Debates of Aug. 21st, 2019

This is page numbers 6289 - 6352 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library.

The word of the day was assembly .

Topics

Oral Questions

Members Present

Prayer

Assent to Bills

Minister Late

Seniors Report

Housing for Vulnerable Populations

Post-Secondary Education Update

Recognition of "Buffalo" Joe McBryan

National Pharmacare

Land Administration and Management

Land Rights Agreements

Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Recognition of Gabe Hardisty

Waste Resource Management and Single-Use Plastics Ban

Arctic Sovereignty

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Single-Use Plastics Ban

Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

National Pharmacare and the NWT

Fort McPherson Housing Units

Committee Report 35-18(3): "Lessons Learned" Report of the Special Committee on Transition Matters

Tabled Document 509-18(3): Draft Code of Conduct and Guide for Members of the Legislative Assembly

Tabled Document 510-18(3): Draft Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, August 2019

Tabled Document 511-18(3): Capital Estimates 2020-2021 Tabled Document 512-18(3): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 19-18(3): Report on the Review of the 2017-2018 Public Accounts

Tabled Document 513-18(3): 2018 Annual Report - Office of the Fire Marshal

Tabled Document 514-18(3): Report on Seniors Access to Government of the Northwest Territories Programs and Services Tabled Document 515-18(3): What We Heard Report - Continuing Care Facilities Legislation for the Northwest Territories

Tabled Document 516-18(3): Northwest Territories Post-Secondary Education Strategic Framework 2019-2029 Tabled Document 517-18(3): Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2019-2020 School Year Ending June 30, 2020

Adoption of Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly

Repeal and Replace Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories

Extended Adjournment of the House to October 24, 2019

Dissolution of the 18th Legislative Assembly

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Private Interviews between Inmates and Indigenous Elders or Spiritual Advisors

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Needs-based Assessments for Inmates

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Prioritization of Work Programs

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Security Assessment Tools

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Victim Services

Standing Committee on Social Development Report on the Review of Bill 45: Corrections Act - Government Response to Recommendations

Bill 45: Corrections Act - Amend Clause 40.1(5)

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Perceptions Held by Northern Businesses Toward the Government of the Northwest Territories' Procurement Processes - Procurement Advisory Panel, carried

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Perceptions Held by Northern Businesses Toward the Government of the Northwest Territories' Procurement Processes - Comprehensive Public Review of Procurement Related Policies, carried

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Perceptions Held by Northern Businesses Toward the Government of the Northwest Territories' Procurement Processes - Government Response to Recommendations, carried

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Protocols for Engagement in Development of Legislation

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Process and Criteria for Technical Working Groups

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Technical Working Group Recommendations

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Complex Bills of Significant Public Interest

Committee Motion 251-18(3) Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Plain Language Materials

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Comprehensive Briefing on Legislative Process for Technical Working Group

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Process for Development of Regulations

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Collaborative Lessons-Learned Exercise

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Public and Stakeholder Engagement

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Exclusion of Bill from Technical Working Group Process

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Information for Standing Committee on Technical Working Group Progress

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Federal Concurrence

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Consistent Terms and

Definitions

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Consistency in Public Information

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives -

Preamble or Purpose Statement

Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on the Process Used for Devolution Legislative Initiatives - Government Response to Recommendations

Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Bill 34: Mineral Resources Act

Recorded Vote

Orders Of The Day

Members Present

Hon. Glen Abernethy , Mr. Beaulieu , Mr. Blake , Hon. Caroline Cochrane , Ms. Green , Hon. Jackson Lafferty , Hon. Bob McLeod , Hon. Robert McLeod , Mr. McNeely , Hon. Alfred Moses , Mr. Nadli , Mr. Nakimayak , Mr. O'Reilly , Hon. Wally Schumann , Hon. Louis Sebert , Mr. Simpson , Mr. Testart , Mr. Thompson , Mr. Vanthuyne

The House met at 1:33 p.m.

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---Prayer

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Prayer

Prayer

Page 6289

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain that the honourable Commissioner Margaret Thom is ready to enter the Chambers to assent to bills.

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Assent to Bills

Prayer

Page 6289

Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories

Hon. Margaret Thom

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.

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Assent to Bills

Prayer

Page 6289

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Good afternoon, Members. Ministers' statements. The Honourable Premier .

