Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, decisions about caribou management are a shared responsibility of the NWT and are made in collaboration with Indigenous, territorial, and federal governments and boards that have responsibilities for wildlife management and land-use planning decisions. Overall population and herd-specific management plans define monitoring and management actions in the NWT and play a key role in overall caribou management. As part of our government’s mandate, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has made commitments to implement an updated management strategy for barren-ground caribou and develop a range planning framework for boreal caribou.
Most caribou herds across northern Canada have been declining or are stable at low numbers. Many are at or near historic low numbers. Mr. Speaker, boreal caribou are listed as a threatened species under both the federal and territorial Species at Risk Acts. Population declines across Canada are linked to habitat disturbance from industrial activity such as roads, logging and seismic lines, and forest fires.
Under the federal Species at Risk Act, there is a requirement to protect critical habitat. The act stipulates that, across Canada, jurisdictions must maintain at least 65 per cent undisturbed habitat within each local boreal caribou population range. This is a national threshold set by the Government of Canada that all jurisdictions are bound by.
ENR is leading the development of a Boreal Caribou Range Planning Framework outlining the GNWT’s approach to meet this requirement in a way that integrates environmental protection with populations and sustainable economic development. It is a made-in-the-NWT approach drafted with co-management partners, developed with wildlife co-management boards and with other GNWT departments through the Inter-Departmental Species at Risk Committee.
We have completed a draft of the Boreal Caribou Range Planning Framework and will begin engagement with stakeholders and Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment in March. This work will be completed early in the life of the next Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, with respect to barren-ground caribou, they were recently assessed as threatened by both the federal Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and the NWT Species at Risk Committee. As required in legislation, ENR is currently conducting broad public engagement and consultation on whether barren-ground caribou should be added to the NWT List of Species at Risk.
Building on the previous Barren-Ground Caribou Management Strategies from 2006-2010 and 2011-2015, an updated Barren-Ground Caribou Management Strategy for 2018-2022 is in draft form, and ENR is set to begin engagement and consultation this month with Indigenous governments, co-management partners, stakeholders, Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, and the public. A final strategy is expected to be completed in the fall.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has a history of cooperative working relationships and partnerships with Indigenous governments when it comes to wildlife management, something that contributes to a successful approach to Indigenous reconciliation, that ensures Indigenous views and priorities are part of government decision-making. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as part of our government’s commitment to create opportunities for Northerners to live and work in the Northwest Territories, the Department of Lands launched a Resource Management Officer training and development program three years ago. Since its creation, there have been two graduates of the program, with another nearing completion in the coming months. These first graduates have been permanently employed with the Department of Lands, and recruiting for new Resource Management Officers will begin shortly.
The training program began with the recruitment of entry-level, or level 1, resource management officers in each of the department’s five regional offices. Participants completed courses through the Environment and Natural Resources Training Program offered at Aurora College, an orientation course to the Government of the Northwest Territories, as well as safety and on-the-job training.
During this training period, these resource management officers are supported financially by the department. Through extensive training and mentorship, incumbents increase their employability and essential skills for this position. Those who successfully complete the program are then qualified to be level 2 resource-management officers or inspectors with the Department of Lands.
These resource management officer positions, along with other resource management and superintendent positions, open career paths for northern residents and succession planning opportunities for the Department of Lands. The program also supports our government’s priority to foster skill development, training, and employability for residents in all of our communities. Our program is building on the programs offered at our post-secondary northern institutions, is exposing Northerners to an exciting and rewarding career path, and is successfully graduating participants into positions with the Government of the Northwest Territories in communities throughout the territory.
The Department of Lands relies on qualified inspectors to ensure responsible and sustainable development in the Northwest Territories. Their success in the field relies on a combination of education, practical experience, and land-based knowledge as they carry out, on average, approximately 700 inspections annually throughout the territory.
Mr. Speaker, this program is a success for the Department of Lands, for our residents, and for our government. Congratulations to all those who have successfully completed the program, and I look forward to the continued success of this initiative of the Department of Lands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the problems surrounding procurement have been raised numerous times by numerous Members of this House, yet, despite what we say, the Minister of Infrastructure insists that the GNWT has a top-notch procurement policy.
We have relayed our constituents' complaints about the policy to him on multiple occasions, but he continually insists that, aside from one or two people, no one has issues with it. The implication is that we're "fake news," Mr. Speaker, but we're not making this up. I've had half a dozen business owners and representatives in my office in Hay River discuss their concerns about procurement with me. I sat in on the manufacturing strategy consultation in Hay River, and heard the concerns about procurement. I've met with multiple business owners in Yellowknife and further concerns about procurement. I've met with representatives in the Beaufort Delta and heard their concerns. I hear the concerns coming out of the Deh Cho.
