Mr. Speaker, this summer an important step toward the Government of the Northwest Territories' commitment to securing funding for new priority transportation corridors in the Northwest Territories was achieved.
In July, the federal government announced the approval of funding to advance the all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway under the National Trade Corridors Fund. Up to 73 percent of total eligible project costs, to a maximum of $102.5 million. We have a commitment by the federal government for the construction of the Great Bear River bridge, Wrigley to Mount Gaudet access road, and environmental and planning studies. Along with an investment of $37.5 million from the Government of the Northwest Territories, the total funding leveraged towards the project is $140 million.
The approval demonstrates the commitment of both governments to addressing the unique transportation needs in Canada's North to improve safety and foster economic and social development, while increasing our resiliency to the effects of climate change.
Work to advance the next steps for the construction of the all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway will bring important benefits to residents throughout the Mackenzie Valley, including employment and training opportunities that build local capacity. Residents of the Sahtu will have already witnessed these benefits on a smaller scale through the construction of the Canyon Creek all-season access road, which is expected to officially open on November 13th. The local employment and skill development residents have benefited from this project will prepare them to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with the extension of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
Mr. Speaker, the Great Bear River bridge represents one of these opportunities. The bridge will eliminate the need for an ice crossing on the Mackenzie River, improving the resiliency and safety of this crossing and increasing mobility for residents of the Mackenzie Valley.
Construction of the 15 kilometre Wrigley to Mount Gaudet access road is a project similar in scope to the Canyon Creek all-season access road and will provide opportunities for employment and training for residents of the Deh Cho.
Funding for environmental and planning studies will support the completion of critical project components, including consultation with Indigenous governments and communities, finalizing routing and design, and environmental and regulatory reviews, leading to obtaining permits for road construction.
Increased traffic volumes and weights supported by an all-weather Mackenzie Valley Highway will result in efficiencies in the delivery of essential goods that contribute to stabilizing the cost of living in the communities. Economic development will be enabled by increased access to mineral and petroleum resources in the region, and reducing costs of production and exploration for industry. In terms of social benefits, we only need look to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to see how enhanced intercommunity and mobility has increased access to healthcare, education, sporting events, and more.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Infrastructure is continuing to pursue other federal funding opportunities for the remaining components of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, as well as the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor. The Government of the Northwest Territories will reapply for funding for the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor following a northern-specific call for proposals to be issued under the National Trade Corridors Fund by the end of 2018. Funding for environmental and planning studies as well as replacement of the Frank Channel Bridge to eliminate a key bottleneck along this route will help advance next priority phases.
Mr. Speaker, on Thursday of last week, the decision by the responsible Ministers on the future of the proposed Tlicho all-season road was issued. After careful consideration of all of the information and views provided by parties during the environmental assessment process, the responsible Ministers have approved the project and agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board with modifications. The Tlicho Government separately concurred with the decision of the responsible Ministers.
As a result of this positive decision, the Government of the Northwest Territories will work to identify a successful proponent through the competitive procurement process by November of this year and proceed to the regulatory and permitting phase for this project. This will allow for construction to begin as early as next fall. Tlicho residents and businesses will be involved throughout the construction and operation of the highway, which will help lower the cost of living in this region, increase the resiliency of these communities to the impacts of climate change, and open up new economic opportunities in the region.
Partnerships with Indigenous organizations will also be critical to ensuring the success of the projects already mentioned. The Department of Infrastructure is meeting with Indigenous organizations, community representatives, and staff from the relevant review boards over the fall and early winter to discuss next steps in advancing environmental reviews and permitting for the Mackenzie Valley Highway, partnerships with Indigenous governments, and how benefits to local residents can be maximized. Departmental staff met recently with the Board of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and Chief and Council of the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation, and both of these organizations have indicated their continuing support for moving forward together with us in partnership on this project. The department is also continuing to work to identify opportunities and best options to partner with Indigenous groups on the Slave Geological Province Access Corridor.
