Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Regional Wellness Council members are a critical part of our health and social services system. They are change leaders in their communities and a voice for residents in their regions. They champion the ideas and concerns of residents and are passionate about using that information to shape and improve our health and social services.
Mr. Speaker, as Members know, we have six Regional Wellness Councils across the territory, representing the regions of Beaufort-Delta, Deh Cho, Fort Smith, Hay River, Sahtu, and Yellowknife. Each council has six members and a chairperson.
Council members advise me, as Minister, on their council activities. They also provide advice to the Northwest Territories Leadership Council on the priorities for the health and social services system and play an active role in the promotion of health and wellness. Council members also seek out opinions and information from the public on local health and social services.
Regional Wellness Council members help to ensure our health and social services system is responsive to the needs of Northerners and their communities. They also provide input to guide the development of the territorial health and social services strategic plan to meet our goals for health and social services. They discuss and make recommendations on how to improve the delivery of services and better meet the needs of residents in their communities, based on local input and feedback. They also play an important role in guiding primary healthcare reform, community wellness activities, quality improvement, and other community-based initiatives. Council members have an opportunity to raise important community issues with the Health and Social Services Authorities through the Leadership Council and to communicate back to residents on those issues.
Appointments to Regional Wellness Councils are for terms of up to three years, and every year about one third of the appointments expire. Many council members apply to be reappointed, but we always have a few vacancies.
This year I am issuing several calls for nominations to fill vacant and expiring positions. I would like to encourage residents to consider applying to serve on our Regional Wellness Councils when nominations open. I would also like to invite my colleagues and fellow Members of this Legislative Assembly to nominate residents for any vacancies in their regions.
For those who are interested, the criteria and a handbook of responsibilities are listed on the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority website. Information on vacant council positions will be advertised and also posted on the Health and Social Services website.
Mr. Speaker, I welcome residents who are interested in these positions and in serving their communities, regions, and our territory to look at the information on our website and apply to become a Regional Wellness Council member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a few months ago I had the pleasure of signing the bilateral agreement between the Northwest Territories and Canada on the National Housing Strategy. One of the first funding allocations that Canada proposed under the strategy was the Northern Housing Fund, which brought $36 million in funding to the Northwest Territories. However, this is just a starting point.
Through diligent work by both the Government of Canada and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, another agreement was reached that better reflects the housing needs in the Northwest Territories. The federal government saw that there was an opportunity under the National Housing Co-Investment Fund to expand the partnership between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The National Housing Co-Investment Fund is application-based funding. The approach that we negotiated involves a dedicated "carve-off" of $60 million under the fund for the Northwest Territories. This $60 million is ours and ours alone. We will not have to compete with other jurisdictions or entities that have greater access to resources and a greater competitive advantage to see if we get approved for projects.
In addition, the federal contribution to a project in the Northwest Territories can be up to 75 percent. Further, we are still able to compete for funds above and beyond the $60 million at the national level, and if we are successful, we will still be eligible for that 75 percent contribution from the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, this arrangement recognizes northern needs, and it is unique. No other province or territory will receive a "carve off," with the exception of Yukon, and provinces only qualify for a federal contribution of up to 40 percent for approved projects. Through the life of the National Housing Strategy, which expires in 2028, this $60 million "carve off" and the co-investment fund as a whole has the potential to bring significant investments into communities all across the Northwest Territories, working in partnership with all governments, private market investors, and non-governmental organizations.
Now that we have the deal finalized, it is time to take advantage of it. We are already reaching out to stakeholders and have put forward a small number of initial projects. We are promoting this fund with our stakeholders, including community governments, Indigenous governments, and other partners. We are also working very closely with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to help stakeholders develop proposals for the co-investment fund. This outreach is critical so Northerners can make the best use of funds such as this co-investment fund.
Mr. Speaker, as we make progress with other initiatives such as the Community Housing Plans, we will be identifying opportunities for investment. The National Housing Co-Investment Fund allows our communities to bring their own assets to the table and partner with us and the federal government to meet local housing needs.
I cannot overstate the opportunity this fund gives us. This money will help address all aspects of housing in the Northwest Territories, from homelessness to affordable homeownership. Everyone will benefit, from businesses in communities to residents who need housing. I am very proud of the work that led to this new agreement. I am looking forward even more to the work ahead, as we endeavour to make the most of this fund and build new and innovative housing projects across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, securing funding to advance planning and construction of new transportation corridors is a key commitment in this government's mandate. These transformative projects help to connect communities, support employment and training opportunities, increase our resiliency to climate change, and create new social and economic opportunities.
