Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight our ongoing work to strengthen the recovery supports available across the Northwest Territories for those struggling with mental wellness, substance use, and addictions. In recent years, that work has evolved to offer more relevant and flexible support to residents. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more than five million Canadians have faced serious mental health issues. Many people say their mental health has gotten worse, with national data showing increased anxiety and feelings of depression. Suicide remains the second-leading cause of death among youth and young adults across the country. In small, close-knit northern communities, we are directly and profoundly impacted by these experiences as family, friends, and community members.
Mr. Speaker, we know that no single solution or pathway can fully address the unique and evolving needs of the Northwest Territories residents. To provide relevant and sustainable supports that truly respond to these needs, we continue to work with our partners to offer a wide range of formal, informal, and community-led supports while working to reduce barriers to access.
In 2020, a transformation within the community counselling program saw more support tailored towards individual needs. In partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Stepped Care Solutions, as well as individuals with lived and living experience, and the three health and social services authorities, we have expanded our services to greatly reduce wait times and improve the accessibility of these services. Several eMental health initiatives have also been made available providing additional options and flexibility to clients. These virtual options, which include distance-based aftercare programming, range from individual supports to supports for children, youth, and their families. The Department of Health and Social Services also funds and promotes a facility-based addictions treatment program, which has recently seen a significant increase in applications from individuals seeking inpatient treatment for substance-related disorders. This is encouraging because it tells us that residents are aware of this resource and are actively pursuing recovery and well-being.
Mr. Speaker, we are also excited to share that two transitional housing programs for addictions recovery are expected to open in Yellowknife and Inuvik within the next year. These programs provide another layer of recovery support and access to sober social networks that are not always available in home communities of those needing these services. While not everyone will need transitional housing as a part of their recovery or aftercare plan, these programs further expand supports for people who do need it.
Two community-based funding sources are also available and provide support for mental wellness and addiction recovery through local programs. The Community Suicide Prevention Fund has been fully subscribed for this fiscal year, with over $760,000 committed to multiple NWT communities; and, the Community Wellness and Addictions Recovery Fund has committed over $2.5 million to multiple communities. There has been significant interest in accessing these funds to date, and communities are encouraged to continue to apply while funds remain available.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, the range of mental wellness, substance use, and addictions recovery supports available to residents demonstrates our commitment to ensuring their needs are being met in a meaningful and sustainable way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Health and Social Services. Ministers' statements. Minister of Infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, the high cost of energy remains one of the greatest challenges for residents and businesses across the Northwest Territories. The realities of our northern environment only amplify these burdens. However, the GNWT is committed to alleviating these pressures through immediate relief and sustainable long-term solutions, paving the way for a more stable and affordable future for all Northerners. As we approach winter many communities, especially in our northernmost regions, face significant financial difficulties in heating their homes and paying their electricity bills. Most residents have little choice but to rely on fossil fuels, which are expensive and have security issues such as price volatility and supply chain disruptions, adding to their financial burden during the coldest months of the year.
The NWT's energy systems are uniquely challenging. Our remoteness, low population density, harsh winters, and limited interconnectivity contribute to high energy costs. In recent years, these costs have been exacerbated by inflation, energy price volatility, and the impacts of climate change. Northwest Territories residents pay the highest electricity rates in Canada, ranging from 25 to 34 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is two to three times more than the national average of 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. The cost of gasoline and diesel has also sharply increased, particularly in remote communities, where it is often higher than what the rest of Canada experiences. Many Northerners have shared with me that with this rising cost, living is becoming unsustainable.
Mr. Speaker, I want to explain the steps the GNWT is taking to stabilize energy costs for Northerners and help address this alarming trend. In the past year, the GNWT and its partners spent $31.7 million to advance the Energy Strategy's vision of providing secure, affordable, and sustainable energy for Northerners. Affordability is a key driver of the initiatives under the Energy Strategy.
Energy efficiency plays a major role in affordability. The GNWT funds the Arctic Energy Alliance, helping residents improve their energy efficiency, adopt more cost-effective technologies, and combat energy poverty. In 2023-2024, the GNWT provided $6.5 million for these programs, resulting in over 3,000 rebates that helped Northerners reduce heating oil consumption by 365,000 liters annually. This equates to more than $500,000 in savings for residents across the NWT each year. The majority of these rebates are distributed outside of Yellowknife, particularly in the Beaufort Delta and Sahtu regions, areas that have been impacted the most in recent years due to climate related resupply challenges.
