• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

5th Session Day 70 17th Assembly

HANSARD

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Pages 5949 – 5976

The Honourable Jackie Jacobson, Speaker Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories Members of the Legislative Assembly

Speaker Hon. Jackie Jacobson (Nunakput)

______

Hon. Glen Abernethy Mrs. Jane Groenewegen Mr. Kevin Menicoche (Great Slave) (Hay River South) (Nahendeh) Minister of Health and Social Services Minister responsible for Mr. Robert Hawkins Hon. J. Michael Persons with Disabilities (Yellowknife Centre) Miltenberger Minister responsible for Seniors (Thebacha) Hon. Jackson Lafferty Government House Leader Hon. Tom Beaulieu Minister of Finance (Monfwi) Minister of Environment and Natural (Tu Nedhe) Deputy Premier Minister of Human Resources Resources Minister of Education, Culture and Minister responsible for the Minister of Transportation Employment NWT Power Corporation Minister of Public Works and Minister responsible for the Workers’ Services Safety and Compensation Commission Mr. Alfred Moses Ms. Wendy Bisaro (Inuvik Boot Lake) (Frame Lake) Hon. Bob McLeod (Yellowknife South) Mr. Michael Nadli Mr. Frederick Blake Premier (Deh Cho) (Mackenzie Delta) Minister of Executive Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Hon. David Ramsay Mr. Robert Bouchard Intergovernmental Relations (Kam Lake) Minister responsible for Women (Hay River North) Minister of Justice Minister of Industry, Tourism Mr. Bob Bromley Hon. Robert C. McLeod and Investment (Inuvik Twin Lakes) Minister responsible for the (Weledeh) Minister of Municipal and Public Utilities Board Community Affairs Mr. Daryl Dolynny Minister of Lands Mr. Norman Yakeleya (Range Lake) Minister responsible for the (Sahtu) NWT Housing Corporation Minister responsible for Youth

______Officers Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Mr. Tim Mercer

Deputy Clerk Principal Clerk, Principal Clerk, Committee Clerk Law Clerks Committees and Corporate and Trainee Public Affairs Interparliamentary Affairs Mr. Doug Schauerte Mr. Michael Ball Ms. Gail Bennett Mrs. Danielle Mager Ms. Sheila MacPherson Ms. Malinda Kellett Mr. Glen Rutland ______Box 1320 Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Tel: (867) 669-2200 Fax: (867) 920-4735 Toll-Free: 1-800-661-0784 http://www.assembly.gov.nt.ca

Published under the authority of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories 4

1)

2) TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRAYER...... 5949

MINISTERS' STATEMENTS...... 5949

173-17(5) – Proposed NWT Electronics Recycling Program (Miltenberger). . .5949

174-17(5) – Aboriginal Languages Programs and Progress (Lafferty)...... 5950

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS...... 5951

Auditor General Report on Corrections in the Northwest Territories – Department of Justice (Bisaro)...... 5951

Fort Providence Health Centre (Nadli)...... 5951

40th Anniversary of the Berger Inquiry (Moses)...... 5951

Maintaining Winter Road Infrastructure (Bouchard)...... 5952

Funding for Dechinta Bush University (Bromley)...... 5952

Auditor General Report on Corrections in the Northwest Territories – Department of Justice (Dolynny)...... 5953

Development of Sports Centres of Excellence (Yakeleya)...... 5953

Trout Lake Airport Infrastructure (Menicoche)...... 5954

Fur Pricing Program (Blake)...... 5954

Winter Road Maintenance (Groenewegen)...... 5955

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS IN THE GALLERY...... 5955

ORAL QUESTIONS...... 5955

TABLING OF DOCUMENTS...... 5962

CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE OF BILLS AND OTHER MATTERS 5962 REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE...... 5971

THIRD READING OF BILLS...... 5971

Bill 46 – Deline Final Self-Government Agreement Act...... 5971

ORDERS OF THE DAY...... 5974 March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 6

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Wednesday, March 4, 2015 Members Present Hon. Glen Abernethy, Hon. Tom Beaulieu, Ms. Bisaro, Mr. Blake, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Dolynny, Mrs. Groenewegen, Hon. Jackie Jacobson, Hon. Jackson Lafferty, Hon. Bob McLeod, Hon. Robert McLeod, Mr. Menicoche, Hon. Michael Miltenberger, Mr. Moses, Mr. Nadli, Mr. Yakeleya

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ The House met at 1:31 p.m. statements.

3) Prayer 4) Ministers’ Statements

---Prayer MINISTER'S STATEMENT 173-17(5): PROPOSED NWT SPEAKER (Hon. Jackie Jacobson): ELECTRONICS Welcome back, colleagues. I would like RECYCLING PROGRAM to make a few remarks before we begin. HON. MICHAEL MILTENBERGER: Mr. My home community of Tuktoyaktuk Speaker, regulated electronics recycling was hit with a major winter storm on programs are in place or under Sunday. Mayor Darrel Nasogaluak development in all Canadian provinces declared a state of emergency when and the Yukon Territory and we are blizzard conditions were responsible for making good progress on an electronics a power outage that affected the entire recycling program in the Northwest community. Territories. I am pleased to report that power has Recycling electronics helps prevent now been restored to the community. I harmful materials from leaching into the would like to extend my thanks to Mayor environment when disposed in landfills, Nasogaluak and his administration for burned or left on the land. Recycling old ensuring that everyone in Tuk was well electronics into new products also cared for during the power outage. minimizes environmental impacts Everyone was kept safe and warm. related to extracting raw materials A big thank you also goes out to the through mining and other activities. Northwest Territories Power Corporation for their work in restoring power. Their crews worked through the night to get the community back to normal. In a survey conducted by the I am always reminded of the true power Department of Environment and Natural of our communities when they pull Resources in 2008, residents identified together to look after each other. Thank electronics recycling as one of the top you to all who helped out over the past three priorities for the territorial Waste few days. Reduction and Recovery Program. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 7

ENR began an electronics recycling pilot feedback on the proposed NWT project in September 2013, which has electronics recycling program. These collected over 20 tonnes of electronics included industry associations at bottle depots in Fort McPherson, representing electronics suppliers, NWT Norman Wells, Fort Smith and Fort and local Chamber of Commerce Providence. offices, Arctic Co-op, Northwest Through a competitive process, e-waste Company, NWT Association of collected under the NWT’s program will Communities, mines, Government of the be sent to a recycler in Alberta on a Northwest Territories, Public Works and three-year contract. Recyclers will be Services and the waste management required to be registered under the service industry. Government of Alberta electronics Most of the feedback received was from recycling program. This will ensure national and multinational electronics important environmental standards and manufacturers, distributers and retailers. employee health and safety standards There was generally support for the are met, and will make sure no program and no feedback was received electronics are sent to countries where expressing broad opposition to an minimum standards are not in place to electronics recycling program in NWT. protect the environment and employee Comments from stakeholders included health and safety. ensuring that environmental handling There is a cost to recycling the e-waste fees are set appropriately, delaying the but these will be covered through the program launch to avoid busy times for environmental handling fees charged on retailers, engaging industry in refining each new electronics product purchased the product list and harmonizing the in the NWT or purchased online. These NWT program with other jurisdictions as fees range from $3 for a portable much as possible. computer to $100 for large industrial The program will be funded by printers. environmental handling fees charged to ENR is currently drafting new electronic suppliers on all new electronics recycling regulations under designated electronics sold in or into the the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act. NWT. Refunds will not be provided for The program has been designed to electronics returned for recycling. ensure a level playing field for retailers. The draft regulations will be complete in Proposed fees are comparable to spring 2015 and a territory-wide program start-up fees in other electronics recycling program is targeted jurisdictions and are no higher than the to launch in fall 2015. Thank you, Mr. top end of fees in other Canadian Speaker. jurisdictions. Measures will also be put MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. in place to make sure all electronics Miltenberger. The honourable Minister suppliers are compliant with the of Education, Culture and Employment, regulations, including online electronics Mr. Lafferty. distributers. From January 6 to February 16, 2015, stakeholders were invited to provide March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 8