Today, I am pleased to provide an update on the Tlicho all-season road project, an exciting new 97-kilometre highway that will provide year-round access to Whati from Highway No. 3.
Mr. Speaker, the new road to Whati is being developed as a P3 project, much like the Stanton Renewal Project and the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. As a performance-based structure, public-private partnerships are an effective way of delivering essential infrastructure projects by bringing private-sector expertise and accountability to the process while preserving government ownership of core public assets.
As part of the P3 approach, a request for proposals was issued in December of 2017. Our government then announced in November of 2018 that North Star Infrastructure was selected as the preferred proponent for this project. North Star Infrastructure is a consortium that consists of Kiewit Canada Development Corporation, the Tlicho Government, Peter Kiewit and Sons, Hatch Corporation, and Thurber Engineering Limited.
Mr. Speaker, in February, the GNWT signed an agreement with North Star Infrastructure to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the Tlicho all-season road. Construction is expected to start this fall and will take approximately two years, with the official opening expected to take place in 2022.
In signing this agreement with North Star Infrastructure, we have agreed to contractual requirements that will increase economic and employment opportunities. Minimum thresholds for construction and operations and maintenance will ensure significant involvement of Tlicho workers and businesses during both phases. These commitments will help to maximize benefits for Tlicho communities and will facilitate capacity building within its communities.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to our focus on local jobs for this project, we're also committed to protecting the environment. With the environmental assessment now complete, the project has submitted the required land and water licence applications to the Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board. The GNWT anticipates that permits and licences will be granted by September of 2019.
The Tlicho all-season road will bring many benefits to the region and the Northwest Territories. It will help us to reduce the cost of living for the region and create new social and economic opportunities and is expected to attract investment from industry in the exploration and development of natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to work closely with our stakeholders, including the Tlicho Government, through all phases of the project. Together, we will continue to build a safe, efficient, and resilient transportation system that meets the needs of Northerners for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last month the City of Yellowknife released its university feasibility and benefits study. The purpose of the study was different than the Aurora College foundational review. It had a more general focus that looked at which post-secondary model would be most feasible for the territory and what benefits it could provide for the city.
The city study endorses the polytechnic university as a better choice for the NWT than a college. Some of the advantages are greater academic and governance independence, access to a wider pool of teaching talent, the ability to maximize enrolment by offering both theoretical and applied learning, and lastly, a better alignment with northern labour needs.
That is not all. Polytechnics have higher graduation employment rates than colleges and universities generally and attract more international students, given comprehensive marketing. All of these benefits would reverse the trends of declining enrolments and graduation rates that Aurora College is experiencing right now. A polytechnic is not only feasible; it is the best way forward.
Mr. Speaker, the elephant in the room is the question of where the main polytechnic campus will be located. Both the foundational review and the city study recommended that the campus be built in Yellowknife, because it has the greatest range of services. Of course, Fort Smith does not want to give up its place as the headquarters of Aurora College, along with all of the employment it provides.
In an effort to collaborate, the mayors of the three communities with Aurora College campuses issued a news release last month, endorsing the creation of a polytechnic university in the NWT. They also asked the GNWT not to make a decision that would be detrimental to any NWT community.
Mr. Speaker, this is obviously a challenge. There may be distance learning options that make a large central campus less relevant, but at the end of the day the new institution's administration and support services need to have a physical location. That means government has to make a choice, a political choice, and the stakes are high. It's my view that, the sooner this choice is made, the better. It's difficult for communities to plan their future, create additional housing for students, and for the territorial government to seek funding if the location of the polytechnic is unknown. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mahsi.
Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, am going to go down the path of the polytechnic.
Mr. Speaker, the future of education in the Northwest Territories lies in providing more options for our young people. I support the establishment of a polytechnic university, Mr. Speaker, but my reasons are not about new jobs and development, the investment, or the economic boost for Yellowknife. Yes, those things are certainly beneficial, but a polytechnic university represents so much more.
Mr. Speaker, what are the broad influences that will shape our territory over the next generations? We are an Indigenous territory on a journey toward self-determination. That requires all Northerners to take part. We need an economic engine that allows our communities to thrive and flourish while supporting diversification of our economy. We are no longer in a little glass bubble. Globalization is upon us, and we are affected daily by circumstances that play out around the world. Innovation and technology will bring forward numerous opportunities while also creating challenges and disruptions. Of course, climate change will continue to impact our lives in perpetuity.
