have a chance to hear each other out, and where they want to go, with the potential here in the Deh Cho.
Mr. Speaker, this forum is built on the past success of similar conferences held by the Dehcho First Nations, including the Dehcho Means Business conference and the Dehcho business conference.
The theme of the conference will be "powering growth, shaping the future." The great thing about this conference is that it will include youth. One of the goals is to give young people an opportunity to see how economic development unfold, from the ground up.
Mr. Speaker, the Grand Chief attended the Mineral Roundup in Vancouver with his executive assistant, and Sambaa K'e Dene Band’s Chief. It was a great opportunity to educate the movers and shakers of the mining industry, as the Dehcho Land Use Plan is nearing completion.
As the Grand Chief said to the Deh Cho Drum, "The ground rules are being laid down and it is a way of how we can establish rules of engagement with the industry. For them, it is really important that they have certainty, because they want to know who the landowners are, and what areas are going to be open for development."
Mr. Speaker, I have seen the agenda, and it looks like a great event. I wish them all the best, and hope to attend part of the first day. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working on organizational restructuring proposals, as part of the ongoing efforts, to ensure it remains on a fiscally-sustainable path for the future. Proposals include the amalgamation of the department of Public Works and Services and the Department of Transportation into a single infrastructure department. The other merging of corporate services functions is currently carried out by the Departments of Executive, Finance, Human Resources, and Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.
The GNWT previously announced plans on reducing expenditures and increasing revenue measures as part of its fiscal strategy.
Given the concluding chapter of our physical budget recently, later I will have questions for the appropriate Minister on preliminary start-up practices and policies. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. Last Wednesday, the Premier gave the economic development and environment committee a briefing on progress towards an Energy Plan and Climate Change Strategic Framework. An update was provided on public engagement, and work on the Pan-Canadian Framework, that will form the national plan for climate change action.
The Premier and committee witnesses had very little to say about carbon pricing, as no one seems to have the clear lead. I had to pry for facts on cross-departmental collaboration, both there and in the Committee of the Whole review of the ENR budget last week. There is no sense of urgency or leadership on carbon pricing that I can see. It seems like we are simply waiting for the federal government to tell us what to do.
We need to kick start this work now, if we are to get a made-in-the-NWT carbon price and take best advantage of funding that is available from the federal government. So here are a few suggestions to get things under way.
First, the departments need to cooperatively determine our strategic interests, with input from the Regular Members' committees. This will include clear analysis of our fossil fuel use patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, the costs of displacing fossil fuels and its effect on cost of living, opportunities to tap into federal support funding, and a look at local employment and business opportunities.
Next, we need to determine the pros and cons of different methods of carbon pricing; compare and contrast a carbon tax versus cap and trade, or any other mechanism.
Then, we need to construct some carbon pricing options for the two approaches. For a carbon tax, we need to know the extent of coverage, the price per tonne, for various fuel types and economic sectors. For cap and trade, we need to look at how the NWT could be linked to national and international schemes.
Finally, we analyze the scenarios to determine economic and financial impacts, look at tools to address issues including tax rate reductions and direct rebates, and look at the other GHG reductions that could come about if we invest some revenues in other green projects.
This work should have been well underway by now. Our standing committees also need to step up to the plate and take a leadership role in development of an NWT carbon pricing scheme given the lack of progress to date. I will have questions for the Premier, as the Chair of the Ministerial Energy and Climate Change Committee of Cabinet. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation not provided.] Mr. Speaker, some First Nations that live around Great Slave Lake are stating that they were not consulted in the development of the GNWT fishing strategy.
The ITI Minister tabled the Strategy for Revitalizing the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery in the House last week. A ceremony was held in Hay River to celebrate this milestone of the 70-year-old industry.
Mr. Speaker, in developing the Commercial Fishing Strategy, the question of whether true meaningful consultations were carried out in engaging all parties, including First Nations, to provide the basis for support or consent remains unclear.
The important question is: does the GNWT have responsibility of Great Slave Lake and the fishing resources or is it the Department of Fisheries and Oceans?