Our aging energy infrastructure is increasingly inadequate to meet the needs of residents and businesses. To address this, the GNWT is advancing several projects to ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply for years to come. For example, transmission line projects continue to be advanced to connect Fort Providence, Kakisa, and Whati to existing hydropower resources, moving these communities away from fossil fuel-based generation and the cost volatility that comes with it. In Inuvik, the recently commissioned wind turbine will displace up to three million liters of diesel each year, helping to stabilize electricity rates. Additionally, the $4 million fast-charging station corridor being developed around Great Slave Lake will allow Northerners to travel between hydro electric-powered communities using electric vehicles, which are significantly cheaper to operate than traditional cars.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is actively supporting residents facing high energy costs or at risk of energy poverty through programs like the territorial power support program, the GNWT rate equalization program, and the senior home heating subsidy. These three programs collectively provided $10.4 million in direct subsidies to residents in 2023-2024.
The government also supports electricity rates by paying up to 20 percent more for its electricity bill than residents do, a contribution that amounted to $6.9 million last year. Additionally, these one-time subsidies have been provided, such as the $30 million in the 2024 budget, to help the Northwest Territories Power Corporation purchase fuel during a time of low water levels, costs that would otherwise have been recovered from ratepayers. Despite these efforts, energy affordability remains an ongoing issue in the Northwest Territories. The $47 million spent in 2023-2024 helped to alleviate the pressure of rising energy prices, but it is clear that further action is needed. Even with substantial financial support, rate adjustments will be required to maintain system sustainability. Our energy supply and infrastructure are under pressure from factors such as inflation, energy price volatility, and climate change. That is why I have asked the Department of Infrastructure to develop a renewed approach to energy in the NWT, to be released by the end of 2025-2026. This approach will focus on addressing our energy infrastructure deficit, improving energy affordability, reducing exposure to volatile markets, increasing local energy production, and positioning the NWT as a prime location for resource extraction investment. The new strategy will aim for a net-zero emissions energy system by 2050, delivering long-term benefits for all Northerners.
One of the most promising projects on the horizon is the Taltson Hydro Expansion project, which will increase energy security by interconnecting grids and extending hydroelectric power to industry. The combined grids will provide drought resilience using multiple watersheds with greater hydro capacity and reduce the need to rely on diesel generation during periods of low water on the Snare River system. It will also help meet the growing demand for electrified loads such as electric vehicles. It is expected to reduce emissions, stabilize electricity rates, and provide a more reliable and sustainable energy future for the Northwest Territories. Significant progress has been made on the Taltson expansion, including the selection of a preferred transmission alignment, examination of construction access routes, the completion of a business case, and work on defining commercial aspects of the project. We will continue to collaborate with Indigenous partners to define and support a resolution of legacy issues arising from the construction of the original Taltson facility, finalize the transmission alignment, conduct environmental assessments, and secure federal funding for construction. Indigenous engagement remains a priority throughout this process, ensuring that their knowledge and perspectives are incorporated to minimize the impacts of this project.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, the high cost of energy in the Northwest Territories is a significant burden on residents and businesses, especially in our most remote communities. The GNWT is taking steps to mitigate this burden through a variety of short and long-term initiatives, from energy efficiency programs and direct subsidies, to major infrastructure projects like the Taltson Hydro Expansion. By addressing energy infrastructure deficits, reducing reliance on volatile markets, and increasing the use of locally-produced energy, the GNWT is working to secure a sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy future for Northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Infrastructure. Ministers' statements. Minister for Housing NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, providing suitable, accessible, and affordable housing is a top priority for this government. Housing NWT is dedicated to delivering quality solutions that address the evolving housing needs of the Northwest Territories' communities and residents. Housing NWT continues to deliver a significant capital plan, including 512 housing units. This will result in 148 new and replacement public housing units, as well as the modernization and improvement of 364 housing assets currently operating throughout the territory.
Housing NWT's large multi-year capital program is currently valued at over $100 million. These capital projects are primarily funded by significant upfront contributions from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. By planning strategically, establishing important partnerships, and focusing on operational and environmental sustainability, Housing NWT is implementing these projects to address housing challenges while also creating opportunities for economic growth, capacity development, and local employment.