Mr. Speaker, it is an exciting time for our territory as these projects begin to take shape. Ensuring the people of the Northwest Territories are able to make the most of these investments is critical before any construction takes place, and we look forward to working closely with our partners to building a safe, efficient, and resilient infrastructure system that meets the needs of the North.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, our cultures and languages are the foundation of our work in Education, Culture and Employment. When our languages and cultures are strong, our people are strong and our work is much more successful. I am pleased to report that we are seeing progress in our efforts to retain, preserve, and promote Northwest Territories languages and cultures.
We are currently finalizing a multi-year action plan as a companion piece to the Strong Cultures, Strong Territory Framework. The action plan contains 25 categories of actions needed to ensure the Government of the Northwest Territories is inclusive of all the culture and heritage in the North. We expect these actions to be under way until 2025.
Mr. Speaker, the arts are integral to northern cultures and identity, and the Northwest Territories Arts Council is a key organization in supporting the arts. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment increased the funding for the arts council to $700,000 annually.
In partnership with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, we have begun to develop a new arts strategy. We anticipate a 10-year strategy will be completed by the spring of 2019, following engagements with stakeholders. We are seeing great successes from artists and artisans employing many different media. Supporting their efforts will be a focus of the new strategy.
Mr. Speaker, partnerships across cultures and languages are crucial. Recently, the Northwest Territories Archives was honoured to receive 25 years of stories, photos, and records from the Gwich'in Tribal Council. These valuable pieces of Gwich'in history are currently being catalogued and preserved for generations to come.
The Native Communications Society also recently transferred ownership of approximately 200,000 pictures from the Native Press, taken from 1970 to 1990. The NWT Archives is responsible for the active preservation and stewardship of those invaluable historic records.
During the Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle induction ceremony this morning, we honoured the contributions of nominated NWT residents and groups. The circle, which is in its eighth year, celebrates people and groups who have made a lasting contribution to culture and heritage in the North.
Mr. Speaker, as Members are aware, we recently tabled the Indigenous Languages Action Plan, A Shared Responsibility, which includes numerous actions for the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of the territory's nine official Indigenous languages. The Action Plan also emphasized the value of partnerships and the shared responsibility of all territorial residents to preserve, promote, and strengthen the Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories.
Much of the work we are doing in languages focuses on integrating languages within our education system. This includes a new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Indigenous Languages and Education Policy, which promotes respecting Indigenous world views, cultures, and languages in the community in which the school is located.
The Our Languages curriculum continues to guide Indigenous language learning in NWT schools. Last month, we held our first comprehensive in-service and training on the curriculum, with 75 regional Indigenous language coordinators and language teachers. The participants were enthusiastic and engaged. This event was a defining moment in our efforts at Indigenizing education, and it strengthened our partnerships at the community and school levels.
Mr. Speaker, the implementation of the NWT Indigenous Languages Framework and Action Plan, A Shared Responsibility also includes the administration of the annual $5.9 million received from Canadian Heritage. Out of the $5.9 million, we provided a total of $4.8 million directly to regional Indigenous governments to design and deliver Indigenous language programming in their communities. The remainder of the funding continues to support several other Indigenous language programs, such as the Community Radio Broadcasting Support, the Territorial Strategic Indigenous Languages Initiatives, and a program called Revitalizing Indigenous Languages in Communities. We continue to support the broadcasting of Indigenous languages on air across the territories through the Native Communications Society and the Inuvialuit Communications Society.
Mr. Speaker, we have also reached a milestone in the delivery of French-language services and programs by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Five years ago, the Government of the Northwest Territories released the French Language Communications and Services Strategic Plan, a five-year plan focused on ensuring the government was providing service in French to the populations in the significant demand communities of Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. The plan has recently been independently evaluated, and the report is publicly available.
With the results of the evaluation, we have now begun the work of developing a new strategic plan with our partner, the Federation franco-tenoise, to meet the expectations of the French first-language speakers and Francophone communities of the North.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, later today, at the appropriate time, I will table the 2017-2018 Official Languages Annual Report, which provides further information on the status of all official languages in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, while there is much work to do in preserving and promoting the cultures and languages of the Northwest Territories, every partnership created makes our initiatives stronger. I look forward to working with all of our partners as we continue to strengthen our languages and cultures in the coming year. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has committed to supporting the film industry to further develop the skills and competencies of Northwest Territories film producers, build infrastructure, assist below-the-line crew and support services, and help develop marketing and communication plans for films made in the Northwest Territories.
