Mr. Speaker, one of the very important values in the new Northwest Territories Housing Corporation mandate is partnership. Partnership is how we are most effectively going to address the housing needs of residents across the territory. It is critical that we work in partnership with Indigenous governments, the Government of Canada, community governments, and other stakeholders to reach our housing goals.
As we work towards improvement within the Housing Corporation, I would like to highlight one of the areas that supports addressing core need.
Prior to 2021, the Housing Corporation delivered a program called the Transitional Rent Supplementary Program. It was 100 percent funded by the GNWT and at that time of sunsetting, it was funded at $250,000 per year and supported approximately 50 clients across the Northwest Territories. In our current bilateral agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, provisions were made for the Housing Corporation to join other Canadian jurisdictions in delivering of a new Canada Housing Benefit Program. The current Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation bilateral funds this program from 2021 to 2028, and over that time the Housing Corporation is expected to receive a total of $9.6 million, which the Housing Corporation must costshare.
In 20222023 our main estimates showed an annual budget of $2.5 million towards this program, up from $1.7 million in 20212022. With that level of investment, the Canada Housing Benefit is currently supporting approximately 250 households across the Northwest Territories, and we anticipate that will increase with the additional investment starting in April.
The CanadaNWT Housing Benefit, a rent subsidy program, is designed to help households that pay more than 30 percent of their income on their rent. In place since April 2021, this benefit provides qualified households with up to $800 dollars per month for rent and is a 50/50 cost share between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada. As part of the National Housing Strategy, The National Housing Strategy is a federal government initiative to address housing needs and chronic homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide this House with an update on the good work being done through the CanadaNWT Housing Benefit.
Right now, the benefit is supporting approximately 250 NWT households. This benefit is making a tangible, positive difference in their lives. When the benefit was first offered, the Housing Corporation received 50 applicants. Now the Canada Housing Benefit is oversubscribed by 20 percent, with more NWT residents expressing their interest in accessing the benefit as time goes on. The Housing Corporation is currently looking at ways to address this demand. The benefit is clearly meeting the needs to provide assistance in making rent affordable for private market units where they exist in communities.
What all this means, Mr. Speaker, is that someone who worried about being able to pay for childcare next month, now has more room in their budget. It means that someone can cope a little bit more better with the rising costs of food and fuel. It means that someone whose work hours have been cut back can still pay their rent at the beginning of the month. This benefit also helps the government address the core housing need across the territory, in this case by helping program partnerships address affordable issues.
Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we continue to look for ways to support our residents to secure safe homes and maintain housing stability. I am pleased that we are able to work with the Government of Canada on this initiative.
Partnership is a theme I have spoken about in this House many times because it is the best way to address the housing needs of the Northwest Territories. One government alone cannot solve the territory's housing issues. And despite the success of the program like the Canada Housing Benefit, there is still a lot more work to be done.
Mr. Speaker, as responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, I will continue to work hard to build and maintain these partnerships so that we can see more and more successes like the Canada Housing Benefit.
I would also like to thank the staff of the Housing Corporation for meeting with the federal government as well as we continue to find creative and innovative approaches and partnerships as we continue to meet the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories. Mashi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, this Legislative Assembly has made it a priority to advance universal childcare for residents of the Northwest Territories. Today, I am honoured to share the highly anticipated results of our work with Canada that will help us achieve this priority.
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, I announced that effective retroactively to January 1st of this year, the average cost of licensed childcare for children five years of age and younger will be reduced, on average, by 50 percent. We will work with childcare providers to ensure families are reimbursed for their costs incurred since January 1st. Families can expect to see further cost reductions each year, until 2026, when we reach our goal of an average of $10 per day childcare.
Mr. Speaker, advancing universal childcare is about more than covering costs. It is about improving access to childcare, and that is why we have committed to creating 300 new childcare spaces across the NWT. It is about supporting the recruitment, retention, and training of early childhood educators. That is why early childhood educators will see their wages rise and reflect the importance of the work they do, and why we are expanding educational and training opportunities for NWT residents.