Mr. Speaker, I can't understand how the Minister doesn't hear the chorus of people from across the NWT who have serious concerns about the GNWT procurement practices. There's a growing number of small businesses that are so fed up that they refuse to do business with the GNWT anymore; and it's not just because of the red tape, the ridiculous paperwork, or the senseless policies. It's also the arrogance and the lack of respect shown to private businesses and entrepreneurs. It's no surprise that the GNWT has once again earned an "F" on the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses' Annual Report Card.
Procurement is one of the most powerful tools the GNWT has to build capacity, grow Northern businesses, and most importantly, put people to work. That doesn't seem to matter. The department would rather save a few bucks on an infrastructure project by contracting a southern company over a northern one, despite the fact that the benefit to the North in terms of skill development, job creation, and local purchasing would far outstrip any price difference.
The department would rather import manufactured goods from the South than support a northern business by tweaking a departmental policy handed down on high because it would require political will and a little bit of energy.
The department would rather put on its "how to do business with the GNWT" workshops than ask businesses how it can be better at doing business with them. The GNWT's failure to use its purchasing power as a tool to support small businesses and diversify the economy runs contrary to the mandate of this Assembly and is a black mark on this government. The fact that the Minister denies there is even a problem raises serious questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hear, Hear
Masi. Members' statement. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is going to be an exciting day for the Minister of Infrastructure, as a number of us today have statements on procurement.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised numerous complaints around the procurement policies of this government. It is adversely impacting my constituents and the constituents of many other MLAs across the territory. It is time that we take a look at these policies and make them work for the people of the Northwest Territories, not for the Department of Infrastructure. It's time that we invest in the North and use procurement as a way to grow the economy, create jobs, and enrich businesses. Also, to develop their capacity. This Minister continues to ignore these requests from this side of the House. This Minister continues to say there are no problems. How many problems do we need to bring to his doorstep until he'll take action?
Well, we'll see, Mr. Speaker, because I have another issue I'd like to raise today. The current policy around payments, progress payments from our government for work completed, is you're only allowed to receive progress payments if you can post a supply bond that is not less than 100 per cent of the contract value. What small businesses can afford that, Mr. Speaker? While they lack progress payments, they need to come up with the capital to complete these projects. This is an untenable situation for many small businesses. The current policy strains cash flow, especially for small businesses that still have to meet payroll, pay taxes, pay WSCC premiums and other costs.
This is so bad it has forced some businesses into insolvency in some cases, and certainly discourages them from competing on RFP processes. The current policy stymies job creation and restricts investment in apprenticeship training. The construction industry alone accounts for 40 per cent of all apprenticeships in Canada, as trade contractors must limit their payroll commitments to meet cash flow expectations. Late payment practices erode the level playing field, as those who maintain honourable practices are put at a disadvantage.
These issues around payment are not secret, Mr. Speaker. They are well-known to the Minister. They are well-known to the department, and they are well-known to me and to other Members of this House. It's time to stop sleeping at the wheel on procurement issues. It's time to turn procurement into an economic engine for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it's a third round or procurement, but I'll start with some kudos because, Mr. Speaker, I have to admit I am encouraged to see the work that this government is doing in developing a manufacturing strategy. Frankly, this strategy does support our mandate commitment to expand and grow our manufacturing sector, promote and market NWT products, and aid in the professional and technological advancement of the industry.
The public engagement sessions conducted last year provides significant insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by our communities. Some of the common themes are related to labour, recruitment and retention, training and development, infrastructure, and geography.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about GNWT policies and practices that are hurting our local businesses. Specifically, I'd like to echo complaints from my constituents on our procurement practices, guided by the Business Incentive Policy and the Northern Manufacturers' Products Policy. Mr. Speaker, our small businesses already face significant disadvantages in being located here in the North. Instead of supporting them, it seems that sometimes our own practices are used to exclude these manufacturers from being able to compete on RFPs or contracts with the government.
Frankly, there's a general lack of confidence in the GNWT's procurement processes. We've heard of some local companies that choose not to bid on RFPs because of adverse past experiences and the government's inability to address complaints about the process. Some businesses also stated that government actively seeks to change procurement requirements in order to skirt policies designed to promote northern businesses so that southern suppliers could be hired instead.
Shame
Other concerns include the lack of policy enforcement; the numerous loopholes that detract from the intent of the policies; the disconnect between the Business Incentive Policy and the Northern Manufacturing Policy, since they are policies of different departments; and inflexibility in not allowing for progress payments on larger projects, as we've already heard.
Mr. Speaker, we have the advantage of having the Departments of Infrastructure and Industry, Tourism and Investment being led by the same Minister. A review and harmonization of our procurement policies is long overdue. I hope that the Minister takes this feedback seriously, and restores confidence in the procurement process. We must have confidence so that it is fair and fulfills the intent of our mandate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to speak to you today about the state of housing on the Hay River reserve. The problem is, I don't know what else I can say. I have told you that my constituents have come to me in frustration and despair. Families are forced to choose between separation, with young people leaving the community to find housing, or overcrowding, with inadequate homes degrading the fabric of family life. We have tried to work with the GNWT. We have tried to work with the federal government. We have been patient, and yet the situation has not materially changed.
