Please be seated. Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following Bills:
Bill 25: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act
Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Resources Act
Bill 37: An Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Operations Act
Bill 39: Environmental Rights Act
Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act
Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act
Bill 42: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act
Bill 43: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Bill 46: Public Land Act
Bill 48: Post-Secondary Education Act
Bill 54: Standard Interest Rate Statutes Amendment Act
Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2
Bill 57: An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act
Bill 58: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act.
Mahsi cho, thank you, quyanainni, merci beaucoup, koana.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise Members that the honourable Robert C. McLeod will be late arriving in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, seniors and elders hold a unique place throughout our territory. They are our mentors, they are caregivers, and the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that they provide is beneficial to all Northwest Territories' residents. Seniors and elders are also the fastest-growing population in the Northwest Territories, and there is a need to understand how our government programs and services are supporting them now, as well as into the future.
As outlined in the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly, our government committed to taking action so that seniors in the NWT can age in place. We are dedicated to supporting our seniors and elders so that they can live in their homes for as long as possible, surrounded by family and community. Ensuring that appropriate supports, programs, and services are available is essential to the fulfillment of this commitment.
The development of the Continuing Care Services Action Plan is one of the ways that the Department of Health and Social Services is taking action on this commitment. The successful implementation of this plan requires strong partnerships and integration across all regions of the territory. We are collaborating with partners across all health authorities and GNWT Departments, as well as local community governments and non-government organizations to make it happen.
For example, our partnership with the NWT Housing Corporation has found new space for adult day programming in four new independent housing complexes for seniors and elders in small communities. This dedicated space makes it possible for regional health centres to partner with communities to offer socialization and other supports to help seniors and elders to remain in their communities longer.
Mr. Speaker, it is projected that seniors and elders will make up over 20 percent of our territory's population by 2035. The time is now for the GNWT and its partners to better understand what challenges and opportunities exist when it comes to supporting these valued members of our communities. That is why, in November 2017, I committed to working with the NWT Seniors' Society to identify how seniors and elders in our territory access 16 different programs and services available to them, which are broken down into the following categories: health and wellness; housing; income assistance; law and victim services; and community services.
As a result, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to release the Report on Seniors' Access to Programs and Services, which was developed in partnership with the NWT Seniors' Society. This report provides an important snapshot of the senior and elder population in the Northwest Territories and outlines how they accessed government programs and services in 2017-2018. With this information, the GNWT and its partners are better able to understand what challenges and opportunities exist when it comes to supporting the fastest-growing demographic in the Northwest Territories.
This report was truly an all-of-government initiative and its development was led by the Departments of Finance and Executive and Indigenous Affairs, with contributions from: the Department of Health and Social Services; the Department of Education, Culture and Employment; the Department of Justice; the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs; and the NWT Housing Corporation.
The report has shown that the Government of the Northwest Territories generally offers the same types of programs found in other jurisdictions and, in some cases, provides additional supports and programs which reflect the unique geographic, cultural, and regional characteristics of NWT seniors and elders. With this information, the GNWT is better able to identify gaps in support and inform future planning for program and service delivery to seniors.
In considering how the report's findings can be used to enhance program effectiveness and ensure that all NWT residents have equitable access to supports in their communities, we will also draw from a new interRAI Clinical Information System to help identify regional trends.
InterRAI is an internationally recognized, evidence-based assessment system that is widely used in healthcare sectors throughout Canada, and is part of our Continuing Care and Services Action Plan. The interRAI homecare and long-term care assessment tools are user-friendly, person-centered, and standardized to provide comprehensive data and information that guide provision of care according an individual's needs.
Mr. Speaker, we are in the process of implementing the interRAI system across the Northwest Territories health and social services system. InterRAI will provide case managers, homecare professionals, and long-term care facilities with:
identification, prevention, and management of emerging and potential resident or client risks;
access to assessment information;
outcome measures to improve quality care;
enhanced data quality with the use of a standardized data set;
information to report on continuing care quality indicators; and
reliable data for monitoring quality of care and evaluation of residents.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has been making investments and taking action to help our aging population remain in their communities for as long as possible. We also understand the importance of fostering cooperation and partnerships between our government and non-governmental organizations to achieve our goal of providing the best care and best health for a better future.