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the first annual Northwest Territories Film and Media Awards that concluded this year's Yellowknife International Film Festival. In accepting an award for his impact on the Northwest Territories film industry, the godfather of the NWT's film industry, Terry Woolf, said our industry was experiencing a renaissance. Today I am happy to amplify his words, share some successes, and highlight how the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is sustaining this renaissance with investments in the future of this important sector of our economy.
Mr. Speaker, we cannot talk about the significant growth that we have seen in our film sector without recognizing the Northwest Territories Professional Media Association. Their role in our local industry has been and continues to be a critical driver of its success. Without their mentorship, support, and leadership, it is unlikely that the slate of nominees at this year's inaugural awards show would have been as full as it was.
While I was in attendance this year, I was able to announce a new film apprenticeship program that will soon provide opportunities for the Northwest Territories film workforce to gain on-the-job experience with major film productions. This program will be delivered by the Northwest Territories Professional Media Association with the financial backing of the Department of ITI's NWT Film Commission and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. This new support is one that originated in a conversation I had with Ms. Jennifer Walden on the set of "Red Snow." It will now provide opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers to get some of the guidance and mentorship they need to succeed.
Mr. Speaker, this year's Yellowknife International Film Festival was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on and celebrate the success of some of the projects that have been made possible directly and indirectly by our government's investments under Take One - the NWT Film Strategy and Action Plan. They include projects like the big-ticket premiere of Ms. Jennifer Walden and Mr. Jeremy Emerson's "Elijah and the Rock Creature." It was exciting to see the hard work, passion, and time invested in this project rewarded in a first showing that sold out in minutes.
This year's festival also featured films like "I Hold the Dehcho in My Heart" and "Revolution Moosehide," productions that further confirmed the talents and skills of local producers and crews and which also serve to share important cultural stories of our Territory. Off-screen, the 2018 Film Festival included a program of workshops, speakers, and networking, which brought together talent from within the territory and beyond. Together, they were able to gain valuable knowledge and encourage each other.
Through ITI's Northwest Territories Film Commission, the Government of the Northwest Territories is investing every day in the growth and diversity of our economy and its film sector. The Northwest Territories Film Rebate Program in particular has helped the Northwest Territories support high-profile productions like the multi-award-winning "Sun at Midnight," while leveraging an estimated $1.8 million in economic activity from our $280,000 investment. Through film support contributions under our Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development, or SEED, Policy, we provide financial resources for local film makers to produce and promote their films.
We are also increasing the profile of the Northwest Territories with location marketing and global networking led by our Film Commission, which is attracting and encouraging both local and guest producers to film in the NWT. The film and media sector offers extraordinary opportunities to share our stories and diversify our economy. We continue to invest in this area, and look forward to more success in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, I will talk to you about the seniors who are living in their home. It is very hard for the elders to live in their own homes, and it is getting more difficult. Now some of them are confined to wheelchairs, and their houses have to be revamped to live in. Health and Social Services, I want to ask about how the elders are getting help and homecare workers and how they are working with the people.
The way it is down south, you have to be very old before you get long-term care. The way it is now, the elders down south, if they are in a long-term care for two to three years, it is different up here. All the people up here who are in long-term care, sometimes they are in there for 10 years, and it costs a lot of money to keep them there. Well, if they can't live in their home, they are put into long-term care homes, and that is not the best thing.
What I think the Social Service, NWT Housing Corporation, working in partnership, last year, the Housing Corporation Aging in Place, that program, it wasn't enough money. There was only $10 million to work with. That was all it was. It was almost impossible to work with. It was not enough to completely work on the homes. If we work together on that program, if we have more moneys put into the coffer, the young people can work with the elders and show them how to work on homes.
