Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the Members that the honourable Glen Abernethy will be absent from the House today due to illness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. The Honourable Premier.
Mr. Speaker, the demand for safe, affordable, and locally grown food choices continues to rise in the Northwest Territories and is a topic that our government is actively addressing as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Agriculture Strategy. With emerging agricultural activities and this government's priority to support an increase in local food production, the Department of Health and Social Services recognized the need to update the Food Establishment Safety Regulations, under the Public Health Act, to support Northwest Territories residents in the agriculture and food establishment sectors.
Improving food security by encouraging local food production is one of the main goals of the Agriculture Strategy. An integral part of this work is ensuring that the proper regulatory frameworks are in place to guide and protect the Northwest Territories' agriculture industry, promote safe agriculture and food production, and integrate best practices.
Our first step is updating the Food Establishment Safety Regulations to ensure that the public is buying food that is safe to eat, while also making it easier for operators to produce and sell locally grown foods. This enhances food security overall and promotes economic development in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, the amended regulations came into effect yesterday and reflect current best practices for the primary agricultural activities currently found in the Northwest Territories. These amendments will apply not just to regular food establishments, like restaurants, but also to home food processors and farmers, as well as other operators wishing to grow and sell local, low-risk foods at venues such as farmers' and community markets, out of their home, or through farm gate.
Additional updates to the regulations have also been made to support food security. These include the ability for the Chief Public Health Officer to waive the payment of permit fees, extend durations for temporary permits, and exempt some permitting requirements for home food processors to make it easier to establish home-based food businesses.
Under these enhanced Public Health Act Regulations, current and prospective Northwest Territories food establishment operators will see a more streamlined permitting process. This will result in a clearer and more responsive application process for NWT vendors, which will better determine what type of permit is required. Resources and tools to help food operators navigate this new process are already available on the Department of Health and Social Services' website, and we hope this will make it easier for residents to sell locally grown, low-risk food at venues throughout the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services will continue to work with partnering organizations and fellow departments to grow the Northwest Territories agriculture sector and lower the cost of living for Northwest Territories residents. Through the implementation of updated regulations and our environmental health units' routine food establishment inspections, we will continue to work towards increasing the availability of safe, locally grown food choices for our territory's residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, few services have as direct an impact on our citizens as the policing services provided by the RCMP. This modern relationship continues to develop, providing effective and collaborative policing services in our communities.
Over the past few years, the RCMP in the NWT have placed a deliberate focus on increasing public trust in policing services, working with partners to improve responses for vulnerable populations, and adapting their work to reflect changing legislation and best practices. This includes providing policing services that reflect community priorities and an understanding of the unique cultural history of the communities the RCMP serves. The commanding officer of "G" Division has stressed the importance of regionally-specific outreach activities by members of "G" division. This includes attending feasts and meeting with elders, and that these activities need to be part of members' initial introduction to the community, as well as part of ongoing community engagement, and be consistently applied across the NWT.
Through Policing Priority Action Plans, the RCMP and community leadership work jointly to develop plans for addressing the specific needs of each community. All 33 communities in the NWT have these plans in place. This work is vital to building a relationship of trust between RCMP members and the communities they serve. Additionally, analysis of the community priority plans allows the opportunity to examine current community safety pressures and plan for future demands. A vital part of this collaborative approach is accountability. Action plan reporting tracks the RCMP and community goals and are reported on quarterly. These reports are provided to community leadership to be shared with community members. The action plans are revisited annually and revised as necessary by the community and the RCMP. Through this process, communities have a direct role in making their community safer.
Almost every community has identified stopping drugs and bootlegging activities as a priority. The mutual trust gained from building community action plans has resulted in the support the police need in order to see results in these areas.
I would also like to update Members on the status of our work over the last decade on the First Nations Policing Program. Currently we are expecting an expansion under this program to the territories that will support the priorities of this Legislative Assembly to ensure services are delivered locally with culturally appropriate methods that will support the priorities of communities in the NWT. Before the end of the 2021 fiscal year, we will be seeing additional policing resources to support those detachments that currently serve small communities under the First Nations Policing Program, allowing us to better address the challenges of policing in the North.
