Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in October 2014, I tabled in this House, Building Stronger Families: An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services. I am pleased to provide an update on our accomplishments on this action plan.
The goal of Building Stronger Families is to improve the quality of child and family services offered by our government, with a view to achieving better outcomes for children and families when they receive services under the Child and Family Services Act.
On April 1, 2016, new amendments to the Child and Family Services Act came into effect. Those legislative changes included a new definition of "youth" and allowed for youth protection hearings and transition plans. In addition, we are now able to extend services for any young adult in permanent care and custody by entering into an agreement for services until the age of 23, to support independent living.
Mr. Speaker, we have also evolved our delivery of mandatory training for child protection workers over the years in response to changes in legislation, leading practices, and recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. One important change in the training was the inclusion of an Indigenous traditional knowledge holder and survivor of residential school to educate child protection workers on the impacts of the residential school system in the NWT and to provide broad cultural oversight for the duration of the training. Our training for child protection workers also includes trauma-informed practice, focusing on strengths, permanency planning, and the importance of nurturing relationships, cultural identity, and connection with community.
The Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual has also been completely revised to improve and enhance the child and family services system, and to reflect the changes to the Child and Family Services Act. The manual clearly states that child protection workers are to make every effort to work with the family to safely return the child to their care and reunify the family.
To support case management in child-protection and prevention services, we also began implementing structured decision-making tools. With the efforts of our front-line and departmental staff, these tools were adapted to be responsive to the cultural context of the Northwest Territories. These tools help to support the complex clinical decisions child protection workers make every day including:
How urgently do I need to respond to this report of concern?
What are these child’s immediate safety needs, and do I need to apprehend this child to protect them?
What is the nature and magnitude of a child’s risk of abuse or neglect, and what types of services does this family need?
How will this family’s strengths play a part in their care plan and help to alleviate any safety risks and reduce risks of future harm?
Mr. Speaker, we have also recently launched a new information system for child and family services. The new matrix system went live in October 2017, replacing the old child and family information system that had been in use since 2001 – and pretty much everybody hated. This new information system will allow for increased support for complex work done by child and family services staff at all levels, improved data collection, and quality assurance.
One of the action items from Building Stronger Families was to create an annual report of the director of Child and Family Services. I am pleased to share that. Later today, I will be tabling the Director's 2016-2017 Annual Report, which will also include the years 2007-2008 up to and including 2016-2017.
While positive trends have emerged from the director's report, we are still in the early days of transforming our child and family services system, and we recognize that we still have significant work ahead of us to better meet the needs of children and their families.
Through changes in legislation, training, standards, support tools, and our information system, our government has been strengthening our foundation for the delivery of child and family services in the Northwest Territories. We know that there is more work to be done, but we are looking forward to continuing to advance our mandate commitments in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Finance.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Government of the Northwest Territories has been selected as one of Canada's Top Employers in two categories for 2018, Canada's Top Employer of Young People and Canada's Best Diversity Employer.
Mr. Speaker, this is the fourth time the GNWT has been selected as one of Canada's Top Employers of Young People. This prestigious designation recognizes employers that offer the nation's best workplaces and programs for young people who are starting their careers. It reaffirms that the GNWT remains one of Canada's leaders in attracting and retaining younger employees within our organization.
The Department of Finance continues to manage numerous programs and initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities for northern students and helping to provide diverse work experiences for young people. These include the Summer Student Employment Program, which provided valuable work experience to 349 students last summer. This is more students then we have hired in any year over the past five years.
The internship program was recently revised and will now provide support for approximately 70 northern graduates to gain the work experience within the GNWT that will support them moving into permanent placements with our public service.
The Department of Finance also continues to work in partnership with Education, Culture and Employment and other departments to communicate programs and initiatives to northern students to help them set and achieve their career goals. Mr. Speaker, our programs help these young people, but they also help our government. The young people are the future of our public service, and the GNWT is committed to attracting our northern youth to the public service and to providing opportunities for growth and development throughout their careers.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has also been selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the sixth time. This recognition places the GNWT among an exclusive group of Canadian employers who have demonstrated a commitment to creating and maintaining inclusive workplaces.