To support this important work, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has released its 2030 Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, along with the fiveyear CanadaNWT CanadaWide Early Learning and Childcare Agreement and twoyear action plan. The strategy provides renewed priorities for improving the quality, affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity of early learning and childcare in the NWT.
Through our federal agreements, the Government of Canada is expected to provide $67 million for the NWT's early learning and childcare system over the next five years. Guided by the strategy and action plan, this funding will help us transform the NWT's entire childcare system.
I would like to thank the Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, communities, nonprofit organizations, licensed early childhood programs, and early childhood educators. Their suggestions and recommendations helped develop the 2030 Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, creating a vision for early learning and childcare that will benefit all NWT communities, families, and residents.
We will continue to support our partners as they continue to create welcoming and inclusive early learning environments that incorporate local cultures and languages and support the developmental needs of all children in their care. The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to providing a strong foundation for NWT children in their early years of critical growth and development, making life more affordable for families with children, and strengthening the NWT economy by creating jobs and enabling parents and caregivers to enter the workforce.
Mr. Speaker, these investments and actions will lead to lifelong positive impacts on children's wellbeing, learning, and development. We will see the longterm benefits of these investments for years to come in all communities across the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce that K'amba Carnival, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is back on and starts today with a fire feeding ceremony. It is hard to believe that I was only 25 years old when it started. The Minister for Education was one years old. And Rylund, well I'm not sure.
And as we now see COVID restrictions begin to lift, with more anticipated for April 1st, this event is a great reminder that we should cherish every moment we have. Enjoying events such as K'amba Carnival with family and friends is a good start, especially which temperature predictions are for single digits.
Mr. Speaker, to pull this event off it requires ingenuity, dedication, and countless hours by a dedicated community and group of volunteers. The impact K'amba Carnival has on the Katl'odeeche First Nations spills over into the town of Hay River where it generates much excitement. The people of Katl'odeeche First Nation and Hay River look forward to this event as not only great entertainment and fun for all but recognition that spring and warmer weather is just around the corner.
Mr. Speaker, this year's events will include a children's talent show, crowning of the K'amba Carnival Queen, Prince, and Princess, the $10,000 bingo, drum dance, adult talent show that includes singing and jigging. And, of course, the highly coveted dog races.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, the MLA for Hay River North, and all Hay River residents, I would like to send a big shout out to the Katl'odeeche First Nation, the K'amba Carnival committee, and the many volunteers that are making this year's event a reality. I encourage all of you here to drive or fly to Hay River this weekend and enjoy some of the events taking place. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement last November about the Territorial Police Service Agreement, I talked about an aspect of that agreement called the contract management committee. The Minister of Justice explained that the contract management committee is a nationallevel group that supports information sharing and collaboration among provinces and territories, the public safety, Canada, and the RCMP.
The NWT is represented on that committee by the assistant deputy minister solicitor general branch of the NWT. While that may sound good on paper, this is not what I was hoping to hear.
Mr. Speaker, there are some innovative ways that jurisdictions have developed to make the RCMP more accountable. For example, in 2010 Yukon's government initiated a review of the Yukon's police force, which took several years, but the outcome was very positive for their citizens and it helped restore some trust in the RCMP. Among the recommendations are the establishment of the Yukon Police Council consisting of seven members, three of whom are nominated by first nations and is chaired by the deputy minister of Justice. Another was to change the RCMP staffing process to incorporate community participation in the selection of the detachment commander. Another recommendation was for the RCMP to create and staff a position titled "professional standards" who assists RCMP to provide a thorough investigation of complaints and timely resolutions for all complaints.