For example, we are working collaboratively with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, the NWT Seniors' Society, and the NWT Recreation and Parks Association to engage seniors and elders at the community level and encourage them to stay active. We have also partnered with NWT Recreation and Parks to support the Functional Fitness for Falls certification program to decrease the number of falls and ensure safer care environments for our seniors and elders. Additionally, we are supporting and encouraging the use of the NWT Association of Communities' Built Environment Guide and Healthy Communities Toolkit.
Part of our ongoing commitment to NWT seniors and elders is to support public awareness about senior and elder abuse. We are continuing work with the NWT Seniors' Society and with the health authorities to develop elder abuse screening tools and protocols for intervention, as well as support.
Seniors and elders are important contributors to the health and well-being of our communities, and it is important that we work together to better understand how we can support them to live active, healthy lives for as long as possible in their home communities. The Seniors' Report provides our government with a holistic perspective on the programs and services that we offer, and I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the NWT Seniors' Society for their enormous contributions to its creation. It is my hope that we will continue to work together on future initiatives to improve access to supports for our seniors and elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Addressing the housing needs of vulnerable people, including seniors, single people, and homeless individuals, has been a key priority of this government and all Members of this legislature. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is addressing the housing challenges faced by vulnerable groups through its investments and infrastructure projects.
On August 1, 2019, we opened the new seniors' nine-plex building in Fort McPherson. This building is one of five that were designed in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Services and with input from the community. These new independent living facilities will allow seniors to remain in their home community and be near their families, part of our commitment to helping elders age in place while enabling them to have access to important support services. The seniors' nine-plex design includes modern features that will help residents in their day-to-day living and common areas to promote supportive programming and socializing.
Along with giving seniors the opportunity to age in place in their communities, these projects also play an integral part in alleviating strain on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's public housing stock.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has a commitment to address the need for more units for single people. One key piece of feedback from our Housing Engagement Survey was that there is a need for singles' housing in Inuvik. On August 2nd, we opened up a 17-unit singles' building in Inuvik to replace the old Sydney Apartment Building. This investment is part of the corporation's ongoing work to meet the housing needs of Northwest Territories residents by increasing the availability of safe, affordable housing that reflects community values and priorities.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is working to help residents vulnerable to homelessness in the territory through the Northern Pathways to Housing Pilot Program. This initiative aims to address homelessness outside Yellowknife by providing supportive housing programs for single adults who are experiencing housing instability. We now have three Northern Pathways programs up and running that include multi-year contribution agreements with partners who will provide support programs for the residents.
Mr. Speaker, vulnerable people often face unstable housing conditions. Our government has focused its housing infrastructure investments to meet the needs of vulnerable residents and the priorities of the communities. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has worked to develop housing options for vulnerable people and to provide them with safe, secure, and stable housing for years to come. We are coming to the end of our term as a government and as an Assembly, but I do have faith that this work will continue, because it is the right thing to do. Thank you and mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to ensuring that the people of the Northwest Territories have access to a wealth of high-quality post-secondary education opportunities. Educated citizens are critical to a healthy northern society and a strong and prosperous economy. Our government is acting on the 18th Assembly's mandate priorities to expand opportunities for post-secondary education, trades-oriented learning, and northern educational institutions, and to foster the knowledge economy.
Mr. Speaker, we have developed the territory's first-ever overarching post-secondary education legislation, which regulates post-secondary institutions operating in the territory. This is a critical step in expanding high-quality education programming and providing a greater variety of post-secondary opportunities. The new quality assurance measures in the legislation will help us build a strong and sustainable post-secondary education system.
Later today, at the appropriate time, I will also table the post-secondary education vision and goals developed through engagement with residents and Indigenous governments, as part of the post-secondary education framework. Our government is committed to an ongoing process of collaboration with post-secondary education institutions and key stakeholders from across the territory as we continue to improve the post-secondary education system.
Through community engagement, we have developed our government's post-secondary education vision. The vision statement is that every resident of the Northwest Territories has an equitable opportunity to reach their full potential by obtaining a post-secondary education from institutions that are student-centred, accessible, high-quality, relevant, and accountable. We have also identified goals to achieve our vision. We know we must prioritize student success, increase access to post-secondary education opportunities, remain responsive to labour demands in the NWT, remain responsive to local and regional needs, and support the growth of the knowledge economy.
