Thank you, Mr. Speaker. June is Senior Citizens' Month. As the Minister responsible for Seniors, I want to encourage all Northerners to join me in recognizing and celebrating the valuable contributions that seniors and elders make within our families and our communities.
With a focus on aging in place, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a priority to help seniors and elders live in their own homes for as long as possible by ensuring that the right kinds of supports are available to them.
For its part, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to make progress to advance the Continuing Care Services Action Plan, with a strong commitment to supporting healthy aging and enhancing home and community care services for our territory's aging population. The department is currently working on the Home and Community Care Review, which will help build a roadmap for where and how to make investments in homecare to help support aging in place. This work includes reviewing gaps in services for each region and community in the Northwest Territories, analyzing demand, and jurisdictional reviews of models and protocols.
I have said it before in this House, Mr. Speaker: seniors and elders are the fastest-growing segment of our population, and one of the challenges that we face is limited access to suitable or affordable housing across the territory.
On this front, our government is making steady progress in the right direction. The NWT Housing Corporation recently completed and released a Seniors Planning Study that provides an overview of the current seniors' population and housing context in the Northwest Territories. Key findings of the study indicate that many seniors in the NWT face core housing issues. Armed with this information, the NWT Housing Corporation is looking at ways to improve the delivery of the Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements, also known as CARE Program, such as using local housing authorities to deliver repair and maintenance services in communities.
Improving how we deliver programs and supports to elders and seniors is important, but equally important is continuing to work closely with our Indigenous governments and community partners to improve supports for senior housing in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, there are two additional days of recognition within Senior Citizen's Month that I would like to highlight, as well. June 1st is Intergenerational Day, which is a day for all of us to reflect on the importance of embracing intergenerational relationships in our communities and our homes. We know that fostering healthy and respectful connections between people of all ages improves our ability to share traditional knowledge and culture, build resiliency, create safer communities, and address social isolation.
To support these efforts, the Departments of Health and Social Services and Municipal and Community Affairs are funding a three-year pilot project, Generations on the Move, led by the NWT Seniors' Society in partnership with the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. The project is designed to encourage healthy aging through intergenerational connections and to increase active living opportunities for older adults in our smaller NWT communities. Currently, the communities of Ulukhaktok, Fort Simpson, Whati, Hay River, and Fort Providence are delivering intergenerational projects with this funding.
June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Raising public awareness about the abuse and neglect of seniors and elders is the first of many steps in preventing elder abuse. Elder abuse comes in various forms, not just physical abuse. For elders struggling with some of these forms of abuse, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to offer a confidential, free, 24-hour NWT helpline offering counselling support for residents of all ages in need. We are also working to increase awareness through the department's What Will It Take campaign. This past winter we developed a video featuring a local Fort Good Hope elder that depicts the but damaging effects of financial elder abuse. This was played in the Yellowknife Theatre, is available online, and there are upcoming plans for promoting this campaign again throughout Senior Citizens' Month.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the commitment to elder abuse prevention by the NWT Seniors' Society. Leading various elder abuse prevention initiatives, such as providing the It's Not Right workshop on identifying abuse and how to help older adults at risk, the NWT Seniors' Society has advocated passionately to raise the profile of this important social issue that is present in our homes and our communities. They also have a toll-free Seniors' Information Line for questions specific to issues and topics of interest to seniors and to elders. We are pleased to be working with them on various initiatives and are truly grateful for their dedication towards eradicating the abuse of NWT's aging population.
Through strong relationships with our partners, our government aims to provide high-quality programs and services that best support our seniors and elders. Together with our commitment to aging in place, we are creating a future where seniors and elders can remain safe, independent, and actively engaged in their home communities for as long as possible.
I would like to take a moment to thank all of those involved in enhancing the lives of our territory's aging population. From dedicated individuals to entire organizations, your efforts do not go unseen or unappreciated. During Senior Citizens' Month, and on Intergenerational Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, I encourage all residents to celebrate the important role that our seniors and elders have in our communities and our lives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister's statements. Minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, our government is following through on its mandate commitment to strengthen connections with our public and private sector partners to secure funding for strategic infrastructure projects across the Northwest Territories. Investments in our public highway systems help to connect communities, improve public safety, ensure the efficient delivery of essential goods and services, support tourism, increase our resiliency to climate change, reduce the cost of living, and create training and employment opportunities. Investments also help attract interest from industry in the exploration and development of natural resources and pave the way for further economic opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, residents and visitors can expect another busy highway construction season this summer. In fact, a total of $75 million in improvements will be made to eight highways, two bridges, and five access roads.