MINISTER'S STATEMENT 174-17(5):  building the capacity of Aboriginal ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES governments to implement their five- PROGRAMS year regional language plans; AND PROGRESS  funding culture and language HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, programs in schools; Mr. Speaker. [English translation not  funding language nest programs in provided.] daycares; Mr. Speaker, Aboriginal Languages  supporting Aboriginal broadcasting; Month is an opportune time to reflect on past successes and the work that lies  funding programs that increase the ahead in continuing to promote, number of Aboriginal language revitalize and preserve our nine official instructors; Aboriginal languages. We are all  developing Aboriginal language burdened by the truth that some of our terminology; Aboriginal languages are struggling, not because we are not doing enough to  supporting specific Aboriginal support them but because the language initiatives; and challenges they face are complex.  providing government services in Residential school and colonialism have Aboriginal languages where possible. left some deep scars behind and are Mr. Speaker, these are the highlights of largely responsible for Aboriginal people our actions, providing evidence that we struggling to keep their languages alive. are firing on all cylinders. Key to all of Adding to this reality is the fact that our efforts, however, is parents English has taken over as the speaking their Aboriginal language at predominant language of our society. home with their children, and children This history can never be forgotten nor embracing the learning of that language. can its impact be reversed quickly. Without that key ingredient our efforts Mr. Speaker, the good news is, can only go so far. however, that the Government of the Mr. Speaker, administering support for Northwest Territories is partnering with Aboriginal languages is complex. To Aboriginal governments, schools and simplify our approach and provide the the federal government to make a funding in the most straightforward way, difference and reverse this trend. This as of April 1, 2014, all Aboriginal collaboration is vital as success can only governments now have the control and be achieved by working together, each flexibility to decide where best to doing our part. This is not about allocate their funding. They have done duplicating efforts and creating their homework and have developed bureaucracy. It is about sharing in the very rich regional language plans. Our responsibility and helping build one job is now to support them in their another’s capacity. efforts to implement them and give them Mr. Speaker, the Government of the time to assess what has worked best NWT invests $15 million each year to and where improvements can be made. support and promote Aboriginal We are helping them in developing languages through: monitoring and evaluation plans for their March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 9 accountability and measuring their mandates for correctional services and efforts. facilities, along with generally accepted Mr. Speaker, we have listened to the nationally used requirements for advice of the Aboriginal governments correctional facilities. and our elders; they are the ones on the Like other Auditor General’s reports on ground in the communities. They see NWT programs before this one, I found the decline happening before their eyes. it depressing reading. Depressing But they also see pockets of progress: because we are not providing there are the children working with adequately for our inmates, and it is elders to create a dictionary; there are depressing because it confirms what we youth teaching others what they’ve already know or suspected. learned; there are children sitting with The report mentions two main areas as community elders and learning from lacking: first, access to services and them; and there are communities programs to assist inmates with rallying from the youngest to the oldest rehabilitation, and second, safe and to ensure that everyone on the ground is secure operation of correctional reaching beyond their communities to facilities. share their languages with the world. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The report is especially damning where short-stay inmates are concerned, stays MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. of less than 120 days. One hundred Lafferty. Item 3, Members’ statements. percent of these inmates received no The honourable Member for Frame programming while they were Lake, Ms. Bisaro. incarcerated. If we expect to improve things in our territory, to stop the cycle 5) Members’ Statements of substance abuse, family violence and MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON sexual abuse, it is imperative that we AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT provide opportunities for rehabilitation of ON CORRECTIONS IN THE all inmates. The goal of incarceration NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – should be to assess an inmate’s needs DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE in regards to programming and then provide it so they can change their MS. BISARO: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. behaviour. Especially concerning to me The office of the Auditor General of is that programs to help with the mental Canada released another excellent health of inmates are not available. report yesterday. It’s their usual quality of work and I thank them for it. The first The other area highlighted by the report line of the Auditor General’s press was safety and security, and all of our release pretty much says it all: “The facilities were found wanting. Department of Justice has not met its Management of the operations of these key responsibilities for the rehabilitation, facilities does not meet the mark. The safety and security of inmates within the report points out a lack of such simple correctional system.” but necessary things as regular fire drills. As the office of the Auditor General consistently does, their auditors look at The Justice department has responded NWT policies, procedures and to all of the recommendations in the March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 10 report and has agreed with them all. It’s The new facility was estimated to cost good to see that agreement, but as is $11 million and the size is approximately often said, talk is cheap. The proof of 6,800 square metres, about one-third the department promises will be in their larger than the old health centre. actions if, in six or 12 months’ time we The latest information I’ve been able to have concrete improvements, such as gather is that the health centre hasn’t better assessment at intake, programs opened yet. Apparently work is still to address all inmates’ needs – both being done on the building and there is while they’re incarcerated and on their no tentative date for the opening. My release – and safe and secure facilities. constituents in Fort Providence are The Standing Committee on eagerly awaiting the opening of the Government Operations will hold a health centre. st public hearing on this report on May 21 During oral questions I will have with the Minister of Justice and questions for the Minister of Health and department officials. At that time I look Social Services. Thank you, Mr. forward to hearing how the department Speaker. will address the deficiencies in our correctional system. Thank you, Mr. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Speaker. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli. MEMBER'S STATEMENT ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEMBER'S STATEMENT ON BERGER INQUIRY FORT PROVIDENCE HEALTH CENTRE MR. MOSES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Forty years ago to the day yesterday, MR. NADLI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. March 3rd, Justice Thomas Berger sat According to News/North, the Fort down in a community and listened to his Providence Health Centre is on the first presentation on the Mackenzie verge of opening its doors. The keys to Valley Pipeline Inquiry, which would the new Fort Providence Health Centre become better known as the Berger were expected to be handed over to the Inquiry. Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority by January 30th. Last night I had the opportunity and the honour to attend the packed house at Donna Allen, chief executive officer of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage the health authority, said work on the Centre and listen to a presentation by building started in 2013 and was Mr. Berger himself. All I can say is, it expected to be completed by then. At was amazing. the quarterly public administrative meeting on January 7th, Ms. Allen said The Berger Inquiry was way before my they were also expecting equipment and time, and the stories that he shared, the supplies to be moved in by January 30th. information that he mentioned was She said a grand opening ceremony will something that was special to me be held at some point to mark the because it helped guide the history of completion of the work, but a date has our territory. He talked about all his not yet been set. travels to the communities, how he March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 11 played baseball with some of the local and I encourage all Members to check it residents in some of the small out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. communities, went fishing, took boats MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. up around the Delta, just really great Moses. Member for Hay River North, and authentic stories. He also talked Mr. Bouchard. about how the Berger Inquiry actually put the North on the map for all of MEMBER'S STATEMENT ON Canada, and there was also a very MAINTAINING WINTER ROAD special moment when individuals who INFRASTRUCTURE actually did a presentation at the Berger MR. BOUCHARD: Thank you, Mr. Inquiry actually stood up and got a Speaker. As everyone knows, Hay River round of applause from all the people is the hub of the North. March is a very who were in attendance last night. It mad time of year. We have a lot of the was very strong and they were very shipping of fuel getting up to the special. northern communities. Right now tends As we all know, the recommendations to be a time when we get a lot of that came out of the Berger Inquiry dealt questions about the road systems, with the moratorium to deal with critical about how winter roads can be issues such as settling land claims as extended and how we can keep those well as putting aside conservation roads open for longer. areas. What his report did was helped We’ve been hearing lots of issues about create the Nahanni National Park and cycles, the amount of money that the really amazing things like conservation GNWT puts into road construction at the areas before the pipeline went in. The beginning and as well at the end. How Berger Inquiry set a standard for the do we keep these roads open? We’re Yukon as well as Alaska coming and getting a lot of questions and concerns asking Thomas Berger to come and do from constituents and companies that the same type of work in Alaska and the are operating in those areas asking why Yukon so they too can set aside are companies telling us we only have conservation areas as well as look at two more cycles to do road repairs, to fix how they can make things better in roads, to grade them, to water them. It’s terms of this pipeline and the Berger always about funding. It’s always about Inquiry. money. I’d like to encourage Members and the I know we just spent a bunch of money public to go to the Prince of Wales this year in our firefighting system and Museum. They have an exhibit called fire suppression. I think roads are Thunder in Our Voices. It’s amazing; it’s critical. We have people from the part of our history and it’s a great communities who travel down on these educational tool, not only for Members roads. Road safety is a very big concern and residents but even for the schools. for them. We have lots of trucks on the He did mention that he spoke to a road. If those roads are in rough shape, Grade 10 classroom yesterday, and it’s very unsafe for the general public they talked for about two hours just and the travelling public. asking questions. So it was amazing, Even this past weekend we had a truck roll over. One of the situations in that March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 12 was the way the road was built. My hundreds of thousands of research concern is, and my question to the dollars into the North. The Dechinta Minister of Transportation will be, why model works. It’s cost-effective; students can we not put more money into the love it; and First Nations support it. roads just like fire suppression if we Courses are focused on critical northern have a rough year? If we have a tough issues and topics, including an original year building roads, why can’t we ask minor in native studies. With equal for additional money? I think most of the weight on both academia and traditional Members on this side would be land-based learning, there are now supportive of making sure the roads are seven courses accredited by the safe for the general public. Thank you, University of Alberta and McGill Mr. Speaker. University. Dechinta courses are now MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. grossly oversubscribed with 97 Bouchard. Member for Weledeh, Mr. applications for the 30 spots available Bromley. so far this year. The fact that 100 percent of their 250 course graduates MEMBER'S STATEMENT ON have gone on to either further post- FUNDING FOR secondary education or employment DECHINTA BUSH UNIVERSITY further reflects the success of their MR. BROMLEY: Thank you, Mr. approach. Speaker. Dechinta, with leading Currently, our students must travel indigenous professors co-teaching with south to get a university education, at northern leaders, is celebrating the fifth both extra financial and social cost, but anniversary of a pilot project to test this may be changing. One prerequisite, delivery of original northern university though, is meeting the demands of the courses designed and developed in the Education Act and recognizing Dechinta North. It’s been a resounding success in legislation. for the only land-based and independent Dechinta has done the planning work university-accredited education provider needed to enable continued in the Northwest Territories. It is now development and expansion into all time to transition to an operational regions of the NWT, which also makes program in all regions. strong economic sense. Establishing The unique Dechinta model has no regional programs will provide six full- infrastructure expense. It is designed to time and 32 part-time positions in each be land-based and to use and support region comprised of elders and other already built private regional lodges and community residents and meet the camps. It focuses resources on student interests of students unable to secure a places and employing local First Nations course place in the North Slave people and elders as instructors, program, all while supporting existing thereby supporting local and regional private lodge and camp infrastructure. economies. I seek unanimous consent to conclude From their start-up in 2009, Dechinta my statement. established long-term research ---Unanimous consent granted partnerships with the University of Alberta and McGill University, bringing March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 13

MR. BROMLEY: The opportunity to report back to the House. My concern promote development of a made-in-the- today is not this legislative process North university with a curriculum tailor- before the House but, more importantly, made for northern students is not to be have our own laws been breached by missed. In the words of founder Dr. Erin department’s inaction in the wake of Freeland-Ballantyne, “we need to build a such report findings? new generation of leaders and If I might quote from the report, researchers who can walk confidently in “According to the Corrections Act, the both worlds and be change-makers.” Corrections Service Regulations and The pilot has clearly demonstrated how. Corrections Service Directives, the Now let’s put the financial and department, through corrections legislation support in place to put this services, is responsible for the unique model to work across the NWT. administration of correctional facilities, MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. including their safe, secure and efficient Bromley. The Member for Range Lake, operation.” Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice by law may “investigate and inquire into MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON any matter connected with or affecting AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT the administration and operation of ON CORRECTIONS IN THE corrections service or a correctional NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – centre.” DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE When one reads terminology such as MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. serious deficiencies, have not assessed, Speaker. Yesterday the NWT was did not adequately deliver, did not witness to yet another scathing report of receive, was not offered, and did not the Auditor General. This time it was on conduct, these are serious words used our corrections system. Members of the th repeatedly in this report by the Auditor 17 Legislative Assembly are not General which point to grievous immune to the ever-repeating saga of contraventions in our NWT Corrections these types of poor department results, Act. and we have only to reference the past child and family services, income Having great powers over man must support and daycare reports to come with equal responsibility of familiarize ourselves with what many in conduct. Unfortunately, with much this room know all too well. sadness, this Auditor General report of Canada once again shakes the very Shamefully, it is only under the watchful foundation of trust bestowed on a eye and the written investigative powers department and its leadership. Let’s of the Auditor General of Canada until hope for better days to follow for those departments or Ministers divert their Northerners in our care. attention from inaction to action. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. We know the recent failure of this Dolynny. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. department’s attempt at correction Yakeleya. services is now in the hands of committee, and I will leave it up to this committee to do its due diligence and March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 14

MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON I think these ideas are going to be DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS fantastic in the North. We have people CENTRES like Brendan Green, Mike Argue and OF EXCELLENCE Brent Betsina all because they worked MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Mr. hard doing what they can do with the Speaker. A lot of great ideas, a lot of support they had. We have a lot of good great concepts and discussions start teachers in our communities who also from an idea. The Northwest Territories need to be acknowledged for the sports is no stranger to a lot of great things they’ve contributed to and the students happening in this great country of ours. who are now at the Arctic Winter In the early ‘60s they had a sports Games. I want to say thank you to all excellence program going very strong the good people in the small up in Inuvik called a TEST program communities for helping our young where a lot of world-class skiers came people, and I hope these ideas take about. The Firth twins, the late Fred some planning so we can grow them. Kelly, a lot of skiers came from that area Thank you. and they had a good program, they had MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. access to resources and they did well. Yakeleya. The Member for Nahendeh, So we know that our small communities Mr. Menicoche. can do well in any sports given the opportunity. That was an excellent idea. MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON I would like to see that program come to TROUT LAKE AIRPORT life again. INFRASTRUCTURE Also, a lot of good ideas come from a lot MR. MENICOCHE: Thank you very of good people. For example, this much, Mr. Speaker. The community of morning I heard the people talk about Trout Lake is proud of their new airport, the literacy program that happened in which was fully commissioned and went Ontario where these students increased into service in November of 2014. There their literacy ability by a great is limited equipment in the community to percentage. The Department of take care of the 3,500-foot runway and Education talked about a needs the much larger apron. I was pleased assessment in the Sahtu region. The that the Honourable Tom Beaulieu and number one issue for the Sahtu people the honourable Premier of the NWT was literacy. What if we had that viewed the new airport as we toured the program come into our small Nahendeh communities in December. communities to increase the literacy in I was also pleased that it was blowing our small communities? That would be cold as we waited outside as there was fantastic. no air terminal building. Another idea that I read about was Dr. ---Laughter Mini Silbert from San Francisco. She The Department of Transportation had worked with 16,000 inmates with no wanted an official opening ceremony professional help. That idea over 30 when the Minister of Transportation was years, 90 percent of the inmates that there. The chief and council declined she worked with went to high school, got and wanted to have an official opening a degree or went to work. when all official pieces of infrastructure March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 15 are in place. In fact, they said if we have MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. a grand opening, then the department Menicoche. The Member for Mackenzie will just forget about our need for an Delta, Mr. Blake. airport terminal building and an airport snow blower. MEMBER’S STATEMENT ON An airport snow blower will be more FUR PRICING PROGRAM efficient in removing snow build-up and MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I reduce damage to runway light holders. have a concern from the community of The main advantages of such a snow Aklavik. Harvesters in the community blower are high clearing capacity, long would like to see an increase to the casting distance, economical operation prime fur bonus for beaver, mink and and speed of clearing. Safety also fox. I brought this issue up a couple considerations must also be part of a of weeks back. You know, the needs assessment, such as quickly populations are increasing on beavers removing snow in a medevac type of and foxes, and also mink and otters, as emergency. This is something that they well, but the advance that’s given for cannot do with the grader that is in the these animals is very low; $25 for a community. minimum payment under the Fur Pricing Program, which will be taken on by ENR An air terminal building also has many st benefits. The Ministers already know on April 1 . that keeping out of the cold is one of The amount of work that goes into them. Already residents are saying that working of the animals such as a because the airport is about two beaver, the time you spend going out, kilometres away, they don’t always hear trapping the beaver, skinning the a small plane land. Some people have beaver, cleaning the beaver, fleshing… been stranded there and others have That cost just doesn’t add up, and our struggled as they made their way to the harvesters would like to see that community with their luggage and increased over the near future here in supplies. Not to mention the benefits to order to help manage the species. medical staff as they await a medevac This also has an impact on other plane. species, whether its muskrats… You The Trout Lake Airport is a brand new know, at the moment we have very good piece of infrastructure which we all prices on muskrats but the populations should be proud of, and the Department are so low that we’re not meeting the of Transportation must properly equip needs. this runway with a proper air terminal I’ll have questions for the Minister later building and a proper airport snow today. Thank you. blower. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Blake. Capital planning is upon us shortly. I will Member for Hay River South, Mrs. ask the Minister of Transportation, Groenewegen. during question period, to ensure that the airport capital needs of Trout Lake are taken seriously. Thank you. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 16