Mr. Speaker, the K'atlodeeche First Nations hosted a conference on the Hay River Reserve along with several First Nation groups that live along Great Slave Lake. A major discussion item was the fisheries management of Great Slave Lake. ITI officials were invited but did not attend.
Mr. Speaker the last time I checked, the Government of the Northwest Territories is a public government, and working with all people in the NWT is an absolute necessity. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to publicly state my support for Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Education Act.
First off, as a parent, I feel very privileged that my son is enrolled in a first-class school here in the Northwest Territories where his unique learning needs and education challenges are met by very skilled educators whose standard of teaching and professionalism is second to none in Canada and the world.
That being said, I have asked some tough questions of the department along with my colleagues who are full-time members of the Standing Committee of Social Development. Not everything that we are hearing from the department makes sense at this point. However, the principles that the bill stands for, which are enabling more flexible hours for students and also allowing junior kindergarten to roll out, these are good policy objectives. How we roll out the policy that is up for later debate and questioning.
Just for example, Mr. Speaker, quality education, not quantity, is really the issue.
More and more, we are seeing education systems adapt to different system that use less time. For example, Mr. Speaker, in Finland, one of our sister circumpolar nations, formal schooling starts at the age of seven, followed by only nine years of compulsory school. Students there typically start school between 9:00 and 9:45, and the school day usual ends at 2:00 or 2:45. Most importantly, an average Finnish teacher teaches only 600 hours annually, or about four or fewer lessons daily. The result, Mr. Speaker, looks like this: 93 per cent of Finns graduate from academic or vocational high schools and 66 per cent go on to higher education, the highest rate in the European Union. Yet Finland spends only about 30 per cent less per student than the U.S.
By contrast, in the NWT, only 67 per cent of students graduate from high school. The comparison between the regional centres and smaller communities is drastic.
Mr. Speaker, I do support the objectives and intentions of this bill. The teachers have been very clear in their advocacy to me on a personal level and also through their representatives at the NWTTA and their work on the bill with the government. I think it is the right thing to do but we need to make sure that it is done right which is why we have a very strong standing committee. My honourable friend, the Member from Yellowknife Centre, spoke of her concerns. I do think we need to resolve these before moving forth. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last August, the community of Aklavik lost one of our Inuvialuit elders to a stroke. This elder's access to proper and timely medical care was delayed. A critical incident review was started soon after, led by Cree doctor Marlyn Cook. That was almost seven months ago, Mr. Speaker.
Last week, the Minister of Health and Social Services updated this House on that critical incident review. It made 16 recommendations to the government. These recommendations ranged from making sure staff review and understand current rules to proposing a specialized stroke centre at the Stanton Hospital here in Yellowknife.
I want to talk about one of the recommendations in particular. Recommendation 12 suggests "that the GNWT implements a process to respond to patient and family concerns related to the care that they receive within the healthcare system."
I suspect that the Minister may say that we have a complaints system in place already, though maybe we could work on improving it. During my constituency meeting in Aklavik, a constituent brought a different idea to the table: a patient advocate. Small community residents often feel that they can't express how they really feel to healthcare workers.
A patient advocate, working out of a local health centre, could help bridge those gaps between those workers and residents. That could mean someone to tackle language or culture gaps, help coordinate medical escorts, help nurses with patients' family history, or even just help workers new to town get to know the community.
This could also tie in with the review's other recommendations, including the incorporation of traditional practices into care when Aboriginal patients ask for them. This idea for a patient advocate could be piloted in Aklavik, Mr. Speaker. I think we could learn a lot from it and effect some real positive changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions later today.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when I was growing up, I would attend the day camp at the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre every summer. That is where I learned how to make a bed with pine boughs, cook bannock over an open fire, and snare rabbits.
I am happy to say that after all these years, the friendship centre's tradition of educating youth is as strong as ever, but now, it is focused on delivering programs to develop job skills and provide work experience. Just this past Friday, our Member of Parliament was in Hay River where he announced that the friendship centre is receiving a federal grant of nearly $1.3 million to support projects that provide hands-on work experience, job search assistance, and skills upgrading. This money will help train 60 youth over the next three years.