We know these are the forces that will act on our society. How must we respond? Building our education system is about establishing our values as a society and infusing them through our system, including the post-secondary level. Our youth must have the greatest opportunities to succeed on a personal level and to contribute to society as they enter into the workforce that so desperately seeks northern-educated talent.
A polytechnic university will not only benefit our own residents, Mr. Speaker; an institution like this will establish a place for us in the growing field of circumpolar academic research and technical discovery. It will attract people from around the circumpolar world, coming to study, research, and teach. It provides us a foothold to participate at the frontlines of globalized knowledge and about the northern world.
Mr. Speaker, establishing this institution is about our self-determination as a territory, creating the kind of society we want the Northwest Territories to be. This is how we will truly realize our goal of a robust diverse economy. This is how we will make innovation possible and achieve authentic excellence. This is how Indigenous communities will set their own direction and flourish.
A polytechnic university may not hold the answers to every question facing our society, Mr. Speaker, but it will help prepare us to create inventive and original responses to the many challenges we face. Thank you, Mr. Speaker
Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Mr. Speaker, we privileged few in this House face no small amount of public scrutiny for the decisions we make, which is a fundamental feature of our democratic traditions. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that we all uphold the high standards Northerners expect from us in the decisions that we make.
Mr. Speaker, politicians as a whole never tend to poll well, except for a handful on election day. Earlier this year, a survey asked Canadians which jobs they trust and respect the most. While firefighters and nurses came out on top, politicians were found to be the least-respected jobs in the country for the third year running. Judges, on the other hand, consistently maintain a great deal of trust in the public's eye despite the fact that they are appointed by the same politicians who rank at the bottom of public opinion.
I wonder why this is, and the answer seems clear: a fair and transparent appointment process that is vetted by local experts who ensure that politicians make honest decisions about these appointments based on merit and experience, rather than patronage, favouritism, or ideology. In short, Canadians and Northerners tend to trust the judicial appointment process, even if they don't trust the politicians making the appointment.
Mr. Speaker, this now brings me to a recent appointment made by the Minister responsible for the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission. The workers' advisor is a political appointment made by the Minister who helps workers understand the workers' compensation system and is entirely independent of the commission. This is a very important and well-compensated position with a six-figure salary. In the past, Ministers have put the position out to the public in asking for an expression of interest from Northerners who wanted the job. That was not the case in this most recent appointment. Instead, the Minister appointed his long-time political aide to the post without any form of public process.
Mr. Speaker, this is exactly the kind of circumstance that make Northerners question the trust they place in elected officials. Important political appointments like this are entirely at the discretion of the Minister, but that does not mean he should ignore established processes. I want to be clear that I am in no way questioning the merits of the appointment or the person who occupies the position. I am questioning the appointment process and why an individual so close to the Minister's personal political career was selected without any concerns of personal conflict or a chance for a public expression of interest.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister, and I hope he can answer them satisfactorily. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this past December and January, I had the opportunity to visit the communities in Nahendeh to discuss various issues and concerns, including the Seniors' Home Heating Subsidy program.
Mr. Speaker, elders from my riding have serious concerns regarding a recent change to this program. It is my understanding that the department is now issuing a fuel subsidy in a dollar amount, as opposed to litres. In 2017, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment conducted a review that examined all aspects of the program, including income threshold zones, fuel allocations, and levels of support.
The review included meeting with the NWT Seniors' Society. However, in speaking with the elders in Nahendeh, they do not remember being consulted about the change. As a result of the program review, ECE immediately implemented changes to the program effective April 1, 2018, which includes increasing eligibility thresholds, extending the program to seniors who rent, and changes for the fuel allocation program to a monetary-based subsidy.
Mr. Speaker, consequently, changes from litres to monetary amount caused many elders to run out of their allotment by February, resulting in having additional costs to themselves. This is why more seniors are beginning the next season with an empty tank. This one change equates to elders going through their allocation subsidies much earlier than they would if they were issued a subsidy in litres. Given the increase in fuel prices, this is a serious concern.
Many of the elders are currently struggling financially and are now finding themselves having to pay for heating and fuel costs on their fixed income. This finds them struggling to find the funds to heat their home, as allocation amounts will not last to March 31st.
If you look at the subsidy, Mr. Speaker, in Fort Simpson, it is $2,700 in cash, which works out to 2,143 litres. That is a difference in the 2,800 litres.