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe the commanding officer of the NWT RCMP is doing enough to connect and communicate with community leadership. From what I've heard and experienced in my past role as Chief of the Salt River First Nation, there does not seem to be a strong working relationship between the RCMP and the community leadership.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, the other day in answering one of my questions, the Minister of Justice stated he did not have significant concerns about the transparency and accountability of the RCMP. I find that statement concerning because I know of many people across the NWT who feel differently. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
There are people who feel intimidated and unsafe when engaging with police for various reasons. People of colour and Indigenous people are routinely racially profiled for crimes they haven't even committed, yet they are always the suspects by police. Victims of sexual assault are retraumatized, undermined, or simply not believed by police when they report crimes. There are people who don't bother calling police in actual emergencies because they either simply don't come or they arrive late after the situation is over.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on but, clearly, there are major gaps between policing and both average citizens and community leadership alike. I will have questions for the Minister of Justice later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Mr. Speaker, since the beginning of the invasion in late February, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has not only dominated the news but the hearts and mind of many people within the Northwest Territories and worldwide. Our prayers go out to the people of Ukraine who are caught in the crossfires of this conflict.
Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a global response to the crisis from economic sanctions, air traffic directives, sporting bans, protests responding to Russia's actions, and at the same time donations, volunteers, and an outpouring of support towards the Ukraine.
A few days ago, the NWT Liquor and Cannabis Commission removed products of Russian origin from its shelves while the federal government just announced an intention to ban imports of crude oil from Russia. Why does this affect us, Mr. Speaker? Two words: Arctic security.
Mr. Speaker, we all know we share Arctic waters with Russia. They are our circumpolar neighbours. Inuvik has the most northern military base in the Northwest Territories. With full federal support, Inuvik has even increased the airport runway for the use by CFA teams to support Canadian sovereignty in the North and NORAD obligations.
Recently, news articles have shown Russian interest in Canadian jurisdiction. There are reports of submarines in the Arctic Ocean and, just recently, a plane was grounded with Russian nationals in it.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the GNWT does not manage Canada's Arctic border security or the national defence but the GNWT does have a responsibility to liaise with the federal government and convey information to the public. I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last year Cabin Radio reported on allegations of unsafe conditions and mismanagement at the sobering centre. I asked then WSCC minister about the centre's inspection frequency went and how the allegations would be addressed. Minister Thompson responded that there had been seven contractorinitiated inspections since 2019 in response to incident reports, and that there were no outstanding issues with the sobering centre.
Mr. Speaker, this was in stark contrast to what a then employee described after contacting my office. It was surprising to me that the centre was only being inspected when the contractor identified a problem as it's across the street from WSCC. Private companies are subjected to random inspections yet an operation serving our must vulnerable during a pandemic doesn't warrant the same attention?
When asked about measures being taken to investigate the allegations, the Minister put the onus back on minimumwage employees to raise issues under the Safety Act to their employer. One year later and the RFP to operate the centre has been issued late, causing a sixmonth gap as the current contractor declines to extend, something HSS says they learned of recently, with no explanation for such poor planning.
Last year it was asked if the issues raised by the whistleblowers would be investigated and at that time Minister Green said, and I quote, "I want to assure you that this matter is being taken seriously and is being actively investigated by the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority." However, a year later, we find out from media that the authority in fact did no such thing and instead asked RCMP to investigate the whistleblowers against whom no charges were ultimately laid.
The Minister knew we wanted the concerns investigated but looked to punish those brave enough to speak instead. This government talks about informed decisionmaking and change but instead chooses to punish those who raise the alarm. My own time in Cabinet is a good example.
Mr. Speaker, how much is this reactive response going to cost us? How much is it going to cost our vulnerable sector as services are disrupted and shifted?
The Minister says that service levels will be maintained and monitored with the ability to expand capacity if required. But how will she know if the onus is on employees to come forward with issues to their employer? WSCC doesn't think it's their role to proactively monitor but only react when the operator reports something. And now that the operator is the WSCC Minister’s colleague, how much will they be really held to task again when issues are raised? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are always talking about connection connection between economic and social success, culture and climate, and people. Small world stories with roots in the North are my favorite, and I love to learn of the familiar connections between colleagues, constituents, and Northerners. The North is vast in land but small in personal connection.
So, Mr. Speaker, it is frustrating that the government upholds a policy that dismisses the connections that exist across our territory and our reliance on one another. The Housing Corporation community to residency policy requires an NWT resident to live in a community for a predetermined number of months before they can add their name to the public housing waitlist. A waitlist, Mr. Speaker.