We are already working toward our goals as the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university moves forward. I am pleased to announce another project milestone: the terms of reference for the academic advisory council are complete and available on the departmental website. The academic advisory council is not a governing body for the institution; however, it will provide expert guidance throughout the transformation. The full list of member institutions from across Canada will be confirmed in the coming weeks. I look forward to the significant academic and administrative experience the council will bring to the transformation process.
Mr. Speaker, this fall, as recommended in the government's response to the Aurora College foundational review, Aurora College will be developing a three-year strategic plan. This strategic plan will guide the college while the institution strengthens its foundations and plans for the transformation. The college will develop its strategic plan through engagement in campus communities, regional centres, and at least one small community in each education region.
Once the transformation is complete, the new polytechnic university will provide students with challenging, relevant, and accessible post-secondary education opportunities. The Department of Education is already piloting a new team of career and education advisors to help students plan for these opportunities, starting as early as grade seven. The advisors will help students make education decisions that keep them on a pathway to the job or career of their choice. They will also provide youth with current information about jobs in the Northwest Territories that will have a high demand for workers, both today and in the future.
The NWT labour market data forecasts that 78 percent of these jobs will require post-secondary education. We will continue to support NWT post-secondary students through Student Financial Assistance, apprenticeship, and labour market programs. All of these initiatives support the development of our people and our economy.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that we are taking the right steps today to strengthen our post-secondary education system and to provide more opportunities to our residents in the years to come. Ması, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday Mr. Joe McBryan of Hay River, known to many as Buffalo Joe, was awarded the Order of the Northwest Territories. The Order recognizes those who have served with great distinction and excellence in any field of work benefiting the people of the Northwest Territories or elsewhere. It is the highest official honour that the Northwest Territories can bestow upon a current or former resident.
To many of the people I spoke with, Buffalo Joe's induction into the Order came as a surprise: not because they thought he was undeserving; they were surprised that he hadn't already been inducted long ago.
Joe McBryan founded Buffalo Airways in 1970. As with any business that's been around nearly 50 years, there have been ups and downs. After spending the first decade building the company, the downturn in the mining industry hit Buffalo hard, and its fleet was reduced to a single aircraft. That single plane, a DC-3, of course, was all that Buffalo Joe needed to get back on track. Today Buffalo Airways has a fleet of 52 registered aircraft; bases in Hay River, Yellowknife, and Red Deer; is the largest courier service in the NWT; has a successful line of merchandise; and has gained international notoriety and legions of fans with Ice Pilots NWT, the TV series that featured the day-to-day operations of Buffalo and ran for six seasons.
Of course, Mr. Speaker, he had some help along the way, notably his children who have been, and still are, instrumental in the business.
However, Buffalo Joe is the heart of Buffalo Airways, and he's the reason that Buffalo has become part of the very fabric of the Northwest Territories. We can't talk about the history of the NWT without talking about Buffalo Joe, and not just because of what he did, but also because of how he did it.
When people talk about Buffalo Joe, people in Hay River, at least, they speak most often about his kindness and his humility. It's pretty ironic that he's become world-famous, because he has never sought the limelight, and he doesn't even like receiving accolades for the good he has done, and he has done more than most, Mr. Speaker. For buffalo Joe, a community resupply is not just a contract; it's a way to help people, and stories about the lengths he has gone to to ensure people have gotten what they needed are legendary. He has helped out countless people and families in need. If you really needed to get somewhere but did not have the money, he would make sure you got to your destination. That was especially true for elders. Even if an elder showed up with a ticket, there is a good chance he would tell them to hold onto it and use it another time. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
If a loved one gets sick or passes away and you need to be by their side or to mourn, he will help you get to them and ask nothing in return. If you had to spend Christmas at the hospital in Edmonton away from your family, he would make sure that you got your Christmas gifts free of charge.
Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the examples of Buffalo Joe's acts of generosity, and, when you consider that he has been at it for nearly half a century, you know that there are countless more. These are the reasons that Buffalo Joe McBryan was inducted into the Order of the NWT. I want to thank him for all he has done and congratulate him on receiving a well-deserved honour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. In June, the National Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare released its final report, containing the recommendation that the Government of Canada work in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to establish universal, single-payer, public prescription drug coverage for all Canadians. As the only nation in the world with a public healthcare system that does not include prescription medicine coverage, this improvement is long overdue.
A universal national system would extend coverage to include the estimated one in five uninsured or underinsured Canadians who cannot afford prescription medicines. The report says Canadian families would save an average of $350 per year and businesses would get relief from the increasing costs of employee drug coverage, a $750 saving per employee per year.