In the South Slave region, a number of improvements are planned for Highway No.1. A section of the highway will be reconstructed, which includes crushing and stockpiling material, hauling gravel, widening the highway embankment, replacing culverts, and clearing bushes and trees from the right of way. This will be a multi-year project, with work expected to be completed by July 2020.
Between Hay River and Fort Smith, two sections of Highway No. 5 will be chipsealed, which will mean a much smoother drive for the motorists. On Highway No. 6, also known as the Fort Resolution Highway, chipsealing will be carried out in two sections.
Mr. Speaker, in the North Slave region, improvements will also be carried out on 12 kilometres of Highway No. 3. This project will include levelling and compacting the existing road surface, crushing and stockpiling material, hauling gravel, and replacing culverts. A section of the highway will also be chipsealed. Work is expected to be carried over the next year and be completed by August 2020.
Further north on Highway No. 4, also known as the Ingraham Trail, roughly 4 kilometres will be reconstructed. We will also be crushing and stockpiling material, hauling gravel, widening the highway embankment, and replacing culverts.
In the Dehcho region, reconstruction work will take place this summer and fall on Highway No. 7, also known as the Liard Highway. This project is currently in the permitting phase, but we expect a section of the highway will be reconstructed. Work is expected to include crushing and stockpiling material, gravel hauling, embankment widening, and culvert replacements.
In the Beaufort Delta region, some construction work will be taking place on Highway No. 8, better known as the Dempster Highway. Reconstruction will take place along 2 kilometres of the highway. Two culverts will also be replaced. On Highway No. 10, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, one culvert will be replaced.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to highway improvements, we will also be undertaking improvements to five access roads, which ensure we can connect communities to our main highway system. Overall, we will be improving approximately 26 kilometres of access roads.
In the Beaufort Delta, a section of the Inuvik Airport Access Road and Hospital Hill Drive will be reconstructed. In the South Slave, the Hay River Reserve Access Road will be repaired and chipsealed. In the North Slave, the Rae Access Road will be upgraded. In the Dehcho region, a section of the Jean Marie River access road will be resurfaced.
Mr. Speaker, we have two major bridge projects scheduled this year. The Hay River to Pine Point Bridge is currently undergoing rehabilitation. This project is expected to be concluded in October 2019 and will bring a number of benefits for commercial drivers, such as no overhead restrictions. On the Mackenzie Valley winter road, the approaches to Blackwater Bridge will be improved, improving the effectiveness of the winter road.
As the construction season begins, I would like to thank the dedicated workers who put in long hours to maintain and improve our highway system. Your work is essential to the North. I would like also to remind drivers to watch for highway crews and slow down in construction zones, and obey the signs and flag persons along the highway.
Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to work closely with all of our public and private sector partners so we can continue to build a transportation network that meets the current needs of our citizens and the needs of generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, our government committed in its mandate to pursue innovative ways to prevent and reduce crime. Today, I want to share with you progress on this work, as well as offer clarity about the way programming is provided to both sentenced and remanded inmates here in the Northwest Territories.
Following the release of the 2015 Auditor General's report on the Corrections Service, the Department of Justice underwent a full review of the programs and services provided to individuals in the care and custody of the Corrections Service. In this review, the department considered feedback from Members of the Legislative Assembly, past and present inmates, and the recommendations from the 2015 Auditor's report.
This review highlighted programs being delivered in our facilities needed more attention to address the reasons individuals found themselves in contact with the criminal justice system. We also found that substance abuse is the most prevalent issue requiring intervention. As well, violence, sexual offences, and relationship violence were issues also identified. Most importantly, we found that the lengthy programing being provided based on federal correctional designs did not meet the needs of our inmates and offenders due to the short time most of them are in our facilities. As a result of these findings, the Corrections Service made fundamental changes to create a new program model in 2016, including ensuring that both remanded and sentenced offenders were able to access programming. Programs were designed to target areas of substance abuse, violence, and relationship violence.