The homecare workers, they used to be trained before and after they were all taught. Now that they are adults, they are not teaching the young people anymore. They are looking for young people to train, but there doesn't seem to be a response. Now that the elders who are living in their home, they have to take care of them with medications so they can be asked. The nurse, you know, they can do some interpreting and work with. This is what I want to ask the Ministers today. [Translation ends]
Masi. Member's statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, I am very honoured today, and I want to congratulate the recipients of the Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle Awards. These awards are given to individuals and groups who contribute to the preservation and promotion of arts, cultures, and heritage in the Northwest Territories.
Taken from the background of this award, I can see that each of the recipients, Mr. Speaker, have been playing a key role in promoting, protecting, preserving, and celebrating our unique culture, heritage, and ways of life.
Mr. Speaker, the elder award was presented to Joanne Tetlichi of Fort McPherson. I want to congratulate her and her efforts in being able to relate to the youth and to make her community, her home, and her camp a better and safe place for everyone. Her role in keeping her culture strong has impacted the youth in a positive way, and they have a role model to look up to.
Mr. Speaker, the community award went to the Designated Gwich'in Organization of Fort McPherson. Ms. Anita Koe has accepted the award on behalf of her colleagues. The DGO is a prime example of promoting the culture; they take pride in being traditional, using their elders to teach and promote the culture, and they also get the community involved in activities that are happening at their office.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Rental Officer has had some success reducing wait times for hearings to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. However, the delay between the hearing and the written decision continues with significant financial consequences for landlords, especially for landlords who are renting a small number of units or who are subletting.
A constituent was in touch to relate her experiences. She was renting out her primary residence and a dispute arose about the non-payment of the rent and damage to her property. She applied for a hearing on March 15th and waited three months until the end of June for that hearing. During that time, the backlog of unpaid rent and damages added up to $13,000, which is big money by anyone's standards.
Mr. Speaker, desperate to recover her losses, my constituent went to the rental office on July 27th to ask for her written order so she could start the garnishee process. According to the rental office report tabled earlier in this sitting, wait times for written orders have been steadily increasing, with half of them taking up to three months. My constituent received her order in two months, but the numbers it contained were wrong. She was told the remedy was to apply for an amendment to her order, requiring a new hearing, likely in October, followed by another two-month wait for a written decision. She is going to end up waiting nine months to begin the garnishee process. Of course, the longer she waits, the less likely she is to collect any money.
Mr. Speaker, the rental office has suggested a remedy. Written orders are mandatory in the Northwest Territories, but in six provinces, there is no requirement for written orders. It is at the discretion of the Rental Officer to issue a verbal order or at the request of one of the parties. The rental officer says, "The requirement to write all reasons for a decision is a major contributing factor to the elapsed time between the hearing date and the date the order and reasons for decision are written."
Mr. Speaker it is time to amend the Residential Tenancies Act to give the Rental Officer discretion about whether to produce written decisions and to give landlords like my constituent hope for a quicker resolution to the hardship imposed by the non-payment of rent. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Infrastructure Department is in the process of conducting the Yellowknife Airport Hotel Study as part of developing the airport's 20-year master plan. Unfortunately, it seems to have mishandled communications around this project, and Yellowknife's private hotel industry representatives are very concerned.
Mr. Speaker, responding to the growth in tourism and the overall growth of the city, the hotel industry is in the middle of a $50 million investment in growing its capacity in Yellowknife. Just between the Explorer Hotel and the recently completed Nova Hotel, there will be a 31 percent increase in room capacity over three years. That is an additional 50,000 room nights.
For the government, in this climate, to decide to consider the feasibility of a hotel located at the airport seems ill-advised at best, and at worst, hostile to the good, corporate citizens in our hotel industry. It has the appearance of the government competing against the private sector at a time when the private sector is making major investments in responding to demand.
Mr. Speaker, it is also a time when the capital city is focusing hard on revitalizing the downtown core. Any new infrastructure supported, studied, or even considered by the GNWT should surely be done with extensive consultation with the city in recognition of their long-term plans.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister has tried to assure concerned industry people that the GNWT has no intention of competing with the private sector, nor to build a business case for an airport hotel, but I also know that, while the industry reps have been promised consultation, they were not contacted in advance of this undertaking.