The GNWT has undertaken a number of initiatives to foster a diverse and an inclusive workforce. These include f ormalizing, within the 2018-2019 Main Estimates, our diversity and inclusion unit within the Department of Finance to support our programs and services related to diversity and inclusion.
The GNWT's Advisory Committee on Employability, which provides advice on ways to promote, support, and increase the representation of persons with disabilities in the GNWT workforce, reduce stigma, and foster a spirit of inclusion.
The Indigenous Employees Advisory Committee, which provides advice on ways to help increase workforce representation of Indigenous peoples at all levels in the public service and to create a working environment that supports and promotes Aboriginal employees in the GNWT.
Finally, a range of programs and services related to diversity and inclusion, which includes the Regional Recruitment Program, the new program to add training positions, enhanced training, and awareness campaigns related to diversity and inclusion, and, of course, our Affirmative Action Policy.
Mr. Speaker, while these awards highlight the achievements of the GNWT in these areas, we recognize that there is still more work to do. These awards may be confirmation that government-wide we are taking the right steps to make progress, but we will not stop here. This government will continue to ensure sustained efforts on these fronts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are continually reviewing and updating our income security programs to make sure that they respond to the needs and realities of Northwest Territories residents. All program changes are made based on research and analysis to ensure that these programs are well-managed and help residents across the North.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment increased the Northwest Territories Child Benefit in July 2017, and we raised the Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit in September 2017. Mr. Speaker, we will soon implement additional improvements that will benefit seniors, income assistance clients, and students.
Starting April 1, 2018, the department will implement enhancements to the Senior Home Heating Subsidy. This subsidy provides financial assistance to low- to modest- income residents aged 60 and older to help meet the costs of heating their homes. With the planned enhancements, more seniors will be eligible for more support to assist with their home heating costs. We are increasing income thresholds, adjusting eligible income limits and subsidy amounts, and moving to a monetary based subsidy. Additionally, we are extending the program to include seniors who rent their homes.
By increasing the income thresholds, extending the program to renters, and ensuring all eligible seniors receive the full subsidy, we believe that more than 300 seniors will be positively impacted.
Mr. Speaker, we have been working hard to make sure that all of our programs are fairly applied to put more money in the hands of those who need it most. Currently, under the Income Assistance program, single clients are eligible to receive up to $900 per month for rental assistance, while clients with dependants are eligible to receive assistance at market rent.
Starting April 1st, we will be extending market rent eligibility to all income assistance clients. Finally, Mr. Speaker, our Student Financial Assistance program is one of the best in Canada. It provides students with financial assistance to pursue postsecondary education, leading to improved career options.
Starting in the fall semester, students with dependents will receive an additional return trip each academic year from their home community to the nearest approved education institution that offers their program. We are also changing the Student Financial Assistance application deadlines so that we can process applications sooner. Students will receive an earlier response to their applications, allowing them to plan their academic year. The deadlines for applications will change from July 15th to June 30th and from November 15th to October 31st, effective this year.
We will promote these changes to make sure students are well-informed. Student case officers will also be available to assist in this transition.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is making these changes to income security benefits in accordance with principles of responsible governance, public accountability, and fiscal responsibility, but our main objective, as always, is to do everything we can to support our students, seniors, and our most vulnerable residents. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 2018 South Slave Arctic Winter Games fast approaches. It will be the 25th Arctic Winter Games for the Circumpolar World.
These games will inspire all participants to find their power through a unique and exceptional sporting and cultural experience that Northerners of all stripes will benefit from.
Not only does this provide the opportunity for our young athletes to shine, but it will show off the beauty and unique culture of the South Slave region of the Northwest Territories, the region of our territory that does not get put into the spotlight nearly enough. Every region and constituency of our vast territory will be offering up athletes and coaches to participate in these games, and Kam Lake is no different.
I am proud to say that we have 33 young athletes and coaches coming from Kam Lake to compete this year, such as Joseph Curran, who will be demonstrating his skill in cross-country skiing; or Logan Debogorski, who will be helping Team NWT win in ice hockey; Denae Lafferty, whose athletic ability will be front and centre in volleyball; while Tegan Konge dominates the slopes in snowboarding; and Aaron Wells will be leading our basketball team to victory as its coach.