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe our elders would agree this new change is something that they agree is a good way to save the cost of living. Later, I will have questions for the Minister of ECE. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Mr. Speaker, traditional economy. Mr. Speaker, traditional economy is a significant contributor to the northern economy, especially in smaller communities. Traditional economy has sustained many generations of not only Northerners, but people of many races and creeds from around the world. Traditional economy was, in fact, the original economy in place well before the advent of wage and income economies. Traditional economy has been and continues to be widely practised in many countries throughout the world, and is often referred to as part of the agrarian economy.
In terms of the Sahtu, food that would otherwise be purchased that is being displaced by the traditional economy is estimated to be in the range of $1.6 million per annum, or almost $2,000 per capita.
Mr. Speaker, barter and now cash are becoming increasingly important in traditional economy. Since the introduction and emergence of the snowmobile and outboard motors, cash has become more and more integral to the mobility and productivity of traditional harvesters.
The positive effect of automation on traditional economy is increased opportunities, change, and output. The downside of automation is the burden of operating and capital expenses.
What is the traditional economy? Mr. Speaker, a system of production for both use and exchange, consisting of natural resource, harvesting, hunting, trapping, fishing, gathering, and processing activities by which people provide for food, fuel, other material household needs, as a means of subsistence and source of material for trade.
Mr. Speaker, economic evolution in the NWT has not been equally applied across all communities. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regional centres are viewed as hubs of government and businesses, and occasionally industry. Employment and income opportunities are realized for those who are positioned to take advantage.
As we proceed with our fiscal responsible budgetary process, I look forward to balancing our support for the current and traditional economy. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. On October 31, 2018, I asked a written question of the Minister of Finance requesting the value of annual production by individual non-renewal resource commodities extracted in the Northwest Territories from 1999 to 2017, along with royalties collected on such production by individual commodities. On February 12, 2019, the Minister tabled the production figures as requested, based on publicly available information compiled by Statistics Canada. The royalties collected; however, were only supplied for 2014 to 2017 and aggregated by oil and gas and then by minerals for 2014 and 2015. The figures for 2016 and 2017 were a total for all royalties collected on all non-renewable resources, with a note that the "values are suppressed due to confidentiality requirements." No explanation was provided as to why earlier figures were not given and why royalties were not broken down by commodity type, as requested.
Last week I tabled excerpts from a privately published book by a former GNWT deputy minister and devolution negotiator that shows royalties and other fees paid to the federal government for oil and gas and minerals from 1980 to 2009. It is not clear why the Finance Minister did not provide similar information in response to a written question from a Member of this House when a retired GNWT deputy minister has the data at his fingertips.
Mr. Speaker, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative was started in 2004. It is a partnership among governments, companies, and civil society. A global standard to promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral resources has been developed and adopted by 51 countries.
The standard requires the disclosure of information along the extractive industry value chain from the point of extraction to how revenues make their way through the government and how they benefit the public. The initiative and its standard seeks to strengthen public and corporate governance, promote understanding of natural resource management, and provide the data to inform reforms for greater transparency and accountability in the extractives sector. Canada is a supporting country, along with others, such as the US, UK, Scandinavian countries, and other European states. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Merci, Monsieur le President. Thanks to my colleagues. The corporate sector also supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and those supporters including Anglo American and Rio Tinto, which are owners and operators of two of the three NWT diamond mines. Private multinationals seem more committed to transparency than our Cabinet.
What democratic government doesn't support openness and transparency in public reporting of resource royalties? I will have questions later today for the Minister of Finance. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, a wide range of dental services are covered for First Nations and Inuit people. This includes diagnostic services like x-rays, preventative services like cleanings, and restorative services like fillings, as well as more specialized care like root canals, gum treatments, dentures, and orthodontics. Why, then, are good dental services so hard to come by in our small communities?
In Fort Providence, there is no resident dentist or dental hygienist. Local dental services are provided when dental teams contracted by the GNWT visit and operate out of the Snowshoe Inn Centre. Residents tell me that these visits are often inconsistent, brief, and poorly advertised, making people miss opportunities to have their teeth cared for locally. I have also heard that residents struggle to schedule set appointments with these teams, making care even harder to plan for.
The alternative is to make private arrangements to travel through Yellowknife or Hay River, but for many, that is just not feasible. An elder recently visited Yellowknife alone to address a problem tooth, but was mistakenly reported missing by his family. Another resident was told by health centre staff that he would have to travel to Yellowknife on his own. This person does not have his own vehicle or disposable income for travel. Is he supposed to wait until he gets so sick that he needs a medevac?