MEMBER'S STATEMENT ON many visitors to our community. Again, I WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE just want to say how much we MRS. GROENEWEGEN: Thank you, appreciate their support for Hay River, Mr. Speaker. In follow-up to my for Hay River businesses and for colleague’s from Hay River North coming to our community. Thank you, statement on the necessity of this Mr. Speaker. government to invest money in upkeep MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs. on our roads and our winter roads, I Groenewegen. Item 4, returns to oral would just like to say that Hay River is a questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors place where at this time of year we see in the gallery, Mr. Lafferty. a lot of visitors from the North that do come in on the winter road. It’s a very 6) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery narrow window, and it is dictated a lot of times by the weather on a year-to-year HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, basis. But it’s very nice when we see Mr. Speaker. [English translation not people pull into town from Fort Good provided.] Hope and Tulita and Colville Lake and Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to recognize the people taking advantage of that two of our Pages from Whati Community winter road. Mezi School. They are Caitlin Nitsiza The Hay River businesses very much and Rachel Simpson, along with appreciate them not continuing south, or chaperon, Louisa Nitsiza. I’d just like to turning north at the junction and coming say thank you for their services and all here to Yellowknife. They come to Hay the Pages who are doing excellent work River to pick up vehicles, have vehicles in this Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. serviced, pick up parts for their snow MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. machines, to get resupplied for their Lafferty. Mr. Yakeleya. groceries and their goods that they need MR. YAKELEYA: Mr. Speaker, I would for the year, and that is a very, very like to also recognize two Pages from important piece of infrastructure for Deline: Faith Gaudet, whose father is people who for the rest of the year do Danny Gaudet – it’s going to be a not have any means of driving out of historical day for the Pages – and also their communities, and it is a narrow Hanna Beyonnie, all the way back there, window. from Deline. Their paging today is ironic. As Mr. Bouchard said, if we have a bad It’s a coincidence that they’re paging at fire season, we find the money. But if we our Assembly this week. Also, some of have a bad winter road season, we the guests from the Sahtu are here. sometimes go, oh well, let’s just close it Thank you, Mr. Speaker. down. I think that we need to really think MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. about that. Yakeleya. I’d like to welcome everyone This weekend we’ll see lots of folks here in the public gallery. Thank you for coming in on all-weather roads and taking an interest in our proceedings. winter roads to the Kamba Carnival. It’s Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral a great opportunity for families and questions. Mr. Yakeleya. friends to get together. March is carnival season and so we, again, will welcome March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 17

7) Oral Questions Peggy Curtis for badminton. Different teachers have played a big role in the QUESTION 739-17(5): lives in the small communities. DEVELOPING SPORTS CENTRES Do we have that type of avenue where OF EXCELLENCE these teachers or people in the communities could also be of assistance MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Mr. in developing some of this business Speaker. My question is to the Minister case here? of MACA with regards to the idea or concept for a centre of excellence for HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: Mr. athletes. I know we talked about this just Speaker, the Member raises a very this last week, looking at if this is an good point. A lot of the teachers that idea that’s floating around in his have gone through the communities in department to look at where there is raw years past have contributed a lot to talent in the communities in the North sporting development in the that can come together and start looking communities. I think we see it in the at what it will take to have a sports different communities around. One centre for these young people to come community might be good in basketball and excel, so that they can go either into because they have a basketball coach the national or international arena and there. So, they’ve contributed a lot. win some medals for the Northwest We recently had a sport forum with Territories. many of our sporting partners, and we MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. plan on having another gathering of our Yakeleya. Minister of Municipal and sporting partners. There are always Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod. ways through them that all those who are serving the communities can HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: Thank you, contribute to the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of our sporting Mr. Speaker. partners, Sport North, has put a business plan together for a proposed MR. YAKELEYA: Part of this centre of sports excellence. We’re just in discussion that I’m alluding to would be the process of reviewing that plan and the wellness of these young athletes. I we’ll try to work with our partners on the just had a really good discussion up in way forward. the Explorer Hotel with a lot of really exciting people putting together some MR. YAKELEYA: I look forward to that good wellness packages. business plan. That’s good news for this side of the table here. I want to ask the Minister also on the health and wellness of this concept. Is I also want to ask the Minister, is there that part of the discussion of a business any thought to inviting some of the plan on the centre of excellence for people in our small communities to have young athletes? Are we looking at a a discussion? Some of the discussions comprehensive model such as this one they had this morning with the Minister, here? some of our teachers in our small communities really contribute to sports HON. ROBERT MCLEOD: This in the communities. Deline has survived government contributes a lot to the there for hockey. In Inuvik they had Ms. health and well-being of our young March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 18 people across the Northwest Territories. it’s just one zone. Then we determine I think we have upwards of $3.6 million right from Wrigley all the way to Colville that we provide to many programs that Lake who would do what and we tender affect the communities. Again, I haven’t the work. We issue the work based on had an opportunity to review the tender and a schedule that the business plan yet. I’m just in that contractor has to follow. process right now. Once we review that MR. BOUCHARD: The next question I and see if there’s a way moving forward, have is how does the department know it will obviously take into account a lot of that there’s going to be a set amount? If things if they do have a centre of there are 10 snowstorms versus 15 excellence for sport development, snowstorms in a year or whether we nutrition and health and well-being. But have no snow in one area or lots of first and foremost, our goal as a snow, how does the department set that government is to contribute to the health as a fix? Does the department ever and well-being and keep our young come back to the Assembly for people across the Northwest Territories additional funds to improve the active. maintenance on those highways? MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. HON. TOM BEAULIEU: We do a best McLeod. The Member for Hay River guesstimate we can to determine how North, Mr. Bouchard. many times the passes would be needed by the equipment on the winter QUESTION 740-17(5): road. We also have a lot of historical WINTER ROAD MAINTENANCE data, and we use those recognizing that, MR. BOUCHARD: Thank you, Mr. of course, in the past we’ve also had Speaker. My questions today will be for some support from industry that is no the Minister of Transportation. I know longer there. the Minister, before Christmas, got an MR. BOUCHARD: I did hear that opportunity to go on the winter roads. comment from the Minister in the media I’m glad that he went early, because a while ago about the lack of industry from what I’m hearing the roads are in support this year, but this government rougher shape now than they were back has been around for a long time, and I then. know industry is not there that much this My first question is does the Department year in the Sahtu especially, so they of Transportation have a fixed budget on haven’t been beating up the road as winter road construction and much. But the roads are in terrible maintenance? shape right now. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Is the Minister looking to put more Bouchard. The Minister of money and more cycles into the Transportation, Mr. Beaulieu. maintenance of the highways? HON. TOM BEAULIEU: Yes, Mr. HON. TOM BEAULIEU: We are going Speaker, we do. At about five-year to take a serious look at the possibility of blocks we tender the winter road adding more cycles. Although the construction in several zones. We have industry didn’t support us to the full seven zones and each zone could be magnitude that they’ve assisted us in divided up into two zones, or sometimes March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 19 the past, we did get some money from going to be required on the snowfalls in industry. Actually, $140,000 to help us the Sahtu. Thank you. with some of the heavy traffic that they MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. were hoping to bring over the winter Beaulieu. The Member for Nahendeh, roads. We’ve had a lot of complaints Mr. Menicoche. about the winter road from industry, people moving some fuel and so on into QUESTION 741-17(5): the communities, and from the general TROUT LAKE AIRPORT population and from the Sahtu, so we MR. MENICOCHE: Thank you very are actually seriously considering much. Just following up on my requesting some money for the winter Member’s statement I’d like to ask the road in the Sahtu. Minister of Transportation about the MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. planned air terminal building that wasn’t Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, completed in the capital plan this year. Mr. Bouchard. When will the community of Trout Lake MR. BOUCHARD: Thank you, Mr. be getting their air terminal building? Speaker. I know the Minister has been Thank you. getting these reports. I’ve been getting MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. some of the reports on there. Industry Menicoche. The Minister of has been keen on letting them know Transportation, Mr. Beaulieu. where the maintenance needs to be HON. TOM BEAULIEU: Thank you, Mr. done. I know in the next little while we’re Speaker. We completed this Trout Lake going to be looking at supplementary Airport with Building Canada Plan funds. expenditures. The roads are melting. We had $7.2 million to build the road to The weather is going to be starting to the new airport and the apron, the warm up here. We know there is going airport itself and the new terminal to be more pressure. building, but at the end we had When will the Minister give us some expended all the money. We didn’t have indication that they’re going to increase enough money left in the budget to the cycles and look for money in complete the $450,000 air terminal maintenance? building, which is designed and ready to HON. TOM BEAULIEU: We don’t go but we didn’t have the money to do it. anticipate any issues with getting Thank you. everything that we need into the Sahtu MR. MENICOCHE: Thank you very communities with the current state of the much. They couldn’t complete it this winter roads. What we would like to do winter. So the Minister is saying it will be is, really, use this year where we delivered on the winter road in recognize that we didn’t get industry December of 2015 or January of 2016. I support as a bit of a prototype year on didn’t hear a clear answer there. Thank what happened, what occurred and so you. on. Then next year look at what we think HON. TOM BEAULIEU: As indicated, we need, how we need additional cycles the entire project was over budget. and so on in the Sahtu. By additional Therefore, we do have to go back to get cycles I mean the extra grading that’s the money through the regular process. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 20

Our intention is to include this air MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. terminal building in the next cycle of the Beaulieu. Final, short supplementary, capital planning process, which would Mr. Menicoche. be ’16-17. MR. MENICOCHE: Thank you very MR. MENICOCHE: Well, the Minister much, Mr. Speaker. Hopefully they do a clarified exactly what process. Where proper and thorough investigation, the air terminal building is, there is none. because using the old community So he’s got to actually request another grader, they’re doing a much larger one and that’s too bad. As well, like I surface area than they did with the indicated, the capital planning process is smaller airport. You have 3,500 feet of upon us and will be starting soon. runway, you’ve got a large apron, so I What steps will the Minister be taking to just don’t believe the speed is there and ensure that the community of Trout Lake the ability to clear the snow quickly. I gets a new airport snow blower for the would like to ask the Minister one more new and larger airport as well? Thank time for proper evaluation. I know there you. are some communities out there that have a snow blower, but they rarely use HON. TOM BEAULIEU: Right now we it so they also have to evaluate how are using equipment that exists in the snow blowers are distributed throughout community. The hamlet grader actually the Northwest Territories. With that, I will is doing the work at the airport. We think ask the Minister to do a proper that is going to be sufficient, but we’re evaluation and look at the capital going to evaluate that after this winter planning process for a snow blower for and see if there were any issues at all the community of Trout Lake. Thank with the current equipment that’s in the you. community. If we find that the equipment is inadequate and that we’re not able to HON. TOM BEAULIEU: We are do the job and that there are any issues currently monitoring the situation and we whatsoever with the airline companies, will evaluate once the season is over medevac, anything in there whatsoever, and see if there are issues at all. As I then we need to take a look at perhaps indicated, if there are issues and we bringing more equipment in. The found the grader was inadequate, problem with the plow truck or snow especially as the Member pointed out blower basically is these are expensive with the lighting, some danger with the pieces of equipment and they’re also lighting on this type of plow, we will look very expensive to maintain and repair if at that, and if we think there is no way something goes wrong. A grader is we can continue with just a grader on something we find that’s durable and the airport, we will look at the capital can do the job, and we’re hoping that planning process to put in proper the results of our investigation on how equipment. the past winter had gone with the airport MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. will be good, the results will be fine and Beaulieu. The honourable Member for that we wouldn’t need anything else at Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny. the airport. Thank you. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 21

QUESTION 742-17(5): corrections service or correctional AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT centre.” ON CORRECTIONS IN THE Can the Premier, given the seriousness NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – of the circumstances, indicate to the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE House when such an investigation will MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. take place? Thank you. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s HON. BOB MCLEOD: I will take that statement I shared my dismay on the question and respond very quickly. way our Department of Justice is Thank you, Mr. Speaker. handling our corrections services. Ironically, the office of the Auditor MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. General agrees with me. McLeod. Clarification, Mr. Premier? As set out in our NWT Corrections Act, HON. BOB MCLEOD: I thank the there are consequences and processes Member for the question. I will get the clearly defined for the contravention of information and respond to him as soon the act. My questions today are for the as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister-designate. Without belabouring MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. the long list of contraventions and McLeod. Mr. Dolynny. violations of this act in the wake of the MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. recent Auditor General’s report, can the Speaker. Section 52 of the act under Premier indicate if the Department of general offences and punishment reads: Justice reviewed its legal obligations “A person other than an inmate who (a) and responsibilities for the contravenes this act or the regulations, administration of its correctional facilities or (b) conducts himself or herself in a as per the Corrections Act? Thank you. manner that is detrimental to the good MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. order and discipline of a correctional Dolynny. Honourable Premier, Mr. centre, is guilty of an offence and liable McLeod. on summary conviction to a fine not HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, Mr. exceeding $500 or to imprisonment for a Speaker. The Minister of Justice has term not exceeding three months or accepted all of the recommendations of both.” the office of the Auditor General and has Can be Premier indicate to the House, made a lot of progress and introduced a will the Minister of Justice authorize an lot of changes already. If the audit had independent investigation into whether been done now, it would have been a charges should be laid under Section 52 very different audit. Thank you, Mr. for alleged contraventions of the act and Speaker. its regulations? Thank you. MR. DOLYNNY: Clause 49(1) of the HON. BOB MCLEOD: We just received NWT Corrections Act states: “The the Auditor General report today. It was Minister may appoint persons to just tabled yesterday, so I will have to investigate and inquire into any matter take the question as notice. Thank you, connected or affecting the Mr. Speaker. administration and operation of the March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 22

MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: I am not McLeod. The honourable Member for aware of the specific deficiencies, but I Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli. understand there were some life safety- related issues with respect to the facility. QUESTION 743-17(5): The contractor is working on those and FORT PROVIDENCE HEALTH we expect them to be done shortly, well CENTRE before the March 31st contract close MR. NADLI: Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My date. But for specific details, it might be questions are for the Minister of Health better to go to the Minister responsible and Social Services. The new Fort for Public Works and Services who is Providence Health Centre has been responsible for the build of this facility. under construction for some time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm the dates of MR. NADLI: Can the Minister confirm the opening of the Fort Providence whether the cost of the building Health Centre? exceeded the $11 million target? Mahsi. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Nadli. HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thanks to The honourable Minister of Health and my conversations with the Department Social Services, Mr. Abernethy. of Public Works and Services, it is my understanding at this time that we are HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, on time and on budget. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker. The original completion Speaker. date for the contractor was March 31, 2015, and we are still within that date. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. We were a little bit ahead of schedule Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, through last summer and were hoping to Mr. Nadli. do final construction and interior finishes MR. NADLI: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. through January and February. Could the Minister update this House in Unfortunately, we had an inspection on terms of the discussions with the local the 25th to determine if the building was community as to the fate of the old ready to be opened and there were health centre? Mahsi. some deficiencies identified that the HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: There have contractor is currently working on. We st been discussions with the community still have until March 31 to complete ongoing, but as far as the most recent those final interior finishes. The original round of discussions with respect to the plan was to begin moving furniture and opening, I will have to confirm that equipment in in March with the actual information with the Dehcho Health and opening in early summer/late spring. Social Services Authority. I will commit That is still the plan and we are still on to the Member to get him an update as target. I can’t confirm an official date for quickly as possible. Thank you, Mr. the opening, but I will talk to the Dehcho Speaker. Health and Social Services Authority. In light of this new information, I will get a MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. date for the Member. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro. MR. NADLI: Can the Minister give the reason in terms of the delay and the nature of the deficiencies? Mahsi. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 23

QUESTION 744-17(5): captures teaching and learning centres, ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES Aboriginal Languages Program support, AND PROGRAMS Aboriginal languages culture instructor MS. BISARO: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. support; broadcasting, terminology and, My questions today are addressed to as I stated in my Member’s statement, the Minister of Education, Culture and language acquisition initiative, cultural, Employment. I would like to follow up on heritage. That is money going directly to his statement from today about the organizations, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. Aboriginal language programs and MS. BISARO: Maybe I got lost in the progress. The Minister mentioned it his numbers there, but I don’t think I heard statement that the GNWT invests $15 the Minister tell me how much of the $15 million each year to support and million is going to the Aboriginal promote Aboriginal languages. One of governments for their regional language those is to build the capacity of plans. Aboriginal governments to implement This is public money. It’s coming from their five-year regional language plans. I taxpayers. It’s coming from the GNWT. support that change. It is a change in So I feel that the Legislative Assembly the approach from the department. It’s has to be accountable for this money an investment in language and it’s one that is going to Aboriginal governments that’s needed, so I support it. and that we need to be accountable for I would like to first ask the Minister, of all the money that we distribute. the $15 million that Education puts into So, I’d like to know from the Minister, is language programming, how much of there a system in place between the that goes to the Aboriginal governments GNWT, his department and Aboriginal for their five-year language plans? governments to account for both the Thank you. money that they are receiving and the MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. results, in terms of language that is The honourable Minister of Education, happening or not happening, relative to Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty. this money that we’re giving them? HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, Thank you. Mr. Speaker. On an annual basis we HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Yes, provide $15 million to Aboriginal indeed there is. There has to be strict language organizations. It does vary to accountability when we provide public various organizations within the funding to any organizations in the communities and Aboriginal Northwest Territories, not only governments. I highlighted some of the Aboriginal governments or Aboriginal key factors, I believe it was last week. organizations. The organizations that we Approximately $15.127 million: $8.4 deal with, we want them to be million goes directly to education accountable, whether it be reporting authorities; $6.2 million is split between mechanisms, how the money is Aboriginal governments and the expended. There is monitoring, Aboriginal Languages Secretariat; we evaluating and also accountability, MEA provide the breakdown to the DECs that that is currently in place with Aboriginal I can share with the Member, a governments and Aboriginal breakdown of $3.2 million investment organizations and other organizations, March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 24 as well, throughout the Northwest like to know from the Minister, apart Territories. It is an accountability from these monitoring, evaluation and mechanism that’s in play now. So, we accountability reports or plans or follow through with those organizations whatever it’s called, a framework, how is with monitoring, evaluating and the Minister going to assess success of accountability reports. Mahsi. the program. MS. BISARO: Thanks to the Minister. What will he be looking at to determine So, I’d like to know from the Minister, whether or not the money that we’re then, I presume monitoring and spending on language is actually evaluation and accountability will increasing the use of language and produce a report. I think he mentioned a broadening our Aboriginal languages report at the end of his answer there. across the territory? Thank you. So, these reports presumably would go HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: to the department. I’d like to know if the Obviously, seeing the results, reports will also go to committee and to strengthening our working relations with the public so that the Members and the our partners at the regional level, the public will know how their taxpayer stakeholders that we work with, money is being used. Thank you. obviously the success will depend on HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: When each group. So we’re doing what we we received the reports, obviously it’s can as a department to work with them. public money so it is a public document But at the end of the day, it’s just the as well. Most of the information that we results through monitoring, evaluation receive is also on our website. Through and accountability that will be in play the monitoring, evaluation and with the Aboriginal governments, with accountability we make sure that the Aboriginal organizations and other everything’s accounted for. Any time organizations in the Northwest that the standing committee requests a Territories. The communities need to public document, we’d be more than determine their success as well. So, happy to share that with the standing we’ll be monitoring that as well. Mahsi, committee, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. Mr. Speaker. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Ms. Lafferty. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Bisaro. Mr. Moses. MS. BISARO: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Thanks to the Minister. I guess I would QUESTION 745-17(5): say, it would be nice if committee didn’t FUNDING HEALTH PROMOTION always have to request a document, but AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS if a document is being publicly posted, it MR. MOSES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. would be nice if the Minister advised Earlier today I had the opportunity to go committee that it was there so we could and meet with some of the participants go and look at it. at the Weaving our Wisdom territorial I know that this is the beginning of these wellness gathering over at the Explorer regional language plans with Aboriginal Hotel. I had some really good governments so it’s fairly new, but I’d discussions with past colleagues as well as with some people here who are doing March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 25 some good work. One of the areas that legislation that the Member is talking we talked about was prevention and about, but it is an interesting idea and I’ll promotion, in terms of putting funding certainly have the department take a into our dollars. look at the legislation and provide me So I’d like to ask the Minister, is there with a bit of an overview of what it is and anything that currently mandates this how it works within that jurisdiction. government, or is there any legislation As far as moving forward, I’ll share the that we have that says that this information I get with committee, and if government needs to put money into it’s the wish of committee, we’re prevention and promotion? Thank you. certainly willing to have those MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. discussions. Thank you. Moses. Minister of Health, Mr. MR. MOSES: The good thing about Abernethy. when you talk with people in the public HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Thank you, is they have a lot of information, and this Mr. Speaker. We don’t have legislation, was just brought to my attention and I as far as I’m aware of, that dictates or think it’s something that this government requires us to put money into health really needs to look at in terms of promotion. But as the Member knows, legislating, that we have to go out and we have increased the number of educate people and it’s got to be part of dollars that we have put into promotion our mandate. So, I’m glad the Minister is and prevention here in the Northwest going to be looking at it. I know we have Territories during the life of this a lot of legislation to get done from now Assembly significantly, and we’re until the end of this Assembly as well. always looking to work with partners to Continuing on prevention and find ways to create awareness and promotion, can the Minister provide me encourage healthy living for all residents with details on how many regional in the Northwest Territories by way of health promotion offices we have prevention and promotion. Thank you. currently in the Northwest Territories? MR. MOSES: I agree with the Minister Thank you. in terms of putting more dollars into HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: prevention and promotion, and we are Unfortunately, I haven’t memorized the slowly seeing some of the results with number of health promotion officers that the health status reports and what we’re we have throughout the Northwest hearing in the communities. Territories, but I will get that information I know in Ontario, Ontario has a Health for the Member as quickly as possible. Protection and Promotion Act. Would Thank you. the Minister be looking at this legislation MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. and looking at possibly seeing if it’s Abernethy. Final, short supplementary, something that this government might Mr. Moses. want to look into and possibly put into MR. MOSES: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I th documents going into the 18 know we’ve put a lot of money into Assembly? Thank you. prevention and promotion. Is there a HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: I’m, percentage of those dollars that are unfortunately, not aware of the particular allocated to the training and the March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 26 development of our community health but the fur advance doesn’t match that. representatives or health promotion It’s a minimum of a $25 advance for officers? Are there dollars that are these furs and people are paying $45 to allocated to the training and $50 for five gallons of gas. It just doesn’t development of our employees? Thank match the cost of living up there with the you. advance, so my constituents would like HON. GLEN ABERNETHY: Our to see an increase in this. employees are our most valuable Is the Minister willing to work on making resources and we’re committed to their changes to the Fur Pricing Program? continued development. I know that Thank you. there are dollars available for training MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Blake. particular activities, but as far as the The Minister of Environment and Natural number of dollars allocated to train Resources, Mr. Miltenberger. health promotion officers, I don’t have that number. HON. MICHAEL MILTENBERGER: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The prices are We are, as I’ve indicated, committed to set at a five-year rolling average and our staff. We want them to be current. they’re reviewed every year. However, We want them to be up to date on I’d be happy to sit down and talk to the practices and procedures, and we want Member about specifics if he has any them to be continually evolving so that dollar figures that he’s looking at. We they can be current at all times. So, I will have to manage the money that’s do a little bit of digging and I’ll get some available to run this program, and the specific numbers for the Member. Thank beaver prices are very low at the market you. values. Thank you. MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. MR. BLAKE: As the Minister knows, Abernethy. The Member for Mackenzie we have the best fur in the world. There Delta, Mr. Blake. is a huge demand, you see it all the time, for sheared beaver, beavertail QUESTION 746-17(5): wallets. It’s just like snakeskin. I had one FUR PRICING PROGRAM a few years back; it was pretty nice. REVIEW But as the Minister is just taking this MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I department back on, I think it’s time that have a few questions for the Minister of we make this review. Even changing it Environment and Natural Resources. to $45 or $50 for an advance, that would Growing up, my grandparents used to help out the harvesters a great deal. Is tell me stories of when people were the Minister willing to do this? limited to the amount of beaver they could harvest in a year, and it was just a HON. MICHAEL MILTENBERGER: handful. The game wardens, as they Thank you. Yes. One of the things we’ll called them at the time, would go be doing is doing a review, and as the around and keep an eye out on people’s Member has requested and suggested, axes as they used them to chop open we’ll be looking at that particular issue beaver houses. But since then we’ve as well. Thank you. had an explosion in the population of the species of beaver, also foxes and mink, March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 27