Mr. Speaker I want to highlight four projects underway:
The modernization of Aspen Apartments;
The construction of a mixed-use 50-plex in Yellowknife;
As well as a biomass heat plant in Fort Simpson; and,
The completion of five duplexes in multiple communities to support seniors aging in place.
The modernization project for Aspen Apartments, a 36-unit building in Yellowknife, was recently awarded to a local contractor and is expected to be completed by Fall 2025. Housing NWT acquired these apartments in partnership with the city of Yellowknife and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation under their federal lands and Rapid Housing Initiatives. This project focuses on modernization, key building components such as ventilation and life safety systems and increasing operational efficiency. The project also includes a new biomass heat plant, which is expected to offset approximately 80 percent of the fuel oil historically used to heat the building and produce hot water. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs, aligning with the objectives of the Housing NWT's energy management strategy. These 36 units will replace units currently leased for the public housing program through a third party, making those units available for others in the private market.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to announce that progress is being made on Housing NWT's new 50-unit multiplex project. Site remediation is scheduled to begin shortly followed by construction scheduled to be completed by Fall 2026. This project, funded through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Rapid Housing Initiative, contributes to the significant expansion of Housing NWT-owned public housing assets within Yellowknife. This project includes 25 barrier-free studio units for seniors, people with mobility challenges, and singles as well as 25 two-bedroom units for small families. This building will have an innovative and efficient mechanical system using a combination of biomass and heat pumps for space heating and cooling with no fossil fuels being used in the heating system. Additionally, the ground floor will include Housing NWT's North Slave district office and the Yellowknife Housing Authority, providing improved client-centered services at a public-facing accessible location.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, with the funding provided from Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund, Housing NWT is completing a 20-unit biomass project at the Stanley Isaiah Centre in Fort Simpson. This will provide renewable space heat for 20 senior home units and a health facility offsetting 80 percent of the heating requirements currently being provided by fuel oil and reducing fuel oil consumption by nearly 50,000 litres annually.
Mr. Speaker, as a part of housing innovation, five new seniors' duplexes are under construction in Fort McPherson, Tulita, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, and Behchoko. Funded with support from Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, these energy-efficient housing units are nearing completion and have been designed with input from a seniors' advisory committee. These units include features that support aging in place such as accessible kitchens, washrooms, entryways, and spaces to support traditional food preparation. Units will enable seniors to age in place in their communities, helping to sustain important community and family networks.
Collaboration with Indigenous governments remains a top priority for Housing NWT. We continue to meet regularly with community leadership to plan and deliver projects, ensuring alignment with their housing plans. This includes opportunities to coordinate delivery schedules, supporting apprenticeship development, and designing energy efficient resilient units. Housing NWT continues to utilize a range of construction methods including building modular units with northern manufacturers.
Finally, Housing NWT is developing a territorial housing needs assessment to clearly define the housing needs of communities. This assessment will combine data and community input to provide a clear picture of housing challenges, helping to secure much-needed funding support.
As we adapt to changes in the housing landscape, Housing NWT remains committed to collaborating with our various housing partners to address the housing needs of all residents across the territory. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, when paramedics are on the job, every second counts because in emergency situations their work can be the deciding factor between a patient's life or death. They stand vigilantly on call to provide vital care and immediate transportation to medical facilities when the need arises, often in complex and traumatic circumstances both in the heart of our communities or on far away remote highways.
Unfortunately, here in the North their job is only made more difficult due to the vast geography of our territory and the limited resources available in the small communities that are spread out across it. Yet regardless of these factors, all Northerners deserve access to these vital emergency services that they need when they need them. Likewise, our indispensable paramedics are always eager to offer their best efforts to support Northerners because they are passionate about keeping our communities healthy and safe. That is why we need to listen to paramedics when they call on us to create more efficient, dedicated, advanced care paramedic services for highways separate from community care paramedic services. A paramedic working on our highways needs more advanced skills and resources than community paramedics because responding to emergency calls in remote regions means a patient could be hours away from medical care or from hospital staff. When highways taken care of by advanced care paramedics, communities with highways taken care of by advanced care paramedics, community care paramedics could focus only specializing on lower acuity illnesses and injuries and working closer with continuing care staff and physicians to provide additional support for patients in their homes. The benefits of more available specialized care from community care paramedics would result in less pressure on 9-1-1 and emergency room services because illnesses or injuries would be cared for appropriately before they increase in severity and become emergencies.