This work is recommended to begin with the establishment of a Canadian drug agency, which would be responsible for developing a national list of prescription drugs. First would be a list or "formulary" of essential medicines by January 1, 2022, and a full formulary developed by January 1, 2027. Ultimately, all Canadians would have access to the same range of medications. A parallel program with dedicated funds is proposed for the more expensive rare-disease medications. Through the new drug agency, it is proposed that the approval process for drugs be streamlined so that Canadians can get faster access to new, innovative drugs.
The advisory council's report also makes the case for a single-payer public system that would provide total savings up to $5 billion per year for governments, businesses, and individuals, through pharmacare's stronger negotiating power and lower administration costs. The council recommends that Canadians and employers continue to be able to purchase supplementary private insurance.
Our government has been, as I understand, a full participant in the deliberations leading up to that report. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services on the status of our involvement and next steps in this process. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories covers 1.3 million square kilometres, with a population of less than most southern cities. This vast area is rich in culture, natural resources, and a potential in a number of sectors that is beyond our comprehension, especially for those who spend considerable time in smaller communities. They would envision and understand the potential.
Mr. Speaker, as legislators and stewards of this great territory, acknowledging this potential and allowing land access developments is truly our demonstration on our abilities to balance our responsibilities in a meaningful approach while addressing the social challenges faced by our small communities.
Our lands department was created by the NWT Devolution Agreement. Remarkable achievements are occurring within this new division. Our neighbours to the West hold and held devolution responsibilities for the past 16 years, but there still remain two land administration pieces.
Mr. Speaker, the process of legislation modernization is a healthy and prudent element of land management and administration. Having one administration simplifies and clarifies our complex regime. There remains a large amount of work to be done. I am confident that drafting our new regulations will only simplify the working relationship between our Government of the Northwest Territories and the stakeholders. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the 18th Assembly began, we had high hopes for the completion of land rights agreements, enough so that we enshrined the commitment in our mandate.
Mr. Speaker, I have said it several times in this Chamber: many of our priority areas cannot go forward until land rights agreements are resolved. Without them, we cannot move on many areas of economic diversification and growth; our goals in health, social just, and education are delayed; we will be set back in developing tourism, resolving land use questions, and dealing with a whole host of other public matters.
The Northwest Territories needs these agreements in place. With certainty on land rights and self-government in place, communities and regions will be able to build their own priorities, grow their own economies, and put their own people to work. They will see a future. For our system to work, we must empower Indigenous governments with authority to achieve self-determination.
Mr. Speaker, we are now at the end of the 18th Assembly. While some positive progress has been made, none of the major agreements, the Deh Cho, the Akaitcho, and Metis, have been concluded. This is not the outcome any of us had hoped for.
That said, we know it is a complex and detailed job and not always completely under our control. Indeed, I offer my respect and appreciation to the people charged with the task. I think it's fair to say it is the biggest challenge facing public governance in our territory, and, as we know, this has been going on for a lifetime. Northerners know how important these agreements are. They know what depends on fair resolution of these issues, and, like all of us in this House, they want to see this job done. They want certainty.
Mr. Speaker, these issues will not go away. The job of negotiating and seeking solutions on the remaining land rights and self-government agreements will now fall to the Members of the 19th Assembly. Without question, it will be one of their highest priorities, and, Mr. Speaker, I know it will remain one of mine. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It is getting harder and harder for our lower-income families to make ends meet. These days, people have to scrimp and save every penny to pay the bills. This often means that things which were once considered a necessity, like insurance, are becoming a luxury that people cannot afford.
According to a 2018 study by JD Power, the average annual home insurance premium in Western Canada is $1,200, meaning is it likely to be even higher in the North, and, with the catastrophes wrought by climate change, insurance costs are on the rise. When it comes to the choice between spending $100 per month on food for your children versus paying the money to an insurance company for peace of mind, I know what choice most people would make.
[Translation] just not long ago, I talked to the chief of K'atlodeeche First Nation. They wanted to fix their house, but they could not because Northwest Territories Housing Corporation said no. So a lot of them do not have any homes, like the Katlo Deedhe, too, and we need to do that. That is why we need to do these things. We need to review it. We need to look at it. [Translation ends]. Under these programs, their household income must be below the core need income threshold for their community, which means that these people are of modest means. Most of them have worked very hard to be able to own their own homes, and they have a long history of being responsible and independent.