Mr. Speaker, members from the RCMP "G" Division, in partnership with staff from the Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Justice, were instrumental in creating the RCMP history project on special constables in the NWT, the "We Took Care of Them" exhibit. The exhibit celebrates and honours the contributions of Indigenous people in the NWT to policing in the North. This past April, "We Took Care of Them" received national recognition as the winner of the Canadian Museums Association Award of Outstanding Achievement in the Exhibition-Cultural Heritage category. I would like to congratulate the entire team who worked on this project. I can advise Members that this award-winning project has been very successfully received in our communities. All seven educational kits have been distributed and are being utilized by members in the regions during community or school events. In each case, surviving family members or relatives of special constables are invited to attend and join in these presentations, and are encouraged to speak their language.
In addition, one kit has been requested to be on loan to the RCMP Depot in Regina for use with their recruits during their training to advance cultural awareness. We hope that it will make our NWT recruits very proud as they attend Depot for their training this year to see their own history being featured. All RCMP cadets receive cultural awareness training at Depot, woven in with concepts of human rights, harassment, discrimination, ethics, and bias-free policing. Cultural awareness training comprises 66 hours in the Depot training curriculum. Of that, 17 hours is dedicated to Indigenous cultural awareness training. In addition, recruits coming to our local "G" Division have mandatory requirements for an additional six hours of Indigenous awareness training.
I am very pleased to announce that, as of December 2018, three NWT recruits have graduated and have returned to the NWT for their placement. There are still two NWT residents in Depot actively working towards completing their training. In addition, it is my understanding that, since January of this year, 28 other NWT applicants are within different stages of the recruitment process, with the majority being Indigenous applicants. This is a very significant number of northern recruits.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the longer-term efforts of the RCMP leadership and individual members have made great inroads in regard to community trust and respect. The ultimate goal we are all working towards is safe communities where our citizens can thrive. I applaud the work that the RCMP have been doing to help achieve this goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
Mr. Speaker, our territory has no shortage of spectacular sights for visitors and residents to enjoy. Our territorial parks are the starting point for many looking to experience these world-class wonders.
Through the life of this government, and in line with our mandate, we have invested in enhancing these vital assets for the benefit of the growing contingent of tourists choosing the NWT, and our residents seeking to enjoy their recreational time.
With the construction season in full swing, many Northwest Territories residents are already seeing those investments in action. Today I would like to highlight our work to invest in world-class parks infrastructure throughout this mandate, and what that has meant for the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, this summer alone there is almost $7.3 million in work planned. Some of the bigger projects include campsite enhancements in the Deh Cho at Blackstone Territorial Park, new camping loops and structural improvements on our waterfalls route in the South Slave, and smaller improvements that make these parks that much more enjoyable, like kitchen shelters, sports areas, and road repairs.
Throughout this government, we've dedicated more than $3.5 million annually to keep that momentum going, meaning our parks users come back to better facilities at their favourite spots year after year.
Mr. Speaker, we invest in more than just infrastructure. We have invested in planning, like the work under way to enhance North Arm Park to become an even more vital part of our parks infrastructure, or to lay the groundwork for a future where the NWT/British Columbia boundary crossing gets social media coverage like the 60th Parallel.
We have invested in better service by revolutionizing our online service delivery and consistently delivering a better experience for our users, and by upping our staff presence at our parks to keep them clean and safe for our users, and we have invested in marketing our parks to new audiences, reaching road travelers at conferences using targeted advertising for these world-class assets.
These investments have led to big improvements in our parks indicators across all of our regions. At the beginning of this government, we welcomed just over 28,000 overnight visitors in a season. As of last season, we're getting close to 37,000. We have also reached a point where more of these visitors are coming from outside the Northwest Territories, a reflection of how our spectacular parks are reaching new audiences. In fact, some regions see almost 70 percent of their traffic arriving from beyond our boundaries.
Mr. Speaker, early indications are that it will be another great season. From record-breaking opening-day bookings on our website, to packed parking lots and the posts I see across social media, I know residents and visitors alike are enjoying our parks, and our investments in making them better.