If implementing the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Peoples, the MMIWG Calls for Justice, and the TRC Calls to Action are a priority of this government, then they need to flip policies and ask if the unintended consequences are justifiable.
The community residency policy violates the TRC's section 1 Call to Action, To enable aboriginal communities and child welfare organizations to keep aboriginal families together where it is safe to do so and to keep children in culturally appropriate environments regardless of where they reside.
MMIWG's Call for Justice 1.1, We call upon all governments to ensure that equitable access to basic rights such as employment, housing, education, safety, and healthcare.
Call for Justice 4.1, All governments must immediately ensure that Indigenous peoples have access to safe housing.
Call for Justice 12.4, We call on all governments to prohibit the apprehension of children on the basis of poverty and cultural bias.
In the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 21, Indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement of their economic and social conditions.
Mr. Speaker, I speak about this policy often in the House. In response, the housing Minister identified the following reasons for maintaining this policy:
1. People from across Canada will come sit on our waitlist.
People are not going to flood the NWT to come join our housing crisis, Mr. Speaker.
2. Our waitlist will be skewed.
Mr. Speaker, the government demands people who do not need housing put their names on a housing waitlist to access income assistance. So this issue of the housing waitlist is irrelevant.
3. Housing needs need to be addressed by specific community.
Housing is a NWT crisis. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apparently have a lot to say on this one.
3. Housing needs need to be addressed by specific community.
Housing is a NWT crisis, Mr. Speaker, not a community crisis, and if someone wants to move to selfdetermine their health, economic, or social sufficiency, then let them.
4. And finally, Mr. Speaker, the most popular response, is we have to be fair.
This policy is not fair. It keeps people from jobs, family, and autonomy. But even more jarring, Mr. Speaker, it prevents Northerners from accessing resources, prevents parents from leaving violent relationships, and jeopardizes a parent's ability to keep their children out of the child welfare system.
If the Housing Corporation needs to amend the point system it uses to allocate housing, then do that. But stop upholding a policy that limits a person's selfdetermination in health, economic, and social sufficiency through housing, because that is not fair. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are some conflicting views on raising the minimum wage and what the minimum wage should be established. These views were well sought out in the minimum wage committee report, and if that was a public document people could see that debate but it's not, Mr. Speaker.
Some economists feel raising the minimum wage brings inflation while others say it actually helps the economy by increasing purchasing power of citizens.
However, Mr. Speaker, there's one thing we can all agree on, that the cost of living in the Northwest Territories is way too high and living on $15.20 an hour is more like struggling to survive, Mr. Speaker.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I am proud that in this House we raised the minimum wage and we now have the second highest minimum wage in Canada, and I think it is only appropriate that we have got the second highest minimum wage in Canada, considering we have the second highest cost of living, that we try to keep that place, Mr. Speaker.
During the pandemic, we topped all of our workers up to $18 an hour. We called them heros, and that support has now ended. But I hope that one day we can get those workers their raise back, Mr. Speaker. I propose we tie our minimum wage to inflation.
Manitoba already has inflationary increases. BC and Nova Scotia recently announced they are moving in this direction. The Yukon and Saskatchewan tie their minimum wage to the consumer price index, Mr. Speaker. I think it is the time that the NWT moves to tie the minimum wage to inflation or the consumer price index to make sure that workers don't fall behind once again. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. The GNWT has set a target of reducing its GHG emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. As we know, the NWT is heavily dependent on burning nonrenewable fossil fuels to meet our transportation, space heating, and other needs. Switching to a renewablysourced liquid fuel is an obvious way to lower our greenhouse gas output and, with it, our contribution to climate change. That’s a key part of the plan that the Yukon government has developed.
Investigating those possibilities prompted the GNWT to commission a report by the Saskatchewan Research Council on biofuel substitution that was carried out in three phases.
The first phase, the council identified petroleum fuel demand and required specifications, possible sources for biofuel supplies, and explored processes and feedstocks for producing biofuels for use in the NWT. In the second phase, the potential greenhouse gas emission reductions and costs of three biofueluse scenarios were explored. Finally, uses in other jurisdictions were investigated and the steps required to implement a pilot project in the Northwest Territories were identified.