It is important for people who own their homes to keep up with repairs. Routine maintenance can help lower heating costs and keep a home safe and cozy. Other repairs such as roofing or structural improvements require specialized work, but they are also important for ensuring that a house will be liveable for many years to come.
While I can understand that the Housing Corporation wants to make sure their investment in these homes is protected, the requirement for homeowners insurance is a big barrier to accessing the program. As my constituent pointed out, for some seniors, it's not just an affordability issue. Sometimes, people get denied for other reasons. As he pointed out, "It is not like seniors have a right that the insurance companies must honour." In the North, people have the added challenge that they can't shop around for the best insurance rates. In Hay River, there is only one insurance provider. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to challenge the NWT Housing Corporation to be more flexible in how it applies its policies. If an applicant doesn't have homeowner's insurance, instead of turning the applicant away, why doesn't the NWTHC let them apply a portion of the loan to pay for the insurance? That way, the applicant can still get needed repairs, plus help funding the cost of insurance. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I welcome the release this week of the Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan. This plan responds to the Office of the Auditor General's report last year about the ways in which government continued to fail kids in care despite a 2014 Office of the Auditor General report that identified many of the same problems.
The plan stresses how improving outcomes for the 1,000 children in care in the Northwest Territories must be achieved, specifically by complying with the policies and legislation that govern their care. Some highlights of the plan for me come from the cultural safety and respect section, including:
growing the Indigenous workforce within Child and Family Services;
developing a family preservation program that strengthens partnerships within communities;
improving communications with Indigenous communities to support and care for children and families in their communities; and
exploring options agreements with these communities to increase their role within Child and Family Services.
All of these actions are described as "on track," and I am looking forward to continuous reporting that demonstrates this is the case.
I do, however, have some concerns. The first is about the sheer number of action items, 70 in all. That's a lot of balls to keep in the air, as we all know. I am also concerned that there is an almost single-minded focus on process. I understand that process leads to outcomes, but one of the most important findings of the Auditor General's report is that social workers needed to spend more time with the kids and less time at their desks. The outcome I most want to see is that mandatory check-ins and time with children in care is not only met but exceeded. My final observation is that the plan doesn't reflect the systemic issues that drive neglect, including low income, inadequate housing, and a lack of food. We need to think about how to keep children out of care altogether as well as what happens to them when they are in care.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to repeat my call for a debate about creating a child and youth advocate for the Northwest Territories. Children in care have rights, including the right to be heard and treated fairly. A child advocate can link the different players in the child's life to further his or her interests. I believe that better services for children include this key position, and I will continue to advocate for it. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to would like to speak about a respected elder from Wrigley, Mr. Gabe Hardisty. Gabe Hardisty was born in the bush, just outside Wrigley, on September 21, 1945. He spent the first 13 years of his life with his parents learning his language and culture and traditional ways.
In 1959, at the age of 14, he went off to school for the first time in his life. He travelled up to Inuvik. In 1960, Mr. Hardisty went to Fort Simpson, where he spent the next four years of his life. He is very proud to say that he completed grade seven, and it has helped him throughout his life.
Mr. Speaker, in speaking with Mr. Hardisty, we talked about his love for hunting and trapping. In the wintertime, he would travel about 200 miles a week with his cousin David Horassi by dog team to check things out. It was an 80-mile trip into the mountain with three routes to choose from once there. One season, they trapped over 60 martins.
As for his hunting, it was about providing for his and the extended family. They would average about five moose a year. When we chatted about his dog team, he would say with a big smile it was the best thing about being outdoors, not like today with snowmobiles.
Mr. Hardisty met with the Iove of his life, Elsie. They had three daughter, three granddaughters, one grandson, and one great-granddaughter.
Ever since I have known Mr. Hardisty, he has been involved in the community and regional politics. It started in 1972, when he was elected to band council and later on became the chief. He is still passionate about the politics even now. He presently sits on the Elders Committee and on the Dehcho Business Development Board.