The new model addressing the likely causes to criminal behaviour was developed to be delivered not only in corrections facilities, but also throughout the territories in the community probation offices. Programs at our corrections facilities recognize the importance of Indigenous cultures and traditions. The Substance Abuse Management, Violence Prevention, Living without Violence, and the Respectful Relationships programs are all evidence-based programs aimed at supporting inmates to become aware of the triggers that lead them to engage in unhealthy and unsafe behaviours. All NWT corrections programs integrated Indigenous culture and traditions in the way they are delivered. This is accomplished through the input of elders, traditional liaison officers, and Indigenous staff.
Since 2016, over 500 participants have successfully completed programs using this new model. Community probation offices have delivered 47 programs in 12 different communities in the NWT, which has resulted in 133 community clients successfully completing programs to target their identified needs.
Since its launch in 2016, the Substance Abuse Management program has been delivered 64 times, including 30 times in probation offices in Yellowknife, Behchoko, Whati, Hay River, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, and Fort McPherson. The Corrections Service also delivers these programs specifically for women at the Fort Smith Correctional Complex Women's Unit and the Yellowknife probation office.
Since its launch in 2017, the Violence Prevention and Living Without Violence program has been delivered 38 times, including 12 times in probation offices in Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, and Fort McPherson.
Since its launch in 2017, the Respectful Relationships program has been delivered 21 times, including 10 times in probation offices in Yellowknife, Behchoko, Hay River, Fort Liard, and Inuvik.
As of March 2019, the department has implemented the Northern Addictions Sessions at the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre. Reports and feedback have been positive for this delivery model. Work is currently under way in the development of the Northern Violence Prevention and Northern Healthy Relationships sessions, which will be delivered with the Living Without Violence and Respectful Relationships program.
Mr. Speaker, we recognize the importance of providing a method of continuous learning, development, and practice of cognitive, behavioural, and social skills programming, which is why our dedicated staff have developed a maintenance program targeting those offenders who have completed one or more of the programs that address the causes of criminal behaviour.
Changes have been made to the release planning process that make it possible for case managers to look for community programming options for inmates upon release. Where possible, clients are matched with similar programming so that they can continue to build the skills that are needed to prevent and reduce crime and harm in their lives.
We recognize the importance of offering programs and opportunities that support inmates in meeting their educational goals. Inmates have access to programming that includes adult literacy, basic education and upgrading, high school and exam preparation, trades exam preparation, life and employment ready skills, and assistance with pursuing or registration into post-secondary studies.
I am pleased to report that, over the past year, approximately 130 inmates have accessed the educational programming available within our adult correctional facilities.
Mr. Speaker, our goal is to prepare inmates for their rehabilitation and reintegration back into their communities. The Department of Justice continues to ensure that the programming and supports that we offer help to address the individual needs of offenders. Through the efforts of our dedicated Corrections Service staff and the continued partnerships that we have with other departments and stakeholders, we are making a difference in lives of Northerners and are helping to create safer, healthier communities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has worked hard to meet the commitments made by this government to advance affordable housing and address homelessness during the 18th Legislative Assembly.
In addressing this priority, we resolved to use northern solutions for northern housing. One example is the Northern Pathways to Housing Program, an innovative approach to addressing homelessness in small communities.
We all know that there is homelessness in our communities. We know there are overcrowded houses where people couch-surf because they do not have a home of their own. Research tells us that the chances of addressing the issues that lead to homelessness, mental health, addictions, and other social issues, are better when you have stable housing.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is working with community groups to develop, design, and implement supportive housing for our residents through the Northern Pathways to Housing Program. The program involves providing four apartment-style single room units to community partners, along with funding support to pay for the additional costs associated with the operation of a supportive housing program.
The community partner works with the program participants to maintain their housing stability and respond to their particular needs. This support includes connecting them with available services and resources from community agencies. The community partner chooses the program participants through a committee. The program allows the community to prioritize the needs that they see as the most urgent.