Northerners know establishing dedicated paramedic services in communities and on our highways should be a priority for this government. It would greatly increase public safety in our remote regions and support health care in all of our communities. It's up to us to make the NWT a safer place no matter where our constituents happen to live, work, or travel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a week ago I was pleased to host the Premier in his role as the Minister of Justice and the Minister of housing on a tour of my constituency, specifically paying a visit to the encampment and two rental accommodations where single mothers spoke to their concerns around the drug trade and guns in their buildings. I am grateful that the Ministers took the time to see the reality of trying to provide a safe home for families to grow and thrive is very difficult in our capital. Both of these mothers are trying their best to protect their children and seek alternative living arrangements where they hope that they will feel safer.
I know issues like this are top of mind both for us in this House but especially for the Premier who spoke at length at the beginning of our term on his desire to bring forward safer communities and neighbourhoods or SCAN legislation, as well as civil forfeiture and other tools that can provide more avenues to reduce crime in our communities. I appreciate that he considers this more than just a public safety issue but also one of public health and well-being.
A news article I read shared an excellent definition. SCAN legislation aims to improve community safety by allowing neighbours to make complaints to territorial authorities that can then target and shut down properties where illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, habitually occur. It's separate from criminal law and police enforcement which require a higher standard of proof. Earlier this fall, however, the Yukon Supreme Court chief justice struck down a section of that territory's SCAN legislation as unconstitutional. It has to provide five day's notice for landlord assisted evictions of tenants who are suspected to be engaged in illegal activities. The chief justice noted that the section could cause, quote, "extraordinary psychological suffering and risk to a person's health", unquote, as well as lead to housing instability or homelessness. It could also impact residents in a unit such as children or roommates.
We have heard our colleagues speak many times of drug dealers that are praying on our elders and living in their residencies. It's clear that careful consideration of this sort of legislation is required. I am hoping that the Minister of Justice will be able to provide much more detail at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the town of Inuvik had their annual -- had their annual -- had their municipal election. We don't do it every year, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to offer my congratulations to the new mayor and council. Certainly mayor-elect Peter Clarkson is no stranger to our community, to our region, and likely to many Members of this House. Peter has long been an advocate for the town of Inuvik. He is a former councillor, a former mayor, and former regional superintendent for the Department of the Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Mr. Speaker.
I'd also like to congratulate our new slate of town councillors:
Mr. Steve Baryluk,
Mr. Kendall McDonald,
Mr. Kurt Wainman,
Mr. Mario Lemieux,
Ms. Melinda Gillis,
Ms. Alana Mero,
Mr. Ned Day, and
Ms. Jen Parrott.
Mr. Speaker, we know municipal politics is one of the purist forms of politics, and every issue is an issue that certainly hits close to home. I congratulate both the mayor and council. I wish them the best in their upcoming term. I look forward to working closely with them on the issues that affect our community and certainly my riding and, again, I want to offer my congratulations to them, Mr. Speaker.
I'd also like to thank outgoing member Clarence Wood. Clarence was a long serving member. As you know, he's received awards for his length of service, municipal service, as a long-time town councillor and mayor. Certainly appreciate the work he's done.
I'd like to thank, Mr. Speaker, the councillors who ran for the first time and weren't successful this time around but I'm sure will be back. And thank the incumbent councillors, Mr. Speaker, that weren't as successful this term. Thank you to everyone who puts their name forward for service in their community. It's a difficult job, but we really appreciate them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to firstly take this opportunity to thank the colleagues in this House here for the support, and the staff, during the recent accomplishment on an immediate reduction to the fuel prices in Norman Wells. So mahsi cho.
Mr. Speaker, we all agree that, what's been said numerous times, the mining sector is the NWT economic backbone, an industry that is in question with statements of closures and reclamation in the planning phases.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada, more specifically the federal Department of Natural Resources Canada in 2022, initiated the regional energy resource tables, a strategy in transitioning to a green economy. Mr. Speaker, as quoted by federal Minister Wilkinson, this initiative will enable provinces, territories, and the Government of Canada and key Indigenous partnerships to collectively accelerate economic activity and position Canada as an economic leader in the global shifts towards a low carbon future.