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Minister's Statement 237-18(3): Minister Late

Ministers' Statements

Page 6289

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

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.

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Minister's Statement 237-18(3): Minister Late

Ministers' Statements

Page 6289

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Minister's Statement 238-18(3): Seniors Report

Ministers' Statements

Page 6291

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

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 18 th 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.

The department has also collaborated with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, and the Tlicho Community Services Agency to design and develop the Paid Family/Caregiver Pilot Program. Initial implementation of the pilot begins this October and involves engaging with interested parties in select communities.

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.

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Minister's Statement 238-18(3): Seniors Report

Ministers' Statements

Page 6291

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Minister's Statement 239-18(3): Housing for Vulnerable Populations

Ministers' Statements

Page 6291

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

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.

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 2 nd , 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.

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Minister's Statement 239-18(3): Housing for Vulnerable Populations

Ministers' Statements

Page 6292

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment .

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Minister's Statement 240-18(3): Post-Secondary Education Update

Ministers' Statements

Page 6292

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

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 18 th 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.

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Minister's Statement 240-18(3): Post-Secondary Education Update

Ministers' Statements

Page 6293

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Ministers' statements. Colleagues, please allow me to draw your attention to the presence at the clerks' table here today of Mr. Anthony W.J. Whitford. As many of you know, former Commissioner, former Speaker, former Minister, former Member, former Sergeant-at-Arms, honorary Clerk at the table, and Member of the Order of the NWT. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Whitford to the House this afternoon. It is always great to have you here as part of our team. Item 3, Members' statements. Member for Hay River North .

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Recognition of "Buffalo" Joe McBryan

Members' Statements

Page 6293

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

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

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Recognition of "Buffalo" Joe McBryan

Members' Statements

Page 6293

R.J. Simpson

Hay River North

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.

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Recognition of "Buffalo" Joe McBryan

Members' Statements

Page 6293

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake .

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National Pharmacare

Members' Statements

Page 6294

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

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.

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National Pharmacare

Members' Statements

Page 6294

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Sahtu .

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Land Administration and Management

Members' Statements

Page 6294

Daniel McNeely

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.

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Land Administration and Management

Members' Statements

Page 6294

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Land Rights Agreements

Members' Statements

Page 6294

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the 18 th 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 18 th 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 19 th Assembly. Without question, it will be one of their highest priorities, and, Mr. Speaker, I know it will remain one of mine. Thank you.

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Land Rights Agreements

Members' Statements

Page 6294

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho .

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Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Members' Statements

Page 6295

Michael Nadli

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

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Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Members' Statements

Page 6295

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

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.

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Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Members' Statements

Page 6295

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Members' Statements

Page 6296

Julie Green

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.

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Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Members' Statements

Page 6296

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh .

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Recognition of Gabe Hardisty

Members' Statements

Page 6296

Shane Thompson

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.

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Recognition of Gabe Hardisty

Members' Statements

Page 6296

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake .

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Waste Resource Management and Single-Use Plastics Ban

Members' Statements

Page 6297

Kieron Testart

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.

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Waste Resource Management and Single-Use Plastics Ban

Members' Statements

Page 6297

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput .

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Arctic Sovereignty

Members' Statements

Page 6297

Herbert Nakimayak

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.

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Arctic Sovereignty

Members' Statements

Page 6297

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6297

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

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 .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6297

Glen Abernethy

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.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6297

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6297

R.J. Simpson

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.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Bob McLeod

Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Caroline Wawzonek. Caroline has indicated that she will be a candidate in the upcoming election in the riding of Yellowknife South. I wish her every success. Thank you.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Cory Vanthuyne

Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three constituents from Yellowknife North today. First, we have visiting, a long-time community advocate and social advocate, well-known in Yellowknife for all of her hard work, Arlene Hache. I want to congratulate her for her announcement today. She has been selected to be on the National Advisory Council on Poverty. Congratulations, Arlene.