Our experience with the Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Aklavik Indian Band is proving that this model makes a difference in peoples' lives. I want to thank those two groups for their dedication and vision.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that a third Northern Pathways to Housing Program is starting in Behchoko. Through engagement with the Tlicho Government and the Community Government of Behchoko, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has selected the Behchoko Friendship Centre as the community partner that will deliver the program in Behchoko. I anticipate being in Behchoko in June to celebrate the project with community residents and government leaders.
The Northern Pathways to Housing Program is one of a kind. It takes the philosophy of Housing First, an approach utilized across North America, but tailors it for the Northwest Territories. This truly is a northern solution for northern housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to move item 5 as the next order of business today. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues, for agreeing to that change. Mr. Speaker, it gives me pleasure today to welcome to the House a number of women who participated in a series of workshops called Women on the Ballot through the winter, which were presented here in Yellowknife. They are Caitlin Cleveland, Megan Holsapple, Kate Reid, Jan Vallilee, Katrina Nockleby, and Michelle Ramsay. I hope that they will, in fact, be women on the ballot this fall, and I thank them for coming and seeing what happens in this Chamber today. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome the following people from the NWT Seniors Society who are with us in the Chamber today: John Soderberg, who is the treasurer of the NWT Seniors' Society, and Suzette Montreuil, who is the executive director of the NWT Seniors' Society. I would also like to recognize Katrina Nockleby, who is a resident of the Great Slave riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to recognize my wife, Suzette Montreuil, for being here today. I know that she was in the Great Hall earlier for a photo op with the Minister responsible for Seniors, but I want to thank her for looking after at least one senior in this House after I'm finished here every day. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and I do appreciate her coming to the Assembly today. Thanks.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that I am breaking convention a little bit because I don't really have a constituent, but I do want to recognize the women who are in the House today who are watching the proceedings. I think it is pretty evident that there are not enough women in the House, and so I am really proud to see them and, like my colleague, I am hoping that I will see their names on ballots. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize our youth here, the two Pages from Norman Wells, Summer Rose and Aidan Watson, and their chaperone, Jillian Brown. Welcome to the experience. Mahsi.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two residents of my riding of Kam Lake, Caitlin Cleveland and Jan Vallilee. It's great to see you take an interest in our proceedings today. I, too, am excited to hear about your interest in our democracy and look forward to seeing your names on the ballot, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize a Page from the Yellowknife North riding, young Zefer Jordison from Ecole Allain St-Cyr, and thank all the Pages for all of the fantastic work they do on our behalf. I also want to recognize some constituents from the riding of Yellowknife North. Today we have here Megan Holsapple, Michelle Ramsay, and Kate Reid. Welcome and thank you for being here. Lastly, I would also like to acknowledge the executive director of the NWT Seniors' Society, which is located in the riding of Yellowknife North, Suzette Montreuil. Welcome and thank you for being here.
Masi. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Ms. Jillian Brown, as well. In her past career, I have seen Jillian teach across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It's good to see educators making long-term goals in our territory, educating our children, so welcome, Jill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No one is more important in any culture than our elders. This government has shown over time that the money we put into the care and well-being of our elders is nothing short of positive. Our elders are more active, healthier, and, if I may state, are looking younger.
I want to touch on the elders' home that was started in Fort McPherson some time ago. I believe it's almost near completion, and the community is looking forward to the grand opening.
Mr. Speaker, it's been a long time coming. There are eight units in this building, plus one for a caretaker. This will give the community eight empty units to place other families in, ones who are on the waiting list for housing.
I have heard many times that keeping our elders in our home communities makes them stronger, and keeping them near families, where they can be cared for, especially keeping them in a home in their community where they feel safe makes them more comfortable.
Mr. Speaker, it's pretty exciting for Fort McPherson. We have had the local contractor finish the work, with on-the-job training opportunities for local labourers. Finishing touches are in the works, and we are anxiously awaiting the day our elders can move in. I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As our days get warmer and the ice melts from the lakes and the rivers, residents of our remote coastal communities look forward to being resupplied by marine transportation services. The Nunakput communities rely on the barges each summer for essential goods, fuels, and services which can only be delivered in the summer months in a short operating window.
As this House knows, unfortunate weather last August caused the last barges of the season to be cancelled. This resulted in the already high cost of living to rise. I have spoken before about my constituents not being able to afford fuel to go on the land harvesting and hunting, which causes a vicious cycle of them being forced to buy expensive food at the store instead of providing for their families from the land.
