Good afternoon, Members. Member for Frame Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I rise pursuant to Rule 21(1) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly to make a personal explanation. Rule 21 allows a Member the opportunity to explain that he or she has been misquoted or deny published accusations against the Member.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, in response to an oral question from me, the Premier said, and I quote from unedited Hansard, "The MLA for Frame Lake is on record as stating he wants no mines, no oil and gas, and in his Member's statement, I am not surprised at the line of his questioning."
Mr. Speaker, I have never before or during my time as a Member of this House made such a statement. I know I have never said these things because they are inconsistent with my longstanding and public views, which are on the public record.
In my Member's statement on February 13, 2018, I said, and I quote from the Hansard for that day, "I love mining, as long as it is properly managed and we get our fair share." Mr. Speaker, mining is an important part of our economy. It has provided jobs and opportunities for our residents. I support the mining industry. I just do not support it unconditionally or at any cost. The devastating impacts of unregulated mining are right here in our backyard. As long as I am a Member of this House, I will continue to call for responsible mining in the Northwest Territories and a fair share of economic rent for our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to once again put my views on the record. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, airports are an integral component of our northern transportation infrastructure. Air travel contributes to social cohesion by enabling relatives, families, and friends to stay connected. Air travel saves lives through our medevac system and facilitates business enterprises throughout our vast territory. Many communities rely on air travel to deliver essential goods.
The Department of Infrastructure is committed to working with public and private sector partners to continuously maintain and improve airport infrastructure and operations. Today, I am pleased to report that a number of projects have been completed or are under way.
Last year, our government successfully completed the replacement of the airfield lighting at the airports in Tuktoyaktuk and Norman Wells, thanks to over $3 million in funding from Transport Canada under the Airport Capital Assistance Program and $200,000 from our government. The previous airfield lighting dated back to the 1970s and was in need of replacement. Not only will the new lights be more effective for aircraft pilots, they are also energy efficient LED lighting, which will help our government meet territorial and national commitments to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr. Speaker, our government recently completed runway surface rehabilitations at the airports in Hay River, Inuvik, and Yellowknife. Federal and territorial funds were also used to construct new airports in Trout Lake in 2014 and Colville Lake in 2012 under the Building Canada Plan. These projects have increased the safety and capacity of air travel in the communities, and the longer runways allow for the use of pressurized medevac aircraft.
The department is continuing to collaborate with NAV Canada so the aviation industry can access weather information 24/7 for all public airports up to 75 nautical miles from the airport sites. The availability of real-time accurate weather data is critical to the aviation industry, allowing for improved decision-making by the medevac service contractor and the safe operation of airports.
In addition to improving airport infrastructure, our government is also committed to preventative maintenance, such as the improvement of drainage systems at the airports in Hay River, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Aklavik, and Sachs Harbour. Studies have shown that some airports have subsurface drainage problems leading to ongoing patching and repairs to airfields. Drainage improvements are expected to increase airfield stability and reduce the frequency of asphalt and granular overlays, thereby helping to reduce future maintenance costs and improve airfield reliability.
Looking ahead, a very exciting project is scheduled in the 2018-2019 Capital Plan, the replacement of the air terminal building in Inuvik. The current terminal was constructed in 1958 and has reached the end of its service life. Detailed design and site preparation is scheduled to take place in April 2018, with construction starting in 2019, followed by the demolition of the existing air terminal building in 2021.
The design takes into account the requirements set out by the standards and guidelines for air terminals, such as public space, baggage systems, concessions, airport operation and administration, and a tower height that meets required specifications. Overall, travellers will notice an improved passenger experience and an airport that better fits the needs of various users.
These improvement projects would not be possible without collaboration from the federal government. The Airport Capital Assistance Program, for example, has allowed for $24 million in improvements since 1995 to airports across the territory and roughly $3 million in infrastructure funding invested by our government.
Mr. Speaker, as the largest and busiest airport in the Northwest Territories, the Yellowknife airport continues to grow and improve. As part of this transformation, parking was recently expanded to include additional vehicle spaces, more convenient parking was added for tourism operator buses, and we implemented a new free downloadable pay-by-phone parking app in select areas.