I also want to acknowledge Josee Clermont, who is the directrice generale for College nordique francophone, and of course, a man of many hats, Yellowknife North resident Mr. Tony Whitford. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Congratulations, Ms. Hache, on your appointment. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. I would like to welcome the executive director of the NWT Seniors' Society to the gallery, Suzette Montreuil. She is also a Frame Lake resident and just happens to be my wife. I haven't really seen a lot of her in the last ten days, so hi, honey. Thanks for being here and there at home. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Must be the last few days of session here. Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Caroline Cochrane

Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two people in the education field, Ms. Suzette Montreuil with the Commission scolaire, and also Ms. Josee Clermont with the College nordique. I do want to say that, College nordique, we have had many meetings working with them on advancing our post-secondary education. It has been very, very good. I am hoping that the next Assembly will carry forward the great work. By working together, we provide a better education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have had the honour of doing a lot of work over the years and being on the front lines and doing some great health promotion work with a great team. As Members know, I am leaving. Up in the gallery, I would like to recognize Elsie DeRoose, who was a strong mentor and strong leader within the health promotion. I am really glad that she is here in the gallery today. It is really good to see you. I just want to thank you for all of the support and the work that you have done.

As always, Anthony J. Whitford, I know that you made some time to come and join us here today, so I just want to say thank you and mahsi, and mahsi to Elsie. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Herbert Nakimayak

Nunakput

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Mr. Alphonse Nitsiza. Mr. Speaker, Alphonse is one person who works for Indigenous government. I mention that a lot, and coming from that background, I have a lot of respect and I look up to Alphonse and all of the hard work he has done for the Tlicho region, especially for the outlying and remote communities. I would like to welcome Alphonse and, once again, thank him for all of his hard work. I look up to that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake .

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize two of my constituents who have joined us today, Ms. Caitlin Cleveland and Ms. Elsie DeRoose. Thank you for being here today and taking an interest in our proceedings.

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Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Recognition Of Visitors In The Gallery

Page 6298

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Nahendeh .

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6298

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . It's that time of year again, and I apologize to him, but I have to get these questions out. I want to talk to him about medical travel and the utilization of the Fort Nelson hospital again. Can the Minister advise the House whether his department and NWT HHSA have been able to complete the MOU for the residents of Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte to access services in Fort Nelson that are referable where possible? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

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Page 6299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The territorial authority has been working with the healthcare services in Fort Nelson to develop an agreement on how people from Fort Liard, as well as Nahanni Butte, will receive services in Fort Nelson.

Unfortunately, the MOU hasn't been completed at this time, but we are working on it. The agreement will define the process for how NWT residents are referred to health services in Fort Nelson and how they can actually be referred back to the health and social services system here in the Northwest Territories.

Senior staff from the authority in the Deh Cho region will be travelling to Fort Liard in the next few weeks to share a review of the standard operating procedures with the community health centre staff. This really, Mr. Speaker, is the necessary first step which provides access to services in BC.

In addition, our handouts and posters and brochures have actually been prepared and have been shared with community leaders and residents to make them aware of these procedures, for accessing these procedures in Fort Nelson. We are hoping that these will be distributed at that time when they're meeting which will, hopefully, be September of this year.

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

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Page 6299

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

It kind of led into my second question, but I appreciate the Minister's answer with all that information. Can the Minister advise: when does he think the MoU will be done so the community can actually see it in writing? Right now, they are very happy with the work that the department has done and happy with what Dehcho Health and Social Services has been doing.

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Given that the MoU hasn't been completed yet, the standard operating procedures that we have negotiated with Fort Liard actually give us a roadmap, if you will, that the residents of Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte can use. As these procedures unfold, a more formalized MoU between BC and the Northwest Territories can be developed, but we want to see how these procedures work to make sure they're actually doing things that actually provide benefit that will help inform the MoU. That work will continue. It likely will not occur in the life of this government, the last week that we have, but it will carry on into the next government.

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Shane Thompson

Nahendeh

I have to give credit to the Minister and his staff for working on this issue. I know I have been bringing it up for the last four years. They have actually reached out. It's been quite interesting, being at meetings with them there. Can the Minister advise this House: has he made recommendation for the new Minister coming forward that this is an issue that he needs to be kept aware of?

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

I don't know who the next Minister of Health and Social Services will be, but I do know the work we are doing to support Liard and Nahanni Butte is incredibly important work and is consistent with the mandate of the Department of Health and Social Services, which is to provide care as close to home as possible and to make sure our residents are receiving access to the best care possible. I believe our work with Fort Nelson is consistent with that. I am optimistic and hopeful that the next Minister will continue to see the value that this relationship will bring, and that he or she will continue that relationship.