There must be something in the water other than arsenic because the amount of athletic prowess coming from my riding and from this great city is phenomenal. I would like to congratulate all athletes participating this year, not only from Kam Lake and Team NWT, but from all nations of the circumpolar world. We are showing the rest of Canada and the international community that we have more to offer than just snow. We have some of the most formidable competitors and true athletes in the entire world. Thank you so much for all you do to inspire us.
I would like to give thanks to those who are giving time to volunteer in the South Slave Games. These events are only a success because of the sacrifice and hard work you put into these events. Finally, I would like to commend this government for its continued to support to both our athletes and these games. This continued strategic investment in events like this will help us reap benefits for generations to come, and demonstrates a commitment to our culture, regions, and athletes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Go Team NWT.
Masi. Members' statements, Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we all know, climate change is the most significant global challenge we face today. Climate change is fundamentally affecting weather patterns across the globe. We are seeing massive floods, fires, hurricanes, and droughts that have become the new normal. In the North, we see reducing Arctic ice, permafrost damage, significant erosion, low water, species migration, and our worst fire seasons in years. These increasing impacts call upon everyone to do whatever we can to reduce our carbon emissions.
Mr. Speaker, we have fewer options than our southern neighbours when it comes to reliable energy. We have a harsh climate and months of darkness. We need fossil fuels for power generation, for shipping of goods and for extracting resources.
We also have a record of innovation. Our hydro systems provide renewable energy. Diavik's wind farm has reduced fuel use up to nearly 15 per cent. Colville Lake solar panel project allows their generators to run 25 per cent less. Yes, we have to build on these successes, but reducing emissions is a collaborative effort. Our economy relies on carbon intensive resource extraction. The challenge is to grow the economy, and simultaneously meet our reduction targets. Some suggest we can't have both. I believe we can.
Mr. Speaker, the extractive industry invests millions in research every year. For example, the Canadian Mining Innovation Council put forward a strategy entitled: Towards Zero Mining Waste. It calls for water use, energy use, and environmental footprints to be cut in half by 2027. A healthy mining sector doesn't have to be an environmental liability. Innovation and technology will help both industry and government meet reduction goals. How can we measure success in emission reduction strategies? One measure is through the international organization for standardization. It develops international standards such as ISO 14001 for environmental management, and ISO 9001 for quality management. On energy management and efficiency, the standard is ISO 50001. Currently, there is one mining company in Canada that is ISO 50001 certified, and others working towards certification. We should consider adopting these high standards in our forthcoming energy strategy.
Mr. Speaker, I don't believe in settling for one or the other. I believe that with smart approaches and a push for innovation, we can support the economy, improve our energy efficiency, and meet our targets for reducing emissions. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statement, Member for Sahtu.
Destination Deline, the Deline Gotine Government Tourism Initiative. Mr. Speaker, 2018 is the year of Canada and China tourism relations. The Government of the Northwest Territories "Tourism 2020" is a strategic approach to increasing our readiness to this thriving industry.
Mr. Speaker, 100 million Chinese residents visit international destinations every year.
Mr. Speaker, Destination Deline is the true NWT tourism experience, designed to expand the pristine attractions of the NWT horizons from the community of Deline on the shores of Canada's last fresh water world-renowned trophy fish lake, Great Bear Lake.
This initiative will offer China travellers with lifetime and breathtaking experiences from a small remote community perspective to the unique, traditional and cultural activities where North Slavey language is preferred over English.
Mr. Speaker, Destination Deline, getting ready for the Asian invasion, the Deline Gotine government has invested significant capital to this initiative by constructing additional cabins to the community- owned hotel. Mr. Speaker, this is a shared benefit initiative. The program will enhance small community ventures, arts and craft producers, while sharing traffic through the NWT capital.
Mr. Speaker, I am privileged by invitation on accompanying the Deline Gotine government trip to China, and I will be absent from the House for the remaining term. This is a truly a Deline community opportunity on economic diversification. Later, I will have questions to the Minister of ITI. Mahsi cho.