MR. BLAKE: Thank you. Was that a 8) Tabling of Documents yes that he’ll increase it to $45 or $50? Thank you. TABLED DOCUMENT 211-17(5): SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON HON. MICHAEL MILTENBERGER: TRANSITION MATTERS – Thank you. I’d have to check Hansard. I TERMS OF REFERENCE understood the question to be that since we’re taking it back over, would we look MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Mr. at the prices and see if we would Speaker. I wish to table the terms of consider moving it from $45 to $50 and I reference for a Special Committee on said yes, we would consider looking at Transition Matters. that as we get this back into ENR’s authority. Thank you. TABLED DOCUMENT 212-17(5): SUMMARY OF MEMBERS’ MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. ABSENCES Miltenberger. Final, short FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 16, supplementary, Mr. Blake. 2014, MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. TO FEBRUARY 3, 2015 My last question is to do with the MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. management of wildlife. Does the Yakeleya. Pursuant to Section 5 of the Minister have funds that they could Legislative Assembly and Executive contribute to encouraging our people to Council Act, I wish to table the Summary harvest more of these species? Thank of Members’ Absences for the Period of you. October 16, 2014, to February 3, 2015. HON. MICHAEL MILTENBERGER: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We have funds tied up in the Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, Community Harvesters Assistance notices of motion for first reading of bills. Program. We have some money still Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading available in the Western Harvesters of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Assistance Program as well. As well, we Item 20, consideration in Committee of have the fur pricing advances that we do the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill have and prime pelt fund as well. So we 12, Employee Benefits Services do have some funds available. Thank Pension Plan Act; Bill 36, Health and you. Social Services Professions Act; Bill 46, MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Deline Final Self-Government Miltenberger. Item 8 written questions. Agreement Act; Committee Report 10- Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 17(5), Standing Committee on 10, replies to opening address. Item 11, Government Operations Report on the petitions. Item 12, reports of standing Review of the 2013-2014 Annual Report and special committees. Item 13, of the Information and Privacy reports of committees on the review of Commissioner of the Northwest bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Territories; Tabled Document 188-17(5), Yakeleya. Northwest Territories Main Estimates 2015-2016; Tabled Document 205- 17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 28

2014-2015; Tabled Document 206- first stand-alone community-based self- 17(5), Supplementary Estimates government in the history of the (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2014- Northwest Territories. 2015; and Tabled Document 207-17(5), ---Applause Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2015-2016, with This bill also gives effect to the Deline Mr. Bouchard in the chair. Tax Treatment Agreement, which relates to the tax treatment of the Deline 9) Consideration in Committee of the Whole Got’ine Government. of Bills and Other Matters The bill provides for consequential amendments to the Waters Act. These CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Good amendments are consistent with the afternoon. I would like to call Committee approach taken in the context of the of the Whole to order. What is the wish Tlicho Agreement. of committee? Ms. Bisaro. Finally, the bill also provides for the MS. BISARO: Thank you, Mr. Chair. repeal of instruments pertaining to the We’d like to deal with Bill 46 and, establishment of the Charter Community following that, Tabled Document 188- of Deline, and for instructions on how 17(5), Northwest Territories Main the Deline Got’ine Government is Estimates 2015-2016, the Department regarded as a municipal authority in of Education. other Northwest Territories laws. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank I would be pleased to answer any you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee questions the committee may have agree? regarding this bill. Thank you. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): We’ll Thank you, Premier McLeod. At this continue after a short break. time I would like to ask Premier McLeod ---SHORT RECESS if he would like to bring witnesses in. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): HON. BOB MCLEOD: Yes, I would, Committee, before us today is Bill 46, Madam Chair. Deline Final Self-Government CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): Agreement Act. I’d like to ask Premier Thank you, Premier McLeod. Is the McLeod if he would like to deliver his committee agreed? opening comments on this bill. Premier SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. McLeod. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, Thank you. I’ll ask the Sergeant-at-Arms Madam Chair. I am pleased to be here to please escort the witnesses to the today to speak about Bill 46, Deline table. Final Self-Government Agreement Act. Premier McLeod, for the record, could This bill approves, gives effect to and you please introduce your witnesses. declares valid the Deline Final Self- Government Agreement. This self- HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, government agreement will create the Madam Chair. To my right I have Fred Deline Got’ine Government, which is the Talen, senior negotiator, Aboriginal March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 29

Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. team and to the federal government. To To my left I have Ken Chutskoff, legal make it to this point where we are today, counsel. we’re making history in the Northwest CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): Territories by bringing it through our Thank you, Premier McLeod. I’ll now process. I wanted to say that when we turn to Members and ask if they have get to another part of this important any general comments on Bill 46. document, hopefully today, later on after General comments? Mr. Yakeleya. third reading, I will do a formal thank you through a statement to the good people MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Madam up in Deline as well as the negotiators Chair. I’m also very pleased to be sitting and the team. here and speaking to the bill, Bill 46, Deline Final Self-Government I do want to say to the Premier it takes a Agreement Act. Madam Chair, my lot to be a trailblazer. Trailblazers, they comments will be short to this specific have a vision, they have a team working bill. with them and they do what they have to do. I take this agreement, this self- This bill, as the Premier indicated, is the government agreement to a time when I, first stand-alone community self- along with George Cleary, who was the government agreement in the Northwest president of the Sahtu Tribal Council, Territories. It’s an historical moment for when we first started to work on a Sahtu the people of Deline, for the team that regional land claim. Part of the deal, part worked on it from the Deline Got’ine, of the package was a section in there, from the Northwest Territories self-government, that George Barnaby, negotiating team and also from the who at that time was self-government federal government negotiating team. negotiator, said to me at that time in Mr. Premier talked about the effect of 1992, ’93, that each one of us leaders in the Deline Tax Agreement that we will time in history have to hold a sign. He have the Deline Got’ine Government said mine is self-government. I was take as part of their own government. young, and I’m still pretty young yet, in This bill also, in the history of the heart anyhow, not realizing then in Northwest Territories, is setting 1992, ’93, ’94, that 20 years later we will precedence for the Mackenzie Valley. see an agreement like this. We didn’t As you know, Tulita and Colville Lake realize that when we were negotiating. and Kasho Got’ine, Fort Good Hope and George Cleary was our president. He Norman Wells are also negotiating their played a significant part in this own self-government agreements as per agreement we’re doing now, but there the Sahtu Comprehensive Dene-Metis are lots of people also in around and Land Claim Agreement and these land from Deline who also played a claim agreements in our region, in the significant role in where we’re at today. Sahtu region, give specific provisions for It’s amazing. I just want to say that. a community self-government In ’93 we did not think this would come agreement. about, with the territorial government, I want to congratulate the GNWT team the colleagues on the other side, they members and to congratulate the good, were making things happen. It takes a hard work of the Deline negotiators and lot of work and it takes a lot of March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 30 dedication. I want to ask the Premier, witnessing the creation of a new with this agreement, is this the government. I never thought that, going agreement that the Deline people now to school in Inuvik, that we’re part of will have their own stand-alone this, putting a new government together. government that we would treat them as I thought always that was for outside a territorial government, as a people. But you know what? Good government and look at them as a things come from inside. government in that sense as the federal I want to say that this bill here is a new government looks at the territory as a path. I always said that in order to get to government to be respected and talked the Promised Land you always had to to in a manner of government-to- negotiate your way through the government relationship. That’s the wilderness. I always said that. To think question I have for Mr. Premier in that people in Deline have negotiated regards to this bill here. their way to the Promised Land, that’s I want to say also to the people in what I think this Deline Self-Government Deline, when we settled the Sahtu Land Agreement will do for them. They’re Claim congratulations to them for leaders, and I must take my hat off to taking this chapter in writing it and thank them, because I know it’s tougher recreating their history. Nothing is easy to be the first in line and to be out of the and working towards an agreement like door. Just like we have good athletes, this says a lot about the people. It says like I said before, or a gold medalist, a lot about the families that they come they know what it takes to get a gold from. They come from very good medal. This is a gold medal deal. people, very strong people. They come That’s all I want to say. Congratulations, from very good leaders to make this again, to the Premier and your team and happen. colleagues around this table here for Those are my opening comments to this allowing this to happen. I really agreement. I’m very pleased. I would appreciate it. I really thank you very never have thought in my wildest much from the bottom of my heart for dreams, being a negotiator and sitting allowing this day to happen in this with George Cleary and the other fashion. Congratulations, Deline. negotiators, that I would be here today CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): to witness the good, hard work by a lot If committee is agreed, we will not stop of good people and to see that this in between for a response from the chapter is coming full circle. To all the Premier. They are general comments. I young people and young leaders who am not hearing any questions. I’ll just are coming up from Deline or any other proceed on to the next people on the list communities, anything in life is possible if the committee is agreed. if you put your mind to it and you have faith in God or the Creator or whatever. SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. Anything is possible. Don’t ever, ever, CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): ever give up on your dreams and your Thank you. Next for general comments I vision. Anything is possible if you have have Mr. Moses. good leadership, good direction. Here MR. MOSES: Thank you, Madam amongst my colleagues here, we’re Chair. I feel very honoured to be March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 31 speaking to Bill 46, Deline Final Self- the people of Deline the best of luck Government Agreement Act. First of all, taking on the responsibilities for I would just like to congratulate the education, health, justice, and as it rolls people from the community of Deline for out I’ll be keeping a good eye on it their hard work and moving forward on because I think it’s going to really show this bill. As the Premier and my what our communities can do because a colleague Mr. Yakeleya have said, it is a lot of our communities are very strong, historic event and actually a very very traditional, very cultural, and I think historical bill in being that it’s the first we’re going to see some really strong stand-alone community-based self- benefits in the Sahtu region that will government in the history of the serve to make our NWT a better place Northwest Territories. I believe it will set to be and a better place to live. a standard for other communities in the I want to thank, as I said, all the Northwest Territories to look at the work negotiating teams and, with that, that Deline has done and the negotiating congratulate the people of Deline once team and working with our government again. to move the process along so that more of our communities can start taking CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): responsibility of the work that they do, Next for general comments I have Ms. and getting the decision-making powers Bisaro. that they need to do the best work that MS. BISARO: Thank you, Madam they can do for the people that they Chair. It’s an overused word today but I serve and the people that they work think it’s very valid and it is historic. It with. reminds me of when we talked about I also know the hard work that goes into devolution. This is a one of a kind. This this process of self-government from our group of the people from Deline are on government, from the negotiating team the leading edge and they’re leading the and from the federal government. At one other communities in the NWT that want time I was a field worker for the Gwich’in to follow their lead. It is an historic self-government, which is still being situation. It is an historic day and it’s negotiated. That just shows how long also very exciting. This is something the process is taking. I just want to which has not ever occurred before in acknowledge the hard work, dedication, our territory. I don’t know that it’s ever commitment and persistence from the occurred in Canada before. negotiating teams on all governments. I With that, I know it’s been a very long know it’s a very lengthy process to be process, some 19 years of work, and I sitting at the table. I really appreciate the want to compliment the work of all hard work to get us where we are today negotiators, particularly the people from and to get the Deline people where they Deline who have been pushing it for 19 are today in terms of taking on those years, but also the negotiators from the new powers. Government of Canada and the Not too much further to say. I think Mr. negotiators from our own GNWT who Yakeleya and the Premier captured it have done an excellent job in coming to very well in bringing this bill before us. the agreement that we see before us One thing that I do want to say is I wish today and this bill. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 32