At a constituency meeting in the Hay River Reserve last month, residents shared the concerns of overcrowding and the disappointment of the failure to progress on this file. I know the Minister is making an effort, Mr. Speaker, and I thank her for that. I know that dealing with the federal government on these units isn't easy. We are still waiting on six units while the 10 units now under the Housing Corporation remain empty. This just isn't an administrative problem loading up on someone's desk in Yellowknife or Ottawa. This is far more than paperwork at stake. We are talking about people's lives, their dignity, and their rights as Indigenous people under Treaty 8 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people.
It is 2018. Indigenous people need adequate housing. While Canada and the GNWT are calm in the seas of bureaucracy, both are failing to provide the leadership necessary to address this critical need. A handful of units, Mr. Speaker; that is all it would take to change the lives of residents of the Hay River Reserve forever. Surely, that is not too much to ask. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. On January 12, 2018, TerraX Minerals announced that it had acquired the mineral rights at the old Ptarmigan Mine for $5,000. While this may be good news for some, it raises serious questions about the remediation of the site. While this property was a gold producer in the 1940s, 1980s, and 1990s, it was abandoned over 20 years ago and is another mining public liability.
Some minor remediation work has been done at the site, including signage and fencing, but the buildings are in shambles. Dust from the tailings pond continues to blow around unabated. Further remediation apparently awaits negotiations with the federal government, as does the allocation of those costs between GNWT and Canada.
It is not clear why the mineral rights for the site were made available for further development while the site is under remediation. Similarly, it is not clear how the company has claimed it "has no liability for any remediation of the previous mine site."
How will the acquisition of the mineral rights for the Ptarmigan Mine site affect the ability to carry out remediation of the site? If there are exploration activities going on, such as drilling, sampling, or trenching, this could presumably impact the ability to carry out remediation. I discussed the acquisition of the Ptarmigan Mine with the representative of TerraX. They would like the property remediated as much as anyone else, but the company has encountered many problems in trying to work with GNWT over this site and the abandoned Crestaurum Mine. While there are legitimate concerns around liability, the issue of Good Samaritan legislation and policy deserves some attention from this government.
The news release issued by TerraX on the Ptarmigan Mine raises more questions than it answers. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Lands. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, industrious northern students are already submitting their applications for work as summer students and interns with the Government of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, today I want to honour their hard work and their commitment to live, work, and give back to their home communities by talking a little bit about student success.
We know that quality early childhood education, whether provided at home, at playschool, or through programs like the Aboriginal Head Start or junior kindergarten, are critical to the emotional and intellectual foundation that our children need to thrive. A foundation is just that, something to build on. As students move through primary and elementary school and then high school, they need programs that deliver core curriculum, but also programs that speak to unique community and cultural needs.
Mr. Speaker, cultural programming ensures that students can remain immersed in their culture, their language, traditions, and activities throughout the course of their western education. Plus, local people such as elders, language teachers, and hunters and trappers can be included in the planning and delivering of this programming. They can pass on knowledge, values, and traditional ways of life.
Mr. Speaker, attendance at school and the completion of schoolwork fills the majority of students' waking hours for the entirety of their development from the age of four to the age of 18, if not beyond. Where culture-based education is fully integrated into students' experiences, their sense of pride and community will soon follow. With pride and cultural strength come improved performance and achievement, including attendance and marks. That is why we need to support our students to succeed both in high school and beyond to any opportunities that they wish to pursue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will join the procurement train here and have questions for the appropriate Minister. More specifically, I see the values and the process of procurement only to ensure and build confidence in our private sector, Mr. Speaker, to ensure confidence in our private sector. I can only ask the questions later on to the appropriate Minister more specifically in regards to the P3 process. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I regret to inform you that Rita Cazon passed away on November 16, 2017.
In talking with her family, I was told in typical Rita fashion. Rita was born in Edmonton on August 6, 1954. What the unique thing was, was her family was visiting Canada from Germany. Four years later, the family moved back to Canada via New York on a big ship, as they would say. She was raised in Leduc, Alberta, until she was 17 years old. Then she moved to Yellowknife in 1972.
That year, while attending school in Yellowknife, Ernest Cazon saw this very beautiful lady and said, "Wow. I need to get to know her." Unfortunately, he did not get that chance during that year. In 1974, as fate would have it, Rita ended up moving to Fort Simpson and worked at the Nahanni Inn where Ernest saw her again. As he told me, here was his soulmate. On October 15, 1975, the two were married with a huge community celebration.