Masi. Members' statement. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, British Columbia's proposed $8 billion Site C hydroelectric dam will flood more than 80 committees of the Peace River Valley. First Nations whose land were directly affected will pay the highest price for the so-called "clean energy project." The environmental impact assessment said flooding land for a reservoir would "severely undermine the use of the land, make fishing unsafe for at least a generation, and would submerge burial grounds and other critical cultural and historical sites."
The dam will have significant downstream effect, including on the Slave River in the NWT. It will alternate between depriving downstream communities of water and flooding these communities to manage the dam's water level. Under section 35 of the Constitution Act, governments must undertake meaningful consultation with First Nations when their Indigenous rights might be deprived. In 2016, Amnesty International issued a report which I will table later this week, saying that Site C violated the human rights of the Indigenous people. Assembly of First Nations National Chief, Perry Bellegarde has said that Canada's approach to the project is not in keeping with the constitution, or the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples and that BC's decision to move forward is "completely contrary to the reconciliation."
During environmental assessments, Canada and BC consulted with the NWT Metis Nation. They determined the Metis claim to Aboriginal rights regarding the dam is weak and that potential impact would be minimal. They also consulted with NWT Treaty 8 First Nations, including Salt River First Nation, Smith Landing's First Nation, and Deninu Kue First Nation. In its representation to the panel, the DKFN outlined the significant changes in the drying up of the Great Slave River watershed and subsequent impacts. Despite this, it was determined that the impact would be low because the dam's footprint was not expected to overlap the Treaty 8 traditional use areas.
Mr. Speaker, these findings completely ignore the downstream impacts of the dam in communities in my riding. People in Fort Simpson can remember losing wharf installations, fishing boats, and fuel cans when the floodgates opened on the WAC Bennett and Peace Canyon dams, which are upstream from Site C.
I know an Indigenous research named Jack Yeadon, who has monitored Site C. He said, "Who gave BC the right to play God, damming up our rivers without our prior knowledge or consent?" I could not agree more. I will have questions for the Premier about the NWT's position on this project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. An important paper was published last week on caribou, focusing on the Bathurst caribou herd. I tabled this peer-reviewed paper in the House on March 1st. The author say the following:
"As caribou populations have declined in recent years, the governance response has almost exclusively focused on curbing Indigenous subsistence harvesting. We offer the case of the Bathurst caribou herd, where key areas of the summer and fall range have been taken up for mining exploration and development in the last two decades. The tragedy, both ecological and socio-economic, mirrors historic periods of wildlife management in northern Canada during which time caribou management was explicitly about advancing private interests in northern lands and resources at the expense of Indigenous cultures and livelihoods.
"There are other threats for the Bathurst caribou herd on the horizon as new mining projects are proposed, including an all-weather road and deep-water port project that would significantly adversely affect caribou habitat, including areas considered sensitive calving grounds. Even for skeptics and cautious scientists who consider the evidence about the impacts of mining on caribou habitat and population dynamics as incomplete, taking a precautionary approach to limit development, particularly in the Bathurst range, would seem a prudent course of action."
That's the end of the quote, Mr. Speaker. What has been the response of our government to the crisis with the Bathurst caribou herd? A herd range-planning exercise has been going on, led by Environment Natural Resources for the last four years. The draft plan is now for public consultation, which closes on March 31, 2018.
The draft plan presents a conceptual way forward for managing humans in relation to the caribou herd. However, the implementation section is particularly weak, with no concrete set of actions or commitments by governments on either side of the NWT-Nunavut boundary. No costs are predicted.
There is also an ominous disclaimer that says, "The document does not represent the results of community consultation or government policy direction." The draft also states, "The range plan is advisory, and all recommendations are non-binding."
Our government needs to decide whether it wants to commit to protecting the Bathurst caribou herd with other governments or if it wants to build an all-weather road through the heart of its range. It's a simple choice, Mr. Speaker: caribou or roads. I'll have questions for the Minister of Environmental and Natural Resources later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We live in a strange world. There are many aspects of our lives that are simply not fair, but I'd like to think our government is ending any unfairness it is responsible for. This is especially important where our elders are being treated unfairly, as they are when they have to pay to lease for our government's Commissioner's lands.