Mr. Speaker, in recent years, Edmonton has built a hotel at the airport. Downtown Edmonton is a 45-minute highway drive, and that is if the traffic is good from the airport. In Yellowknife, downtown is five minutes away.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure why the department considered that investing taxpayers' dollars in this study was a good idea. Long-term planning and knowledge is always good, but it is equally important to recognize the importance of the City's future plans for revitalization, plus we must respect our good private sector partners and the investments that they are making in our communities, infrastructure, and our economy.
At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Consensus model of governance. Mr. Speaker, this building and its unique design matches the principles of a healing circle. Mr. Speaker, the principles of consensus government were historically within the First Nations community. Today, with that and the British traditions, it is defined by the ability and willingness of all legislative Members on working together for success.
Mr. Speaker, many times, many previous Assemblies held discussions on the effectiveness of this consensus government.
Mr. Speaker, this is my first term representing the Sahtu riding. It was brought to my attention by a colleague, "You will never find a job description on the website for your position. What you achieve is your efforts and ability on working with everyone and your colleagues."
Mr. Speaker, last year was our government's 50th anniversary since the days of Stuart Hodgson. This government has seen our territory divided with the creation of Nunavut, four land claims settlements, and devolution. Through Indigenous partnerships, our system will grow and provide defined relationships for success.
Mr. Speaker, we have growing issues in our regions' and small communities' social environment and the many challenges they face with housing, education, et cetera, and we need improved deliverance. On that note, Mr. Speaker, I am very confident that consensus government and strengthening our continued relationships with our federal counterparts can be successful for future generations. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about our traditional fall hunt in Kakisa. Every year, around mid-September, the community of Kakisa organizes a fall moose hunt. This is a traditional activity that brings together the entire community, from elders to youth, and every member has the opportunity to take part in different aspects of the hunt.
Mr. Speaker, this year, the community travelled to a remote part of the K'aagee Tu First Nation traditional territory by float plane, an area around Tathlina Lake. Youth participated in the hunt and learned a great deal from their elders, who passed on traditional knowledge and values to the younger generation.
Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging to see activities like this on the land, as they are great opportunities to engage with youth and get them involved in the traditions and culture that have shaped our way of life for generations. I am glad to see another successful fall hunt in Kakisa and continue to encourage traditional activities where our communities are engaged. Mahsi. [Translation ends]
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to a matter that is very concerning to the Members of this House and the citizens of the Northwest Territories, and that is the potential for a strike that will be taken by the Union of Northern Workers, following the reported failure of mediation between the UNW and the GNWT's negotiators. We, as a territory, have more than enough divisive strike actions in our history that Northerners know they don't want another one.
Mr. Speaker, 4,000 employees of the territorial public service have been without contract for two and a half years, easily the longest period that negotiations have endured in this territory. Added to this the looming strike of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, without contract now for three and a half years, and it becomes clear that there are significant shortcomings in how labour negotiations have been managed to resolve these issues to ensure a fair deal for workers and for all of our residents who depend on government services and continued investment of government resources in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, the economy of the NWT depends on the continued productivity and earning power of its workforce. The employees of the Government of the Northwest Territories are our friends and neighbours, the customers of our local businesses, and the patrons of our arts and crafts, just like those employed in the private sector.
Mr. Speaker, the government's employees pay their mortgages for their homes in the North, buy their groceries, clothes, and tools at local stores, and all of that comes from the wages they earn. Mr. Speaker, it doesn't take an economics degree to understand the crippling blow that casting these employees out of the workforce will have on the economy of our territory or the negative effect that it will have on local businesses.
Mr. Speaker, before running for office, I was a public servant struggling to make ends meet as a single father. Much of my salary went to rent and groceries, and at the end of the day, there was little left in the way of savings or funds to invest in my son's future. There are employees who had it better than I did, and there are employees who had it worse. None of them will come out of any strike action better off.
Mr. Speaker, given the fragile state of the northern economy, it is not the time for any member of the workforce, particularly more than 4,000 of them, to be on a picket line when a strike could have been avoided through timely and reasonable negotiation in good faith.