I want to say that the negotiators recognize that. To the elders, I deserve our praise, but I think the appreciate all the elders who played a perseverance of the people of Deline is key role involving the culture and the probably the main reason why we’ve value and, in a lot of cases, the oral reached this point today. Negotiations tradition that’s being passed from are always a bit of a long haul, but 19 generation to generation. That’s not on years is a rather long time to pursue this paper, Madam Chair, and I believe the one issue, and I congratulate you for oral tradition is embodied within the pursuing it and achieving your goal. pages, the act and the bill before us. So, Thank you, Madam Chair. I look forward to the elders, thank you. You know who to what other Members have to say and you are, but I will be saying thank you to I look forward to third reading when it them later as well. comes up later today. I am totally in Madam Chair, I am very supportive. I support of this bill. speak in a very positive tone. Like my CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): colleagues, I wish this bill expediency in Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Next for general the process. I do have some general comments I have Mr. Dolynny. comments, though, if at some point in time the Premier could address in some MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Madam form or fashion. Those general Chair. I would like to welcome the comments will be in terms of regulations Premier’s delegation and all the people that will be attached to this bill. When in the gallery here today who made the will the regulations be written? How will journey to the Legislative Assembly. those regulations be rolled out? Is there Thank you for joining us today. a timeline involved with this bill? More As mentioned by my colleague, a lot of importantly, are there other triggering key words were used – historic – and I mechanisms that will happen at the think I’d like to echo those same federal level if and when this bill gets to sentiments. This is very much historic third reading? I know there is a data. As we say, 19 years in the making, triggering mechanism that has to but I think it actually occurred even happen at a federal level. If he could fill before that. I think it was back in 1976 in those two gaps, it would make the when this first got off the ground. So this journey complete in the mind of this has been an extremely long journey with MLA. a lot of hard work, a lot of dedicated Until such time, I want to thank all people, a lot of government officials, and parties involved. Very well done. Mahsi later today I will have the honour, on cho. behalf of the elders, to make more personal thanks and I’m honoured to do CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): that. Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Next I have Mr. Bouchard. It goes without saying the negotiating team behind us had to endure a lot of MR. BOUCHARD: Thank you, Madam personal sacrifice. I want to thank them Chair. I, like my colleagues, would like for their tenacity and expedience on to give my support to this bill. Also, keeping focused on a very important congratulations to the people of Deline. cause. I think it’s important that we It is a great day. In my many years of political career, not only as an MLA but March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 33 town councillor and municipal politics, looking at this bill and the work that’s we control our own destiny. We’ve taken been done, I have to congratulate all our devolution. It’s an opportunity for the involved. I know it’s been a tremendous people of the Northwest Territories. amount of work and today is an exciting When I was on town council in Hay day indeed. River, whenever we had an opportunity I see an elders’ council. I see a justice for the town to control its comings and council. I see a beneficiary’s board. I goings, it’s better that the community see the main council. These elements itself takes that control. I see that as an tell me that there’s been a lot of focus opportunity for Deline to their self- brought to these negotiations that the government. people are there to serve their people CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): here, and there’s been a lot of excellent Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Next on the consideration gone into this. list for general comments I have Mr. I see an annual report at a community Menicoche. gathering to bring the transparency that MR. MENICOCHE: Thank you very government requires and the much, Madam Chair. I too would like to participation of the people. express my congratulations to Deline, I see a promise of efficiency. This is a and congratulations from my new single government that will take the constituency and my communities. place of the First Nations Land Which, of course, means that I’ll be Corporation and the charter community. supporting the bill that’s before us, There’s some efficiency here that is Madam Chair. attractive indeed. You know, in our Aboriginal Again, turning over the decision-making communities, as we grow up, we’ve got powers to the community itself, to me, chartered governments like hamlets and the rubber hits the road with governance villages, and we always wonder why. It’s at the municipal level, at the community because, of course, it’s a government level, and I see this agreement as taking that isn’t Aboriginal that instituted these that head on, and I really appreciate institutions. But I see that with the that. Again, it can bring a new level of Deline bill here is that they amalgamate, efficiency and transparency. So, again, they rightfully take back the community that’s excellent work. that is theirs, and I’m really proud to say I know there’s a tax agreement that that and I wish them the absolute best goes with this and there are some and every success as they continue to complexities to that. I’ll look forward to learn and grow as their own community the communications that the for their own people. Mahsi cho, Madam government will have, to make sure the Chair. public is aware of what’s going on in this CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): new agreement, and there’s some Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Next for unique aspects to that I’m sure. general comments I have Mr. Bromley. The community is provided with this MR. BROMLEY: Thank you, Madam legislation, with this new law, the power Chair. Welcome to the Premier and his to participate in many areas. For witnesses here on this occasion. Just example, the education, early childhood March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 34 education and training of their people, leadership in getting this work done. the delivery of health care programs in Mahsi. the Deline district, social housing and CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): income support. These are big Thank you, Mr. Bromley. Minister programs that have been delivered by McLeod. this government, and undoubtedly there will be a transfer period. But, I guess, as HON. BOB MCLEOD: Thank you, a Member of this government, I will Madam Chair. First of all, I’d like to need real clarity on how these changes thank all the Members who gave do occur will affect my responsibilities positive comments and indicated their which previously I had and may have for support for this bill. I’ll address some of some time yet. But some clarity on that the questions that were posed. would be appreciated on how that’s With regard to whether it’s a going to transfer. Does this mean we no government in its own right, when this longer will need to worry about staffing bill comes into effect it will be a self- nurses and building nursing government among the Sahtu Dene and infrastructure and so on, or how does Metis of Deline, the Government of the this change the responsibility of this Northwest Territories and the government? So that sort of clarity will Government of Canada. So this means be needed and I’m certain will develop the Deline Got’ine Government will be a over time. government in its own right. Finally, there’s a certain attraction again With regards to questions on to the model Deline has developed here, regulations, there are no plans to ensuring that one government deals introduce regulations at this time. The with governance required at the Government of Canada has indicated community level. But this is different that they will introduce federal legislation from some other visions where a self- to this bill into effect as soon as possible government model is built for all after it is passed in this Legislative communities in a land claim area, Assembly. regionally, one self-government. The With regards to how this self- relevance through the GNWT as a government government agreement and public government dealing with one Deline will affect individual MLAs, I don’t regional government versus many see it affecting them significantly. The autonomous community governments is Deline Got’ine Government will take on something I’m sure the Premier and his existing responsibilities, and as we go advisors have considered. I would forward, they can call down further appreciate some perspectives on those responsibilities. two different models here for the context With regards to Deline Got’ine that would be useful today. Government governance, they will take That’s all I had, Madam Chair. I just over responsibilities for the Deline Land want to once again – and I know every Corp and will continue to function as Member here does – congratulate the part of the Sahtu Dene-Metis people of Deline who are well- Comprehensive Claim. But through you, represented in the House today, and Madam Chair, I’ll ask the negotiator to this government, the Premier, for his March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 35 go into more detail, Mr. Talen. Thank then vote on the third and final reading you, Madam Chair. of the passage of Bill 46. I just wanted to CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): explain that to you, that there may be a Thank you, Premier McLeod. Mr. Talen. little break in the program. You’re welcome to stay in the gallery. You’re MR. TALEN: The Deline Self- welcome to visit in the Great Hall or do Government Agreement calls for the whatever you would like to do, but I just Deline government to assume the wanted to explain a little bit about the responsibilities of the Deline Land process here. Corporation, the Charter Community of Deline and the Deline Financial Now we will continue on with general Corporation. So it will continue to do the comments. Next I have Mr. Blake. responsibilities that those existing MR. BLAKE: Thank you, Madam Chair. governing structures have in the Just a few comments. I’m honoured to community today. . be a part of this process. The On the effective date of the agreement, community has worked very hard over which is planned for April 1, 2016, the the years. I would like to congratulate Deline Got’ine Government will replace the community, the negotiators and those governments and continue to fulfil leadership as you have negotiated from the responsibilities that those previous a common goal and as you begin down governments had. Thank you, Madam a new path of self-sufficiency. Chair. Many times over the years I’ve been to CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): a number of meetings and that’s what Thank you, Mr. Talen. Just before I go our people want is to be self-sufficient, to the next speaker for general and today you begin down that path. comments, I’d like to welcome all of the Also, taking over the programs in your visitors in the gallery today. We have a community and making changes where very large delegation here of elders, you see fit. Many times our programs leaders, negotiators and citizens of are not structured around what our Deline here with us. I understand that community needs, but through this our government processes and the way process you’ll have that power to that we do things may not be something change what will work for your that you’re completely familiar with, so community. Also, building the capacity let me just explain that we’re going to and training your next generation to fill continue with general comments about the positions in your new government. the bill, 46. At the end of general In my prior role, as I mentioned, I sat on comments, we will go through the a self-government table for four years, clauses of the bill to be approved, and and during that time through our then this committee will accept them as Gwich’in Tribal Government, our the bill as a whole. Then Committee of negotiators changed four times through the Whole will continue on with a little bit those four years. On the federal of business that we have to do to government side it changed three times. conclude today, and then when the The same with the GNWT. As I look Speaker comes back and we go on to through your information that was orders of the day, we will come to third provided to us, I see that the negotiator reading of bills. That is where we will March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 36 for the Deline self-government was path for the future for the Deline Got’ine there for 17 years. Government. For that I say mahsi and ---Applause congratulations. Mr. Gaudet. That shows commitment for CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): the people in the community. I would Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Any further just like to thank him for that. You have general comments? Are we ready for my full support. the clause-by-clause consideration? CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. Next for general comments I have Mr. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): Nadli. Thank you. There are 20 clauses in this MR. NADLI: Thank you, Madam Chair. bill. We will stand down the preamble to I too wanted to speak in support of Bill the bill and we will go to clause 1. 46. I wanted to say something briefly in ---Clauses 1 through 20 inclusive my language, and more than likely a lot approved of the elders could understand me. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): [English translation not provided.] To the preamble of the bill. I would like to thank you for your vision ---Preamble approved and your leadership and your CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): commitment to your people. I will also Does the committee agree that Bill 46, acknowledge, of course, both Deline Final Self-Agreement Act, is governments, the federal and the ready for third reading? GNWT officials that were parties to this agreement. It’s been 19 years in the ---Bill 46 as a whole approved for third making, but we all know, as First reading Nations people, the struggle that we CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): began when Europeans arrived on the Bill 46 is now ready for third reading. North American continent. Today is a Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. proud moment and I am extremely Premier and your witnesses. I’ll ask the proud for you, the community of Deline. Sergeant-at-Arms if he would please Of course, I speak in support of Bill 46, escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Deline Final Self-Government What is the committee’s wish to Agreement Act. The passage of Bill 46 continue with the business before us? enables the people of Deline to make Ms. Bisaro. decisions for themselves. This contrasts MS. BISARO: Thank you, Madam with the paternalistic history of Chair. We would like to consider Tabled government and First Nations relations. Document 188-17(5), Department of The decision-making rested with Education. government for the longest time. Today CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): this legacy of parents knows best Is committee agreed? relationship ends and a new dawn has SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. arrived. CHAIRPERSON (Mrs. Groenewegen): Bill 46 is the realization of past spiritual Thank you. We will continue with the leaders and a vision fulfilled by elders Department of Education. that played an integral role in setting the March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 37

CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank chance to drive this new structure for you, committee. We’ll go the Minister about a year-plus and we’ve had some responsible. Minister Lafferty, do you new players in terms of leadership have witnesses to bring into the within these so-called corporate Chamber? management divisions. But maybe an HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Yes, Mr. overview here is how effective has this Chair. change been to the delivery that was to be expected by the department? Thank CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Is you. committee agreed? CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Lafferty. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort in the Mr. Chair. Since we’ve had some witnesses. changes within the corporate sector, Minister, could you please introduce there’s been a very positive atmosphere your witnesses. within my department. Obviously, the HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, office of the Auditor General also Mr. Chair. I have to my left, Deputy indicated that we should have some sort Minister Gabriela Eggenhofer. To my of changes within our financial sector, immediate right is Olin Lovely. He is corporate services. So that’s one of the assistant deputy minister of corporate reasons why we have a new ADM within services. To my far right is Dana Heide. corporate services. I will get my deputy He is associate deputy minister, to elaborate a bit more in detail, Mr. Education, Culture and Employment. Chair. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank you, Minister Lafferty. Committee, we’re you, Minister Lafferty. Deputy minister. on page 61, Education, Culture and MS. EGGENHOFER: Thank you, Mr. Employment, corporate management, Speaker. In light of the fact that the operations expenditure summary, department has over a $300 million $11.967 million. Mr. Dolynny. budget it was very important that we MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. have the right kind of financial The other day the Minister was very kind accountabilities in place. Prior to the to walk us through, I guess, some of the structural changes of corporate dance steps in terms of some of the management, we had policy, legislation, changes with respect to the different communication and finance and capital levels of structure under corporate planning all under one director and we management, and there has been a have changed that to break it out to relatively large change in the last year or have finance and capital planning its so. I guess to the question. We did get a stand-alone division. sense of who some of these new Planning, research and evaluation was players were and we did get a feel for a division we also created, and that is some of these new divisions. predominantly in response to the Auditor But to the question, how is this new General’s reports that the department structure working today? We’ve had a could have improved its ability to March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 38 evaluate programs and to set over the years and this happens to be a performance targets and develop year where the graduation rates were management evaluation and slightly up, but I would not want to accountability frameworks. So this speculate what the cause and effect division is essentially working with all relationship is of that increased trend. the people in the department who are MR. DOLYNNY: Maybe it’s a pre-ERI designing and developing new birthday gift. Again, it’s just something to programs, but they’re also working very note and, again, trends are something, I hard with our education partners in the know, that many Members here pick up development of particularly new on and I’m sure we’ll have more initiatives like education renewal. questions in the future. The policy, legislation and Mr. Chair, first when we took on this job communication division is as well part of four years ago, almost four years ago, the nerve centre of the department to the Auditor General report tabled assist in all the Cabinet submissions information regarding the Adult Learning and corporate communication and, as in and Basic Education. Without getting most departments, is a stand-alone into the details of that audit report, this is division. a report that, literally, it was scathing to CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank a certain degree, but there were issues you, deputy minister. Mr. Dolynny. in terms of how we were evaluating this MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. Chair. program and some of the monies I appreciate that response. It’s always around it, in the performance measures. important for us to reflect and evaluate So, to the department, if I can get an monumental shifts or changes in update as to where we’re at now with leadership and, in this case here, how ALBE in terms of its action plan, its we are looking after our various performance measures and if maybe we divisions in management. can have an update on the accountability framework. Thank you. To the question of how well this has been working, I noticed that recently the CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank graduation rate in the last year did rise you, Mr. Dolynny. Minister Lafferty. slightly. I think it increased by around 8 HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, percent. Mr. Chair. The ALBE, when we did the What would have accounted for a larger review, there’s been a considerable increase in graduation rates? Of course, discussion with various stakeholders I think it’s under 65 percent, but there and we want to get the actual feedback was something of a shift. Can we maybe from the people in order to make the get the department’s explanation why changes to our programming within the we’re seeing that slight increase in college, other organizations that deliver graduation rates? Thank you. this core programming. So there’s been a lot of discussion in this area. What led MS. EGGENHOFER: It would be to that is, obviously, part of the Skills for wonderful if I could say it was ERI that Success is another initiative that we’ve caused the rise in the graduation rate, undertaken to deal with adults and post- but that would not be truthful. I think that secondary education and skills training we are advised that there are trends program supports and also Pathways. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 39