Mr. Speaker, Rita and her family were known for their willingness to foster children. She was known to be able to relate to them at a level others were not. Rita and her family fostered over 168 youth during this time. The youth felt that this was their home, and so did their friends. I had the pleasure of knowing her and her family personally. She looked after my children for a number of years. She was considered and is considered "Auntie Rita" to them.
Rita was known for her willingness to help with elections, regardless if it was band, municipal, NWT, or federal. She was an excellent resource of knowledge when it came to election issues and challenges. One time, when there was acclamation in the Nahendeh riding, she was asked to go to another riding to help out, and she moved away from her family during this time. Even after retirement, she was still called upon for help.
She sat on Local Education Authority, Community Education Council, and the District Education Authority to make sure youth had a good commitment from adults in the riding. Rita was known for being part of the community. She was always volunteering her time for various events. During our ball tournaments, she was always keeping score and announcing the games. Ballplayers, umpires, and fans loved her humour and wisecracks. She was part of every tournament and will be sadly missed.
Mr. Speaker, Rita was known about fairness. One time, her and two friends were in a store and noticed the produce was going bad. They placed the food on the floor and were heard saying, "This food is not good enough for human consumption." Within a half hour, the store brought out the new produce and apologized.
Rita was known for her baking, especially during bazaars. She would have five to 10 tables full of her baking. Unfortunately, for the family, nothing was left to go home. Luckily for Ernest, she would come home and bake some bread or buns for her love. Mr. Speaker, the family would like to thank Stanton Hospital, Fort Simpson Medical Travel, Liidli Kue First Nation, Fort Simpson Metis Local, Fort Simpson High-Performance Soccer, Fort Simpson Ambulance and Fire Department, and Doctor Hubert for all the support during her sickness and during this family's difficult time.
Rita is survived by her husband, two sons, daughter, and two granddaughters and grandson. The service will be later this month. She will be sadly missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. I am pleased to recognize Mr. David Jones, the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the Northwest Territories, who has joined us for the tabling of his annual report later this afternoon. Please join me in welcoming him to our proceedings today.
Colleagues, we have with us distinguished guests. I apologize in advance if I mispronounce your names, but I will try my best. I am pleased to recognize a group with us here today from Ontario Legislative Internship. They are here this week to learn about our consensus-style government. They are Daryl Gonsalves, Mackenzie Taylor, Jaskiran Shoker, Shireen Salti, Matthew Klassen, Harmeet Sandhu, Ana Qarri, Josef Methot, and Kassandra Loewen. Thanks for joining us here today. Enjoy your time in the Northwest Territories. Masi for coming. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.
Mr. Speaker, today I'm pleased to recognize the following people from Dene Nahjo in the gallery today. They are authors of "We are One Mind - Perspectives from Emerging Indigenous Leaders on the Arctic Policy Framework," a document that I will be tabling later today; Nina Larsson, Kayla Kakfwi Scott, Mandee McDonald and Deneshe N'akehkoe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would look to recognize our interpreter who does the interpreting in my language, Mr. Tommy Unka. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize a couple of the Pages from Hay River North who have been here with us this week, Ms. Madison Beck and Mr. Ricther Ignacio. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we've heard a lot of concerns and questions about the Western Canada Lotteries Act, and we're soon to be hearing about some multi-sport funding issues within the budget here. So my first question is to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs: can the Minister please advise if the Western Canada Lotteries Act has a clause in the bill that allows the lotteries to be used for multi-sport games? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, yes, the proposed bill that was submitted to standing committee does have a clause in it that allows the dispersal of funds to cover multi-sport games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Just a friendly reminder to Members that this bill is before standing committee. So if you could not go into detail on specific questions, I'll allow further debates, but not specific details. Member for Nahendeh.
Uh, oh. We'll work on it.
---Laughter
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank you for the clarification on that. This is going to be a little bit challenging, but I guess we'll go into what's in the budget and -- the budget is before the House, too. Oh, well, here we go: what is the intention in the budget with the bill in adding this multi-sport games funding to the bill? Can you answer that question?
Basically, Mr. Speaker, why did I include the line in the bill, is my understanding of the question. So I'm going to try to state that without getting into trouble for talking about the bill. Basically, it's important that the -- I'm struggling to not talk about the bill.
It's important, Mr. Speaker, that all of the monies that are obtained through the Lottery Fund are protected and that we can actually use it for sports and recreation, which was the intent of that funding. So I am proposing that we would maintain that, as we have historically done, that we would do that in the future.
I thank the Minister for that answer as we navigate on some difficult grounds here. Can the Minister please tell us how much money the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs put into exploration of funding excluding salaries?
Currently, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs provides $8.3 million for sport and recreation programs. That includes $4.7 million from the Western Canada Lottery Fund revenues and $3.6 million from the Government of the NWT operation funding for Municipal and Community Affairs.