Going forward, we are committed to a new security screening system which will improve wait times for travellers. This also supports the number one priority of the Yellowknife airport and airports across the Northwest Territories, which is safety and security. Additional enhancements include a new retail gift shop opening soon and the installation of common-use terminals, which will create a better travel experience for passengers. The transformation of the Yellowknife airport will also allow for additional revenues and employment opportunities for residents of the North.
Various external stakeholders have played a significant role in guiding the transformation of the Yellowknife airport, such as the Yellowknife Airport Economic Advisory Committee. The committee consists of business and industry leaders who meet regularly to provide strategic recommendations and advice.
Mr. Speaker, improvements to Northwest Territories airports are vital to supporting safe and effective travel and to enhancing business opportunities. We will continue to work with our federal partners, air carriers, and other stakeholders to make improvements to our air transportation system while investigating new ways to make strategic investments in our infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to take on a difficult subject. It is difficult for me, but I know it is far more difficult for many others. It affects communities right across Canada, and yet it is something we are hesitant to put on the table. If we shine some light on it, our tendency may be to quickly move the light away because it is so painful. Yet, it needs to be acknowledged and addressed. I am talking about the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Mr. Speaker, we hear it whenever the Commission holds hearings, and especially when they visit the North. This is a pain and grief that families are suffering from, many for years and years. This tragedy needs to be addressed, out of respect for the victims and their loved ones. Their pain and grief needs to be recognized so that their burden can begin to be shared.
Mr. Speaker, as a white male, I find myself struggling to know the right way to address this tragedy. I have lived in the North my entire life. I admire and respect the Indigenous people of this land, and I strive to demonstrate that in my daily life. However, I know that maybe I cannot understand life from their perspective.
I know I need to acknowledge my white privilege, whether that is comfortable or not. I know I need to be open, to listen, to learn with humility and with respect.
When it comes to the tragedy of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, it is hard to know what to say, or even how to start. I know I need to use great caution. Sometimes it feels like maybe it is easier to just not to say anything. I hope I show humility, compassion, and empathy. I want to recognize that the families are going through a grief and pain that maybe I can never truly understand.
Even if that is true, Mr. Speaker, I feel that it is important to raise my voice and to express caring, compassion, and respect for the victims and their families. As leaders, we must commit ourselves to confronting hate, misogyny, xenophobia, and racism whenever and wherever it confronts us, and we must dedicate our lives to words and actions that will make sure that the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls ends now and can never happen again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at the end of the last sitting the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation tabled her long-awaited response to persistent core housing need experienced by one in five households in the NWT. I put forward a motion in June 2016 with the support of my colleagues that called on the Housing Corporation to reduce core need in housing by 2 per cent a year for four years. This investment will bring the NWT in line with national levels. The motion called for a plan to achieve this goal. The Towards Level Ground report is the basis of that plan.
Mr. Speaker, a household experiences core need if they have one of the following problems or, potentially, a combination of all three. Housing may be unsuitable because it doesn't have enough bedrooms for family members; it may be inadequate because it needs major repairs to plumbing, electrical, and heating systems; and, finally, it may be unaffordable if the family is spending more than 30 per cent of their gross income.
Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation's action plan to reduce core need is sketchy. It includes investments in 15 different program areas, but there is no rationale given for why 384 homes are slated for emergency repairs or why 30 households are involved in "rebalancing the public housing portfolio." It is not clear how these programs relate to the three areas of core need, nor is there any information about how the $67 million earmarked for this project is going to be distributed among the regions or where the money itself is going to come from.
There are households across the territory that are in core need, but the greatest number in all three categories is Yellowknife, and the most acute need in Yellowknife is affordability. According the 2014 Community Survey, 868 city households had affordability problems, and the problem is growing.