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Question 839-18(3): Access to Health Services in Fort Nelson, BC

Oral Questions

Page 6299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member's statement, I talked about how one of the issues raised around sustainable was the single use plastic ban that the federal government intends to bring forward across the country. I'm just wondering if the Minister responsible for, I believe, Environment and Natural Resources in this case has had any discussions with his federal counterparts on how the single-use plastic ban will impact the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6299

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources .

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

Oral Questions

Page 6299

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can understand the Member's concern with the use of single-use plastic bags across the Northwest Territories. As Minister of MACA , I went to a lot of waste sites across the Northwest Territories. I've seen all the white plastic bags that were there, and I can assure the Member that we have had some discussions with our federal counterparts and our colleagues from across the country. I believe we have come out with a strategy on single-use plastic bags. I'm not quite familiar with the details right now, but I'd be more than happy to get those and share them with the Member.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

I know this is somewhat forecasting, but we have a federal intention. I guess my concern is for the many businesses who are currently using plastic knives and forks, food services, for example, that they're going to be hit with a lot of costs when this happens. Has the government considered that problem? Are they working with industry to help transition them into this new reality, whether it will be a single-use plastic ban?

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Of course, we need to have our conversations with industry. I don't know if the conversations have actually happened yet, at the official level. Again, I would have to confirm that information. I do recognize concern that folks from across the Northwest Territories have about single-use plastic, and I believe it's incumbent on us to try and do what we can to eliminate those across the Northwest Territories

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

I reflected on the Minister's recent statement on the new strategy, the waste strategy that is coming out, and I think there are a lot of good details in that. How is the department adapting to the lack of recycling facilities? My honourable friend from Nahendeh raised this, as well. Could the department's regional offices, through ENR regional offices, be used as collection points for recycling? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

As you have heard the last week or so with some of the questions I have been getting from a couple of the Members on our concern with the wildlife running around in the community, we will do what we can. I don't think I will direct my department to have our officers and local offices collecting recyclables. They have other tasks that they need to do which we feel are a priority, especially the safety of the public. What we can do is to try to work with those who may be able to provide that service for us. I'm not sure what the details are yet, and I'm going to be honest about that. I know we are looking at trying to reduce our single-use plastic, as well.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake .

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

Kieron Testart

Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question is: is the department prepared to provide a leadership and kind of a central support role for municipalities as they seek to solve their waste management issues and the coming single-use plastic ban? Is that something the department can do? Thank you.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

Oral Questions

Page 6300

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

This department does provide a lot of leadership, and this is another one of those cases where we need to work with our partners. In the environment we operate in the Northwest Territories with all our municipal and Indigenous governments and our partners, we need to do what we can to work with our partners to ensure that unilateral decisions are not being made by this Assembly and implemented. I think it's good counsel to work with our partners to try to come up with strategies and plans that are a benefit to all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 840-18(3): Single-Use Plastics Ban

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Page 6300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Oral Questions

Page 6300

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services . In my statement today I spoke about the quality improvement plan for Child and Family Services that was tabled earlier this week. As I mentioned, the plan has many strengths, but I do have some concerns. The Minister has often said that too many priorities result in no priorities at all. Can the Minister say why he then endorsed 70 priorities in this plan? Thank you.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6300

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Oral Questions

Page 6301

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In coming up with the quality improvement plan, we did actually have more actions that we would like to have pursued, but we did reach out to our staff. We did reach out to stakeholders who indicated that some of them would be very difficult, given that it is a two-year plan. As a result, we did reduce the number of actions. We modified some timelines. We stretched this out over two years. Many of these actions are policy-based. We are modifying our policies to be consistent and current, and we feel at this time that the plan we have is doable within the two-year time limit.

I want to point out that we do see this as a living document, and as we move forward with those actions in that action plan, we recognize that we may find that we may have overreached, or we may not have the capacity to do that within the timeline. We have left the ability to be flexible, to modify our timelines.

We also recognize that, at the end of this plan in two years, we will have to reassess where we are and set a new plan forward to bring in the rest of the changes that are needed to make our Child and Family Services system a truly prevention-based system as opposed to the traditional apprehension-based system. There are a lot of things happening. I agree with the Member.