Dene people used to live on the land in small villages along the Deh Cho or inland lakes where the hunting and fishing was good. When residential schools were built, the federal government and RCMP forced children to go to school in the communities. Houses were built by the federal government so that families could be closer to their children when they were at the mission school.
Today, some elders are living on the same land they had been living on since the 1960s. Of course, these elders are living on the fixed income from the old-age pension. They have to live very frugally or they won't have enough money for their basics of life. They are grateful when their families and friends' families bring them food from the land. These elders' homes are on Dene land that has somehow become Commissioner's lands, and the elders are required to pay to lease it. I know some elders who owe as much as $5,000. It is pitiful that our government hounds our elders to pay to occupy their own lands, Mr. Speaker, just pitiful.
No, it is worse than pitiful. It is unfair and oppressive and a bad hangover from deeply colonialist policies. Some of these elders helped document traditional trails and land use to advance the Deh Cho process. The children of some of those elders have laboured for decades to advance that process.
In discussing the current budget, the Minister of Lands has congratulated himself for lowering the costs of leasing Commissioner's lands. I suppose it is a humble improvement, but I'm saying for the record today that our elders should not have to pay to lease land they have always lived on or land under the cabins they may live in from time to time. I hope the Minister will do something about it and bring a little fairness to our land. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a new radio station started broadcasting to the world this week from the heart of Yellowknife Centre when Cabin Radio signed on yesterday with its first program. I was delighted to be in their studio for this historic occasion.
Cabin Radio exists as an online station, livestreaming on the Internet through the labours of six people. Programming and news leader Ollie Williams is joined by program host, Jesse Wheeler, from 7:00 to 9:00 and Shannon Moore, who is hosting the afternoon show from noon to 4:00. Ollie has the 9:00 to noon spot, and the evening drive show is soon to follow. Kevin Macdonald hosts the Saturday morning show, and there is local news twice on hour. As well, the news content is posted to the Cabin Radio website.
The station has given itself a strong mandate for the promotion of northern music and the arts. NWT composer Carmen Braden created the station's musical sound, and a three-minute composition of hers was the first musical airing at station sign-on. Mr. Speaker, Cabin Radio content and expertise isn't just contained to the live signal. Cabin Radio is also a training resource for youth and community radio stations. A workshop at the Lidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson taught young broadcasters the skills that radio production and training is being made available to broadcasters at community radio stations around the NWT. Cabin Radio will also share its content and features with community stations, establishing a kind of syndicated service in the NWT. There is a lot more from Cabin Radio in store. Producers are inviting new programming and show ideas. Evenings and weekends are reserved for shows created by community members with a passion they'd like to share. An FM broadcast licence may be in the future, and there's a phone app in development as well.
Take a listen. You'll find them at www.cabinradio.ca. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about the cost of obesity to our people and to our healthcare system. According to Statistics Canada, the Northwest Territories has the highest obesity levels in the country, at 35.3 per cent.
Mr. Speaker, two of the four pillars of health are to eat healthy food and exercise. In small communities, it is costly to eat fresh vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. However, it is still possible to get healthy traditional food, like caribou, moose, fish, and small game, like wild chickens, ducks, and rabbits. In addition, many of the elders will pick berries in season and make them last an entire year.
Mr. Speaker, one physical activity has become very popular, especially in small communities, is hand games. Hand games have grown in popularity right across the Northwest Territories and have proven to be very good for the physicality of participants. This is demonstrated by the fact that hand games and other Dene games, such as finger pull, snow snake, stick pull, and pole push are all recognized competitive sports in the Arctic Winter Games. Further, I also know that the GNWT shares this view of the importance of hand games because of its inclusion in the Aboriginal Sports Circle Program.
Moreover, Mr. Speaker, hand games have proven to be an excellent medium for youth to communicate and make positive social connections with their peers. Mr. Speaker, youth that are involved in sports and recreation like hand games and other Dene games are much more likely to stay out of trouble and away from dangerous activities that involve drugs, alcohol, or crime. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, there are many positive aspects to hand games.