Mr. Speaker, the plan proposes affordability relief to just 100 households. We all know that Yellowknife is an expensive place to live and that shelter costs are the largest part of any household budget. This plan may make a small dent in this problem, but it is hard to say exactly how it will serve my constituents' needs. Affordability is a huge problem, and it's getting worse, not better. I will have questions for the Minister. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, earlier in this sitting I called on Minister Schumann to lead the charge in launching new infrastructure projects that will connect our communities and create new jobs. Previously, I suggested an ice road between Tsiigehtchic and Fort Good Hope. Today, I would like to pitch another idea, and it is not a new idea, Mr. Speaker. It's one that the people of Aklavik have advocated for many years. I am talking about the completion of the Willow River bridge and all-weather road.
Mr. Speaker, for those who have not had the privilege of visiting Aklavik, let me set the scene for you. Outside the community, in the foothills of the Richardson Mountains, my constituents of Aklavik have practised their traditional lifestyle of hunting, trapping, fishing, as well as gathering and harvesting.
Those traditional trails are still in use today, but overland access to this part of the foothills is currently restricted to the wintertime or during rare periods of low water, when a jury-rigged bridge can be used.
If the bridge and all-weather road were completed, residents would have year-round access. Not only that, but the hamlet could also easily access gravel resources, families could use the area for day recreation, and the improved infrastructure would be a draw to tourists and sport hunters. The road could also open options for new solid waste or water treatment facilities.
Mr. Speaker, the proposed project has undergone environmental impact screening, and Tetra Tech and Nehtruh-EBA Consulting Ltd. have developed plans and designs for a road that would shorten the current 27 kilometre ice-based overland route to a year-round route of just 19.2 kilometres. Aklavik, where jobs are sorely needed, has also demonstrated that it is ready to take on the work, both the challenges and the opportunities. For example, the Mountain Road Committee, including elder representation, has done a feasibility study.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, there is work to be done to bring the last stage of the project over the finish line, and there are people and supplies ready to take it on. All we need is government leadership and funding.
I am not ready to give up on this project, Mr. Speaker, and I hope the Minister isn't, either. I am sticking to Aklavik's motto, Mr. Speaker: "Never say die." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that a company called Canadian North LNG Corp. engaged with the NWT government on November 9, 2015, and further met with two senior staff officials of the Department of Public Works on January 17, 2017, about a shovel-ready LNG pilot project proposal. The proposal highlighted the use of NWT natural gas supply from Cameron Hills, which is hereby currently shut down due to economic reasons and several options to convert existing diesel power generators to LNG for the Village of Fort Simpson, Hamlet of Fort Liard, and Hamlet of Fort Providence with no upfront capital commitment from the government hereby providing an average of 35-45 per cent savings over and above the current power rate.
I believe this type of project could be a huge part of our NWT Climate Change Strategy.
Mr. Speaker, it is on the public record that the Northwest Territories contains potentially more undeveloped natural gas reserves than anywhere else in North America. Unfortunately, the Northwest Territories is one of the only jurisdictions in North America that currently does not use natural gas for the majority of its energy source, heating, and power generation.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the Northwest Territories has, for the last 70 years, been consuming carbon-intensive diesel fuel sourced and imported from outside of its jurisdiction and more recently from the USA. As I did a bit of research, I feel comfortable in saying that the Northwest Territories has virtually no oil and gas production, and I have not seen or heard of any potential projects that would use NWT-sourced gas as such.
Mr. Speaker, natural gas is the cleanest-burning fuel, whether in the form of compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas. Natural gas has been proven an excellent alternative fuel source that significantly improves local air quality and reduces greenhouse gases.
Natural gas power generation emits 21 per cent fewer GHG emissions than comparable gasoline and diesel power generation and further 75 per cent less carbon monoxide, 49 per cent less nitrogen oxides, and 95 per cent lower particulate matter emissions.
Most of the world's major economies have and are further currently converting to natural gas to reduce and replace diesel power generation.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this could be a great help towards our future and I hope Cabinet agrees with me. Later today I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Mr. Speaker, this year the NWT residents will see a Carbon Price Tax. Placing a price tag on carbon emissions will have an impact on all residents, communities, industry, businesses, and government infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, the current approach of dividing responsibilities for the Climate Change Policy includes overlapping duties between the 2030 Energy Strategy and ENR's Climate Change Strategic Framework.