Mr. Speaker, an effective and engaged public service is a goal we should all share, and we must, at all costs, avoid a crippling strike to our economy. We cannot allow these negotiations to fail, and we must work with all sides to come to a resolution, get bargaining back on track, and get a fair deal for workers and all of our residents that depend on their continued public service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. During the summer, my office cobbled together information on the amount of money that our public governments get in return for the extraction of our non-renewable resources.
According to figures from the NWT Bureau of Statistics, the value of diamonds mined in the Northwest Territories since 1999 is $29.4 billion. The value of all mineral, oil, and gas production was $38.6 billion. Unfortunately, the public accounts for both the federal and the NWT governments don't report separate royalty figures for each type of mineral, oil, or gas, so it's impossible to see exactly what royalties were paid on diamonds. The value of production figures are for calendar years, not the fiscal year report of royalties. Using the best data at hand, we estimate that, for the $39 billion in minerals, oil, and gas, the public governments received $1.2 billion in royalties, or a measly 3 percent of total production value.
A GNWT-commissioned report on our management of resources describes our return as "paltry" under the "world's most charitable fiscal regime for the mining sector." The most recent study released by ITI, "Policies for Generating Socio-Economic Benefits from Natural Resource Extraction Projects," that I will table later today, makes the statement that, if the NWT were a country, it would be the second-richest in the world after Luxembourg on a GDP-per-capita basis. While our government receives more from tobacco tax than royalties this year, Cabinet has cut programs and service in the name of fiscal austerity and refuses to review our resource royalty regimes. So much for the "evolve" following "devolve" and responsible management of resources.
As legislators, we have been told that we cannot have precise amounts of the royalties paid for each extractive industry, just as our federal government and the entire world moves to greater accountability and transparency in reporting of resource revenues. Royalty amounts for diamonds are lumped in with other minerals, even sand and gravel. I have asked for these details but have been refused. I think that's shocking. One of the foremost responsibilities as a legislator is oversight of our public finances. One of our greatest duties is to ensure citizens get a fair return for the exaction of our one-time natural capital. I will have questions later today for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Member's Statement on
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Madeline Nelner passed away on October 4, 2018. She was an amazing person. She was 91-year-old community member of Liidlii Kue, who was a pillar of wisdom and common sense.
Madeline was born at the confluence of the Willow and Mackenzie Rivers on April 19, 1927, to Paul and Marguerite Jose. Madeline has a twin sister, Celine Villeneuve, and a younger sister, Diane Edwards, still alive. She was predeceased by her parents, four sisters, two brothers, and a son.
Madeline was five years old when she went to residential school. After 10 years of residential school, Madeline was sent to Liidlii Kue to work with the nuns who ran the hospital. She worked there for three years before moving down south.
Mr. Speaker, Madeline was a beautiful woman who turned her future husband, Ivan Gerald Nelner's, head, and they soon began courting one another in 1963. After getting married, they started their family. They had two sons, Dennis and John. Unfortunately, John passed away two weeks after his birth.
Back in those days, homemakers would not buy clothes at the store. Madeline would buy patterns, fabric, and sew her own clothes and the family's.
The Nelner family moved to Liidlii Kue in the early '70s. After her husband passed away in 1981, Madeline worked at several jobs. She was a guard at the local police station, caretaking for the youth group home and the seniors' home. In those days, Madeline had the patience of Job. She was bound and determined to see her son graduate from high school, which meant she was going to be alone most of the school year. Dennis thanked his mom for her courage, strength, and determination to see him graduate.
Madeline enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and baking during her spare time. She liked to socialize and play cards, Rummoli, crib, and frustration rummy until all hours with her friends. She enjoyed reading and, most importantly, spending time with her two grandchildren. Madeline loved her grandchildren, Nicholas and Lydia, and her son, Dennis, and daughter-in-law, Trudy.
Madeline was well-grounded in her Catholic faith. She helped raise funds to replace the aging church. Madeline used her own residential school money to pay for the ingredients.