When asked what advice he would give to people wishing to get into politics, he would say get to know the people you are going to represent, know what the job is all about and what things need to be accomplished. This way, when you step into your role, you have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and what is your responsibility.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Hardisty for his continued commitment to the Nahendeh and the Deh Cho region and the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise on a multifaceted issue that several constituents have brought to my attention: single-use plastics and the sustainability of our economy and environment. Earlier this year, the federal government announced its intention to ban single-use plastics by 2021. This would be following suit to many jurisdictions around the world which have been responding to the appalling amount of plastic waste clogging waterways, polluting lands and water sources, poisoning our food, and killing marine life en masse.
I am happy to see that the GNWT has announced the beginning of the process to address waste reduction through the recently published Waste Resource Management Strategy and Implementation Plan. I hope that the next Assembly will continue to advocate and take a lead in the process of banning single-use plastics and other waste management strategies. The capacity to achieve this already exists locally in the NWT. Some vendors have already begun using compostable take-away containers, and I feel we should investigate other northern solutions to this problem. I also feel that we should be incentivizing this shift in behaviour by providing cash incentives and supporting waste management projects in our private sector.
For example, the Vuntut Gwitchin people from the community of Old Crow, Yukon, began down this path in 2012 with the commissioning of a waste-to-energy facility. Since 2014, the facility has been operating and cleanly destroys up to three batches of 1.5 tonnes each per day of waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
This is but one part of the solution to the multifaceted problem of waste management that we face as a society. The GNWT can also take on a leading role on this matter. We have ENR offices all throughout our territory which could be used as collection points for recyclable materials. We can incentivize the use of compostable over single-use plastics, and we should be banning products like Styrofoam.
There are already a lot of people and groups around the world working on these issues. Conferences are held regularly. There is funding available from Ottawa and from philanthropic NGOs. I hope that we will all do our part to try to clean up our world and set a clearer path forward for future generations and ensure that the transition to a single-use plastic ban is done in a way that supports our private sector and supports those who are most concerned about this, individual families, households, business community, Indigenous governments, small communities who lack access to recycling facilities. We need a real plan that brings those resources to bear and ensure that we have a sound waste management system before this ban comes in place. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday the Premier made a statement on strengthening Canada's Arctic in the face of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. I agreed with much of what the Premier said, so my statement today is going to echo some key points that I, too, hope to see develop in our territory in terms of Arctic Sovereignty.
Mr. Speaker, as we speak there are currently two major phenomena that are unfolding across the circumpolar world which will have long-lasting impacts and global implications for generations to come; those being the effects of global climate change and, along with it, an increase in the amount of land and economic development that comes with a warmer climate. These two things, Mr. Speaker, will come hand-in-hand, whether we like it or not.
As a person from a remote community, I have seen firsthand and have heard from many constituents of some of the many adverse effects that climate change has been having on our environment. We see the impacts in many forms, whether it is coastal erosion, dwindling sea ice, oceans warming, or increasingly volatile and unpredictable wildfire seasons, across the Northwest Territories.
However, on the other side of the coin, we, as a territory and as a country, must not be deterred by the effects of climate change. While, yes, it is imperative for the world to collectively work together to limit our greenhouse gas output, it is also important that we work to mitigate the effects of, and learn to adapt to, the new climate reality that we seem to be headed toward.
What I am saying, Mr. Speaker, is that we can't be afraid to think boldly in terms of our territory's potential to be an international trade or transportation hub. As our Premier said yesterday, and in previous statements, we must not stand idly by and let the other circumpolar nations surge ahead in front of us on this. I believe that our territory would greatly benefit from a steady flow of strategic investments into critical infrastructure projects such as renewable energy, deep-sea ports, and increased airport and highway capacities, among others. In many respects, our country could be leading the way on this front, but it appears that we are struggling to merely keep up.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, as we look ahead and move forward into these unchartered waters, adaptability is inherent to the way of life for Indigenous peoples. We must move forward with confidence, collaboration, and cooperation with leadership at all levels as we find dynamic solutions to help manage our evolving Arctic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors in the gallery. Here with us today is Chief Alphonse Nitsiza of Whati. Thanks for being here with us. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize the executive director from the Seniors' Society of the Northwest Territories, who helped us with the seniors' report that I will be tabling later today, Ms. Suzette Montreuil. Welcome.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize a constituent in the gallery, who is also my girlfriend, life partner, spouse, and whatever other terms you can use, Ms. Chantelle Lafferty. She has rearranged her entire work schedule so that she can spend some time with me while I am up in here Yellowknife, even though I am mostly here. I'm never really at home, but I really appreciate it, and I want to welcome her. Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.
