Debates of December 7, 2021 (day 90)

December
7
2021
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
90
Speaker
Frederick Blake Jr.
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstong
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 41: Justice Administration Statute Amendment Act,Committee Motion 164-19(2): Concurrence Motion - Tabled Document 437-19(2): Capital Estimates 2022-2023, Carried
Committee Motion 165-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Publicly-Owned Backbone Internet Infrastructure, Carried
Committee Motion 166-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Fibre to Tuktoyaktuk Homes, Carried
Committee Motion 167-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Open Wholesale Access to Northwest Territories Businesses, Carried
Committee Motion 168-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Funding under CRTC Broadband Fund, carried
Committee Motion 169-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Wholesale High-Speed Third-Party Internet Access, Carried
Committee Motion 170-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2):Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Free Access to Basic Internet Packages, Carried
Committee Motion 171-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Free Wi-Fi Service in Regional Centres, Carried
Committee Motion 172-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2): Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment – Report on Telecommunications – Procurement of Internet Services, Carried
Committee Motion 173-19(2): Committee Report 22-19(2) Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Telecommunications – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Committee Motion 174-19(2): Committee Report 20-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act – Co-drafting Legislation and Co-management, Carried
Committee Motion 175-19(2): Committee Report 20-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act – Timeline for Consulation and Comments, Carried
Committee Motion 176-19(2): Committee Report 20-19(2): Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act – Government Response to Recommendations, Carried
Member’s Statement on Abstinence from Alcohol and Drugs
Member’s Statement on Arts Community in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement on Community‐Based Education Programs in Small Communities
Member’s Statement on Eulogy for Mary Bernadine (Bernie) MacKinnon
Member’s Statement on Government of the Northwest Territories and Chamber of Mines COVID‐19 Recovery Working Group
Member’s Statement on Health Advocate for Medical Travel and Nunakput Residents
Member’s Statement on Needs of Arts Community in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement on Procurement Decisions by Government and Crown Corporations
Member’s Statement on Safe Shelters in Regional Centre and Small Communities
Member’s Statement on Unity in the Legislative Assembly
Minister’s Statement 195-19(2): 2030 Energy Strategy Update
Motion 44-19(2): Appointment of Equal Pay Commissioner, carried
Motion 44-19(2): Appointment of Equal Pay CommissionerMotion 45-19(2): Move Committee Report 22-19(2) into Committee of the Whole
Motion 45-19(2): Move Committee Report 22-19(2) into Committee of the Whole, CARRIED
Oral Question 861-19(2): Health Care Advocate at Inuvik Regional Hospital
Oral Question 862-19(2): Government of the Northwest Territories and Chamber of Mines COVID‐19 Working group
Oral Question 864-19(2): Northwest Territories Arts Council
Oral Question 865-19(2): Highway No. 7 Border Hours of Operation
Oral Question 866-19(2): Community-Based Education ProgramS
Oral Question 868-19(2): Government Procurement
Oral Question 871-19(2): Cold Weather Testing
Oral Question 872-19(2): Relocation Costs
Oral Question 873-19(2): Board of Directors of Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Tabled Document 522-19(2): Responding to Climate Change in the NWT Plain Language Overview Report 2020/21
Tabled Document 523-19(2): Northwest Territories Carbon Tax Report 2020/21
Tabled Document 525-19(2): Follow-up Letter for Oral Question 782-19(2): NTPC COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Tabled Document 526-19(2): Plain Language Summary for Bill 41: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act
Tabled Document 528-19(2): 2021 Review of Members' Compensation and Benefits – Northwest Territories
Written Question 32-19(2): Map Staking versus Claim Staking for Mineral Rights
Statements

Oral Question 871-19(2): Cold Weather Testing

Merci, Monsieur le President. I want to ask some questions to the Minister of Infrastructure. I apologize I didn't know I was going to have the opportunity to do this today.

I understand from a news release that the department has put out that there's some cold weather testing of a light-armored helicopter happening out at the Yellowknife Airport. Can the Minister tell us whether we have any criteria for the use of the Yellowknife Airport when it comes to cold weather testing? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm not aware that we have anything in place, and I appreciate the Member coming with no notice but I can get back to the Member on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Merci, Monsieur le President. And I want to apologize to the Minister in catching her a little bit cold-footed. But I guess I've had some concerns raised with me about whether we do actually have any criteria for the use of the airport.

One time in the early 1980s, this government actually took a principled stand against cruise missile testing in our territory, and I understand that this is a military weapon that is actually being tested at the airport. So can the Minister commit, if there is no criteria, to actually develop a set of criteria for a cold-weather testing at our airport? Merci, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can look and get back to the Member if we do have requirements. I do want to make note that I was told that the helicopter's not armed, if that makes the Member feel any better, or the city. But I can look into it and just maybe determine how much work is involved in actually coming up with this policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.