It was for this reason that I was pleased to hear the Minister say that they are planning an earlier start to the shipping season. I encourage the Marine Transportation Services to use this season to do some long-term planning for future ice conditions, working with Transport Canada and other agencies that are experts in the Arctic sea ice and weather conditions on the western gate of the Northwest Passage so that they can maximize their chances of completing all the reply routes each year.
Mr. Speaker, one way to improve shipping times could be the use of the now-complete Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway to bring goods to the coast and then stage shipping from Tuktoyaktuk. This would have the advantage of cutting the sailing time. Goods could start to be collected before the sea ice has broken up, and sailing schedules may be easier to adjust to account for conditions in the Beaufort Sea.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, investing not just the physical infrastructure, the docks and wharfs of the coastal communities, but also by mapping the ports of entry into the communities and monitoring any changes to the seabed may also help ensure that the shipping season runs smoothly. I look forward to hearing from the Minister on any investments being made to improve marine shipping in the Beaufort Sea and the Arctic this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke about a pay it forward program in Fort Simpson. Today I would like to speak about a second program established in the region. It is largely in part to Mr. Troy Bellefontaine. In the summer of 2016, Troy began researching Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and, in November 2017, he began accepting registration for this literacy program.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a program that sends one book a month to children between the ages of zero months to five years. The program is partly dependent on donations, as the cost is $3.55 per child per month. All other expenses are covered by the foundation. Initially, Troy himself began the program by donating enough money to have the program run for five months. As well, he personally funded all the promotion associated with this program, along with accepting the responsibility for registering the children. Since November, he has received approximately 45 registration, and predicts it will continue to grow.
The Liidlii Kue First Nation, the Village of Fort Simpson, and other local businesses have donated to allow this program to become operational in the community.
After conducting research, Troy established there are 113 kids in the region who qualify for this program. His goal is to have each of them registered and receive books each month. He would like to expand his literacy service to the other communities in the region, such as Jean Marie, Wrigley, Somba K'e, and Nahanni Butte. To his credit, he has.
Troy's personal commitment to literacy is one of his key passions, so much so that he took time off work to attend a literacy workshop in Yellowknife. He returned with the initiative to hold local literacy workshops, giving parents tips and tools on how to assist and engage their children in the joy of reading. The books not only assist with literacy, but they contain valuable life lessons. Many of the books teach kindness, caring, and helping others.
Troy also operates a successful private business. In October 2016, he and his employee, Heather Greencorn, discussed giving back to the community and options for paying it forward. The discussion resulted in Heather offering free hairstyling to the residents of the elders' care home in Fort Simpson. Heather has been providing this essential service since that conversation to the elders monthly and remains dutifully committed to this program. I would like to thank both of them for their commitment and others who continue to do this work behind the scenes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I will come back today to the too-long and too-twisted tale of the former Northern Frontiers Visitors' Centre and the lack of progress re-establishing a tourist information centre for Yellowknife. It's been more than two years since the facility closed.
Back in February 2017, the Minister of Infrastructure told me that his staff were working to stabilize the building and had "recently gone out for expressions of interest on possible design opportunities." Northern Frontiers Visitors' Association board produced a report detailing the estimated $5 million in additional tourism business generated by the centre and offered three costed options for redesign and relocation of the facility. Despite these efforts, the building closed in May 2017, and the visitors' operation hopped to the museum, then to the basement of Yellowknife City Hall, where it has been located ever since. When I asked the Minister a year later, in February 2018, what progress towards a new centre had come from the design studies, he said, "I think it's a bit early to make a decision on that yet. We are working with the City of Yellowknife to determine the long-term model of delivery of the visitors' information centre." So much for 2017 and 2018.
In the February 2019 budget session, I asked the Minister for a status report yet again and was told the building is still being stabilized and that the infrastructure department has "recently gone out for expressions of interest on possible design opportunities." Media reports have since informed us that $125,000 has been spent to stabilize the building that officials describe as "just barely surviving" and that $75,000 was split between three design companies for their ideas on building redevelopment.
