Debates of February 28, 2024 (day 12)

February
28
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
12
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act, Carried
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024
Bill 6: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 20232024, Carried
Member’s Statement 131-20(1): Water Regulations and Red Tape Reduction
Member’s Statement 132-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Member’s Statement 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Policies
Member’s Statement 134-20(1): Northwest Territories Economic Future
Member’s Statement 135-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Member’s Statement 136-20(1): Addictions and Healing in Small Communities
Member’s Statement 137-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Indigenous Employees
Member’s Statement 138-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 139-20(1): K’atlodeeche First Nation 42nd Annual K’amba Carnival
Member’s Statement 140-20(1): Northwest Territories Capital Investment and Labour Force Statistics
Member’s Statement 141-20(1): Pink Shirt Day
Member’s Statement 142-20(1): Eulogy for Vincent James Bertrand
Minister’s Statement 27-20(1): Marine Transportation Services
Minister’s Statement 28-20(1): Celebrating Francophonie in the Northwest Territories
Minister’s Statement 29-20(1): Environment and Climate Change’s Approach to Wildfire Management
Motion 20-20(1): Affirming Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Motion 21-20(1): Taking Action to Address Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Question 128-20(1): Changes to Waters Act Regulations
Question 129-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Cultural Safety Training
Question 130-20(1): Possible Department of National Defence Base in the Northwest Territories
Question 131-20(1): 2SLGBTQIPA+ Safety in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 132-20(1): Akaitcho Agreement in Principle Negotiations
Question 133-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Policy on Indigenous Hiring
Question 134-20(1): On-the-Land Education
Question 135-20(1): Gender Affirming Healthcare
Question 136-20(1): Student Financial Assistance
Question 137-20(1): Regional Director for Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Question 138-20(1): Implementation of British Columbia Curriculum in Northwest Territories Schools
Question 139-20(1): Supporting the Mining Industry with a North of 60 Tax Credit
Question 140-20(1): Support for Northwest Territories Volunteers
Question 141-20(1): Primary Healthcare Waitlist
Recorded Vote
Tabled Document 52-20(1): Annual Report to the Legislative Assembly under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act 2023
Tabled Document 53-20(1): Package of Information regarding Policies on 2SLGBTQIPA+ Youth in the Northwest Territories
Tabled Document 54-20(1): Letter from Tlicho Government to Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley on Waters Regulations Interpretation
Tabled Document 56-20(1): Statement of Consistency for Bill 3: Carbon Tax Repeal Act
Written Question 1-20(1): Carbon Tax Revenues and Rebates
Written Question 3-20(1): Extended Health Benefits Policy
Written Question 4-20(1): Privacy Agency Nurses
Written Question 5-20(1): Municipal Funding Gap
Statements

Member’s Statement 136-20(1): Addictions and Healing in Small Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the problems that we are encountering within our smaller communities is not the same as the bigger centres. The leaders and community members are the people who best understand the concerns of their specific communities; therefore, financial resources should be allocated to the communities to heal their communities.

Mr. Speaker, back in the 1970s, Elizabeth Collin, Bertha Francis, Jane Charlie Sr. and Dorothy Alexie, took it upon themselves to go for treatment to address their addiction problems. They did not like the way their lives were leading. They wanted a better lifestyle for their families. They went to Henwood, Alberta, and participated in the 28day treatment program. This led to other members of the community to follow suit and go for treatment themselves. This was a community initiative.

Mr. Speaker, after a few months of enjoying their new lives, a few of these ladies attended an AA roundup here in Yellowknife. It is here they saw the support that is shared with each other and how strong it made them. This new-found strength that these ladies possessed, they wanted to share that strength with their communities. They applied for a fund to open a local AA centre, a safe place for the residents to come and enjoy each other’s company without the use of alcohol.

Mr. Speaker, the financial resources that was provided did not include wages for anyone. This was strictly on a volunteer basis. I can remember going to this safe house and engaging with others of all ages. The centre stayed open into the 1990s but again due to financial restraint from the government, the centre had to close its doors. The volunteers continued to provide counselling service to community members from their homes or they would go to potential clients' home. This is an example of caring.

Mr. Speaker, the statement is addressed to all departments of this government. When we have social programs within our communities, it has an impact on all departments. I would like to see community social programs being funded by all the departments so that we can live in a safe and healthy community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.