We have committed to investing in world-class parks, and the next Legislative Assembly is in a good position to make continued improvements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to salute the exemplary service of the Yellowknife unit of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and to thank the volunteers for their continuing contributions to boat safety on our waters.
The Yellowknife command of the Canadian Coast Guard provides marine search and emergency rescue on the north half of Great Slave Lake. The Yellowknife CCGA operates the search and rescue vessels Nick Martin and Diavik Discovery, and collaborates closely with the RCMP in emergency response. Federal funding transfers cover the organization's rescue costs, while local fundraising meets the costs of its extensive training programs.
The unit makes emergency prevention a priority by promoting safe boating to the public at local and regional boat and trade shows. The unit also supports "on the water" community events, such as the Abilities Cup sailboat race, the Commissioner's Cup race, and the Float Plane Fly-In.
Marine rescue services were put to the test again recently for a medical emergency on the big lake. On a cold and blustery morning in July, a call for help went out from the sailing vessel Yola, when its skipper fell gravely ill. Coast Guard Auxiliary responders responded to the distress call, providing the skipper with medical assistance. They relieved the crew, and towed the Yola to safety, where an ambulance was waiting. Unfortunately, Yola's skipper, George Diveky, passed away after being evacuated to medical care, but it was the fast action of the Coast Guard Auxiliary that gave George a chance, and brought the crew and vessel to safety. Yesterday the community of sailors and others remembered him at a wonderful service.
Thanks go out to the crew of the Diavik Discovery, coxswain and liaison Mark Hilman, to Darren and Sharron Sutton, Dawn Keim and medic Kristjan Goodman as well as Zodiac crew Jack Keefe, Alison Gillis, and Robert Anderson. The family were grateful to have Yola and her dinghy towed safely and secured to her mooring, and we all support the unhesitating and professional help of these volunteers.
Please join me in honouring the exceptional public service of the Yellowknife unit of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Minister is well aware, we have a housing shortage in the Mackenzie Delta, with a waiting list of up to three years. Many of my constituents, including myself, would like to see new homes in our communities. More importantly, adding to our stock of homes that we have a limit on.
My communities want to start building their own homes for members, with a partnership with Housing. For example, log homes, as we have timber in the Mackenzie Delta, also woodmeisters for squaring logs or getting the logs to size. This will help keep the costs down and increase the number of homes in our community. I'll have questions later for the Minister. Mahsi.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about municipal lands. Specifically, I'd like to talk about uncontested land within the City of Yellowknife's boundary. Yellowknife makes up half the territory's population. That's important because, as we know, the GNWT's revenue is driven by federal transfer payments, which are determined by our population. These payments make up nearly 70 percent of the revenue for our annual budget. In a letter from Mayor Alty dated June 24, 2019, the city is proposing that the city and GNWT work together to increase the population, and in turn increase the GNWT's revenue.
How would this work, Mr. Speaker? Currently the city only controls 7 percent of the land inside its boundary. The GNWT controls 31 percent of that land. Of the city's 7 percent, only 1 percent is vacant land available for residential or commercial development. Having access to only 1 percent of land makes it hard for the city to respond to commercial demands. That limits economic development potential, which in turn restricts job creation and population growth in the territory.
Now, the city is asking the GNWT to transfer those lands to the municipality. That will allow the city to meet economic demands more quickly and efficiently. The GNWT will continue to have oversight of planning because community and area development plans will still require ministerial approval.
Mr. Speaker, currently the city has to make land applications for every new parcel of land, in addition to gaining ministerial approval. This process is cumbersome, slow, and inefficient. It doesn't signal that the NWT is "open for business." Frankly, it is an antiquated and paternalistic approach extending from colonization.
It's not only Yellowknife asking for more control of lands within municipal boundaries, Mr. Speaker. As my colleague from Deh Cho mentioned yesterday, we're hearing the same demands from many NWT communities. I experienced first-hand these same shared concerns as I travelled with standing committee on the Public Land Act up and down the valley.