Implications on improvements and benefits can be seen from other jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, in particular, the province of British Columbia's carbon price policy can provide lessons on positive growth from this emerging Industry. In 2014, more than 68,000 residents worked in clean economy jobs, up 12.5 per cent from 2010. Strengthening the carbon tax in conjunction with incentives like a tax credit will encourage businesses to accelerate investment in solutions like training, technology, retrofitting, and improved processes.
Mr. Speaker, on the issues of public opportunities 2030 Energy Strategy implementation to this emerging industry, later I will have questions to the Minister of the Department of Infrastructure. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the mandate of the 18th Assembly, this government committed to lowering the cost of living in the NWT in order to improve our residents' quality of life and attract more people to make their homes in the territory. I am so surprised to see a new tax proposal, that this government will not only be failing to live up to this mandate commitment, but adding an unnecessary new burden to anyone considering relocating up North or buying a home and therefore counteracting their stated public policy proposal.
I will, of course, remind this House that when the Minister was asked about the public policy object of his proposal, he was silent on anything other than increasing revenues for government. We must ask ourselves if this is really the time to be considering placing more weight on the shoulders of middle-class families and those seeking to join the middle class who live across the territory in our tax-based communities. I, for one, certainly think not.
The median price for a home in my community of Yellowknife is $336,000. According to the CMHC activity and the resale market in Yellowknife, it was strong in 2016, and housing construction was strong, particularly in the single-family segment, which in 2016 saw a 41 per cent increase compared to the previous year. It was expected to be a stable year as well in 2017, but no data has yet been released. However, national home sales have decreased by 14 per cent from December to January of this year. The number of newly listed homes plunged 21.6 per cent from December 2017 to January 2018. This indicates a severe weakness in the market. Now is not the time to go tampering with the tax formula that would directly affect our local market at a time of admitted economic instability throughout our territory.
To speak more directly on the current land tax and fee regime, we pay through mortgage and land title fees on average much lower than those jurisdictions who have implemented a land transfer tax. I see no benefit in this, other than an unimaginative way to break the backs of my hard-working middle-class constituents in order to fill government coffers. I find this proposal unacceptable, Mr. Speaker.
Yellowknife just received a new form of taxation last year when this government decided that our tourism sector was starting to grow at a fast rate, so we should have an airport tax. Why does this government not care about financial burdens it puts on its citizens?
I do not support this tax, and I hope the Minister withdraws this tax proposal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I speak about the passing of an elder, Victorine Desjarlais, of Lutselk'e, whom everyone knew as "Vicky." Vicky was born on May 3, 1932, and was predeceased by her husband Philip Desjarlais, who was a former chief of Lutselk'e Dene First Nation; and her siblings: Albina, Morris, Johnny, Frank, Harriet, and Henry; as well as her granddaughter, Layla. Vicky was survived by her 10 children: Stella, Stan, Ron, Roy, Shirley, Tommy, Joyce, Kenny, Cheryl, and Cindy; as well as her sister Christine, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Vicky was an amazing woman. She raised her family with her spiritual teachings, traditional knowledge, cultural values and beliefs, as well as respect for the land, water, and wildlife. She had a great sense of humour and loved to tell stories and share her traditional knowledge. She loved beading and sewing traditional clothing for her family. I was lucky enough to obtain a beautiful pair of gloves that she made. She also loved being out on the land. And most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends. Vicky's strong wisdom, teachings, and wonderful stories will forever live on in the hearts of her family and future generations to come. I visited with Vicky occasionally during my community visits and always enjoyed whatever she wanted to tell me.
I take this opportunity to extend my condolences to Vicky's family, friends, and to all of the people of Lutselk'e who respected her greatly. She will be sorrowfully missed by those people and everyone around the area that knew Vicky. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Our condolences to the family as well. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur Ie President. This government was committed to beign more transparent and accountable. One of the elements of this accountability is the public engagement and transparency portal, which includes a registry showing the meetings of Cabinet Ministers with a variety of outside individuals and organizations. There are a lot of entries in these listings giving dates, times, and names. You can deduce a lot about the priorities and interests that appear to influence our Cabinet. In the end, the lack of real information on the subjects of meetings doesn't do a lot to create transparency.