That also includes the ALBE HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: We are programming and has a link. It’s a direct moving this as quickly as we can. ALBE integration with the Skills for Success. has been a challenge that was brought So those are just some of the to our attention, even as far as discussions that we’ve been having Aboriginal Student Achievement within my department with the Initiative when we did the actual forum, stakeholders across the North. So, we listening to the educators, the adult are currently working with steering educators. They’ve instructed us that we committee on developing the action need to make some changes and we plan. There are the 14 have done that. Based on the recommendations that we’re following recommendations, this Skills for through. So that’s just some of the up- Success obviously will play a huge role to-date status on this ALBE review in identifying the actual needs from the process. communities’ perspective and delivering MR. DOLYNNY: I do appreciate the core programs through the institutions, Minister’s reply to that. I’m a little bit through the college campuses that we saddened by the fact that it’s almost have. So these will be the tools that we been four years now that we’re still need to work with. working on it, and I can understand that The symposium that’s coming up next there needs to be due process for week, it’s at the initial stages and problems of this nature. If I can maybe collecting data and analysis of what the get some indication, will we see some real needs are. We have the Sahtu sort of resolution to the ALBE saga as a needs assessment that’s part of the result of the OAG report, in terms of its package we want each region to provide finality, during the life of the 17th and then from there to deliver core Assembly? Will we see these programming so it meets the needs of accountability framework and the industry standards in the private performance measures in place? sectors as well. We will be moving forward within the life of this Assembly and then on to the next Assembly as well. MR. DOLYNNY: I appreciate it. No further questions on this activity. Thank you. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we’re on page 61, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, $11.967 million. Agreed? SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Agreed. Page 62, corporate management, active positions. Questions? SOME HON. MEMBERS: Agreed. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 40

CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Agreed. schooling funding. Secondly, when are Page 65, education and culture, we going to see the review results? operations expenditure summary, Thank you. $244.200 million. Ms. Bisaro. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank MS. BISARO: Thank you, Mr. Chair. you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Heide. This is a big section of the department MR. HEIDE: Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I so I have a number of questions here. I can clarify, the inclusive schooling is not just want to reiterate the comments being reviewed with the funding formula. made by Mr. Dolynny just recently about The overall funding formula for the the Adult Learning and Basic Education schools is about 75 percent of direct program review. This has been funding that is flexible funding to the something that has been in the works schools, and that is what the funding for a very long time. I think we have yet formula review is looking at. The other to see an end to this review process. It’s 25 percent within the formula is inclusive an area where it’s very difficult for us as schooling and Aboriginal languages a committee to evaluate whether or not funding. Those are being looked at the money that we’re spending on ALBE separately from the overall funding is well spent. There are learning centres formula. in most of our communities. There are also programs at Aurora College at the The funding formula review, I’m happy various campuses, but when we look at to say, has been concluded to the point the numbers as a committee, we have where we all are players within the great difficulty in knowing whether or not review. We had three superintendents the money we’re spending has value. from the school boards across the North This review was supposed to be looking and every finance person from across at that. I do feel that it’s about time that the North, Mr. Lovely and our Finance we get the review finished and that department working together, and we committee has an opportunity to look at have reached a consensus agreement it before this Assembly is over. I don’t around what the funding formula should have a question there. That was just a accomplish, what it should do, how we comment. meet both our interests and the interests of the new accountability structures My first question has to go to the review within the FAA. Since there is some of funding schools, funding formulas. I financial impact on this moving forward, mentioned it in my opening comments, once we share it with Financial particularly the review of inclusive Management Board and the Minister, schooling which is well overdue. I’m we will be happy to share it further. given to understand that the department is also reviewing the overall school CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thanks, funding formula. When are we going to Mr. Heide. Ms. Bisaro. see the results of the review of the MS. BISARO: Thanks, Mr. Chair, and schools formula funding which thanks to Mr. Heide for that. Can I get apparently now includes the inclusive an estimate of time? Are we talking days schooling funding? I’d like to get or weeks or months? Thank you. confirmation that the schools funding CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank formula includes a review of inclusive you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Heide. March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 41

MR. HEIDE: Our intent is to being able We did our part with the overall review. to share with the board chairs which, as It is on our website as well. The review you know, will make it public within the also told us that we should not make next few months. any changes to the general approach of CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank inclusive schooling. There is a need to you, Mr. Heide. Ms. Bisaro. improve the accountability, the measures, increase educator training MS. BISARO: Thanks, Mr. Chair, and and a standardized approach of thanks to Mr. Heide. I guess I just have inclusive schooling practices across the a comment. I would hope that at the NWT. This is an area that has been time you share it with board chairs, if it’s brought to our attention. We do have an going to be public, you would also share expert doing the overall review of the it with committee. directive and also eventually dealing My other question has to do with with the funding formula. funding, with the inclusive schooling I just want to make it clear that I have no review. The education authorities are intention of reducing funding in inclusive currently funded as a percentage of their schooling in any way, but there is budget. Many of the authorities feel that accountability that we must look at. that’s not the best way to provide Through that venue, we are developing, funding and not the best way for them to monitoring and evaluating accountability provide the services that are required to aspects to it. students with special needs. The other method that has been proposed is to The review is with an expert right now, fund per student. That may not also be the director. That will be available at the the optimum way to go. It’s my end of March. That is my understanding. understanding, though, that the If I missed out on key points, maybe my department has decided to stay with the deputy can elaborate a bit more. percentage option. I know committee CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank certainly discussed it. I think it was the you, Mr. Lafferty. I will go to the deputy consensus of committee that a blended minister, please. model would be far better than just the MS. EGGENHOFER: Thank you, Mr. absolute of one or the other. I’d like to Chair. Yes, as the Minister said, no know from the Minister and department decision has been made as to what if I’m correct in understanding that we’re formula to deploy to divide up the going to stay with the status quo in inclusive schooling funding pie. We terms of inclusive schooling funding. have hired an expert to assist us. We’ve Thank you. had the involvement of some of the CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank specialists that work for our schools to you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Lafferty. give us advice. Before we take it any HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, further, we want to make sure that we’re Mr. Chair. This obviously has got a lot of discussing any new approaches with our attention, how we best expend our education authorities, and hopefully we expenditure on to the school boards can develop a common voice in terms of directly to the most in need, the students what’s the best way to divide the with special needs. inclusive schooling funding amongst our March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 42 education authorities. Thank you, Mr. curriculum and also the AATs. NWT has Chair. used grades 3, 6 and 9 AATs as a large- CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank scale assessment since 2007. Alberta is you, deputy minister. Ms. Bisaro. embarking on their own educational renewal process. Obviously, they’re MS. BISARO: Thanks, Mr. Chair, and making some changes to the focus on thanks to the Minister and the DM for student assessment. Because NWT is that information. I want to reiterate that I using AATs that are being phased out, think, from my understanding of what’s we also need to decide whether we going on with education authorities at want to follow Alberta or have our own the moment, the percentage funding is northern tool that we can use. We are not the way to go. I appreciate the still currently using AATs, I believe, in Minister’s commitment that there’s not the Grade 3 area. This eventually will going to be a reduction in inclusive phase out but we need to identify what schooling funding, but I think there is the best tool that we can use to assist needs to be a serious look at changing those individual students, whether it be the method that we fund in order to grades 3, 6 and 9, that we’ve done since make sure that magnet schools and 2007 with the AATs, but we are magnet communities, such as currently exploring what Alberta is Yellowknife and Hay River, and Inuvik moving to and possibly have our own as well, that they get the funding needed system as well. to provide the services that the special needs kids that go to the magnet CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank communities need, and I don’t think a you, Mr. Lafferty. Next on my list is Mr. percentage funding does that. Yakeleya. My question here before I run out of MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Mr. time has to do with the Alberta Chair. I would like to report progress. Achievement Tests. They’ve been ---Carried mentioned a couple of times in opening CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): I will rise comments. My question to the and report progress. Thank you, department is whether or not we’re still Minister Lafferty. Thank you, witnesses. using the Alberta Achievement Tests. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the My understanding was that we were not witnesses out of the Chamber. going to be using them. I thought they were going to be phased out. I don’t MR. SPEAKER: Item 21, report of know if it was last year or this year. I Committee of the Whole. Mr. Bouchard. appreciate confirmation on whether or 10) Report of Committee of the Whole not we are still using Alberta Achievement Tests. Thank you. MR. BOUCHARD: Thank you, Mr. CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bouchard): Thank Speaker. Your committee has been you, Ms. Bisaro. Minister Lafferty. considering Bill 47, Deline Final Self- HON. JACKSON LAFFERTY: Mahsi, Government Agreement Act; and Tabled Mr. Chair. There have been some Document 188-17(5), Northwest changes within the Alberta educational Territories Main Estimates 2015-2016, system. As you know, we follow their and would like to report progress and that Bill 46, Deline Final Self- March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 43

Government Agreement Act, is ready for This agreement is a made-in-the- third reading. I move that the report of Northwest Territories model for Committee of the Whole be concurred implementing the inherent right of self- with. Thank you. government that follows the vision that MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. the elders and leaders of Deline have Bouchard. Do I have a seconder? Mr. held to for many years. This agreement Yakeleya. could not have been possible without the hard work of many people, and I ---Carried would like to take a few moments to Item 22, third reading of bills. The recognize the Deline negotiating team. honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod. Their team, led by chief negotiator HON. BOB MCLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I Danny Gaudet, has worked tirelessly for seek consent to proceed with third years. What they have accomplished reading of Bill 46, Deline Self- has never been done before. They had Government Agreement Act. to break new ground and set a new trail ---Consent granted over unexplored terrain. They did this with guidance from their elders and from 11) Third Reading of Bills the community. Impressively, they worked with our BILL 46: government and Canada, always well DELINE FINAL SELF- prepared, explaining their community’s GOVERNMENT AGREEMENT vision, and always willing to offer and ACT consider new ideas. We can all learn HON. BOB MCLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I from the extraordinary commitment of move, seconded by the honourable this community and the dedication of its Member for Sahtu, that Bill 46, Deline negotiation team. They worked hard to Final Self-Government Agreement Act, represent not just their community’s be read for the third time, and request a interests at the negotiation table but also recorded vote on this historic occasion. to reflect the strong traditions and MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. values of the people of Deline. McLeod. The motion is in order. To the This was a negotiation process notable motion. for its atmosphere of respect and, again, SOME HON. MEMBERS: Question. is something we can all learn from. MR. SPEAKER: Question has been Based on this experience, we can be called. This is a recorded vote. Mr. confident that the Deline Got’ine Premier. Government, when established, will be a solid partner as we work for the people HON. BOB MCLEOD: Mr. Speaker, I’d of the Northwest Territories. like to recognize and congratulate the people of Deline for their success in I would also like to recognize our developing an agreement that will not officials who have worked on this only serve the people of Deline but will agreement on behalf of the Government also provide a model for other of the Northwest Territories. There is a communities in the Northwest Territories long list of officials from virtually every and throughout Canada to consider. GNWT department who at various times over the last 18 years have contributed March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 44 to this agreement. Many have had the moment to add my congratulations to good fortune to work with and build the people of Deline, to all the people strong relationships to the community of who worked on this. Deline. Most recently, our chief I’m one of the Members who have been negotiator has been Fred Talen, and here since this all started. Not that I can previous negotiators for the GNWT have take any credit whatsoever for the work been James Fulford, Doris Eggers and that’s been done, but I do want to Sheila Bassi-Kellett. recognize this history in the making. I ---Applause think only in the Northwest Territories These negotiators were also supported we can still, as legislators, be involved in by dedicated team members. Work on such significant things that are history in the ratification and implementation of the making. Historic, unique in Canada, this agreement has also been supported not just the Northwest Territories. by the efforts of officials led most I also wanted to say that we’ve talked a recently by Sue Bowie and her team. lot about looking back from this day to We must also extend our gratitude to all the work that’s gone into this these officials and to those from the agreement, that I think the real Government of Canada who have also significance of this agreement will be in invested considerable time and effort to the years, the decades and the help fulfill the promise of self- generations ahead that will look back government for the people of Deline. and see this and will be amazed at what Today is a historic day not just because has been accomplished. so many have worked so hard for so We wish you all the best with your new long to see it happen, today is historic self-government mandate and because passage of this bill will mark everything you will do with it. Thank you. the ratification of the Deline Final Self- MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mrs. Government Agreement by the Groenewegen. To the motion. Mr. Government of the Northwest Dolynny. Territories, taking us a critical step closer to the establishment of the Deline MR. DOLYNNY: Thank you, Mr. Got’ine Government in 2016. Thank Speaker. It is my honour to have been you, Mr. Speaker. asked by the leaders and the elders of Deline to ensure that government ---Applause negotiating teams and their officials who MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. worked on this agreement are McLeod. To the motion. Mrs. recognized on this historic day. Groenewegen. I share Deline’s appreciation for the MRS. GROENEWEGEN: Thank you, hard work of so many government Mr. Speaker. I will be very brief. I did not officials, particularly efforts of the speak to this bill at first or second negotiating teams who spent a great reading, and being chair today of deal of time over the years travelling Committee of the Whole, I did not speak and away from their own families, to it when the bill was before Committee making personal sacrifices required to of the Whole. So, as I said, I would like complete this agreement. to take a brief opportunity at this March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 45