Mr. Speaker, I note that the regional energy and resource tables mentioned, and the federal release helped advance the Yukon and BC exciting developments. Despite being created in October 2022, there has been little to in public news or engagement with stakeholders under the NWT's RERT. Later, Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 1921, Chief Julian Yendo, a great chief of the Teetl’it Gwich'in, signed Treaty 11 in hopes of securing a bright future for his people of Teetl’it Zheh. Chief Yendo had a great admiration for his people, especially the children. When he signed Treaty 11, one of the clauses that he wanted entrenched in to the document was for the government to build a school within his community and to ensure that the children of the community received the best education that is available to them for many years to come. Today, the vision of this great Chief and the treaties are not being obligated to meet the needs of the students of the community.
Mr. Speaker, we have junior high school students who are incapable of reading or writing at the grade level they are in. The students do not want to learn because they know they will be promoted no matter if they attend only 50 percent of their class time. I believe this trend is happening throughout the Northwest Territories within our smaller communities. I personally know a few parents who are sending their children to different jurisdictions just to get a higher quality of education and a brighter future. This should not be an option. We should be giving our children the best education that they deserve and to look forward to a prosperous future within their communities.
Mr. Speaker, there are a small percentage of students who have the ability to pursue a post-secondary education but, again, they are placed in the same age group as their peers, and they are distracted because the majority of the students do not meet the requirements of their grade. Maybe we should be targeting these select few and giving them the opportunity to pursue a higher level of education and a successful future. These gifted students should be separated and given an instructor who is passionate about seeing positive results. They should at least be given the chance at life.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to say that I sympathize with the students of our smaller communities because their immediate future does not look too bright. I also feel for the teachers who have taken on the task of trying to secure -- Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, colleagues. I also feel for the teachers who have taken on the task of trying to secure a future for these students but the damage is done, and now they have to work with students who do not want to learn because the education is literally failing them in life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of education at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about how climate change is impacting our ability to get fuel and other resources to our small communities. We have heard from the Member for the Sahtu about the emergency situation air freighting fuel has caused Norman Wells. In Gameti, the winter road system we currently use is vulnerable as well. Typically, Mr. Speaker, people can go back and forth to Gameti from January to March by driving the 213 kilometers winter road from Highway No. 3 near Behchoko. But last year with the short ice road season, optimal conditions on winter roads lasted less than two weeks. Residents need a solution.
Mr. Speaker, the short season makes it difficult to move heavy equipment and discouraging industry. Looking at the five-year average, the opening has been occurring later and later, usually by February 16th. In 2019, the opening date was March 4th. Mr. Speaker, we need to invest in all-weather access roads because small communities are at risk of being further isolated. This problem will drive up the cost of living beyond what is already unaffordable.
Yesterday, the Premier spoke about climate adaptations and isolation in the North. He said that during his recent trip to Ottawa with the Council of Leaders, the development of critical infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, and creating economic opportunity through resource development were identified as key issues. An all-season road into Gameti will not only help address the impact of climate change but will also lower the cost of living for the community. It will make economic growth possible.
Mr. Speaker, Gameti lacks transportation infrastructure. With an increasing shorter winter road season and without marine resupply ability, the airport will be the only option left for residents.
Member from Monfwi --
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, we need to be forward-looking. The effects of climate change will continue, and planning for all-weather access roads now will benefit residents and industry in the long-term. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in September 2022, the Department of Health and Social Services released a supported living review report which highlighted the range of supported living needs of persons with disabilities and the gaps and challenges with how our system is meeting those needs. The report found that the system is complex to access, under-resourced to meet the full range of needs inside the territory, necessitating some residents to be moved south to receive care. The report detailed 33 recommendations, only 12 of which the department fully committed to responding to, citing a lack of resources as the reasons for not committing to the other 21 recommendations.
An area I'd like to focus on today in particular is the need for improved respite services for the residents who are providing in-home support for persons with disabilities who are able to live at home.
In the report, residents providing home support described stress and burnout and emphasized the need for supportive services that would allow them to keep family members at home but be able to lean on extra support when needed. The importance of respite care is it keeps people at home. Over time, it's a much more cost effective and preferred solution to having people end up in full-time care or even be sent south. The report found that respite services in Yellowknife and the communities is currently limited and recommended increasing overnight options and expanding something respite services in the communities as well. I would like to see a stronger emphasis towards respite services in the territory, Mr. Speaker, and changes to supported living generally which will help us strengthen our supported living services. This is one of the many things we can do to help incentivize people to stay here in the territory, to invest in this place, and make it their home. I'll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Frame Lake. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, one of this Assembly's key mandate commitments is equitable access to sustainable primary care in the NWT. I do believe that this is a sincere commitment. So we should all be alarmed that the primary care system here in Yellowknife, which also serves as an anchor point to many other communities, is on the verge of collapse. I'm hearing from constituents that there is such extreme frustration amongst frontline health care practitioners that a significant number have left their jobs over the past six months and we are in danger of losing the rest. So that's physicians, nurses, NPs, LPNs, and even program assistants.