The study concluded that although there is a significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through biofuels, availability and performance in Arctic conditions are an issue. But, if renewable diesel is technically feasible, it could reduce GHG emissions by 541 kilotonnes at a cost of $62 million per year, more than the 517 kilotonne reduction of the entire 2030 Energy Strategy, and over twice the stated impact of Taltson Expansion at a fraction of the cost.
The federal clean fuel standard will require liquid fuel suppliers to gradually reduce the carbon intensity of the fuels they produce and are designed to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in Canada. The standard could be used to encourage the production of Arcticgrade renewable diesel by providing extra incentives.
So where do we go from here, Mr. Speaker?
The GNWT study recommends two actions. First, a pilot during the summer months to confirm that equipment and infrastructure are compatible with renewable diesel blends. And second, a cold weather test of the performance of diesel fuels. I'll have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later today on next steps in testing biofuels in the Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity today to congratulate Yellowknife South constituent Margaret Henderson on being the recipient of the MACA Outstanding Elder Volunteer of the Year Award for 2021.
It was obvious from the words on her nomination form as to all the reasons she should be the recipient of this year's award, with examples of hard work that she has contributed to the Food Rescue Yellowknife since it began back in 2008.
I'd like to echo the praise we heard yesterday from the Minister of MACA acknowledging Ms. Henderson's contribution from the very earliest days of the organization leading to it becoming the robust organization that Food Rescue is today. So, Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Marg, and thank you to her for all the work that she does putting into food security and stainability for the people of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to recognize my wife Helen Edjericon. She's also working on her master of education, and she also received a scholarship for her master program. My wife, Helen Edjericon.
Thank you. Welcome to the House. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to recognize our two interpreters from Inuvik Lillian Elias and Valerie Stefansson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I rise to acknowledge the passing of Eva Henderson at 96. Eva came here in 1974 with her husband and family. A registered nurse, she worked at Stanton Hospital and helped establish Yellowknife home care services. She was the founding and lifetime member of the Northwest Territories Nursing Association. In later years, she ran a bed and breakfast with husband Eric. Eva's vivacious nature and ready smile will be missed, while her influence will be felt for years to come. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I questioned the Minister responsible for Infrastructure on rumors that a Russianregistered aircraft landed at the Yellowknife Airport. Since then, I've had people reach out to me, not only from the NWT but from across around Canada as well, some of whom were just looking for additional information, clarification, while others provided suggestions on what should be done with the aircraft and occupants, most of which I will not repeat here.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister clarify, in fact, whether or not the aircraft was Russianregistered and where did the flight originate from? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise our understanding is that the plane is registered to a company in Austria. The flight originated in Geneva, Switzerland. Until the Canadian Border Service met the plane here in Yellowknife and determined that the passengers were Russian nationals, there were no flags raised. Quyananni.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that confirmation. And with the nationality of the passengers being Russian, I guess what's the current status of both the passengers and the aircraft at this time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Canada continues to gather the facts required to be able to make a determination on the next steps regarding these passengers. So Canada will also continue to hold the plane while the investigation is ongoing. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the passengers were looking at going on expedition and given that, I just ask if the Minister's department was contacted by either the group or by any federal government agencies confirming that the plane had Russian nationals on it? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there was no knowledge of the expedition or contact with the Department of Infrastructure prior to the plane landing on Tuesday. I was disappointed with the lack of engagement, and I'm hopeful that they at least reached out to the Yellowknife First Nation or the Tlicho when accessing their traditional territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with what is taking place in the Ukraine, we need to talk about sovereignty protections and monitoring northern Canada. I also find it very disappointing that the federal government is not providing timely information that involves Russian nationals.
Can the Minister advise how her department will rectify this communication failure with the federal government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So once we opened the borders to tourists on March the 1st, our ability to be able to restrict access to the Northwest Territories has ended. It is now up to Canada to be able to determine whether the Russian nationals are allowed to stay in Canada. That's I can't say anything further as it is really out of our hands, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