I do recognize there is pressure on the staff, but we have also increased the number of positions, 21 new positions as a result of this quality improvement plan, and a third of those positions are focused on design and training to make sure that our frontline staff have the resources they need and have the supports they need to transition their practice from apprehension to prevention. So there are a lot of things happening. We get it. We have got great people. We have listened to them. We removed some actions, and we stretched out timelines on others. It is a living document.

We are optimistic we can get this done.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6301

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thanks to the Minister for his response. A second concern I have is about the staff time, the time that is that staff will be spending on compliance processes versus time they will spend with their eyes on their clients. I can understand that this approach is somewhat a reaction to the report from the Office of the Auditor General and to step up compliance, but can the Minister assure us that, despite the focus on process, time with clients will actually improve?

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6301

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

When we came forward with Building Stronger Families, we were hoping to change from an apprehension-based system to a prevention-based system. Building Stronger Families is still the right way to go, but what we realized and what we heard from the Auditor General is we did not have enough feet on the street to make this a reality, and we were overburdening a number of our people, and, as a result, they were not doing the record-keeping that was necessary to ensure that we were monitoring its success and/or failures. We have increased the number of positions in the last budget by 21.

As I said, a third of those will be focused on training and policy development and making sure the program is right, but the rest are front-line delivery. There is a second ask for future years, Mr. Speaker, that we invest in more positions, with a greater focus on things like family advocates or family support workers. We believe that this is an important step and it's a necessary step to provide those families with the supports they need so that they can keep their children with them, so we are no longer taking children from families. That will be a decision of the next government.

I think it is an incredibly important decision, and I hope the next government continues to maintain a focus on child and family services and that that does occur.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6301

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

That sounds like an interesting initiative. A final concern I have which the Minister has touched on is about the systemic changes needed to prevent children from going into care because of issues such as a lack of food and inadequate housing. The anti-poverty commitments, which the Minister has also represented, include a continuum of service and maybe should include a continuum of support. Can the Minister say what kind of prevention is taking place around this issue of neglect driving children into care?

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6301

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

The premise of Building Stronger Families is finding ways to support families so that children do not have to be apprehended. This could be as simple as providing diapers or food to an individual family who might be in crisis at a particular point. We have done a pilot in Behchoko where we actually covered individuals' rent for a couple of weeks when they were in crisis, because we believe that, if those individuals had been taken out of their homes, it would have also resulted in a direct apprehension.

We are looking at spreading these concepts and these ideas out across the Northwest Territories to help families. We have also been able to send families' parents out for treatment and to provide short-term placement for kids with family so that they maintain that family relationship.

There are many more things we could do. Many of them will be one-offs because every situation is different, and we need to be flexible enough to do that. Our social workers are receiving more and more voluntary applications, more people coming in on a voluntary basis. I think this is a good thing because, when they come in on a voluntary basis, we can develop a case plan that works for them and is individualized to their needs and allows those children to stay in those families and in those homes. Our caseload is up, Mr.

Speaker, but the number of people going into permanent care is down, and I think that is indicative that the concepts work. We failed at reporting. We failed at some of the things that we were trying to do. We have taken from this committee, from this Auditor General, the lessons that we needed, and we are making improvements today.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Oral Questions

Page 6301

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre .

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

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Page 6301

Julie Green

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for the passion that he brings to this issue. Lastly, I want to follow up the statement that I made in the winter about the need for a child and youth advocate. The Minister indicated that his staff could update research on the idea, and I am wondering what progress he can report on this commitment.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

As the Member for Yellowknife Centre has already pointed out, we do have a significantly large action plan with 70 items, and our staff have been quite busy. As a result, we have not done that additional research on a child advocate at this point. However, I would like to note that I was a member of the committee that did a review of the implementation of child and family services in the 16 th Assembly, and, at that time, I and my colleagues had an opportunity to go and meet with child advocates from other jurisdictions and learn about the roles that they provide.

A child advocate tends to be an officer of the Legislature in most of the other jurisdictions. That is not unlike an ombud that we have recently created here in the Northwest Territories. They are usually not singularly focused on child and family services, but instead focus on children's issues that may be through education or justice or other government functions, questions pertaining to the machinery of government offices such as an ombud or Legislature.

If a child advocate were to be created, it would likely be an office of the Legislature. We are all part of that, but it just is not a Health and Social Services pursuit.