Over the past year, a major overhaul of primary care was carried out at the same time as a major physical relocation was happening to the Liwego'ati building and not enough care was taken to understand how these changes would impact the day-to-day functioning of primary care practitioners and their patients. As a result, we have taken some major steps backwards in terms of continuity of care and patients' access to doctors. This doesn't seem to have been a temporary blip. It has resulted in lasting chaos, inefficiency, and burnout, not to mention moral distress when physicians are prevented from adequately caring for their patients.
Primary care physicians are telling me that since the overhaul, they've had 50 percent less time in their schedules to see patients. This time must now be spent on paperwork directly caused by the overhaul. The primary care teams were rearranged without meaningful involvement from the practitioners on those teams, resulting in all of the previous physician partner teams being unnecessarily split up. That means that the long-term relationships physicians developed with their partners' patients due to regular coverage was lost. Larger teams also mean that the program assistants and LPNs must take on bigger burdens which can lead to burnout, and it makes the teams less efficient overall.
This is not just a Yellowknife issue as many primary care practitioners regularly serve communities outside Yellowknife, and it goes far beyond a few grumpy staff who simply don't like change or don't want to be team players. Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent for my last sentence in the statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you to my colleagues. So we have nurses and doctors with decades of experience who have passionately devoted their entire careers and lives to this territory who now feel so defeated that they're ready to quit. So that means we're in trouble until we start listening to them carefully. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from the Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the very important piece of infrastructure in our territory which is in my riding, the Deh Cho Bridge. The Deh Cho Bridge is probably one of the territory's largest pieces of infrastructure and the only bridge crossing the Mackenzie River.
Mr. Speaker, in the summer of 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories discovered that the bridge was damaged. The damage included a broken cable. As a result, traffic is reduced to one lane and there are often line-ups.
Mr. Speaker, constituents in my riding frequently use the Deh Cho Bridge, and they are concerned about the traffic delays and worried about potential safety issues. My constituents aren't the only ones impacted. The bridge is important for many residents of the NWT and for tourism and other industries as this is a year-round highway linking Yellowknife to the south.
Initially, the repair work was supposed to take place this summer; however, this work has not been completed. I made inquiries on the status of the repairs and each time I am told that it will be done soon; however, the work keeps getting pushed back, Mr. Speaker. The government has been aware of this issue for over a year. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This July an email was sent to the Department of Health and Social Services. Seven GNWT employees were included on that email. One of them in particular, Mr. Speaker, was the CEO of NT Health and Social Services so I know the department has it at the toppest -- sorry, at the top of the highest officials we have.
Mr. Speaker, I won't name the particular facility, but it was highlighting something very serious. The subject matter in part reads: Urgent, child and youth safety concerns at... I won't fill in the rest. And the email then begins, Mr. Speaker -- and I take a small excerpt out of it. It says, I am writing to you today with a serious concern, safety risk to children and youth that are occurring.
Mr. Speaker, now when it comes to our most vulnerable, whether it's our youth, whether it's our elderly, or those who require special supports, I think it's fair to say all hands-on deck is the right approach. It's not only warranted; it's demanded, Mr. Speaker. So I know this email was received by the CEO, Mr. Speaker, and it highlights in the email that there may be human rights issues, abuse, and neglect. Mr. Speaker, I repeat myself. There may be human rights issues, abuse, and neglect. In that email, it had several items attached that the concerned citizen brought forward and citing as this is information you may need.
Mr. Speaker, this is quite distressing for someone like myself because thinking about our most vulnerable may be trapped in a particular situation and, more so, it bothers me that the department may be taking a lackadaisical approach on how to investigate this and furthermore demonstrates some level of transparency to these concerns. I don't know if they're facts, but they're concerned enough to put them in writing to the department, Mr. Speaker. That should be a minimum standard, a standard of saying maybe we should look into this. At the same time, this also provides those in the system to clarify any concerns. They may be a misunderstanding but I'm not the person to judge.
Now this narrative, Mr. Speaker, I highlight does cause further concerns. I go back, human rights, abuse, and neglect.