I am not exaggerating, Mr. Speaker. Medical research shows that gum disease is linked to increased risk of heart disease and that dental infections and tooth loss can also lead to serious health problems, not to mention the pain and lowered quality of life that come with poor oral health.
Our governments have a fiduciary responsibility to deliver dental services to First Nations people, who have a right to get the care that they need promptly and, as much as possible, in their own home community. Not only that, it is also clear that providing good dental services is an important step in preventative care. It just makes good business sense.
I have previously written to the Minister, urging him to take steps to address the community's issues with dental services. Some residents have also suggested that services could be delivered from Yellowknife rather than Hay River, as is currently in practice. Whatever the decision, the community must be involved. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. I don't want to be a sore tooth, Mr. Speaker, but if there is one thing that I know for sure, it is that toothaches point to problems that need to get fixed as soon as possible. Mahsi.
Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the benefits of small-scale mining and value-added processing. Small-scale mining developments are increasingly being seen as the best way to develop new technology materials and specialty material deposits, such as those found in the NWT's rare earths and lithium resources.
Mr. Speaker, new demand for clean technology is creating new uses for traditionally un-mined materials. Investors in spin-off industries are very intrigued by the potential opportunities that are associated with unlocking new rare earth minerals. However, in order to secure long-term funding commitments with high-tech investors, resource samples will be needed to confirm product compatibility and consumer confidence.
Mr. Speaker, some advantages to small-scale mining include much smaller capital expenditure requirements compared to a larger-scale mining operations. The cost differential amounts to tens of millions of dollars versus hundreds, or millions, or even billions of dollars for large-scale mines.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the smaller the scale, the smaller the environmental footprint. Small-scale development allows for progressive remediation strategies to be implemented right from the start-up. This enables the site to be fully rehabilitated upon mine closure. Furthermore, local Indigenous businesses can be equity partners in development due to the nature of capital requirements for small-scale operations.
Mr. Speaker, the known subsurface resources at Nechalacho are highly suitable for this type of small-scale development approach. This technology does not require the use of water or hazardous chemicals in extracting the minerals for economic interest.
Mr. Speaker, this sustainable development approach, particularly in partnership with Indigenous groups, represents the future of the mineral industry. At this time, the NWT holds a great opportunity to demonstrate this new model and become a North American leader in the sustainable production of clean technology materials. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the community of Tsiigehtchic, we lack many essential government services. During our January tour of the Mackenzie Delta, voices were echoed regarding the lack of services that we have in our community.
Please be patient with me as, once again, I bring up the need for a full-time nurse. I believe that every community, for various safety reasons, for life and death matters, everyone needs a nurse in each community. We appreciate the regular visits that we have received; however, it is just not enough. This, I strongly believe, has to change.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to point out policing services in Tsiigehtchic. Although we have regular patrols in the community, residents feel the need to have a police officer stationed right in the community, again, Mr. Speaker, for safety reasons and to make the community feel more comfortable knowing that the RCMP is situated right down the street. The outcome, we believe, is less crime, less alcohol, and less domestic violence, to name a few.
These are just two of the services the community is requesting. We also would like to know about hiring an income support worker, probation officer, and all the other services that are offered in larger centres. Tsiigehtchic wants to be a community that offers all essential services to the community members.
Mr. Speaker, our ministerial tour of the Mackenzie Delta has brought forward many more concerns, but I'll only touch on these for now. I'll have questions later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to recognize a couple of constituents from the riding of Yellowknife North; Mr. Frank Walsh, who is the president of Local 11 and a Yellowknife North resident, and also Mr. David Connolly, who does a lot of community relations with Avalon, Advanced Metals Inc., and TerraX Minerals. I'd like to welcome you to the House. Thank you for being here.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize my cousin, Ann Peters, who is also your CA. Welcome to the House, Ann. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. I did not know the Member was going to do that. I apologize. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that I have four Pages here in this session, Jeremy Beauchamp, Gordon Kwon, Ehxea Antoine, and Desiree Pitt. I'd like to thank them for all their service to us in this session. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge former Yellowknife North resident Alex Czarnecki, who passed away recently.
Alex came to Yellowknife in 1972 to become a teacher at St. Pat's School. He became a well-known member of Yellowknife's artistic community, a frequently performing musician, a director of more than 40 local theatre productions, and a producer of films about the North in cultural transition.
Alex Czarnecki passed away early in January this year. Members, please join me in offering condolences to his friends and family, and applauding his life and contributions to the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