Mr. Speaker, I support the city's request to transfer these lands. I think it's important to take every possible step to improve economic development opportunities in the NWT. To me, this is a no-brainer; we must move toward getting this done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Healthcare and long-term care facilities are major structures in supporting our delivery systems; more importantly, the qualified staff within this organization structure. On the issue of facilities, the Sahtu residents have seen two official openings of facilities that support healthcare, the regional facility in Norman Wells and the Territorial Stanton Hospital. Both facilities increased staff and the career opportunities these positions bring.
The Health Minister, in the statement of March 13, 2019, said "we are developing multidisciplinary integrated care teams that will provide clients with ready access to team providers." These, Mr. Speaker, are messages our residents need to hear on developments and strategies our department is reviewing and working on.
Mr. Speaker, I respect the absence of our Health and Social Services Minister and I wish him a speedy recovery; therefore, I look forward to a collaborative working relationship over the next week to coordinate and ask and request that a reformed healthcare presentation be made to the upcoming SSI AGM. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
[Translation] ...such as on-land hunting, fishing, and trapping. Here in Yellowknife, there are six places that they have, and in this here, there is only one. When it's a small place like that they work on, it's hard. In small communities, band councils usually exist and deliver municipal services, sometimes the local band councils, and that is why the settlement or hamlet councils they have. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes band councils as designated authorities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [End of translation]
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. Members of this House have likely encountered the issue of NWT Health Plan coverage under the specified disease conditions list under the Extended Health Benefits Program.
Recently I brought forward another instance of lack of care supports because a constituent has a condition that is not covered. Recently the NWT Autism Society released a thorough legal review of how autism is not covered under the list of specified disease conditions and how this may be viewed as discrimination. When I raised this review with the Minister of Health and Social Services, the response from the Minister shows that GNWT inherited a system from the federal government, including a list of specified conditions, that has changed little since 1988.
There have been two failed attempts at reviewing the Extended Health Benefits Program. More recent efforts were put on hold when Ottawa kicked off its Advisory Council on National Pharmacare; and, let's be clear, I support national pharmacare. Until decisions are made on a national pharmacare program the NWT Extended Health Program review and specified disease conditions list review seems to be on hold.
A review of extended health benefits is also tied to the bigger package of our overall Supplementary Health Benefits. While I don't expect that this work will be done in this Assembly, our citizens deserve to have their critical healthcare needs served, and we can and must do better. I will have questions for the Minister later today on how our government is going to deal with the assertions such as those of the NWT Autism Society, and when the specified disease conditions list and the Extended Benefits Program will be reviewed to ensure our citizens get the healthcare they need and deserve. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the pleasure of being invited into Mary Deneron's home during my last visit to Sambaa K'e. I would like to thank her for a great visit. I was very fortunate that her grandson was able translate for me. I would like to thank Dennis for coming in with me.
Mary Deneron was born between Sambaa K'e and Fort Liard to Baptiste and Anna Jumbo on July 16, 1931. She had nine other siblings: six brothers and three sisters. Mary remembers life being very hard. She had the responsibility to cut wood, bring it into the home, and check the fish nets year-round. As well, she looked after her three-member dog team.
Mary married Phillip Deneron and had two sons and one daughter. Her husband passed away 59 years ago, and she did not remarry.
When we talked about what she missed about the past, she had a lot, but she would say the things she missed most were:
Her dad going out hunting and coming back with enough food for the whole family. He would share with others, too.
Getting the furs ready for the market. Since there were no garbage bags in the past, they had to build birch bark boxes, sewing the basket together and using a combination of spruce gum and charcoal to seal the box to keep the fur dry.
Spring and summertime making dried meat, whether it was fish or moose meat. In the fall time, they cached their food in the trees for the winter months.
She remembered, in the springtime, the elders and the men would go into Fort Simpson for supplies and, in the fall time, they would go into Fort Liard. Sometimes, the whole family would be able to go, and this was a very special treat.