Mr. Speaker, the feds don’t usually just hand you seven figures without proof that you can put it to good use.
When it was time to tear down the arena in Hay River, the friendship centre recognized an opportunity and partnered with industry to train 23 youth in asbestos abatement. Twenty-two of those youth received their certification, and 80 per cent of them went on to work on the arena project.
Recognizing the growing manufacturing sector in Hay River, the Friendship Centre has again partnered with industry and will soon begin running a carpentry program that will develop essential essential industry skills, and provide work experience.
They are also adapting a youth and elder catering program that has been proven effective in other regions of the territory.
Just yesterday there was an article on CBC North about the commercial fishing training program the centre is running. In the fall, the centre will offer a much more robust version of the program in association with the NWT Fishermen’s Federation and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. It will include intensive hands-on training and Transport Canada marine industry accreditation. This will prepare youth to work in the fishery as well as the shipping industry and the Coast Guard.
The centre also runs an entrepreneurial training program for youth who have multiple barriers to employment, and four youth are now employed as a direct result of this program.
All of these programs are in addition to the numerous community services, the youth centre they run, putting on seniors programs, and hosting a number of community events.
Mr. Speaker, I was going to talk about how friendship centres in the NWT are underfunded and have to piece together monies to provide programming while deferred maintenance costs add up; this is despite the fact that for every dollar invested in the Friendship Centre they can use that to leverage seven additional dollars from other sources.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to focus instead on the good work being done, and to personally thank the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre for what it does for our youth, our community, and the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to begin by recognizing the students who are in the House today and stating that you are our future, and one day we hope to see you sitting here. Then I want to move to talk about some of the NHL alumni who are visiting our gallery today. We have Shaun Van Allen, who has played with the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and the Montreal Canadiens.
We have John Chabot, who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Red Wings. We have Dan Frawley, who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Chicago Blackhawks. Tyler Kennedy, who played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders, the San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils. Ally Charlette, the daughter of John Chabot, who provided support for the tour.
Also accompanying the alumni is the band Algonquin Avenue from Ottawa, who provided the entertainment. We want to welcome you to the Legislative Assembly in the Northwest Territories. It's wonderful that you could attend the event in Deline and we hope to see you again in the future.
---Applause
I would also like to say welcome to our proceedings. It's always great to have special guests as part of our proceedings and witnessing our actions. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd to welcome two Pages from Inualthuyak School in Sachs Harbour: Rosanne Lennie and Agnes Amos, as well as their chaperone, Margaret Noksana. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly, and I look forward to working with you all this week and hope you can put up with us.
Also, Mr. Speaker, the Senior Cager basketball tournament was held here in Yellowknife over the weekend, and we have a team from Helen Kalvak School, the under 15 boys' team, who are in the gallery, and their teacher. I'm going to give you their names: Kolten Inuktalik, Mitchell Inuktalik, Kyran Alikamik, Teegan Taptuna, Christopher Hoagak, Alexandria Banksland, Lucy Ann Okheena and their teacher/coach Nicolas Kopot. They were the only team that had two girls participate in a boys' tournament, and they also won the sportsmanship banner this weekend for the Cager Tournament.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say that the Pages as well as the students have travelled from the furthest north to come and be here with us. I appreciate you making the time to come and sit down and listen to us for a bit. After I'm done, you can go now, but welcome. The sportsmanship shows that the little schools sometimes don't come to compete, but they also come in the spirit of team play. You're sitting across from some very good people in this room, so thank you all, and welcome everybody into the gallery. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Again, just welcoming those individuals who travelled from afar to participate in our tournament this weekend. Thanks for coming. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to echo my colleague, the Minister, on recognizing the Algonquin band members from Quebec; I hope you had an enjoyable weekend in Deline. Also I'd like to recognize the three members from the alumni NHL who also participated in the celebrations in Deline; Dan Frawley, Shaun Van Allen, and John Chabot. Thank you very much for coming to see our proceedings.