I would also note that the mandate of child advocates, if you look at what's happening in other jurisdictions and granted this information might be a little dated because it's based on the review we did in the 16 th Assembly, but a lot of those services are done by positions we have already created here in the Northwest Territories, like a children's lawyer, the territorial director, the ombud that we have recently created, so some of these positions can do some that work.

However, I am also optimistic that, as we get more involved in Building Stronger Families and with a better focus on prevention, some of the reasons that people want a child advocate ombud today might not be as strong if we are more successful with the work that we intend to do. We already know that an ombud is very expensive, and I think that money may be better spent on front-line delivery of services to families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 841-18(3): Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan

Oral Questions

Page 6302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in my Member's statement, some residents of the K'atlodeeche First Nation want to repair their homes but do not have home insurance and so were denied assistance. My question is to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation . What kind of education or information does the NWT Housing Corporation offer for home-ownership clients, to encourage the need for home insurance? Mahsi.

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6302

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation .

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

The second question is: does the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation deny public housing applicants who do not qualify for tenants' insurance?

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Before anything, we always try to provide the best services for our residents and tenants that reply for housing throughout the Northwest Territories. We give all of our residents every opportunity to stay in their homes. We do not deny public housing applications to those who can't afford insurance. We strongly recommend that public housing tenants do get insurance, though, and we work with our partners to try to address that.

It is also mentioned in the lease agreements that tenants are advised to obtain some type of insurance moving forward, not only for the housing complex, but for their own assets that they have. We continue to work with our tenants to provide the education that is needed moving forward.

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

Oral Questions

Page 6302

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Has the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation done any analysis to determine what its annual losses might be if it provided these programs to low-income clients without the need for homeowners' insurance? In other words, is the valley of investment so high that it is worth denying low-income clients who need home ownership assistance just because they don't have insurance?

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6303

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

The majority of our programming for homeowners do not require home ownership insurance. Also, many of our low-income homeowners will not be denied our programming if they do not have insurance. As I said earlier, we want to make sure that our residents and people of the Northwest Territories have an opportunity to have a roof over their heads. However, we really do want to see homeowners having up-to-date insurance on their homes, as many of us do.

We do have two programs, CARE Major and CARE Mobility, where we do require homeowners insurance, and it goes back to the Member's question earlier. We need to get that education out, and we need to make sure that our managers and our board members give that information to residents of the Northwest Territories. This is due to the fact that these programs provide a considerable amount of financial assistance, up to $100,000.

I will make a commitment here, that we will start working on getting that information out. As I said, last weekend was the first time that we did meet with the board chairs, the first time ever, and also with our district managers. It is ground-breaking. I mentioned, and our staff mentioned, that we do need to get that information out to our residents, so that they know what kind of programs they can access.

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Member for Deh Cho .

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6303

Michael Nadli

Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation considered any alternatives, like allowing applicants to use some of the funds they receive to purchase homeowners insurance, or what about organizing group insurance for low-income clients through the district office; perhaps the idea of a credit union? Mahsi.

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6303

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Really quickly, we are working with our partners to see what options are out there that allow our clients to face fewer barriers around insurance. I think that education is going to be a part of that. We need to work with our financial partners to address this. I think that, moving into the 19 th Assembly, because we are right on the tail end of this session, that is something that we need to look at addressing. Members coming into the 19 th , I think, should continue to have these types of questions moving forward for our residents across the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 842-18(3): Eligibility for Home Improvement Funding

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Page 6303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6303

Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding the development of a national pharmacare program. First, could the Minister explain what our role was in relation to the national Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, and what our role will be going forward, especially with regard to prescription drug costs and improved health outcomes? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6303

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services .

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6303

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the national Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, we did have an opportunity to make presentation to the council, and we outlined the challenges of providing healthcare in the Northwest Territories. We outlined the different public benefit plans that we administer here in the Government of the Northwest Territories, our Extended Health Benefits. We talked about the trends over the last ten years so that they could see where some of the usage is or uptake in some of the prescription drugs that are being utilized here in the Northwest Territories.

We also had an opportunity to share some observations of what we would like to see in a pharmacare plan for Canada.

We also had an opportunity, through the federal-provincial-territorial Ministers of Health meetings, to identify an FTP working group of staff that also had an opportunity to compile more information and make sure that the NWT perspective was included and share that with the advisory council through that means, as well.