Mary does not like to leave the community and said that she rarely did in the past. Recently she had to get a pacemaker, and she said that this was the longest two years of her life. She was told that she needed to be quiet and relax to help her recover. As much as she did not like to do that, she followed the doctor's orders, and now she leads an active life. She loves her freedom and being able to live in her own place.
When asked what she is happy about, she quickly responded: the fuel subsidy program offered by ECE. It helps that she does not have to get and cut her own wood. However, she is looking forward to the day her house will be fixed up by the Housing Corporation. I am pleased to say, with the new senior program, she is a step closer to getting her wish. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] Today, Sandra passed away on this day. I send condolences for her family and all her friends are there. [Translation ends]
Sandra Faye Lockhart was a vibrant Indigenous woman of Cree and Dakota ancestry. She was given the spiritual name of White Thunder Bird Woman by the grandmothers and grandfathers through a ceremony. She connected her spiritual name to the dramatic way in which she came into this world: her mother, alone on a traditional trail on Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan, gave birth to her.
Sandra became a citizen of Lutselk'e Dene First Nation when she married Chief Felix Lockhart, who was mesmerized by her the day that he first saw her and bumped into a table at the Red Apple when they locked eyes for the first time. Sandra was equally spellbound by the introduction to "a chief" who eventually became her life partner. When the news of their marriage was announced in the community hall at Lutselk'e, the whole hall cheered in relief that Felix was finally getting married.
Sandra had one daughter, 11 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She raised four of her grandchildren and was the family matriarch. Sandra's daughter Rhonda was her comfort, and their loving relationship was very close throughout their lives. Sandra was also a very creative and talented quilter. She loved cooking, too, and she would try new recipes, like turkey stuffed with lemons, which became a holiday tradition.
Sandra was a fearless activist of profound wisdom. She inspired others to think about the big picture, how we all fit into it and what we could do to make change and challenge the status quo. She was an inspirational writer and conversationalist who influenced others in her community, territorially, nationally, and even globally.
Sandra had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and openly shared the trauma she experienced throughout her life and her healing journey. Sandra was a strong spiritual woman on all levels. She was a traditionalist who smudged, participated in ceremonies, and picked and used medicines, and she loved listening to podcasts of Christian speakers.
Sandra graduated from the Aurora College Nursing Program at the top of her class and received the Helen Gibson Award presented to students in nursing who overcame obstacles. She was the first Indigenous Wellness Coordinator at the Stanton Hospital, and worked in that position for eight years. She was a founding member of the Canadian Institute for Health Research and was a nationally recognized leader in the union movement. Her work was acknowledged with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award. Sandra was enrolled in the Global Leadership Master Program through Royal Roads University until her health declined and she returned home. She will truly be missed by those who met and loved her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Sandra Lockhart's family and friends in the gallery: her husband, Felix Lockhart; daughter, Rhonda Head; her grandsons, Tristan Lockhart and Logan Badger; Mika Dilon; and her friends Rachel Abel and Arlene Hache. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Welcome to our Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to recognize in the gallery a candidate in the upcoming election for Inuvik Twin Lakes, and also a constituent of Inuvik Twin Lakes. I'd like to welcome Lesa Semmler to the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to recognize a Page from Yellowknife south, Andrea Geraghty, and all the other Pages who are working here this week and next week. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Robert Bouchard. He used to live in Hay River North; now he moved to the good side of town, Hay River South; and deputy mayor. Welcome to the House, Robert.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome Mr. Robert Bouchard, who was part of the Fab Five in the 17th Assembly. I'm really, really glad that he's joining us here today; it was a pleasure working with you in the last government. Even though she's not a constituent of mine, but a childhood friend and supporter, Lesa Semmler, I welcome her to the House and hope she's enjoying the proceedings.
Lastly, I would just like to thank former Chief Felix Lockhart and his family for being here today. I know there was a great statement from our MLA from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh for Sandra Lockhart. In my previous life working in the health field, I did do some good work with her, and I just want to say thank you, and I'm glad that they're here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I wish it was in different circumstances, but I would also like to acknowledge Felix Lockhart and Arlene Hache, residents of Yellowknife North. Sandra will be dearly missed, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Thanks for coming and being here today. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