Consider the listings for the Premier. Based upon the entries in the registry from January 1, 2017, to January 30, 2018, the Premier would appear to have had 23 meetings with businesspeople, including four meetings with mining companies and six meetings with oil and gas interests. There are no meetings listed with civil society, such as environmental or social justice organizations.
During the period of the January 2017 Association for Mineral Exploration round-up in Vancouver, the registry shows one meeting on one day with the Mineral Exploration Roundup chairs and no meetings with individual mining firms. I thought one-on-one meetings were the point of going to Vancouver. There are also a variety of meetings with what appear to be foreign government trade representatives, often in the company of foreign companies themselves, and there are listings of meetings with business representatives which are not listed as business meetings. Identification of meetings under the loose categories "telephone call," "interest group and associations," or "other" doesn't tell you a lot in most cases.
What is really missing is any indication of the general nature of the discussion. When Northwestel meets with the Premier, is it discussion on the improvement of service, use of fibre optic lines, taxation policy, or what? In the three meetings with Dominion Diamonds, was the subject specific to the Ekati Mine, input on the Mineral Resources Act, or something else?
This registry improved when it went online and became searchable. It's a good starting contribution to the transparency this government says it is striving to achieve, but more progress needs to be made. I'll have questions for the Minister responsible for Public Engagement and Transparency later today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Colleagues, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the following Pages from my riding of Monfwi. I'd like to thank Lynn Football and Reanna Smith, who are both here from Mezi School of Whati, and their chaperone, May Louise Football, for being here. In addition, I'd like to say a big masi cho to all the Pages who are doing a great service to us as Legislative Assembly Members. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I'd like to recognize Braden McCullough, a very good friend of my son's, who lives here in Yellowknife, and it's her first time here to the Assembly.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to recognize a Page today. Owen Rilet is a constituent of Yellowknife North. Welcome, and thank you to all the Pages for the great work they do on our behalf. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the achievements of my constituent, Nicole Latour, with the Province of Nova Scotia Chief Electoral Officer's Quality, Value and Service Award, recognizing outstanding achievements by elections officers. As Canada's only First Nations Chief Electoral Officer, Ms. Latour advised the Nova Scotia Chief Electoral Officer on a strategy to increase Indigenous Peoples' participation in provincial elections. Her advice produced good results, and she has been honoured with this award. Please join me in offering congratulations to Ms. Latour for receiving this award. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up on my Member's statement today, and I have some questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. As part of the NWT climate change, have the various departments looked at potentially expanding the use of liquid natural gas, commonly known as LNG, outside the Inuvik source of NWT natural gas? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. LNG is used specifically in Inuvik right now, as well all know. As we develop our 2030 Energy Strategy and our energy plan going forward, LNG is a significant part of that, to reduce our greenhouse house gas emissions. When we roll that out later this spring, we will see the opportunities that are available to residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Minister for that answer, and it's good to hear that the department and the governments are looking at that. So my next question for the Minister: has the Minister had the opportunity to discuss the proposal with the staff about the Canadian North LNG Project?
As of late, when we are at the Mineral Roundup, that group was there and I had a chat with them, and they have sent me a proposal of how they see they can use the Cameron Hills LNG possibly in the Northwest Territories.
I thank the Minister, who kind of answered my third question, so I'll go back to my second question. Has the Minister talked to his staff about this proposal that, supposedly, some of the former Department of Public Works talked to these proponents of this proposal?
The Member is talking about, maybe, the original proposal which they had submitted previous to both him and me being elected to the Legislative Assembly. The latest one they've sent me, they revised their proposal, and it is a different approach of how they can use the gas out of the Cameron Hills, ship it to Alberta, process it just across the border, and then be able to sell it back to proponents in the Northwest Territories, being either NTPC or a mining company or something like that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, and I thank the Minister for that clarification. I think he's correct in saying that it might have been a previous proposal. So is the Minister willing to set up a meeting with myself and the principal organizer, or principal component of this company, and some interested people in the Northwest Territories who wish to see this project being feasible? Is he willing to work with us to set up a meeting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