Presumably, with all of these suggestions, in addition to the recommendations paid for in 2017, we have a lot to look at. Others use have proceeded in parallel, including the passage of a law enabling the City of Yellowknife to finance a destination marketing program, but that doesn't result in a storefront visitors centre helping our 70,000 annual visitors spend more money in Yellowknife and beyond.
Later today I hope to have questions for the Minister to find out what is going on with the building and how we can improve visitor services for Yellowknife moving forward. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has the goal of employing a public service that is representative of the general population that it serves. The NWT's population is almost exactly 50 percent non-Aboriginal and 50 percent Aboriginal. This means that 50 percent of the GNWT's public service should ideally be composed of Aboriginal employees. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
According to the GNWT's 2018 Public Service Annual Report, only 30.5 percent of the territorial government's workforce is made up of Indigenous Aboriginal people, who are defined in the policy as people of Dene, Metis, or Inuit descent who were born or have lived more than half of their lives in the Northwest Territories. I agree with my colleague from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh that the Affirmative Action Policy has failed many Indigenous Aboriginal P1 candidates. The government has to make a commitment to turn this around now, not to leave it to the next Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, there has been no change to the policy in the 30 years since it was established. It still contains a commitment to do a policy review in 1994. The language is outdated, as well. In the policy, "Indigenous" means everyone who has lived half of their life in the NWT, whether they are Aboriginal or not. Everywhere else, the GNWT uses the word "Indigenous" to mean Aboriginal only.
The GNWT needs to get more jobs into small communities to bring the jobs to the people, instead of requiring people to abandon their families and their traditional lands to take jobs elsewhere. Most summer employment opportunities for post-secondary students are in the headquarters and regional centres. DMs, or deputy ministers, in every department should be challenged to ensure that students from small communities can get GNWT summer jobs. Their tenure and bonuses should depend on it.
Some departments are doing better than others. ENR has the highest rate of Aboriginal employees, at 45 percent, followed closely by Executive and Indigenous Affairs, at 44 percent. Departments at the bottom of the list, like Lands and Health and Social Services, at 22 percent each, need to prioritize this. I would like to see the Minister of Finance establish a firm commitment that Aboriginal residents of the NWT from small communities make up at least 75 percent of the GNWT workforce.
Human resources staff in the Department of Finance should be working hard to remove systemic barriers, not create them. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I understand that hiring practices now include the requirement to do a written test to qualify for a job interview. If this is a standard approach across the GNWT, then it needs to change, because it discourages potentially dedicated Aboriginal employees who were deprived of good educational opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, the Affirmative Action Policy needs to be revised and updated, and the government's political leaders and top senior managers need to recommit today to making the policy's goal a reality. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am rising today to celebrate a great community and cultural event, the NorthWords Writers Festival, which begins tomorrow.
The festival was created in 2006 as a three-day event to provide a stage for northern and Indigenous writers to welcome established writers from southern Canada. The NorthWords Writers Festival Society was established a year later, and workshops and other literary events were added to the program.
Today the four-day event attracts around 1,000 people. Emerging and established writers converge to develop their craft through public readings, mentorships, panel discussions, workshops, and a writing contest, as well as informal meetings with each other and guest authors. NorthWords promotes the development of young northern and Indigenous writers by sponsoring events for schools.
In 2010, NorthWords NWT began to reach out to writers in other NWT communities with a three-author tour of Fort Smith, Hay River, and Yellowknife. The festival now offers events in all three communities.
The festival took another step forward in 2012 with the publication of the anthology "Coming Home: Stories From the Northwest Territories." This anthology featured the work of 17 NWT writers, half of whom were being published for the first time. This anthology has enjoyed an extraordinary reception from the reading public and has been an important step in the development of NWT writers. It has resulted in increased participation and interest in northern literary events.
Mr. Speaker, the 14th Annual NorthWords Writers Festival runs from tomorrow through Sunday. Events include the open mic event "Flash: Your Five Minutes of Fame," the NorthWords Cafe, a gala and silent action, and "Blush: An Evening of Erotic and Sensual Readings." A line-up of more than 20 writers and authors, filmmakers, songwriters, storytellers, and performing groups will entertain from venues across the three communities. It is an event about and beyond words.
Congratulations to NorthWords, and keep on growing. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