Mr. Speaker, hand game participants get to interact with their counterparts from other communities, participate in physical activity, and stay away from drug and alcohol. Mr. Speaker, whenever you have a situation where youth are in a non-alcoholic, non-drug environment, you can only have positive things come from it.
Mr. Speaker, we all know the government and the social costs when youth do not exercise and become obese and when the youth overconsume alcohol and drugs and end up in the justice system.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was once told by a community leader that they do everything they can as a community to help their youth do well. As a result of their efforts, no youth from that community has appeared in court in over three years. It is no wonder that in recent years the number of youth in North Slave Young Offenders facility has dropped to record low-inmate populations. I urge this government to continue to help people in the Northwest Territories value our Dene games, more particularly the hand games. One day, I hope to see hand games have equal value as other prominent sports like hockey, basketball, and soccer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across Canada, governments are grappling with the impacts of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders on this country's Canadian rangers, search and rescue technicians, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other first responders. Last summer, a national survey revealed that first responders were 10 per cent more likely to face these kinds of illnesses than the general population. Whether women or men, rookies or lifelong veterans, serving your community as a first responder comes with an added workplace risk.
These risks don't disappear when they are off the clock. The same survey that I just mentioned showed that the symptoms of what they call "operational stress injuries" increase over time, with more time at work and more traumatic experiences. Although family bonds can help first responders deal with the mental and emotional demands of their work, traumatic experience can also strain those bonds, sometimes to the breaking point.
Mr. Speaker, other jurisdictions have found new ways to confront the reality of first responders' work. Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario recognize PTSD as a "presumptive condition" in their workers' compensation legislation. That means that those governments recognize that PTSD arises out of a worker's employment conditions, if the condition develops during their employment. This opens a door to quicker recognition and improved access to appropriate treatment and resources, from debriefing and stress counselling to clinical treatment.
Mr. Speaker, with this precedent set across the country, this is something that I would like to see our workers' compensation legislation address. Many Northwest Territories firefighters are volunteers, but we need to make sure that both volunteers and career firefighters have access to the best possible supports, training, and care. Also, with the introduction of 911, many new dispatchers will join the ranks of our first responders. Mr. Speaker, we have got to be ready to ensure the safety and care of all of our first responders, on the job and at home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome the two grade 6 classes that we have here visiting today from Weledeh Catholic School, and I also want to welcome their teachers, Trent Hamm and Tyrrell Hughes. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the proceedings today. Thank you.
Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize my constituency assistant, Ms. Ray Solotki. She is here with us this week. She is chaperoning a couple of our Pages, Mataya Gillis and Tyanna Bain, who are very strong ambassadors in the sport of curling for the Northwest Territories and put the NWT on the map with their junior curling.
As always, to the youth, welcome to the two grade 6 classes from Weledeh, and, to your educators, thank you for all of the work that you do for our students. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier, I spoke about post-traumatic stress disorder. My questions are for the Minister of WSCC. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister how our workers' compensation legislation currently deals with PTSD and other mental disorders that develop as a result of an individual's work, as for firefighters and other first responders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission does recognize post-traumatic stress disorder as a psychological disorder if it is diagnosed by a medical professional. Both are covered within the act, and, if it is diagnosed, they will be provided the support that's provided to anyone, similar to as if it was a physical accident.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: can the Minister commit to exploring the Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario models for recognizing PTSD and other disorders as presumptive conditions for firefighters and other first responders, as in the Firefighters' Presumption Regulations?
Certainly, we can. The Workers' Safety and Compensation Board, just like other departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories, tries to work in partnership with all of the provinces and territories across Canada. We are always looking for best practices. We are always taking from each other, sharing workshops and sharing information. We will continue doing that process. It doesn't make sense to work in isolation. The best practice is working cross-jurisdictionally, looking at what is working and what is not working, and adapting our services based on that; so, yes, we will.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, how does the Minister plan for 911 rollout, including planning for workers' from across the territory, including paramedics and dispatchers, exposure to traumatic situations?