In particular I have been asked to Early in the negotiating process, other convey the thanks of Deline elders to GNWT officials served in various these individuals. The elders would like capacities as negotiators, including to thank them for working with the Sheila Bassi-Kellett and Doris Eggers. community to understand the culture, Canada’s negotiating team was led the values and the oral traditions which during the last several years by Ian informed the vision of this agreement. Hamilton, assisted by Laura Hudson- For them, the leaders and the Deline Grant, Mary Jane Rolando and Mike negotiating team, it has been an honour Granalouie. Prior to Ian Hamilton taking and a pleasure to be able to work with the helm, Darryl McLeod served as chief these government officials on behalf of negotiator, proceeded by Kevin Floyd, Deline. who spent a great deal of time in Deline Many dedicated employees of both learning about the community, Canada and the Government of the particularly from the elders. Northwest Territories contributed to this Other officials of the federal government agreement. The leaders and elders who contributed significantly to making would like me to recognize, on their this agreement a reality include Annie behalf, former Premiers, including Carriere, Sarah Gill, Kim Thompson, Stephen Kakfwi, Joe Handley, Floyd James Lawrence, Jennifer Whittaker, Roland and Premier Bob McLeod, who Sylvain Betsina, Tina Bohnet, Jeanine assisted in moving this agreement Flood, Lesley Marefield, Lesonne forward. Glouie, Eric Pourier, Patrick Barthold, They would also like to recognize the Lawrence Pearce, Sean Summers, and efforts of Norman Yakeleya, Sahtu MLA, Michael Naddler. for supporting their efforts on this Finally, the elders, leaders and Deline agreement. negotiating team extend their heartfelt They would also like to express their gratitude to all Members of this House appreciation to Mr. Gary Bohnet and Mr. for their unwavering support in its final Martin Goldney for their recent efforts critical stage of a process that has with this legislation. spanned almost 20 years and that will The Government of the Northwest last for generations to come. To all in Territories negotiating team was led in the House: mahsi cho. the last several years by chief negotiator MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Fred Talen, affectionately known as Dolynny. To the motion. Mr. Yakeleya. “Keo” by the elders of Deline who MR. YAKELEYA: Thank you, Mr. appreciated Fred’s focus and Speaker. I also want to have some determination. Fred was ably assisted at congratulatory words to the people in various times by a team that included Deline. Ian Blackstock, Conna Brown, Lorraine Whiteman, Tannis McNabb, Isabelle Thomas Edison once observed that the Gauthier, John T’Seleie, Peter Teetchie, reason most folks don’t recognize Noon Trin, Sue Bowie, Carolyn Dunhill opportunity when it comes along is and Buddy Williams. because it’s often dressed in coveralls and looks like work. Often opportunity involves a great deal of work and a March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 46 willingness to take a chance on know that the young Pages are here to something, the outcome of which may witness their community becoming their be uncertain. Eventually you reach a own government. Maybe one day those point when you must either accept an two young girls, Hannah Beyonnie and opportunity with all its unknowns or else Faith Gaudet, will be in the government turn your back on it. No one can tell you of Deline along with lots of young when you have reached that point. You leaders up here. That is my only prayer. will know when it’s time to make your Nineteen years ago the Deline First move. You have to have the courage to Nation and Deline Land Corporation take a chance. began negotiating this self-government Deline has taken the chance. It’s taken agreement. The community was guided a chance to become a government on by a desire to ensure their language, its own, as Mr. Premier said. A stand- culture and way of life would stay strong alone, first time ever in Canada. The into the future. They were guided by the birthplace of not only ice hockey but the desire to do away with three separate birthplace of self-government in Canada organizations that kept the people apart, belongs to Deline. and create one government for the ---Applause community that would help them work together. That’s what the North is so good about. People in the North, no matter who we One of the Dene laws is sharing. We are, sometimes we get a little bit must all share respectfully with each controlling and want our own. But when other if we are to survive and thrive. we really think about it, we’re very That was also a guiding principle for this unique in this territory. Even in this community while negotiating and it’s Assembly sometimes we don’t agree, reflected in the agreement, which but we somehow come out together. includes a welcome place for elected That’s the way it is. We don’t know public representatives in the what’s going to happen. government. For Deline, self- government does not mean they will go As the elders said, tomorrow, we don’t off into their own corner. It means that know. We’re not the boss. We know that they will take their place as a self- when we got back to our people and our governing partner of the GNWT and communities, there are some really Canada to govern in ways that betters good people from all the North not the lives of Deline Got’ine. They are sitting with us in our communities: family strong in their purpose that this members, cousins, grandmas, agreement will make sure that their whatever. Only God knows. You listen children for generations to come will to the elders and you know they will help have the opportunity to stay strong in you along the trail. their Dene identity as a basis for I have to say some words on behalf of overcoming the challenges, staying in the Deline people, and I want to say school, contributing to the well-being of even Chief Sitting Bull said, “Let’s put the community and territory and our minds and our hearts together so succeeding where their hopes and that we know what kind of future we can dreams take them. make for our children.” I’m very proud to March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 47

With the passage of this bill, we are one various ways, and as a result the step closer to a stronger territory, strong negotiating team itself helped to build land claim and self-government, making capacity in the community and ensure the lives of all our NWT citizens better, that residents were informed. These because strength creates opportunity. included Shaun Doherty, Jane Modeste, Deline was guided by a team of elders Fibbie Tatti, Stephanie Carter, Walter for the entire 19-year process, who are Bayha, Michael Neyelle, Ruby Takazo, committed to continue their involvement Dolphus Tutcho, Nicole Tutcho, Reanna as the community prepares to set up the Taniton and Clarence Tutcho. Deline Got’ine Government. Those The negotiating team had been led for elders are the late Paul Baton, Alfred the past 19 years by Danny Gaudet, Taniton and Leon Modeste. These men who was asked by the elders to take on attended virtually every single the role of chief negotiator, which he negotiation session and meeting of this expected would only take two years. I process to guide the negotiating team – know you’ll agree with me when I say beautiful – and continued to bring all not only the community but all of us are parties back to the focus on their vision glad that he stuck it out for 17 years of one strong government in Deline in longer than he expected. Thank you, accordance with the vision of the Danny. That is the kind of commitment prophet ?ehtseo Ayha. needed to get things done and to keep Andrew John Kenny, Frederick Kenny, communities moving forward. In his role Dolphus Baton, Morris Neyelle and he was supported by staff in the Charlie Neyelle also supported the community and by technical staff. These negotiating team, staying involved as individuals at different times included advisors along with the elders. They Stephen Mills, the late John Bailey, Alex were always on hand in the community Ker, Tony Maxwell, Max Faille, Mark to give advice to the negotiating team Siegel, Shannon Ward, David Boote and and to explain the agreement and Jessica Iveson. In the community, issues to the people. Paulina Roche, Phebie Kenny, Kristina Gaudet, Christine Allen, Diane Andre Over the years strong leaders in Deline and Kirk Dolphus worked as members made sure their community was of the community’s transition team. informed and involved in this process and were always there with support for Now, Mr. Speaker, sometimes these the negotiating team. Presidents of the things are unexpected, you know, when Land Corporation: Peter Menacho, we have… I just want to say the late Leroy Andre, Raymond Taniton, the late John Tetso and I had some pretty good John Tetso, John Tutcho, Gina Dolphus, times when we were young leaders, and and Ekwatide Raymond Tutcho and I didn’t know this was going to happen. Ekwatide Leonard Kenny. Thank you, colleagues. Throughout the negotiating process The community transition team was many community members worked on responsible for thinking through how the agreement. Sorry, Mr. Speaker, a they will transition their organizations to good friend of mine. Throughout the one Deline Got’ine Government. George negotiating process many community Cleary, Mary Kodakin, Ron Cleary and members worked on the agreement in Anne Bayha also contributed greatly by March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 48 being a presence here in Yellowknife to MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. support the negotiations and provide a Yakeleya. Before we move on, I’d like to link with the large number of Deline welcome back into the House, Mr. Jim beneficiaries who live in this wonderful Antoine. city called Yellowknife. ---Applause Throughout the negotiations, Danny had To the motion. a core team who supported him. For the first seven years, the late Gary Juniper SOME HON. MEMBERS: Question. and also the late Geoffrey Grenville RECORDED VOTE Wood worked tirelessly in that role. For the past 12 years, Patricia Modeste, MR. SPEAKER: Question has been Brian Crane of Gowlings, Stephanie called. The honourable Premier asked Irlbacher-Fox, together with the for a recorded vote. All those in favour, community-based advisors worked with please rise. Danny to complete the agreement. DEPUTY CLERK OF THE HOUSE (Mr. During the ratification stage, Roxane Schauerte): Mr. McLeod – Yellowknife Poulin and her team at Tait South, Mr. Lafferty, Mr. McLeod – Inuvik Communications worked around the Twin Lakes, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. clock to develop an award-winning Dolynny, Mr. Bouchard, Mr. Nadli, Ms. information strategy that ensured every Bisaro, Mr. Moses, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Deline beneficiary could make an Yakeleya, Mr. Menicoche, Mr. Blake, informed decision when voting on this Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. agreement. I would like to congratulate Miltenberger. all these individuals who have worked MR. SPEAKER: All those opposed, so hard on this agreement on behalf of please rise. All those abstaining, please the community of Deline. rise. In favour, 16; opposed, zero; Mr. Speaker, in closing, this agreement abstentions, zero. The motion is carried. took 19 years. This is the birth of 19 ---Carried years. It’s like a mother giving birth after ---Applause nine months. We take our time, we go a little slow with the creation, the birth, Bill 46 has had third reading. Mr. Clerk, your prophet, and the people of Deline, orders of the day. good government, all the Members, the 12) Orders of the Day team up there, you are witnessing history. God bless you all. God bless the DEPUTY CLERK OF THE HOUSE (Mr. government. Stay strong. Continue Schauerte): Orders of the day for working with your elders and your Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.: prophet. Young people, stay in school. 1. Prayer Stay off alcohol and drugs and we’ll have a really, really strong government, 2. Ministers’ Statements I’ll tell you that. The future is yours. Take 3. Members’ Statements the opportunity and run with it. Mr. 4. Reports of Standing and Special Speaker, thank you so much. Committees ---Applause 5. Returns to Oral Questions March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 49

6. Recognition of Visitors in the - Tabled Document 206-17(5), Gallery Supplementary Estimates 7. Acknowledgements (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2014-2015 8. Oral Questions - Tabled Document 207-17(5), 9. Written Questions Supplementary Estimates 10.Returns to Written Questions (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 11.Replies to Opening Address 1, 2015-2016 12.Petitions 21.Report of Committee of the Whole 13.Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 22.Third Reading of Bills 14.Tabling of Documents 23.Orders of the Day 15.Notices of Motion MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands 16.Notices of Motion for First adjourned until Thursday, March 5th, at Reading of Bills 1:30 p.m. 17.Motions ---ADJOURNMENT 18.First Reading of Bills The House adjourned at 5:09 p.m. - Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Mental Health Act 19.Second Reading of Bills 20.Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters - Bill 12, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act - Bill 36, Health and Social Services Professions Act - Committee Report 10-17(5), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories - Tabled Document 188-17(5), NWT Main Estimates 2015-2016 - Tabled Document 205-17(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2014-2015 March 4, 2015 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES HANSARD Page 50

Load more

  50

Copy Link