There is disclosure rules under the Child and Family Services Act, Mr. Speaker, but it does seem to read pretty silent when it comes to reporting these to the RCMP. So, Mr. Speaker, to help us avoid lifelong -- the lifelong journey of despair and trauma of individuals, I'll be asking the Minister about when the RCMP should be playing a role on this particular concern highlighted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.
Good afternoon, colleagues. Today, I would like to celebrate the life of Stephanie "Sweet Pea" Squirrel. She was born on September 15th, 1988, to Loretta and Steve Squirrel. She was the youngest of five children.
Stephanie attended school in Fort Simpson. I can remember the first time I met her. It was in Grade 1, and she attended school with my daughter. It is interesting what you remember of youth when they are young. What struck me about Stephanie was her smile, energy, and willingness to always want to help her classmates. As she grew up, this was what people saw. She was always there looking after others, especially young children.
I can tell you, three of my grandchildren were always excited to see her, whether it was on the street or at daycare. They spoke about how nice she was, and I witnessed her pure kindness and care she would give to them. Unfortunately, she passed away on August 3rd, 2024, at the young age of 35.
On Monday, August 19th, the family had a Celebration of Life. Two of her best friends, Jocelyn Kierstead and Brittany Hardisty-Isaiah did her eulogy. I have attached them at the end of this speech and would like them deemed as read and printed in Hansard.
What I can tell you, they both spoke about how full of life she was. Always thinking of others, especially the young children, whether they were her nieces, nephews, friends' children, or ones from the daycare. She wanted them to enjoy life and make the most of things. The other that that jumped out at me from their eulogy, the first being, live in the moment. Sometimes you don't do what you plan on doing, like going out but end up in bed watching movies, chatting and dancing with your best friend into all hours of the night, and it being the best time.
The second thing was family time and the willingness to go on adventures with them and loved ones. Whether it was done with trips to Edmonton, Vegas, Mexico, or at the snye or visiting friends or family at home. You can always have fun and enjoy the company you are with regardless of where you are. This was who Stephanie was.
Her family and her boyfriend would like to thank all the people who were able to come to her Celebration of Life and all the condolences from people who were not able to attend. My condolences go out to the family. She will be sadly missed by us all.
Eulogy for Stephanie M. Squirrel (Jocelyn Kierstead and Brittany Hardisty Isaiah):
Stephanie (sweet pea) was a kind, loving, funny, selfless, beautiful soul. This isn't even a fraction of what I can say of who she was as a person, if anyone knew her, she was so much more than words can describe. She was an amazing at everything and an amazing friend, always there to have a shoulder to cry on, made you feel so comfortable and warm. She could always brighten up any room with her contagious smile and incredibly wicked humour but can also smack the Band-Aid off someone if you needed her to. I'll always remember the days we would make plans and end up staying in bed watching movies and singing and laughing all night.
Stephanie had a place in her heart for all children in her care as if they were her own. She was passionate about providing a safe, nurturing space for them. From the kids at the daycare to her many nieces, nephews, and little cousins. Steph had an abundance of love and patience for children.
As the youngest of 5 siblings, she earned her nickname of sweet pea and baby and was adored by those who knew her. Stephanie looked up to her big sisters, was protected by her older brothers, adored her father, and was devoted to loving and caring for her mother. Like most of us in a small community, Steph had a lot of cousins she grew up with that were like siblings. Family time and values are things Stephanie treasured. From trips to Edmonton, to birthdays, holidays, and weddings, she could always be found at the family gatherings.
Steph was never one to miss out on an opportunity to have fun and adventure whether it was a Las Vega trip with her sisters and Aunt, to a wedding vacation in Mexico, or a trip down to the snye floating bridge with her pops.
Steph's interest in astrology and her own zodiac sign reflected in her personality; humble, grounded, self-sufficient. She even has a tattoo of the Virgo constellation. I'd like to thank you for joining us to celebrate her life here on Earth, now she is our own STAR in the sky full of constellations.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to welcome two pages from the community of Deline, Ehtseo Ayha School. Their names are Matthew Bond and Evelyn Gaudet. Welcome to the Assembly. Mahsi.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to your chamber. I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. It is always nice to see people in the gallery. Oh, Member from Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to recognize Yellowknife North constituent Yuma McEachern who is helping us out as a page this week. So thanks so much, Yuma, for all your help.