I imagine that pharmacare is going to become an election issue at a federal level in this upcoming election. There is no pharmacare plan in place today. The federal government did get the report. We are watching very closely to see how they proceed with that. Regardless, Mr. Speaker, at the same time, the GNWT does actually participate in the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, which basically conducts joint provincial, territorial, and federal negotiations for brand name and generic drugs in Canada to achieve greater value. We are trying to do things to help control and reduce costs of drugs.

I look forward, personally, to seeing a pharmacare plan in Canada. We are the only first-world country with a medicare plan that doesn't have pharmacare, and I think that it is time that the federal government in this country stood up and moved forward with pharmacare. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

I want to thank the Minister for that and his personal interest and commitment on moving this forward. Our Extended Health Benefits plan is based upon a list of medicines that are approved. The national proposal has developed an initial formula of essential drugs by 2022 and a full list by 2027. Can the Minister explain how this list will apply to the NWT, and whether we will need to maintain a regional supplementary formulary to address any of our special needs?

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6304

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

However, it is my understanding that, if we do have a secondary supplementary list, the costs associated with that secondary supplementary list would be the responsibility of the provincial or territorial government that has that list and not the federal government, because they will be moving forward with their list.

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Thanks to the Minister for that. Obviously, we will want to make sure that many of our special needs are recognized and incorporated into the national list.

The national advisory council report also contained a recommendation on a way to deal with the supply of medications for rare conditions, which are often some of the most expensive prescriptions. Can the Minister explain how this element of the proposal should work in the Northwest Territories?

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6304

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

It is kind of difficult to answer that question because we aren't actually sure what the federal government is going to do in this particular area. The question may, unfortunately, be a little premature, but what I can say is that we are watching this very closely. Regardless of which government makes up the federal government in the next term, I am hopeful and optimistic that they will continue to work on pharmacare, and we as a government should and must continue to make sure that our voice is heard during those discussions, but frankly I think it's a little early to speculate on what it might look like. It might be a hypothetical response, and I'm not prepared to do that at this point.

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake .

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Kevin O'Reilly

Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Thanks to the Minister for that, and I was careful with my question; I said how should it work in our jurisdiction, not how could it work or how will it work. That's okay.

In a related development, the federal government recently announced they are going to revise the rules and tools for the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. In no way could that ever constitute a national pharmacare program, but the changes could result in the savings of billions of dollars on prescription medicine. Can the Minister tell us if his department knows about these developments with the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and what we're doing to look at the impacts of these changes on our healthcare system? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6304

Glen Abernethy

Great Slave

Canadian patent medicine prices are among the highest in the world, here in Canada. In fact, I think we're the third highest, behind Switzerland and the United States. That's not something I think Canadians should be super proud of. On August 9 th , Health Canada did announce, as the Member said, amendments to the Patented Medicine Regulations. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board is reviewing and examining the newly released amendments to the Patented Medicine Regulations and will identify any changes that may warrant an adjustment to its proposed guidelines framework and further considers.

Currently, it is difficult to speculate how the regulatory tools available to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board may be changed; however, the NWT is supportive of reducing the cost of patented medicines for its residents and all Canadians, and we will continue to work at the Federal-Provincial-Territorial table to ensure that the voices of the Northwest Territories, the provinces, and Canadians are heard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 843-18(3): National Pharmacare and the NWT

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Page 6304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta .

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Question 844-18(3): Fort McPherson Housing Units

Oral Questions

Page 6304

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a few questions for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. In Fort McPherson, we have a number of new units that were just waiting patiently for people to move into. We have two duplexes and the elders' facility that the Minister mentioned earlier today. I'd like to ask the Minister: when will these units be ready to move into? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 844-18(3): Fort McPherson Housing Units

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Page 6304

The Speaker

Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation

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Question 844-18(3): Fort McPherson Housing Units

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Page 6304

Alfred Moses

Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Member has brought these questions up previously. Especially with the meters that have been installed for the two duplexes in Fort McPherson, I'd like to let the Member know that those meters have been installed and the units are being finalized and will be ready for occupancy September 1 st . I'd like to thank the member for being there when we did the opening of the nine-plex in Fort McPherson just recently. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Question 844-18(3): Fort McPherson Housing Units

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Page 6305

Frederick Blake Jr.

Mackenzie Delta

That's good news. I know the department had to order a b