Madeline was amazing for 91 years old. She had an exceptional memory, excellent comprehension, could read and write like a 20-year-old, and had her own home, where she lived and cooked on her own.
Dennis had the privilege to live with his mom for the last five months of her life in Yellowknife. She told him she'd had a long life and, if the Lord came calling, she would not feel any sorrow. The pain and suffering is now over, and that's the main thing. Madeline was surrounded by her family and friends in her own home when she passed away. This is how she had described it. She would not have had it any other way. I would like to thank Madeline's niece, Susan, and her husband, Larry Pucka, for being here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Our condolences to the family and also to the community, as well. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have often spoken about the critical need for housing in my region. Today I would like to focus on one particular part of this very large issue, the need for transitional housing.
Mr. Speaker, historically, transitional housing has been focused in our larger communities through organizations like Inuvik Transition House or the YWCA here in Yellowknife, whose Rockhill Apartments were recently lost in a fire.
We have come to better understand, Mr. Speaker, that homelessness is not a problem limited to the regional centres. Residents themselves have made their voices heard, calling for more transitional housing with options spread across the territory.
The NWT Housing Corporation responded with the Northern Pathways to Housing program, a five-year partnership with three communities, to introduce new transitional housing units and fund ongoing caseworker support.
Mr. Speaker, the program is intended to help tackle homelessness in small communities specifically because, even though public housing is typically the norm, some residents are unable to access housing. They are being left out in the cold, sometimes literally.
Mr. Speaker, Northern Pathways to Housing is making significant headway on a serious problem but unfortunately is not enough. Nunakput communities are among those not included.
Although the funding agreement between the Government of Canada and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will bring much-needed housing replacements for the region, that money is not going to result in additional units. Today, right now, we have current residents in need and prospective residents looking for options. This is an area that needs urgent attention. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to visitors in the gallery. I have the pleasure of recognizing Mrs. Maria Andrelita S. Austria, who is here with us today, Consul General of the Philippines. She is here on the occasion of her first official visit to the Northwest Territories, and she advised me that this will not be her last trip. She will make other trips coming to the North. Accompanying her is Ms. Arlene Magno, Consul from the Philippines consulate in Vancouver. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Austria and Ms. Magno to our Chamber this afternoon.
I would also like to recognize Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts, the NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner, who is here with us today to witness the tabling of her annual report later on today. Masi for being here with us.
[Translation] we also have a guest, Donna Camsell from Behchoko. I would like to thank her, as well. [Translation ends] Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the recipients of the 2018 Minister's Culture and Heritage Circle this morning. For the youth award, we have Miss Alice Twa, and her parents attending, of Yellowknife, on her behalf, her parents, Erin O'Rourke and Cameron Twa. Thank you. Our individual award went to Tishna Marlowe of Lutselk'e. Our elder award went to Joanne Tetlichi, of Fort McPherson. The group award went to Old Town Community Association of Yellowknife, represented by Lisa Seagrave, Rosalind Mercredi, and Dave Kellett. Our Minister's Choice Award went to the Designated Gwich'in Organization of Fort McPherson, represented by Anita Koe, Ruby McDonald, Lenny McDonald, and Dean Charlie.
Masi. I was too excited. I forgot to recognize Carmen Moore from my Protocol Office. Masi for being here with us. You're doing such a fantastic job. Masi. Recognition of visitors in gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Tishna Marlowe for receiving the Minister's Cultural and Heritage award. I'm sure Lutselk'e is very proud of Tishna. I had the pleasure of seeing one of her fashion shows, and they have the right to be proud.
I would also like to recognize Larry Purcka. Larry is a hardworking expert in highway construction, and was a major part of Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Thank you.
Masi. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like recognize my constituents of Fort McPherson. We have Joanne Tetlichi, Dean Charlie, Anita Koe, Lenny and Ruby McDonald, Dennis Wright, and my constituency assistant Liz Wright. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Mr. Larry Purcka and our two pages from Deline, Abigail Sewi and MacKenzie Menacho. Mahsi.
Masi. Member for Yellowknife South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to recognize two constituents of Yellowknife South, Susan and Larry Purcka. Welcome.
